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Napoleon Bonaparte asserted that an army marches on its stomach, and the same could be said of many modern-day travellers, for whom amazing food and wine experiences are integral to their overall holiday enjoyment. New Zealand is renowned for its regional food and wine experiences, from Waiheke Island and Hawkes Bay in the North Island, to Waipara Valley and Central Otago in the South.
If you want to wine and dine your way around New Zealand, the South Island (Te Wai Pounamu) is a great place to start – it’s a culinary haven of fine dining and sublime wines from top to bottom. For an itinerary that’s all about the South Island food and wine scene, these are of our top ten unmissable experiences:
Cloudy Bay – Marlborough (Image Source: newzealand.com)
Sitting at the top end of New Zealand’s South Island, the Marlborough region is one of New Zealand’s most well-established wine producing areas: its Sauvignon Blancs in particular are among the world’s finest. There are more than 100 wineries offering more than 30 cellar door experiences, with Cloudy Bay producing some of the best wine in New Zealand. You could easily lose an entire afternoon sampling the winery’s wares while sat in a swinging chair overlooking a tranquil expanse of manicured lawn. Visit during the summer months and the winery’ summer garden restaurant, Jack’s Raw Bar, will also serve up a variety of delicious local seafood, including tuna carpaccio, and fresh oysters and clams.
A culinary gem in the heart of Marlborough’s wine country, this celebrated dining establishment is celebrated for its dedication to sustainability and innovation. Arbour is all about locally sourced ingredients, with a particular emphasis on showcasing the iconic flavours of the Marlborough region which, with the Marlborough Sounds almost on the doorstep, has a distinct emphasis on fresh seafood. The other star ingredient is the restaurant’s idyllic rural setting, surrounded by rows of grape vines, roughly ten kilometres from the town of Blenheim: just far enough to work up an appetite if you opt for a sedate bike ride as your preferred method of transport.
If you travel the main highway from Marlborough to Christchurch, you’ll eventually leave the rugged coastline behind and enter a lush valley that’s one of the rising stars of New Zealand’s wine industry. The Waipara Valley enjoys soaring summer temperatures that provide ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir, Reisling and Chardonnay varieties, some of the finest of which are produced at Black Estate. This family-owned winery is known for its commitment to organic farming, and its restaurant, located within the vineyard, offers a tasting menu that showcases the best local produce and wine pairings. The restaurant was recently named New Zealand’s best winery restaurant by Cuisine magazine, and if you visit during truffle season (June and July), you can join a truffle foraging expedition before being served the fruits of your labours.
A little over an hour’s drive from Christchurch, the town of Akaroa sits on the shoreline of a spectacular harbour that is all that remains of an ancient, flooded caldera. Despite being encircled by the golden hills of Banks Peninsula, Akaroa is one of the few New Zealand destinations to have a distinctly French flavour, from its distinctly Gallic Street signs to the Toulouse sausages on offer at the local butcher. Just a stone’s throw from the local wharf, The Little Bistro is certainly not a fancy restaurant, but it does offer incredible, French-inspired, bistro-style cuisine that’s all about sustainable, local produce. Akaroa salmon is a regular star on the menu, while the wine list is a showcase of some of New Zealand’s finest wines. The clear, sheltered waters of Akaroa Harbour provide a popular playground for the rare and critically endangered Hector’s dolphins. The world’s smallest dolphins, these playful creatures are endemic to New Zealand, and often put on a show for visitors enjoying a kayaking expedition or harbour boat tour.
Tītī is the Māori name for the sooty shearwater, a type of seabird that is native to the offshore islands of the Southern Ocean. The restaurant’s location on the waterfront at St Clair Beach means you may just spot one of them gracefully skimming above the waves while you enjoy a memorable feast in cosy comfort. Tīti takes its inspiration from both ocean and land, and its owners work closely with local producers to source the freshest ingredients for their customers. If you’re lucky, you might be able to try their version of a true Kiwi delicacy – the whitebait fritter. The menu changes frequently to reflect seasonal variations, or you can opt to ‘Trust the Chef’, allowing your hosts to decide which culinary delight is most likely to bring you maximum joy.
In a town that’s built its reputation as a haven for adventure-seekers, Rātā invites visitors to Queenstown to embark on an adventure of the culinary variety. Tucked away down a quiet lane just a few minutes’ walk from the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu, the restaurant is the brainchild of renowned Kiwi chef, Josh Emett, whose menu fuses contemporary techniques, local ingredients and traditional Māori influences. The resulting dishes are a true showcase of New Zealand cuisine that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. The restaurant’s warm interior of native wood and stone is the ideal spot for a little indulgence after you’ve experienced the region’s many adrenaline-fuelled activities.
In a region that’s absolutely bursting with amazing cellar door and fine dining experiences, Amisfield Bistro is one of the most iconic restaurants in the South Island. Recently named by Cuisine magazine as its overall Restaurant of the Year for 2023/24, its location in the heart of Central Otago means you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Hayes and the surrounding mountains while you dine from its seasonal menu. A glass or two of the winery’s own, much-celebrated Pinot Noir is the ideal companion to your meal. If you manage to save any room for dessert, head for the nearby picturesque, former mining village of Arrowtown, where you can sample what is arguable the South Island’s most scrumptious gelato and other sweet treats at Patagonia Chocolates.
Gibbston Valley Winery (Image source: queenstownnz.co.nz)
Wine enthusiasts and nature lovers will appreciate the spectacular setting of the Gibbston Valley, where dramatic rocky outcrops and serene riverbeds create ideal growing conditions for great wine. As a pioneer in the local wine industry, Gibbston Valley takes its visitors behind the scenes to deliver fascinating insights into the winemaking process from grape to bottle. Of course, the real highlights are the cellar of world-class Pinot Noirs and other varietals, and the winery’s incredible location – this is a wine experience with a view like no other. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or simply seeking a tranquil escape in a picturesque setting, we recommend hiring an e-bike from the local bike centre and exploring more of the region’s wineries, many of which are within a stone’s throw of the nine-kilometre Gibbston Valley Cycle Trail.
Across the Kawarau Valley from the historic town of Cromwell, the sun-soaked slopes of Bannockburn are home to more of Central Otago’s best vineyards – including Akarua Winery & Kitchen. The winery was recently acquired by the French-based company, Edmond de Rothschild Heritage, which recognised that the local terroir shares the same exceptional conditions for growing Pinot Noir grapes as the esteemed Burgundy region of France. The winery’s cellar door offers visitors the opportunity to sample its wares, which include Pinot Rouge, Pinot Gris and Rose alongside its signature Pinot Noir. The surrounding hills are a popular location for hiking and mountain biking, with many remnants of the region’s nineteenth-century goldmining legacy still to be found amidst the Carrick Range’s rocky crags and scenic picnic spots.
Our culinary circuit of the South Island concludes in the small city of Nelson where, at the foot of the cathedral steps, Hopgood’s and Co has spent almost twenty years cementing its reputation for excellence. The restaurant is famous for a number of signature dishes – we recommend trying the goat’s cheese souffle, which changes according to what other ingredients are in season during your visit. From freshly shucked oysters to perfectly seared local lamb, every dish is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality and flavour. Hopgood’s and Co offers the ideal comfort stop after exploring the nearby Abel Tasman National Park: an ethereally beautiful region of dense native forest studded with tiny beaches and coves, best explored on foot, by mountain bike or by kayak.
These ten gourmet food and wine experiences in New Zealand’s South Island promise to tantalise your taste buds and provide unforgettable moments against the backdrop of some of the world’s most stunning landscapes. If you’d like your holiday in the Land of the Long White Cloud to be more include a tempting assortment of luxury South Island wines and incredible tasting experiences, the South Island has something to satisfy your every culinary craving. Ask your personal travel manager for more ideas and travel inspiration.
The South Island vineyards and culinary delights are yours to explore. Take a look at our South Island itineraries here and you could win $1,000 spending money*.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
