We all know Aotearoa is home to delicious food, but even as a local it can be hard to keep track of all the tastiness on offer.
British foodie influencer @eatingwithtod visited spots around the country and sampled a bunch of epic Kiwi eats that have got our tummies rumbling.
He got to experience everything from smash burgers, enormous pies and even geo-thermal boiled eggs from Te Puia!
Here are some of the places he raved about during his travels…
Ashby Pies - St Heliers, Tāmaki Makaurau
It's tough competition for the perfect pie in NZ, but this spot has to be in the running. According to Tod, these pies are "life-changing", and we can see why. That Beef Cheeks and Cheese pie looks UNREAL.
Te Puia Hotsprings - Rotorua
For hundreds of years, Māori have used geothermal springs as a traditional way to cook food while adding heaps of natural flavours. Here in the Ngāraratuatara hot pool, you can cook everything from mussels to eggs while the sulphur elevates the taste! How good!??
Mills Bay Mussels at The Boat Shed - Nelson
These juicy green-lipped mussels are caught fresh off the boat and cooked in white wine before you enjoy them sitting over the water at The Boatshed - dreamy much?
Tala - Parnell, Tāmaki Makaurau
It’s no secret that Samoan food is fire, and this spot wants to bring all those incredible elements to your plate. Described as a “must visit” in Tāmaki Makaurau, they embrace traditional preparation with Tod getting to try the chicken ubu wrapped in banana leaves cooked on hot coals.
Coopers Catch - Kaikoura
Tod reckoned this was his “ favourite eat on the whole trip”, so it's worth a mention, but you might have to catch this kai moana yourself.
Tod went out on a fishing charter Top Catch Charters and caught some beautiful crayfish that he brought into local fish and chip shop Coopers Catch to cook up. That may be the crunchiest batter we’ve ever seen.
Baby G Burger - Avondale, Tāmaki Makaurau
Calling on all cheeseburger lovers, these smashed beef burgers are the real deal. They've made a name for themselves for being cooked to perfection and topped with a scrummy brioche bun, our tummies are already rumbling…
Toastie Lords - Waitohi/Picton
The humble cheese toastie gets supercharged at this spot, and the sandwich game may never be the same. Fillings range from salmon to pastrami and even ham & pineapple (and yes, pineapple does belong in toasties).
Stoked to see so many epic food spots getting some recognition on the world stage - especially our traditional cooking methods that still go hard today.
