Cuisine Restaurant of the Year

Here is something to warm your cold winter evenings – the winners have just been announced in the Cuisine Magazine New Zealand Restaurant of the Year. Cuisine Magazine is New Zealand’s leading food magazine, providing expert recommendations on where to eat, and in this the seventh year of the awards, the prestigious accolade has long been the benchmark for our nations best eateries.

For a cosy meal to warm your belly and fill you with goodness at one of the best restaurants in town, check out the winners and book your table now!

Supreme Winner 
Merediths, Auckland

Mercedes-Benz Best Smart Dining – Metropolitan 
Merediths, Auckland

It’s not surprising that Meredith’s has won this grand title honour. The restaurant is charming and elegant with immaculate service. Chef Michael Meredith is well renowned for being a cuisine inventor and could be described as a magician – clever and smart – with style and craftsmanship. The food is perfectly presented with various mix-matched options to blow your mind, offered as a 5 course tasting menu, a 7 course tasting menu and a 9 course degustation menu. Bookings essential.

Cuisine type: European
Opening Hours: Closed from Tuesday 16th August 2011 until Thursday 25th August 2011
Lunch: Friday 12noon to 3pm; Dinner Tuesday to Saturday 6pm – 10.30pm                       
Price Range: 5 course tasting menu $90pp; 7 course tasting menu $120pp; 9 course degustation menu $130pp (Saturday & Sunday only)

» View our full listing for Merediths for directions, menus and more

Runner-up Best Smart Dining – Metropolitan
Ambeli, Wellington

With charm and originality, the experience at Ambeli is unpretentious yet its service reflects perfection. Popular with locals, the menu prepared by new Chef Josh Evans offers a fine selection of tasty Mediterranean-inspired dishes, with all produce sourced locally. Bookings essential.

Cuisine type: Mediterranean 
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11.30am-2.00pm (reservation only); Dinner 7 days
Price Range: Mains under $38; Degustation from $90pp

» View our full listing for Ambeli for directions, menus and more

Vittoria Coffee Best Smart Dining – Regional
À Deco, Whangarei

Winning many accolades in previous years, Whangarei’s A Deco is one of Northlands highly respected establishments.  With elegant dining the menu features fresh local produce with a contemporary New Zealand theme of a la carte or degustation options available. Bookings essential.

Cuisine type: New Zealand European
Opening Hours: Lunch Wednesday to Friday; Dinner Tuesday to Saturday
Price Range: Mains under $36; Degustation $80pp

» View our full listing for A Deco for directions, menus and more

Runner-up Best Smart Dining – Regional
Boutereys Restaurant & Bar, Nelson

Nelson’s much loved Boutereys delivers a sensational fine dining yet unpretentious experience. A previous winner of many accolades including Cuisines Best Smart Dining Regional 2010 and 2009, this restaurant delivers all the charm and warmth of local Nelson hospitality. All produce is also sourced locally on their mouth-watering menu. Bookings recommended.

Cuisine type: New Zealand
Opening Hours: Dinner Tuesday to Saturday
Price Range: Mains under $34

» View our full listing for Boutereys for directions, menus and more

Sanpellegrino Best Casual Dining – Metropolitan
Arbitrageur, Wellington

Delivering the taste of the Europe to the heart of Wellington, Arbitrageur is an inner city favourite. With all the charm of an authentic French dining experience, the menu offers all of the delicious flavours you’d come to expect from Toulouse Sausage to Snail & Chorizo Risotto and Rabbit ravioli. Le Magnifique! Bookings essential.

Cuisine type: European/French
Opening Hours: Lunch Monday to Friday; Dinner Monday to Saturday 
Price Range: Mains under $42

» View our full listing for Arbitrageur for directions, menus and more

Runner-up Best Casual Dining – Metropolitan 
Ponsonby Road Bistro, Auckland

Also a runner up in Metro Magazine’s Awards 2011 for Best Upmarket Bistro, there is no doubting that this gem of a bistro is hot to trot. With delicious authentic European cuisine ranging from Mediterranean fish stew to roast lamb chump with parsnip puree, the presentation is beautiful and immaculately served. Bookings recommended.

Cuisine type: European
Opening hours: Lunch Monday – Friday and dinner Monday – Saturday. Closed Sunday
Price Range: Mains $23-$34

» View our full listing for Ponsonby Road Bistro for directions, menus and more

Electrolux Best Casual Dining – Regional
Joint winners: Palate, Hamilton & Riverstone Kitchen, North Otago

Riverstone Kitchen

The 2010 Supreme Cuisine Restaurant of the year winner, Riverstone Kitchen still continues to deliver their reputation for providing amazing wholesome food with a warm and friendly service. Their menu contains local area produce and is full of seasonal delights. What’s charming about Riverstone Kitchen is that it varies from cosy café by day to refined restaurant at night. Bookings essential.

Cuisine type: New Zealand
Opening hours: Lunch Thursday to Monday; Dinner Thursday to Sunday
Price Range: Mains under $29

» View our full listing for Riverstone Kitchen for directions, menus and more

Palate

One of Hamilton’s finer restaurants, Palate prides themselves on providing outstanding New Zealand cuisine, with superb customer service. All ingredients are sourced and produced from New Zealand, and the menu includes considerate wine matches for each dish – adding the finishing touch to a very enjoyable dining experience.

Cuisine type: New Zealand
Opening Hours: Open Tuesday to Saturday evenings 
Price Range: Mains under $39

» View our full listing for Palate for directions, menus and more

Plumm Glassware Best Specialist Restaurant
Cocoro, Auckland

Ponsonby’s Cocoro is recently opened and dishes out unique modern tapas-style Japanese cuisine. There is an impeccable level of service which mirrors the professionalism from Owner and Chef Makoto Tokuyama. A great place to head for comfortable fine dining Japanese. Bookings essential.

Cuisine type: Japanese
Opening hours: Lunch & Dinner Tuesday – Saturday. Closed Monday & Sunday
Price Range: Tapas $6-$27; Set Degustation $80 per person

» View our full listing for Cocoro for directions, menus and more

Whitestone Cheese Best Winery Restaurant
Joint winners: Black Barn Bistro, Hawke's Bay & Pegasus Bay, Canterbury

Pegasus Bay

Wining the title for Best NZ Winery Restaurant of the Year for the past four consecutive years, need we say any more? The experience is second to none with superb wine to accompany each item on the huge menu, which changes seasonally. An outstanding total food and wine experience.  

Cuisine type: New Zealand European
Opening Hours: Lunch Thursday to Monday 
Price Range: Mains under $39 

» View our full listing for Pegasus Bay for directions, menus and more

Black Barn Bistro

A charming Mediterranean type bistro in the heart of Hastings wine country, Black Barn delivers a thoroughly enjoyable lunch matched with wonderful wine. With freshly grown local produce appearing on the menu, the selection changes with the seasons – from Hawke’s Bay rack of lamb to twice cooked free range pork belly and grilled market fish. Delicious.

Cuisine type: New Zealand
Opening Hours: Lunch Wednesday to Sunday
Price Range: Mains under $38

» View our full listing for Black Barn Bistro for directions, menus and more

In addition, Cuisine Magazine also pays tribute to Christchurch Restaurateur Johnny Schwass by honouring him with the Villa Maria Estate Restaurant Personality of The Year. Restaurant Schwass is currently closed following the recent Christchurch earthquakes.

Editorial by Katherine Robinson

Related articles

2011 Cuisine Restaurant of the year awards Nominees
2011 Metro Top 50 Auckland Restaurants
2011 Metro Top 50 Auckland Restaurant Nominees
2010 Metro Top 50 Auckland Restaurants  
2010 Metro Top 50 Auckland Cafes