New Zealand · FOOD
Good food experiences fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 12 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Taste Waiheke’s wineries, olive oil, scenery, and a two-course lunch on a seven-hour private island tour from Auckland.
“The guide was lovely - the island beautiful and lunch was great - the wine tours nice in that the sites were beautiful but the wines chosen were just ok.”
Taste Auckland’s best small food spots on a three-hour walk with wine, beer, sweets, seafood, dumplings, and local history.
“Sarah was a wonderful guide and the food was AMAZING ! Great variety and Sarah was so knowledgeable. I even have booked a food tour in Wellington.”
Taste Central Otago wines, dine on a five-course barrel-cooked lunch, and explore historic Cromwell and Arrowtown from Queenstown.
“This wine tour was one of the highlights of our trip! Our guide Martin was very knowledgeable and a fantastic guide. The wine and food was 10/10. Would highly recommend this tour as a must to anyone. Thanks for a great day!”
Taste Waiheke wine, oysters, olive oil, cheese, and a family-style lunch on a small-group tour with island pickup and local guides.
“Great tour that covered a lot of ground (4 wineries), and a good amount of food and drinks. Michael was our lovely tour leader - he was fantastic, sharing knowledge, stories and laughs throughout the day, and making the drives in between destinations all the more enjoyable. Where we were running early he would take us to other stop off points for lookouts etc as well. We particularly enjoyed our experience at Batch Winery. However, the venue we visited for lunch (Stonyridge) was underwhelming from a service perspective - despite constant requests for service and information regarding our lunch platters (including dietary requirements), the staff were dismissive and didn't appear…”
Taste Central Otago wines at three Gibbston wineries, enjoy a paired lunch, and ride with a lively local guide on this 5.5-hour Queenstown tour.
“Fun & easy going pace from hopping one winery to another. Lunch at Kinross was outstanding!”
Taste Waiheke oysters, olive oil, boutique wines, and a vineyard lunch on a five-hour guided tour from Matiatia Wharf.
“Overall it was amazing! Each vineyard owner and staff had amazing personality and passion for their work. The driver was absolutely amazing and made the experience entertaining and informative knowing everything about that island. Would highly recommend”
Explore Queenstown’s Gibbston Valley with three winery tastings, a paired lunch, scenic drives, and a guide who handles the driving.
“A wonderful half day wine tour with the fabulous Clare who was very informative about the local area on our drive around too! Lunch was superb at Kinross Winery - so yummy! Would definitely recommend this winery tour!”
Taste Auckland’s local cheeses, Kiwi classics, restaurant dishes, chocolate, and a drink while exploring the CBD with a local guide.
“This was a really well planned food tour. The tour guide was knowledgeable and made the effort to get the group to gel. We got introduced to some great food venues within a small part of the CBD, giving us the confidence to scratch beneath the surface ourselves. There was enough food to cover us for lunch but not so much that we didn't have room for dinner. We took away some top tips that we used later in our holiday. A great tour.”
Explore Christchurch on foot with Māori culture, earthquake stories, local food, drinks, and friendly small-group guiding.
“Wonderful commentary about people of Christchurch, lovely food tastings, and enjoyable walk through town, along the river. It was a memorable time spent. Thank you, Spud/Gracy, so much for sharing!”
Taste Wellington’s food scene on a 3.5-hour walking tour with coffee, scones, kombucha, local specialties, and personal guide tips.
“We loved this activity; Wellington is extremely walkable compared to where we live in America. Our guide was very personable and had great food recommendations!”
Taste Wellington on a three-hour small-group walk with Māori food, craft beer, chocolate, coffee, cheese, and local restaurant stops.
“The food tour was excellent. A good variety of food and a nice amount of time at each venue made for a very relaxing pleasurable experience. Our guide Rebecca was an absolute delight.”
Taste Martinborough wines, cheese, chocolate, olive oil and beer on an 8-hour small-group tour from Wellington with lunch included.
“It was excellent and memorable. Very recommended tour. Loved the cheese, wine and chocolate tasting. Our tour guide Phil is very kind and accommodating and on time. He explained well and very friendly.”
Pick an island, a lake or a cave.
