For the first time ever, a New Zealand restaurant makes this influential 'world's best' list
Friday, 6 June 2025
A fine dining restaurant in Central Otago has become the first New Zealand establishment to make an influential 'world's best' list.
Amisfield Restaurant has been ranked in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 51-100 list for 2025.
Executive chef Vaughan Mabee’s restaurant placed 99th after more than 1000 culinary experts, including chefs, food writers and global gastronomes, voted.
The 51-100 list has been revealed ahead of the top 50 ranking, which will be announced in Turin, Italy later this month.
William Drew, director of content for The World's 50 Best Restaurants, said the extended list “showcases the depth and diversity of the global culinary scene”.
“Huge congratulations to all the restaurants featured. We look forward to celebrating together at this year's awards ceremony.'
Amisfield owner John Darby said the ranking is an “extraordinary honour — not just for Amisfield, but for New Zealand as a whole”.
“It marks a proud moment in our journey, as the first restaurant in the country to join this global stage.
“For our family, it’s the realisation of a long-held vision: to share the unique flavours and spirit of Central Otago with the world. This recognition is a tribute to the passion, perseverance, and continued support behind Amisfield — and we’re deeply proud to be part of that story.”
On the World's 50 Best Restaurants website, Amisfield is described as having “wild views over Lake Hayes and a backdrop of snow-capped mountains”, calling it “the full rural experience”.
“But the food is anything but rustic. Homegrown hero Vaughan Mabee has been at the restaurant since 2012, cooking fresh, locally sourced and often hunted ingredients that are expertly paired with the estate's exceptional wines.”
Amisfield, which is situated between Queenstown and Arrowtown, also made headlines recently when it was named the third-best restaurant in the world by influential US magazine Food and Wine.
The publication’s annual Global Tastemakers Awards highlighted Amisfield for its bold dishes and “unparalleled dining experience”.
Dinner at the restaurant can set you back up to $695 per person if you order from the Chefs Menu 2025, according to its website. The wine matching is another $600 per person.
Other recent awards include Mabee getting the highest recognition at the World’s Best Chef Awards in 2024, and winning the Innovation Award from Cuisine Good Food in 2023 and 2024.
Amisfield was also named Restaurant of the Year in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 by the Cuisine Good Food Awards.