A note from Cuisine editor Kelli Brett

Our national team of more than 40 food and drink professionals have completed their assessments and today we publish the list of restaurants that will be showcased in the 2019 edition of the Cuisine Good Food Guide. The guide will be published along with our January issue, on sale 16 December. Within the Guide, our list of New Zealand’s top dining experiences will be split into those restaurants awarded the coveted hats (determined on an evolved judging criterion) and an additional list of ‘Ones to Watch’, restaurants that demonstrate a high standard and are definitely worth a visit.

And what a year it has been for our restaurant industry. The surprise announcements by Roots restaurant in Canterbury and Clooney restaurant in Auckland that they would close their doors have meant that we lost two of our leading restaurants – both were awarded 3 hats in the 2018 guide. It’s been a tough year for the hospitality industry with a heightened focus around sustainability, waste, gender and working conditions. New Zealand can provide a special and emotional experience through its food and although dining in New Zealand is hard to define, the constant is an ability to present excellence across a diverse menu. The emergence of more specialty restaurants dedicated to telling a particular story of history and culture through their food has been wonderful to watch this year. New Zealand still does informal dining extremely well and fine dining has become a little looser and more relaxed, while still delivering a seamless experience.

As for our category winners and the allocation of the coveted Cuisine Good Food Award hats, you will have to wait for the awards announcement on 25 November at 8pm. This will take place right here at cuisine.co.nz but meanwhile, let’s celebrate this list of incredible restaurants and their teams and I hope you will continue to support your favourite restaurants by visiting often. I admit that I have dined at quite an alarming number of the establishments on this list so I can tell you, hand on heart, that it is an amazing time to be eating out in New Zealand.

The Cuisine Good Food Awards are supported by a group of premium companies that are committed to investing in and recognising the hard work and achievements of New Zealand hospitality professionals. Our heartfelt thanks to our 2019 partners Cardrona Distillery, Epicure Trading, Estrella Damm, Kenwood, Ōra King, Pamu, Pead PR and San Pellegrino.

Cuisine’s Top New Zealand Restaurants for 2019