No long-haul flight required: Michelin stars have just arrived next door in New Zealand

Australians hungry for some Michelin-starred flavours can now access top-rated restaurants right here in Oceania.

The first Michelin guide in the region has launched in New Zealand, across four cities: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.

The Michelin Guide New Zealand 2026 recognises 110 restaurants for their quality, creativity and strong sense of place.

While no restaurant has bagged the coveted three stars, one place has scored two stars, 14 establishments have received one star, 35 joints have been recognised with a Bib Gourmand for offering good food at great value and a further 60 eateries have been reviewed.

Among the 35 restaurants awarded a Bib Gourmand, 13 are located in Auckland, four in Wellington, 10 in Christchurch and eight in Queenstown.

Executive chef Nick Honeyman of Paris Butter in Auckland, which was awarded one star, said: "New Zealand has had a thriving culinary scene for years - to see so many of our peers recognised in the inaugural ceremony is testament to how unique our food scene is."

New Zealand beat Australia to the punch, with a South Australian Michelin guide set to be released in 2027.

In the meantime, these are some of the top restaurants to put on your list next time you're in New Zealand. Scroll down for the full list of Michelin restaurants in New Zealand.

Michelin reviewers spent months anonymously inspecting restaurants and Queenstown was one of their top-awarded cities.

Essence, based in the ROKI Collection Queenstown hotel and perched on a hillside above Lake Wakatipu, was the only restaurant in the country to receive two stars.

Diners can enjoy two tasting menus that draw on seasonal New Zealand produce, finessed by European techniques and creativity.

"Every plate tells a story with refined, yet expressive flavours. Pinot Noir lovers should not miss the wine list," the guide states. roki-collection.com/dine/essence

Auckland was another top-starred city.

Tala in Auckland was the first Samoan restaurant in the world to be awarded one Michelin star.

Executive chef and co-owner, Henry Onesomo, told Explore that this accolade proves that "Samoan food can be fine dining and that Samoan food can compete with the rest of the world".

"Samoan food does belong [with] the global elite, and it does have a place to compete with the rest, and for that, I'm just so excited to watch [my team] realise that vision and that goal," he said.

One of his signature dishes is Umu chicken, wrapped in banana leaf and cooked over hot coals.

When guests arrive at the restaurant, they are shown how to wash their hands in a traditional bowl, a respectful gesture called "apa fafano". tala.co.nz

The Michelin Guide Young Chef Award was given to Chef Robert Fairs from Londo, a Bib Gourmand restaurant in Christchurch.

This tiny restaurant with a tiny kitchen focuses on South Island produce and foraging.

Fairs told Explore the restaurant offers an extremely intimate experience, with only three tables and 10 seats at the bar.

"We focus on high quality products and tasty drinks, and we have a pretty small menu - it rotates quickly with the seasons, it's ingredient-focused and nice and simple. We let the product sourcing do a lot of the talking," he said.

One of the signature dishes is the house-made bread, and diners can enjoy local cheese and charcuterie with it. londo.bar

Tucked away in a historic cottage, this one-star eatery specialises in French cuisine made with local produce, including edible flowers and herbs from the on-site garden.

Judges said owner-chef Pierre-Alain Fenoux boasts stints in some "prestigious kitchens, where he honed his pedigree culinary technique and razor-sharp precision".

Diners can choose between a sharing plate menu and a six-course tasting menu, and menus change every six to eight weeks in line with the seasons. janobistro.co.nz

Two Michelin Stars

One Michelin Star

Michelin Selected

Auckland

Wellington

Christchurch

Queenstown