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The Restaurant Association of New Zealand has launched The Chevrons, a new national awards programme celebrating excellence in hospitality and recognising the best places to eat and drink across Aotearoa as chosen by industry peers.
Designed to showcase standout newcomers, neighbourhood gems, and long-standing icons, The Chevrons aim to help diners discover exceptional hospitality venues while giving industry professionals a platform to celebrate top performers.
In its inaugural year, The Chevrons feature six categories: Best Restaurant, Best Café, Best Bar, Best Newcomer, Hidden Gem, and Service Excellence.
Voting opened on Thursday, October 30, and runs through to Wednesday, November 19, 2025. All hospitality businesses are eligible to participate, with each business able to cast two votes per category — one for a venue in their own region and one for their national pick.
Regional and national winners will be announced online on Wednesday, November 26, via the Restaurant Association’s digital channels.
Winners will receive The Chevron — a new symbol of peer-recognised excellence in New Zealand hospitality — along with a certificate and profile coverage on the Restaurant Association’s Dinefind platform.
Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois says the awards are a timely celebration of industry resilience and talent.
“The Chevrons are about championing the spirit of hospitality and shining a light on those who are doing exceptional things,” Marisa says. “We want to give our industry something to rally around and feel proud of.
“These awards are about uplifting each other and acknowledging the incredible people who make hospitality in New Zealand what it is. And who better to select the best establishments than the industry professionals themselves?
“Awards like this don’t just celebrate success within the industry — they also help guide the public to the very best places to dine, encouraging people to get out and experience everything our amazing hospo sector has to offer.”
Nominations for The Chevrons open on Wednesday, October 29, with winners announced on Wednesday, November 26.
More information: www.restaurantnz.co.nz/chevrons-hospitality-awards
