BEST OF · NEW ZEALAND FOOD TOURS
Good new zealand food tours run small groups and fill up weeks ahead. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Cruise Lake Whakatipu to Walter Peak for a generous local BBQ, farm dog show, alpine views, and a choice of historic steamship or catamaran.
“what could be improved is signage to where main meal , salads and desserts are as can be rather confusing when you are new there”
Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw, enjoy a gourmet BBQ at Walter Peak, and watch sheepdogs work in a memorable Queenstown outing.
“Absolutely loved this tour out to Walter Peak! My partner and I went and couldn’t fault the gourmet lunch. Its very relaxed and the service was wonderful. Everything ran on schedule and we still had the afternoon to enjoy the rest of Queenstown. The views on the lake were also stunning.”
Review of Waiheke’s 7-hour private food and wine tour, with ferry tickets, three wineries, olive oil tasting, lunch, costs, and practical tips.
“Efficient, well organised and friendly guide. Good variety of stops. Comfortable bus, delicious lunch”
Review of a six-hour Marlborough wine tour from Picton or Blenheim, with five wineries, small groups, tastings, and lunch at your own cost.
“Great knowledge and friendliness from our driver, Gavin, and all the employees at the wineries. Lunch was delicious and so was the wine!”
Taste Auckland through artisan food, wine, ice cream, history, and easy city walks on this friendly three-hour small-group tour.
“Alex was a great guide! She was so informative about the history of NZ’s food scene and the contemporary offerings.”
Explore three Gibbston wineries, generous tastings, a paired lunch, and Queenstown views on this relaxed 5.5-hour wine tour.
“Comfortable and clean bus. Great stops and lunch Informative guide Pick up was exact time”
Taste Auckland’s local food, history, and hidden lanes on a three-hour walking tour with generous tastings and a local guide.
“We’ve been to Auckland before but this was our first food tour. It was excellent, with some history included. Worth doing and great choices of places we would not have found—and with an emphasis on local sourced food. Definitely recommend it, and the guide.”
Review of Napier’s 4.5-hour winery and gin tour, with Mission Estate, Askerne wine and cheese, five gins, views, tips and value advice.
“Ross was absolutely amazing. His local knowledge proved for great conversation...plus the wine was superb!”
Explore Auckland by minivan on a small-group food tour with markets, local producers, wine, lunch, city views, and plenty of tastings.
“We had a great time. Went to a coffee shop first, had our first flat whites and tangelo chocolates. We also saw how they made their coffee. Did some touring then had breakfast at a great small shop. I was already full after the meat pie and while boar terrine. More touring and then a huge lunch with oysters, prawn cocktail, beef croquettes, and more. Definitely recommend.”
Review of Queenstown’s six-hour wine tour, with four cellar doors, 18-plus tastings, an underground cave, transport, value, and practical tips.
“Great day out touring the wineries, Alia was just perfect as our tour guide. Great choice of places that we visited. Recommend to all who love a good wine and especially a perfect red.”
Tour Central Otago’s wine country from Queenstown with four vineyards, a cave tasting, five-course wine-paired lunch, and scenic stops.
“The day was amazing. While we had a great group most credit goes to the guide John. Brilliant, friendly and the perfect balance of checking on people and stand back. My wife also left her glasses and one of the team (sorry I can’t remember the name) dropped them to our hotel that night on her way home. Above and beyond in service.”
Review of Napier’s 5.5-hour winery and gin tour, with Mission Estate lunch, historic cellar, distillery tasting, and Askerne wine pairings.
“absolutley lovely day. would highly recommend this tour! ross was a fantastic tour guide.”
Taste Auckland seafood, beef, cheese, meat pie, and Hokey Pokey ice cream while exploring the CBD with a local guide.
“A read insiders tour to delicious and unexpected goodies and places to return to. Alexa provided a lot of history and info. Her handout sheet also will come in handy during our stay.”
Explore Marlborough wine country and the Queen Charlotte Sound with tastings, local seafood, a relaxed cruise, and practical tour advice.
“An absolutely fantastic day. The only negative is, that it is advertised as a Wine and Seafood Cruise with a free glass of wine. That is not the case. You receive a burger, no glass of wine and later on they present mussels and a small portion of salmon. The advertising needs to be reworded. All the same, an excellent day.”
Review of Auckland’s 5-hour West Auckland wine tour, with four wineries, tastings, a three-course lunch, transport, price, and practical tips.
“David was an exceptional tour guide. Could not have asked for a better person. We came from Canada and were only expecting him to talk about wine. We also got an in depth history on Auckland. He went above and beyond. Highly recommended. You will not be disappointed!!”
Pick a street, a market or a kitchen.
