Ponsonby helps put Auckland on the Michelin Map!
What a fantastic moment for Auckland and for New Zealand’s hospitality industry!
The arrival of the Michelin Guide in Aotearoa is a huge vote of confidence in our dining scene and recognition of something Aucklanders have known for a long time – we are home to some of the best food experiences in the world.
It’s also a celebration of the people who make our hospitality sector so special. From talented chefs and hardworking kitchen teams to front-of-house staff, growers, producers, suppliers and restaurant owners – thank you. You have helped create a food culture that is vibrant, diverse and uniquely Auckland.
That is one of the things I love most about our dining scene. It tells the story of who we are. Our chefs champion incredible local ingredients, draw inspiration from many places including Māori and Pacific traditions, and constantly push the boundaries of creativity. The result is a culinary identity that is distinctly ours and increasingly admired around the world.
Ponsonby has once again proven why it’s such a magnet for food lovers, with its very own Paris Butter receiving one Michelin star. Paris Butter is one of five restaurants in Auckland – and one of only 15 in the country – to receive a Michelin star. Other one-star recipients in Auckland include Ahi (CBD), Tala (Parnell), Mudbrick and Tantalus Estate (Waiheke).
Now, I know most people may think that you need to take out three mortgages to be able to enjoy a Michelin dining experience. But there are options! As well as our one-star recipients, there are 13 restaurants across Auckland that received a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The Bib Gourmand recognises those restaurants that offer exceptionally high-quality food at great value. These include Apéro Food & Wine, Atelier, Bianca, Bistro Saine, Boda, Cazador, Gemmayze St, Goat, Milenta, Osteria Uno, Parro, Pasta & Cuore and Tempero. Congratulations to you all, and to all those restaurants highlighted in the first New Zealand Michelin Guide.
It’s also important to acknowledge that this success has not come without challenges. In recent years, Auckland’s hospitality sector has faced significant economic pressures, and we’ve sadly seen some much-loved restaurants close their doors. Those businesses helped shape the city’s food culture, and their contribution remains part of the story that has brought us to this moment. The resilience and determination shown by hospitality operators across Auckland make this recognition all the more meaningful.
Of course, Michelin’s arrival is about much more than great food. Around the world, culinary tourism is a major drawcard, with travellers increasingly choosing destinations based on their dining reputation. This recognition will help attract more visitors to Auckland, supporting not only restaurants but hotels, retailers, transport operators, arts organisations and local attractions.
It gives us another opportunity to showcase everything that makes Auckland special – our culture, our creativity, our stunning natural environment and our warm Kiwi hospitality.
I’ve often said I want Auckland to be the best arts and culture city in the Southern Hemisphere. After this announcement, we might just be able to add “food capital” to that ambition as well. And honestly, that leaves us with a pretty wonderful ‘problem’ to have – deciding whether to book the restaurant or the show first!
For a full list of restaurants included in the New Zealand Michelin Guide: https://guide.michelin.com/en/restaurants
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