AUCKLAND

Josh and Helen Emett continue the elegance and success of Gilt, with The Vault at Chancery Chambers, a hidden dining room designed for private groups. Seek out Blue on Franklin Rd (in the old Agnes Curran spot), a café by day, wine bar by night and all-round celebration of conviviality and hospitality. At Pie & Pinot on Remuera Rd you’ll find, er, pies and pinot (just kidding, there’s a varied choice of small plates and cocktails, too). Terribly sad to farewell Little & Friday, which has officially shut the doors to its last remaining store in Ponsonby. And also it’s adieu to Ponsonby Road Bistro, which is shutting up shop after 18 years.

WELLINGTON

On Eva St look out for the bright red convertible Chevrolet Deluxe and you’ve found Eva’s Garage, a café, florist, barber, gift shop and shared workspace all in one.

CHRISTCHURCH

Coming soon to the Esplanade at Sumner is Brigitte’s – with its own special blend of Ozone coffee we know it’s going to be a good one.

METHVEN

Not long to go before Bale Restaurant opens on Racecourse Ave offering shared plates, wine, craft beer and cocktails.

QUEENSTOWN

We’ve heard tell that Sean Connolly is doing exciting things with a new spot, Pavilion, a bar and kitchens concept that celebrates social dining, and super-good food in Queenstown Central in Frankton.

DUNEDIN

With a bigger distillery operation and a new dedicated bar and tasting room, Julien Delavoie of No8 Distillery can now be found in the heritage precinct of No Name Alley. Jacinda Reid, owner of Bru Cafe in Moray Pl, has opened Brazen Eating House in Filleul Street with a lively tapas-inspired menu. In St Clair, there’s no stopping local restaurateur Katrina Toovey who opens Sorella serving gelato and sorbetto artigianale made fresh each day in the gelato laboratory by Marco Adinolfi, one of the top 100 gelato maestros in the world. And Katrina has been keeping busy, as next door to The Esplanade is Piccolo, her new wine and salumi bar offering takeaway bottles and pizzettes. There’s a new brewery tour in town – Steamer Basin Brewery hosts a tour which takes approximately 45 minutes and includes a tasting flight of your choice. In the old Nova site in the Octagon next to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery you’ll find Commons Eatery, an all-day café restaurant and bar from the owner of The Swan Café & Bar. Hi Vietnam brings flavour-packed banh mi to the redeveloped George Street area – also try some pho or an authentic Vietnamese coffee. For Sri Lanka street food such as paratha rolls, roti and kottu, Yaka is now in the heritage building opposite Knox Church.