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. The top gastropubs were selected from up and down the country.
Hosted by Hospitality New Zealand and sponsored by Estrella Damm, the Top Gastropubs list has celebrated and showcased the very best of the country's premium food-led pubs, which often go unnoticed in many culinary awards.
Steve Armitage, Hospitality New Zealand Chief Executive, said the depth and breadth of the list shows just how sensational and varied New Zealand’s food and beverage offering is.
“More than 5,000 people voted 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,” said Armitage.
“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 said 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,” said McKay.
The top 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 10 April 2024. Tickets to the awards evening will be available to purchase on Monday, 11 March, at top50gastropubs.co.nz.
In no particular order, the top 50 list is as follows:
- Fantail & Turtle
- The Riverhead
- Milford Motel
- Franklins Bar & Eatery
- BBC Tasting Studio by Birkenhead Brewing Co.
- iTi
- The Matakana Village Pub
- The Lula Inn
- The Shakespeare Hotel & Brewery
- The Lumsden Freehouse
- Bay View Hotel
- The Keg Room
- The Lookout Bar & Kitchen
- Mavericks Gastro Pub
- Storyteller Eatery & Bar
- Pig & Whistle Historic Pub
- The Helm Bar and Kitchen
- The Waimate
- CBK Craft Bar & Kitchen
- Little River Inn
- The Speight's Ale House & Street Food Kitchen Timaru
- Pomeroy's Old Brewery Inn
- Thirsty Acres
- Saints Cafe, Restaurant & Bar
- The Laboratory
- Ōtoromiro Hotel
- Cassels Brewery Bar and Restaurant
- Thistle Inn
- The Puketapu
- Brew Union Brewing Co.
- D4 on Featherston
- GodsOwn Brewery
- The Gintrap
- Portside
- The Fat Duck Gastropub
- Redcliff Restaurant and Bar
- Cardrona Hotel
- Brunel Peaks Cafe & Bar
- The Speight's Ale House Dunedin
- Crafty’s Bar & Grill
- Pog Mahone’s Irish Pub
- Butlers Reef
- The Tahi Bar + Kitchen
- Frings Bar & Eatery
- The Good Home New Plymouth
- The Crafty Local
- Nauti Penguin
- Sprig + Fern Tahuna
- Strawberry Tree Kaikoura Limited
- The Vic Public House
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