Our national restaurant scene has come leaps and bounds in recent decades, finally doing justice to the fact that some of the best food in the world is produced right here.

Whatever you’re in the mood for – or if you just want to try something a bit different or special – there’s an option nearby to suit. Here’s just ten of the many outstanding highlights in New Zealand’s cuisine scene.

TopSail (Whangārei) This casual, airy, harbourside restaurant offers comfortable surrounds, stunning views and unfussy French-influenced New Zealand cuisine. TopSail has a strong local and artisan focus, making its breads and many of its condiments in-house and even keeping its own chickens! topsail.co.nz

Kazuya (Auckland) This sophisticated, degustation-only restaurant in Symonds Street turns out some of New Zealand’s most creative dishes. Using Japanese and European influences, the team create gastronomic delights that are on the cutting edge of international fine dining. kazuya.co.nz

Harbourside (Tauranga) A dinner at Harbourside is an atmospheric delight, set in a beautiful historic building on the water’s edge and serving sensational modern cuisine. You’ll enjoy exquisite local fare and warm, friendly service while you gaze out across the sparkling expanse of Tauranga Harbour. harboursidetauranga.co.nz

Elephant Hill (Te Awanga, Hawke’s Bay) The Elephant Hill winery restaurant is one of the nation’s best, with a casual-fine dining lunch and dinner menu showcasing the Hawke’s Bay’s freshest produce and a grazing ‘Flights and Bites’ menu available at the cellar door to enjoy with some of the winery’s own tasty drops. elephanthill.co.nz

Logan Brown (Wellington) This capital dining scene institution, set in a heritage building, has been one of the capital’s, and the country’s, top culinary destinations for more than two decades, using quality ingredients to create stunning yet simple dishes. loganbrown.co.nz

Hopgood's (Nelson) A modern bistro feel and a local focus are the order of the day at Hopgood's. Making the most of the region’s raft of top-notch craft beer, the menu pairs local brews with creative and ever-changing dishes. hopgoods.co.nz

Twenty Seven Steps (Christchurch) Located in beautiful and historic New Regent Street, Twenty Seven Steps serves rustic European fare in a cosy, intimate bistro setting. Since opening in 2015, the restaurant has quickly established a reputation as one of the top restaurants in the city. twentysevensteps.co.nz

Francesca’s Italian Kitchen (Wānaka) An absolute institution on the Wānaka restaurant scene, Francesca’s Italian Kitchen began life as a pizza truck and now serves utterly authentic Italian classics in equally authentic surrounds. Expect some of the best pizza, pasta, risotto and ragu you’ve ever tasted. fransitalian.co.nz/wanaka-home

Nest Kitchen & Bar (Queenstown) This modern, Art Deco-inspired restaurant in the Kamana Lakehouse hotel boasts some of the best views in Queenstown from its lofty perch overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. The menu offers classic Mediterranean fare along with fine wines and an impressive collection of New Zealand gin. nestqt.co.nz

Moiety (Dunedin) Bringing excellent service and beautiful food to Dunedin’s fine-dining scene, Moiety’s menu is short and sweet, with snack items pairing well with local wines and serving to tide you over until your five-course dinner arrives, and as the menu itself states: “If it didn’t taste good, it wouldn’t be on the menu.” moiety.restaurant