Last night marked a historic moment for New Zealand’s food scene.
For the first time ever, the Michelin Guide announced its New Zealand restaurant selection, shining a global spotlight on the incredible chefs, producers and hospitality professionals who have been quietly creating world-class dining experiences for years.
At The Big Foody, we’ve always believed that New Zealand is one of the world’s great food destinations. Now, the rest of the world knows it too.
While Michelin Stars often grab the headlines, the Guide celebrates much more than fine dining. It recognises exceptional ingredients, consistency, creativity and the passion that goes into every memorable meal. It also highlights outstanding value through Bib Gourmand awards and showcases many more restaurants through the Michelin Selected category.
It’s recognition that reflects the strength of New Zealand’s entire food culture.
Auckland was one of the biggest winners of the evening, with restaurants across the city receiving international recognition. From innovative fine dining to neighbourhood favourites, Auckland continues to prove itself as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most exciting culinary cities.
What makes our food scene so special isn’t just the restaurants themselves. It’s the people behind them.
It’s the oyster farmers pulling fresh shellfish from our harbours. The artisan cheesemakers perfecting their craft. The coffee roasters, bakers, chocolatiers, winemakers, brewers and growers who supply some of the country’s finest kitchens.
These are the stories we love sharing with our guests every single day.
For more than 15 years, The Big Foody has been taking visitors beyond the guidebooks to discover the people, flavours and neighbourhoods that make Auckland unique. We believe the best way to understand a city is through its food, and every stop on our tours has been carefully chosen because it represents the very best of local hospitality.
Whether it’s meeting passionate business owners, tasting award-winning artisan products, discovering hidden laneway eateries or enjoying a glass of locally produced wine, our tours offer a genuine taste of Auckland that goes far beyond simply dining in a restaurant.
The arrival of the Michelin Guide is fantastic news for New Zealand tourism. It will inspire more travellers to choose New Zealand not only for its breathtaking landscapes, but also for its extraordinary food and wine experiences.
And while visitors may arrive with a list of Michelin-recognised restaurants, we hope they’ll also take the time to explore the cafés, markets, bakeries, producers and family-owned businesses that make our food culture so vibrant.
That’s where the real stories are found.
Congratulations to every chef, restaurateur, producer and hospitality professional recognised in this inaugural Michelin Guide. Your passion, creativity and dedication continue to raise the bar for New Zealand cuisine and inspire food lovers from around the world.
If you’re planning a visit to New Zealand, there’s never been a better time to explore our country one bite at a time.
We’d love to show you around. The table is laid!
