AUCKLAND
With a Palm Springs vibe, Palmer is a CBD rooftop bar with a stylish terrace and a menu to match in the hands of chef James Kenny. Devonport favourite Vic Road Kitchen has a chic little cousin in Vic Road Wine Bar & Cellar, an intimate spot in a heritage building – this is a suburb that’s making us sit up and take notice. We’re very sad to hear that after more than a decade Ganesh and Jo Raj have closed the doors at their West Auckland dining venue The Tasting Shed. Copain is an oh-so-cute bakery newly opened in Ponsonby with a huge selection of French-style bread and pastries all made from scratch on site from the team behind La Petite Fourchette in Wynyard Quarter and Britomart. For more French-style patisserie, this time in the city, head to Javalab (pictured above), a sleek little outfit perched on the corner of Customs and Gore Streets – and it also has 100% fair trade and organic Hummingbird Coffee. Fans of Ponsonby Rd’s Korean restaurant Ockhee, will look forward to Paul and Lisa Lee’s latest – Swings on Kitchener Street (opposite Albert Park), which promises a new take on Korean toasties. Look no further for your spot-on morning brew than Semicolon Coffee on the fringe of Victoria Park, from the hospitality stars behind &Sushi and Slowlane. To try housemade soju slushies alongside Korean-style bar food scoot along to Banziha in Ponsonby – but be careful, those slushies have quite a kick. Phat Philly’s in Morningside brings you a Kiwi take on the Philly Cheese Steak – that’s thinly sliced steak and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll – and you can dunk it in extra hot cheese if you’re up for it. In a move away from the coffee-first focus of some, Burnt Butter in Avondale promises good food first, and everything else after – that translates to cakes and cookies up front and filter coffee to go with. If you’re looking for the freshest, loveliest handmade pasta, head to Newmarket’s Arte della Pasta – it’s eat in or grab and go, and if you want to learn the magic for yourself it offers pasta classes, too. Java on K Rd is the bright, casual new venture from the owners of Bali Nights in Ponsonby with great Indonesian dishes and BYO booze. We love a good rooftop bar and Sunset (on top of the Sudima hotel) ticks all the boxes – especially the outdoor terrace with sweeping views. Pullman Auckland has reopened the Hotel Tower after an extensive refurbishment, including an open-grill restaurant with chef Paul Tasker and a revamped courtyard for the Omni Bar.

BLENHEIM
So much more than just oysters, Frank’s Oyster Bar & Eatery is the latest opening on Blenheim’s Scott St, and a top spot for fresh, exciting bites and a drop.

CHRISTCHURCH
If you’re looking for something new or a little bit different to fill your glass, head to Vine to Table, a new boutique wine store in High St.

WĀNAKA
Paloma is the new venture from James Stapley and the team at Kika, serving tacos, snacks and street food from Mexico and South America.

LAKE DUNSTAN
New Zealand spirits makers Scapegrace are getting underway with a giant new $25m distillery on the shores of Lake Dunstan. Although construction has already started, you’ll have to wait until October 2023 to visit the new distillery and restaurant.

QUEENSTOWN
Little Mez is Queenstown’s first dedicated agaveria (that’s a dedicated tequila and mezcal-inspired bar) introducing you to tequila or mezcal-based cocktails, top shelf agave-based spirits, organic wines, and Mexican beers plus Mexican-inspired plates.