Aotearoa’s most exceptional restaurants and leading culinary luminaries have been named and celebrated at our Cuisine Good Food Awards presented by American Express.

Cuisine has been providing the global benchmark for New Zealand restaurant quality for 20 years and is the country’s most highly regarded food and drink awards. The glittering event, attended by over 400 hospitality industry figures, awarded 20 category winners to those considered to be top of their game and leaders in their craft, along with revealing the list of 320 restaurants claiming a destination achievement and some gaining the prestigious 1,2 or 3 hats.

We are delighted to announce that more than 300 establishments will be featured in our Cuisine Good Food Guide 2024/2025, presented by American Express. The restaurants span the length of the country and showcase the top hospitality establishments, from fine dining and regional destinations to metropolitan and neighbourhood favourites. There are 60 more restaurants than in last year’s selection, a deliberate move by Cuisine and its 40-strong judging panel of food writers, critics, chefs and hospitality professionals, designed to showcase even more of the country’s talent and to encourage patronage and support of the nation’s outstanding restaurants.

The ultimate cream of the crop – our hatted restaurants and category winners – were announced in partnership with American Express at our Cuisine Good Food Awards at the Park Hyatt Auckland on 26 August. For the third year we’re thrilled to be working with American Express as our presenting partner; they share our passion for this initiative and for supporting and celebrating Aotearoa’s incredible hospitality industry. Rob Bourne, American Express New Zealand Country Manager, says, “American Express is proud to sponsor the Cuisine Good Food Awards, showcasing the very best of New Zealand’s chefs, restaurateurs and dining experiences. Our card members are passionate about dining out and find real joy in experiencing the country’s diverse hospitality scene. We’re thrilled to support Cuisine in recognising this year’s champions of the industry and applaud their dedication.”

Lead assessor Kerry Tyack says, “Kiwi cuisine continues to capture our imagination, taking us on exciting journeys down sometimes unexpected pathways, always surprising us with variety and constantly challenging us with its creativity. Highlights this year have been the welcome return of focus on root vegetables, further support for sustainability and broad acknowledgement that shorter menus have a legitimate role to play in the restaurant experience. We know it’s tough out there: listening to stories of heartbreak and frustration, watching as industry friends face financial and emotional loss, we can’t help but reflect on the wisdom or value of what we do. But, while there is undisputedly plenty to lament, there is also plenty to celebrate. We need to keep promoting the good, we need to acknowledge hard work and great effort and we need to keep promoting dining out at all levels so that Cuisine readers make informed choices, are left satisfied and happy and continue to support this amazing industry.

In 2024 our awards feature two new categories: the New Restaurant of the Year showcasing excellence in all levels of hospitality within a unique new concept and space; and the Ōra King New Zealand Global Champion award which shines a light on a leading Kiwi voice that is telling our New Zealand food-and-drink story on a global platform.

Cuisine editor Kelli Brett says dining out at its best is about making memories. “Wherever we are across our beautiful country, there are standout places that we enjoy eating at again and again. They’re the places we’re excited to take friends or visitors, the ones that consistently deliver great food, standout service and a quality experience. So we need to keep supporting them. As we all know, the hospitality industry has been under pressure for some time. First hit by COVID shutdowns and, more recently, the constraints of staffing shortages and consumers being forced to tighten their belts, now more than ever the industry needs our support.”

And so, we bring you our pick of the ones to watch this year. Go forth, confidently spend your dollars on something outstanding and make some memories…