New Zealand’s top 50 gastropubs revealed: from historic establishments to glitzy newcomers

The votes are in for the inaugural Estrella Damm Top 50 New Zealand Gastropub Awards, with the finalists including everything from well-known historic establishments serving up elevated classic pub fare, to glitzy new eateries with modern menus.

Hosted by Hospitality New Zealand, and sponsored by Estrella Damm, the Top 50 list celebrates and showcases the very best of the premium food-led pubs in the country, which often go unnoticed in many culinary awards.

Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Steve Armitage says the depth and breadth of the list shows just how sensational and varied New Zealand’s food and beverage offering is.

“We had more than 5000 people vote in the awards and the competition was fierce. The list is just a small snippet of the country’s best, with more than a thousand gastropubs right across the motu,” says Steve.

“There are some tried and true gastropubs on the list like Cardrona Hotel and then we’ve got some newcomers such as Milford Motel, all serving up delicious dishes using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients”.

Cola-Cola Europacific Partners’ marketing manager Tracey McKay says Estrella Damm is thrilled with the calibre of entries in the Top 50 Gastropub Awards.

“The top 50 gastropubs list is a curated selection of the absolute best in the country and I urge everyone, whether holidaying or at home, to get out and experience the innovative flavours these gastropubs offer.”

The top 50 gastropubs were determined by public vote. Each voter has gone in the draw to win an Auckland holiday for two, complete with return domestic airfares, accommodation, meals out and top tourism activities.

A panel of judges will crown seven regional winners and a supreme champion at an awards ceremony on April 10, 2024. Tickets to the awards evening will be available to purchase on Monday, March 11, at: www.top50gastropubs.co.nz

In no particular order, the top 50 list is as follows:

1. Fantail & Turtle
2. The Riverhead
3. Milford Motel
4. Franklins Bar & Eatery
5. BBC Tasting Studio by Birkenhead Brewing Co.
6. iTi
7. The Matakana Village Pub
8. The Lula Inn
9. The Shakespeare Hotel & Brewery
10. The Lumsden Freehouse
11. Bay View Hotel
12. The Keg Room
13. The Lookout Bar & kitchen
14. Mavericks Gastro Pub
15. Storyteller Eatery & Bar
16. Pig & Whistle Historic Pub
17. The Helm Bar and Kitchen
18. The Waimate
19. CBK Craft Bar & Kitchen
20. Little River Inn
21. The Speight’s Ale House & Street Food Kitchen Timaru
22. Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn
23. Thirsty Acres
24. Saints Cafe, Restaurant & Bar
25. The Laboratory
26. Ōtoromiro Hotel
27. Cassels Brewery Bar and Restaurant
28. Thistle Inn
29. The Puketapu
30. Brew Union Brewing Co.
31. D4 on Featherston
32. GodsOwn Brewery
33. The Gintrap
34. Portside
35. The Fat Duck Gastropub
36. Redcliff Restaurant and Bar
37. Cardrona Hotel
38. Brunel Peaks Cafe & Bar
39. The Speight’s Ale House Dunedin
40. Crafty’s Bar & Grill
41. Pog Mahone’s Irish Pub
42. Butlers Reef
43. The Tahi Bar + Kitchen
44. Frings Bar & Eatery
45. The Good Home New Plymouth
46. The Crafty Local
47. Nauti Penguin
48. Sprig + Fern Tahuna
49. Strawberry Tree Kaikoura Limited
50. The Vic Public House