How much does it cost to eat at New Zealand's Michelin restaurants?
For the first time, New Zealand now has restaurants which have been recognised by Michelin Guide – but how much will dining at one set you back?
Last night, 15 restaurants across the country were awarded Michelin stars, which recognised the best of Aotearoa’s culinary scene.
Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Kristy Phillips said having the Michelin Guide for restaurants "puts the spotlight on the quality, creativity and professionalism of our hospitality scene".
"With more than 100 restaurants recognised across the Michelin awards evening, we are hopeful that this announcement will encourage people to travel to New Zealand to experience our world-class food, beverages and manaakitanga (hospitality)."
Although the restaurant menus are seasonal and can change in price, a glance at some of the winner’s websites can give a gauge of how much it can cost to experience some of the best dishes New Zealand has to offer.
Essence, located in Queenstown, was the undisputed winner of the night and was the only restaurant in the country to be awarded two stars.
According to Michelin Guide, the two Essence tasting menus draw on premium seasonal New Zealand produce, and are “finessed by solid European techniques, ingenious creativity and modern sensibility”.
Essence’s primary tasting menu, named The Journey, is currently priced at $450 per person. The Journey features eight courses, which include offerings such as of oyster, crayfish, duck and quince, according to its sample menu.
The second tasting menu, named A Taste of Essence, is currently priced at $295 per person – and features four dishes from The Journey. A Taste of Essence sample menu included a prelude dish, snapper, duck and a buckwheat-based dessert.
Tala, located in Auckland’s Parnell, was awarded one Michelin star at the awards. Michelin Guide said Tala’s “traditional Samoan flavours and recipes are interpreted in exhilarating ways and, if you sit at the counter, you’ll have front-row seats for a very special experience”.
Tala’s Chef’s Journey tasting menu is currently priced at $215 per person and features 14 dishes which include panikeke (deep-fried pancake), roadside barbecue, pani popo (coconut bun) and pavlova.
The Tala website said the series of dishes each tell its own tale of Samoa, with the signature umu chicken featuring as the centrepiece.
The slightly shorter version of the Chef’s Journey, named the Fāgogo Journey, is currently priced at $165 per person. It has 13 of the courses listed in the Chef’s Journey, leaving out the signature umu chicken.
Ortega Fish Shack, located in Wellington, was also awarded one Michelin star.
Michelin Guide said Ortega included a variety of styles, and included highlights such as “yellowtail kingfish ceviche with avocado and crayfish oil and market fish with smoked aubergine and confit tomato".
It also explicitly mentioned: “Be sure to peruse the drinks list.”
Ortega has a variety of set menus currently ranging from $95 to $130 per person. Cocktails at the establishment are priced between $19 and $24. Ortega also boasts a large list of international and local wines, which can be bought by the glass from $12.50.
Ortega also has as an a la carte menu, where mains currently range from $46.90 to $52.90. These mains include a snapper-based dish, moki, beef fillet and lamb rump.
Desserts on this menu range from $14.50 to $19.50 and include panna cotta, Catalan crepes, chocolate mousse and walnut cake with quince.
Also in Queenstown, Sherwood and Rātā were among those awarded one Michelin star.
At Rātā, mains currently range from $44 for a gnocchi dish to $140 for their lamb shoulder. Michelin said this restaurant has "savvy touch and solid techniques" and those dining in should expect "bold season-driven flavours".
Meanwhile at Sherwood, their Michelin-recognised wood-flatbreads range from $12 to $30, and a set menu of three courses currently costs $100 per person.
Michelin said this establishment "deploys a ‘garden-to-table’ ethos and rolls out a hyper-seasonal menu – 90% of the ingredients are either picked from its own organic garden or foraged in Central Otago".
Value bites
At the awards ceremony, Michelin Guide also recognised 35 restaurants offering exceptional quality at great value – under the Bib Gourmand category.
These establishments have been recognised on their accessible pricing without compromising on culinary skill or quality.
In Auckland, Michelin Guide said you’d “be hard pressed to find juicier chicken thighs” than those at Lebanese-based restaurant Gemmayze Street.
Currently, Gemmayze Street has a chicken dish on its menu for $40, and a lamb dish for the same price. Set menus range from $65 to $110 per person.
Wellington’s Indian Alley features “must-try dough-covered parda biryani”, according to the guide. Prices for this dish depend on the pairing option chosen, but range from $25 with vegetables, $29 for lamb or $30 for prawn.
Soul Quarter in Christchurch was recognised for its jumbo prawns, which Michelin Guide said have been “perfectly grilled” after being marinated in chilli and garlic oil – and its charcoal-grilled Canterbury lamb rump.
The jumbo prawns are currently priced at $3 each, while the charcoal Canterbury lamb rump is priced at $45.
In Queenstown, Sundays was recognised for offerings including “terrific” wood-fired pizzas, “Italian inspired” cacio e pepe and agria fries with aioli.
The wood-fired pizzas currently range from $30 to $34, while the cacio e pepe is priced at $27. The agria fires served with lemon aioli is priced at $13.
Full list of Michelin star recipients
Auckland
Ahi
Mudbrick – Waiheke Island
Paris Butter
Tala
Tantalus Estate Restaurant – Waiheke Island
Wellington
Jano Bistro
Logan Brown
Ortega Fish Shack
Christchurch
Inati
Tussock Hill
Queenstown
Amisfield
Essence – two stars
Rātā
Sherwood
Wānaka
Kika
Bib Gourmand winners
Auckland
Apero Food & Wine
Atelier
Bianca
Bistro Saine
Boda
Cazador
Gemmayze Street
Goat
Milenta
Osteria Uno
Paloma Taqueria
Parro
Pasta & Cuore
Tempero
Wellington
154 Pastaria
Cicio Cacio
Hummingbird
Indian Alley
Christchurch
A'mano
The Athens Yacht Club
The Monday Room
Fire and Slice
Gatherings
Londo
Odeon
Roca
Soul Quarter
Queenstown
Aosta
Bombay Palace
Francesca
Muttonbird
Sundays
The Cow
Treehouse