Oceania · Traditional

New Zealand cuisine

Lamb, seafood, and indigenous Maori dishes.

Explore recipes Build a New Zealand menu Wine pairings

Food history

Why New Zealand cuisine is worth exploring

New Zealand food tells the story of geography, trade, agriculture and family cooking. The cuisine has been shaped by the ingredients people could grow, preserve, carry and share, as well as by markets, festivals, migration and regional identity.

Why it is famous

New Zealand cuisine is famous for dishes that feel strongly connected to place: everyday family recipes, celebration food, regional specialities and ingredients that give the cooking its recognisable character.

Regional food story

New Zealand cuisine is not one single style. Treat the country page as a gateway into regional dishes, local ingredients, family recipes and occasion-led cooking.

How to cook it

Flavours, ingredients and menu ideas

Signature ingredients

Look for the ingredients that define New Zealand cooking: staple grains or breads, seasonal vegetables, local herbs and spices, regional cheeses or dairy where relevant, preserved foods, seafood or meat traditions, and sweets linked to festivals or family gatherings.

Cooking style

The cooking style ranges from simple home dishes to more elaborate food for celebrations. Good New Zealand recipes usually balance staple ingredients with texture, seasoning and a clear sense of occasion.

Build a menu

Build a New Zealand menu by choosing a light starter, a signature main and a dessert that shows the country’s baking or sweet traditions. Add wine or drink pairings where the dish has enough richness, spice, acidity or sweetness to make the match useful.

Starters Mains Desserts

Cook by course

New Zealand recipes

Start with a starter, choose a main, then finish with a dessert to build a complete country-inspired menu.

Starters

New Zealand starters

Smoked Salmon and Horseradish Blinis

Smoked Salmon and Horseradish Blinis is a traditional New Zealand starter with complete metric quantitie…

Starter 20 mins

Whitebait Fritters

Whitebait Fritters is a traditional New Zealand starter with complete metric quantities, precise prepara…

Starter 20 mins

Crayfish Cocktail

Crayfish Cocktail is a traditional New Zealand starter with complete metric quantities, precise preparat…

Starter 25 mins

Green-Lipped Mussels with Garlic Butter

Green-Lipped Mussels with Garlic Butter is a traditional New Zealand starter with complete metric quanti…

Starter 25 mins

Cheese Rolls Southland Style

Cheese Rolls Southland Style is a traditional New Zealand starter with complete metric quantities, preci…

Starter 35 mins

Pāua Fritters

Pāua Fritters is a traditional New Zealand starter with complete metric quantities, precise preparation…

Starter 35 mins

Kumara Chips with Kiwi Dip

Kumara Chips with Kiwi Dip is a traditional New Zealand starter with complete metric quantities, precise…

Starter 50 mins

Roasted Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad

Roasted Beetroot and Goat Cheese Salad is a traditional New Zealand starter with complete metric quantit…

Starter 1 hr

Main courses

New Zealand main courses

New Zealand Sausage Sizzle

New Zealand Sausage Sizzle is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, precise pr…

Main 30 mins

Mince on Toast

Mince on Toast is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, precise preparation, c…

Main 35 mins

King Salmon with Lemon and Herbs

King Salmon with Lemon and Herbs is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, prec…

Main 40 mins

Lamb Burger with Beetroot

Lamb Burger with Beetroot is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, precise pre…

Main 40 mins

Barbecued Snapper with Lemon

Barbecued Snapper with Lemon is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, precise…

Main 45 mins

Kumara and Chickpea Patties

Kumara and Chickpea Patties is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, precise p…

Main 45 mins

Venison Medallions with Berry Sauce

Venison Medallions with Berry Sauce is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, p…

Main 45 mins

Creamy Seafood Chowder

Creamy Seafood Chowder is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, precise prepar…

Main 55 mins

Fish and Chips Kiwi Style

Fish and Chips Kiwi Style is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, precise pre…

Main 55 mins

New Zealand Meat Pie

New Zealand Meat Pie is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, precise preparat…

Main 1 hr 15 mins

Chicken and Kumara Pie

Chicken and Kumara Pie is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, precise prepar…

Main 1 hr 20 mins

Savoury Mince and Cheese Pie

Savoury Mince and Cheese Pie is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, precise…

Main 1 hr 25 mins

Roast Lamb with Mint Sauce

Roast Lamb with Mint Sauce is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, precise pr…

Main 2 hr 5 mins

Boil Up with Pork and Watercress

Boil Up with Pork and Watercress is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, prec…

Main 2 hr 55 mins

Lamb Shanks with Red Wine

Lamb Shanks with Red Wine is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities, precise pre…

Main 3 hr 25 mins

Hāngī-Style Lamb and Root Vegetables

Hāngī-Style Lamb and Root Vegetables is a traditional New Zealand main with complete metric quantities…

Main 3 hr 55 mins

Desserts

New Zealand desserts

Lolly Cake

Lolly Cake is a traditional New Zealand dessert with complete metric quantities, precise preparation, co…

Dessert 20 mins

Hokey Pokey Ice Cream

Hokey Pokey Ice Cream is a traditional New Zealand dessert with complete metric quantities, precise prep…

Dessert 30 mins

Afghan Biscuits

Afghan Biscuits is a traditional New Zealand dessert with complete metric quantities, precise preparatio…

Dessert 35 mins

Ginger Crunch

Ginger Crunch is a traditional New Zealand dessert with complete metric quantities, precise preparation…

Dessert 50 mins

Feijoa Crumble

Feijoa Crumble is a traditional New Zealand dessert with complete metric quantities, precise preparation…

Dessert 55 mins

Louise Cake

Louise Cake is a traditional New Zealand dessert with complete metric quantities, precise preparation, c…

Dessert 1 hr 5 mins

Wine and drink pairings

What to drink with New Zealand food

When pairing wine with New Zealand food, match the structure of the dish first: fresh whites for seafood and herbs, medium reds for tomato, spice or roast meat, sparkling wines for fried or salty starters, and sweet or fortified wines for desserts.

Red

Beaujolais / Gamay

Juicy light red with cherry, raspberry and low tannin. Excellent slightly chilled with charcuterie, poultry, pâté, saus…

Grape: Gamay Region: Beaujolais, Loire, Switzerland

Red

Cabernet Sauvignon / Bordeaux

Structured red with blackcurrant, cedar, graphite and firm tannins. Best with roast beef, lamb, steak, rich gravies and…

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Region: Bordeaux, Napa, Coonawarra, Maipo

Red

Chianti / Sangiovese

Savoury, high-acid Italian red with cherry, dried herbs and firm but food-friendly tannins. Built for tomato, olive oil…

Grape: Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino Region: Tuscany, Umbria, Emilia-Romagna

Red

Côtes du Rhône / GSM Blend

Southern Rhône-style blend with dark fruit, herbs, pepper and moderate tannin. Reliable with stews, roast meat, beans a…

Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre Region: Rhône, Languedoc, Australia

Red

Douro Red

Structured Portuguese red with dark fruit, spice and firm tannin. Excellent with Francesinha, roast pork, beef, smoky d…

Grape: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Alicant… Region: Douro Valley, Dão, Alentejo

Red

Pinot Noir / Burgundy

Elegant red with red cherry, earth, spice and fine tannins. Great with duck, mushroom, poultry, pork and lighter beef d…

Grape: Pinot Noir, Spätburgunder Region: Burgundy, Oregon, Central Otago, Baden

Red

Rioja / Tempranillo

Spanish red with red fruit, vanilla, leather and spice. Good with garlic chicken, lamb, roast meat, paprika and grilled…

Grape: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano Region: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Navarra

Red

Syrah / Shiraz

Peppery, dark-fruited red with savoury spice and medium-to-firm tannins. Great with grilled meat, pepper, smoke, sausag…

Grape: Syrah, Shiraz Region: Northern Rhône, Barossa, South Africa