SCORE: 18/20

While the hotel restaurant has made a comeback in many cities around the globe, New Zealand has been slow to catch on. We love what Michael Meredith and The Grand by SkyCity have built together with their fresh exploration of Pacific cuisine at Metita. From the oysters ever-so-lightly cooked in beef bone marrow, the perfectly seared piece of tuna with a green papaya salad or the crispy-skin pork hock with its pineapple vinegar glaze and sapa sui (Samoan chop suey) to the outrageously good panipopo with spiced rum caramel and banana sorbet, this is Michael and his team cooking from the heart, and it is delicious. The six-course tasting menu at $140 per person is a terrific way to immerse yourself in these glorious tastes of the Pacific but, whichever way you go, the corned beef steamed bun with lardo and caviar remains a destination you deserve to explore. There’s also the chance to enjoy a drinks list that proudly showcases the diverse wine-growing regions, craft beer breweries and distilleries of Aotearoa. With its earthy, warm tones, the dining room is thoughtfully designed to create an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and comfortable, making it an ideal choice for any occasion.