110 restaurants across Aotearoa New Zealand have made their way into the Michelin Guide, the first time ever for New Zealand restaurants. 60 of these are ‘selected restaurants’ assessed as having good cooking, and a further 35 are categorised as ‘Bib Gourmand’ — good quality, good value cooking. The Michelin Guide is widely recognised as one of the world’s most influential restaurant rating systems, and anecdotally we’ve heard this is already reflected in it becoming very difficult to get a booking at some of these celebrated sites.
Fifteen exceptional restaurants, however, have been awarded the coveted and iconic Michelin star rating.
Two stars: Excellent cooking
Two stars are awarded to restaurants where the teams’s personalities and talents shine through in expertly crafted dishes, with food that is both refined and inspired.
Essence, a European Contemporary restaurant based in the ROKI Collection hotel in Queenstown, has taken home the only two Michelin star rating. Michelin say “the two tasting menus draw on premium, seasonal New Zealand produce, finessed by solid European techniques, ingenious creativity and modern sensibility. Every plate tells a story with refined, yet expressive flavours”.
One Star: High-quality cooking
One star awards recognise restaurants that use top-quality ingredients and prepare dishes with distinct flavours to a consistently high standard. Fourteen New Zealand establishments were recognised with this honour.
They include the delightful Ortega Fish Shack, in Wellington. Ortega is noted for preparing their fish in “myriad styles, ranging from European to Latin American, to accentuate its natural favours. Highlights include yellowtail kingfish ceviche with avocado and crayfish oil” (I agree). One wonders if they may have to drop that “shack” off their name now!
Christchurch’s Inati (meaning ‘to share’ in te reo Māori) is also recognised. Their listing celebrates signature dishes such as a “Boeuf-nut” (a donut filled with braised beef cheek) and roast 14-day-aged duck coated in dukkah spice mix - “a hit with its crispy skin, tender meat, and exotic kick”.
In what is bound to be one of the most exciting days on the island to date, two Waiheke Island establishments were celebrated. The guide celebrates the menu of Tantalus Estate Restaurant, which “merges textbook French technique with a distinctive New Zealand sensibility”, and the stunning setting of Mudbrick, “housed in a beautifully converted barn […] The idyllic vistas are a huge draw, especially at sunset”.
The remaining ten one star awards are to:
Logan Brown, Wellington
Jano Bistro, Wellington
Tussock Hill, Christchurch
Tala, Auckland
Paris Butter, Auckland
Ahi., Auckland
Kika, Wānaka
Amisfield, Queenstown
Sherwood, Queenstown
Rātā, Queenstown.
Get your bookings in quick for your next special occasion, and check out the full Michelin Guide to New Zealand here.