Because travel and eating go hand in hand, it’s always exciting, not to mention decadent, to visit restaurants with a Michelin star or two, break the piggy bank, and have a meal to remember.
So it’s super exciting to say that after more than 100 years, New Zealand’s first Michelin Guide has been launched.
I’ve got all the winners below, plus the five-point criteria the Michelin judges use.
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The Michelin Guide started in 1911 as a food review booklet created the global car tyre (tire) company to encourage people with vehicles to drive them further for great food, and thus wear out their tyres!
Today there are over 3,700 Michelin starred restaurants in 120 cities, regions, countries – and now New Zealand has joined them with 110 restaurants named, including 14 one-Michelin star restaurants and a single two-star restaurant!
See the 2026 winners below…
New Zealand is arguably most famous for its stunning scenery, adventure activities and the Lord of the Rings. That’s what international tourists come here for – and are not disappointed. But what they are often surprised and delighted to find is our extraordinary culinary scene.
Auckland is often seen as simply a gateway to the rest of the country, but with five winning restaurants and tons of great stuff to do, not to mention 7 rooftop bars for a sunset tipple, Auckland is worth spending a little moment in.
Wellington is the coolest little city in the country, with loads of great things to do – as well as seeking out the three winning restaurants.
Christchurch has a great food scene, and now with two stars, I need to make another visit! (Will need to save up…) I wrote this post about my favourite places to eat there, ranging from posh porridge at the market to award-winning Inati.
And while Queenstown is utterly breathtaking in winter, and lures snow skiers like the proverbial moth to the warming flame, I like to visit in summer for the surrounding wineries and ease of getting around without ice!
For years I have been getting mouth-watering emails and press releases from around the world when the French tyre company anoints a new city or region with a guide. And I have spent even more years lamenting that the globally recognised and prized award for culinary excellence is not here.
New Zealand gives out ‘hats’ to top chefs. But only those au fait with the hat system, predominantly dished out in Australia and New Zealand, would understand what they mean. We also have national publications that rate the country’s best restaurants, but of course, that is not likely to reach the eyes of a gastro traveller in Paris, London or New York.
But the globally recognised Michelin Guide will!
Tourism New Zealand has stumped up a reported NZ$6 million over three years to get the guide here. Small fry out of its annual budget, and I suggest it’s going to prove to be money well spent.
Surrounded by two oceans, we have a plethora of great seafood within about two hours drive from anywhere, and our hills are dotted with millions of sheep and cattle, all happily grass-grazing.
We’ve banned caged chicken farms, so our chooks free-range and our pigs must have room to roam about too. In fact New Zealand’s animal welfare rules are some of the strictest in the world, and certainly a lot more strict that in the US where pigs and chickens are often kept in cages for months or even their whole lives.
So yes, I think we punch above our weight when it comes to what chefs put on our tables, and I’m so thrilled that this is now being recognised by Michelin.
However, while we’ve heard that the guide’s inspectors have been in New Zealand for a year, they were only visiting four main cities. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. Which leaves some outstanding chefs and restaurants in the regions out.
Hopefully this will be remedied by the time the second guide comes out, because I would absolutely put Embra in Taupo and Craggy Range in Havelock North in the guide any day. The latter just won the Supreme Award, for best destination venue and best boutique and luxury accommodation at the 2026 Lion Hospitality New Zealand Business Awards for Excellence.
You probably know restaurants in your own towns or places you’ve visited which should be there, and maybe, like me you were surprised by the ones who missed out on a star and some who got a star.
But it’s great start, and one I hope will bring foodies out the woodwork from around the world to add eating out to their New Zealand to do list!
What is the criteria for winning a Michelin Star?
The judges, we were told by Michelin International Director, Gwendal Poullennec at the awards ceremony, are trained chefs or sommeliers in their own right, and then they spend up to three years training to be a Michelin judge. This is to ensure that a star awarded in Paris or Los Angeles means the same as one awarded in Queenstown.
Here’s the 5 criteria the Michelin judges are looking for:
- Quality ingredients
- Harmony of flavours
- Cooking techniques
- The personality of the chef shining through
- Consistency
Here are the winners of New Zealand’s first Michelin Guide stars
Two stars
Essence, Queenstown
One star
- Tala, Auckland
- Ahi., Auckland
- The Estate (Tantalus), Waiheke Island
- Mudbrick, Waiheke Island
- Paris Butter, Auckland
- Ortega, Wellington
- Logan Brown, Wellington
- Jano Bistro, Wellington
- Inati, Christchurch
- Tussock Hill, Christchurch
- Rātā, Queenstown
- Sherwood, Queenstown
- Kika, Wanaka
- Amisfield, Queenstown
35 New Zealand restaurants awarded Bib Gourmand
The Bib Gourmand award highlights places where diners can enjoy high-quality, thoughtful cooking at approachable prices:
Auckland: Apéro Food & Wine, Atelier, Bianca, Bistro Saine, Boda, Cazador, Gemmayze Street, Goat, Milenta, Osteria Uno, Parro, Pasta & Cuore, and Tempero
Wellington: 1154 Pastaria, Cicio Cacio, Hummingbird, and Indian Alley
Christchurch: A’mano, Earl, Fire And Slice, Gatherings, Londo, Odeon, Roca, Soul Quarter, The Athens Yacht Club, and The Monday Room
Queenstown: Aosta, Bombay Palace (Wānaka), Francesca, Muttonbird, Paloma Taqueria, Sundays, The Cow (Queenstown), and Treehouse
Here is the full list of 110 New Zealand restaurants that were included in the 2026 Michelin Guide, either with stars, Bib Gourmand or in the ‘selected’ category.
