Auckland has one of the most diverse populations in the world, and its melting pot of cultures is reflected in its food. While colonial British influences — responsible for meat pies and fish and chips — have taken a back seat, Asian, Pacific Rim and Maori flavors now shine. Restaurant menus still feature plenty of lamb and fish, but they also highlight other local delicacies, like spiny rock lobster, red deer, kumara (sweet potato) and green-lipped mussels. New Zealand cuisine is finally coming into its own, and nothing speaks more to that than the number of restaurants that have opened to showcase regional ingredients. Here are a few of our favorites in Auckland.

Baduzzi

Baduzzi is a comfortable osteria-style restaurant on the bustling North Wharf of the Wynyard Quarter. We first visited in 2018 and couldn’t resist returning after our tour guide assured us it was still the best Italian restaurant in Auckland. What was meant to be a light lunch gave way to a veritable feast. Since Baduzzi is known for its creative meatballs, we ordered two versions: the hearty wild red deer, swimming in caramelized parsnip crema, and the justly popular crayfish, with pumpkin and smoked butter and topped with pistachio salsa. But the handmade pasta dishes stole the show. Vegetarian cappellacci with Gorgonzola, peas, smoked butter and pickled green tomato was as decadent as it sounds, and the handmade agnolotti — stuffed with New Zealand scampi and gurnard (a local whitefish) and bathed in crayfish bisque and fennel jam — was a revelation. When Baduzzi opened over a decade ago, it earned a passel of food awards. Years later, it remains as solid as ever.

Baduzzi 
10/26 Jellicoe Street, Wynyard. Tel. (64) 9-309-9339