Cuisine Good Food Awards

After months of tasting their way through New Zealand’s buzzing food scene, Cuisine magazine has dropped its annual Good Food Awards—and 22 standout spots from the city centre have made the list!

Now in its 21st year, the awards are seen as the ultimate stamp of approval for top-notch dining in Aotearoa. A team of food pros from around the country, led by well-known critic Kerry Tyack and Cuisine Editor Kelli Brett, spent the year doing anonymous reviews to pick the winners.

This time around, 20 category champs were crowned, each showing off the best of the best in their field. Restaurants are rated using the Hat system—1 to 3 Hats—celebrating amazing food, service, and the whole dining vibe. Scroll down to see which city centre spots earned their Hats!

Many of these acclaimed restaurants are also part of Restaurant Month, running until 31 August 2025—making now the perfect time to indulge in top-tier cuisine with exclusive menus and limited-time offers.

The Best of the Best at Cuisine Good Food Awards 2025

• Hotel Restaurant of the Year: Metita

• Pastry Chef of the Year: Advieh

2 Hats

These restaurants continue to set the bar high, delivering masterfully prepared dishes, professional service and an ambience that’s both refined and inviting. Every detail from the plating to the mood lighting contributes to a dining experience that’s as memorable as it is delicious.

1 Hat

These standout spots deliver expertly crafted dishes bursting with flavour, paired with warm, attentive service that elevates the entire dining experience. If you're diving into New Zealand’s rich and varied culinary landscape, these gems are truly not to be missed.

See the full list of Cuisine Good Food Award winners, here.