Best Food Tours of Auckland

New Zealand's cuisine is one of the most outstanding in Oceania, especially because of the crossover between regional customs and British influence. Here are the best options for you to discover the local flavours in Auckland.

Matías Rodríguez

Matías Rodríguez

9 min read

Best Food Tours of Auckland

Auckland night markets |©Virantha T

If you're someone who wants to experience the local customs and foods when you visit a city, then you can't miss out on a food tour in Auckland, which is known for having one of the most outstanding cuisines in Oceania, especially for its combination of local dishes and British influence.

Some of the best things to see and do in Auckland to get a taste of local flavours include taking a sweet food tour, going on a food tour with a local expert, visiting the Muriwai Scenic vineyard, taking a Matakana Coast tour with lunch and wine tasting and sampling Auckland Central's snacks and cocktails.

1. Sweet food tour in Auckland

Chocolate fudge|©MARU0927
Chocolate fudge|©MARU0927

Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, a food tour in Auckland will be the perfect getaway for you, as on these tours you can sample the best desserts, chocolates and cakes the city has to offer.

The tour starts in central Auckland, where you'll meet your guide and the rest of the group. From there, you'll start exploring the city's best patisseries, chocolatiers and dessert shops. Each stop will include tastings and explanations of the ingredients and history behind each sweet.

At your first destination, you'll sample some of the city's best cakes, from New Zealand classics to more innovative options. Next, you'll move on to a chocolate shop where you can sample the most delicious handmade chocolates, with a variety of flavours and textures to choose from, in a stop that is often included in the best tours of Auckland.

Next, you'll visit a bakery that specialises in seasonal products such as pumpkin pies and apple sponge cakes and you'll also have the chance to sample some of Auckland's best ice cream at a local ice cream parlour.

Finally, the last stop on the tour will take you to a dessert shop where you can sample a selection of signature cakes and sweets, created by some of the city's best chefs. You can also combine this tour with a tour of Auckland's best breweries.

Interesting details

  • Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 95 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 3 hours.
  • Benefits of these tours: You'll get to taste Auckland's sweets, which are a local speciality.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: The tour only includes sweet products, so if you want to combine them with other products such as wines, beers or savoury foods you will have to do other tours.

2. Food tour with a local expert in Auckland

Fish nd chips|©Davey Gravy
Fish nd chips|©Davey Gravy

A food tour with a local expert in Auckland is the perfect way to discover the true culinary essence of the city. During this tour, you'll have the opportunity to sample some of the delicious foods that make the local cuisine so special.

The tour will usually start in the city centre, where you can explore the best markets and grocery shops while learning about local ingredients and local dishes, especially if you plan to visit Auckland in the summer when the weather is perfect for a leisurely stroll around the food stalls.

On your first stop, you can try fish and chips, which has been a New Zealand classic since the days of the British colony. Prepared with fresh fish caught in local waters, fish and chips are a delicious and easy meal to eat as you walk around town. You can also sample regional cheeses and cured meats.

At the farmers' markets you will have the opportunity to sample some of the region's freshest and tastiest fruit and vegetables. Depending on the time of year, you can sample strawberries, peaches or apples and you can also combine this tour with a bike tour in Auckland.

The tour continues with a visit to a local ice cream shop, where you can sample some of Auckland's best ice cream, made with fresh, high quality ingredients and finally you will visit a local restaurant, where you can sample some of New Zealand's most iconic dishes such as roast lamb and fresh oysters.

Interesting details

  • Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 135 euros per person, including tastings, dinner and the assistance of an expert local guide.
  • Duration: approximately 3 hours.
  • Advantages of these tours: You will gain a comprehensive understanding of New Zealand cuisine.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: can be an expensive tour.

3. Muriwai Scenic Vineyard Tour from Auckland

Muriwai Gannet Colony|©Chris Hall
Muriwai Gannet Colony|©Chris Hall

If you're a wine lover, a tour of the Muriwai Scenic vineyard is a must. This tour takes you through beautiful scenery to a vineyard on the west coast of Auckland, where you can enjoy delicious local wines and learn about New Zealand's wine production, which is one of the most important in the region.

At the Muriwai vineyard you will have the opportunity to learn about the different types of grapes grown in the region and how they are turned into the world famous wines produced there. If you're planning to visit Auckland in October, you'll also get to experience the harvest season, which is highlighted by festivals and great events in the vineyards.

You'll also have the opportunity to go on tastings to sample the different grape varieties that are unique to New Zealand, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The wines are usually paired with cheeses and other appetizers, allowing you to enjoy the flavours and aromas of the region in a unique way.

After enjoying a relaxed afternoon of wine tasting and beautiful scenery, you'll return to the city at the end of the day with a deeper appreciation of New Zealand wine production. Muriwai Scenic vineyard tours are often included among the best full day tours from Auckland.

Details of interest

  • Price: these tours have a starting cost of approximately 91 euros per person, including wine and cheese tastings.
  • Duration: approximately 3.5 hours.
  • Advantages of these tours: you will get to see one of the most famous vineyards in the North Island of New Zealand.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: they are short tours and include a trip to the west coast of Auckland, so they can be intense.

Book the Kumeu Wine Tour

4. Matakana Coastal Tour with lunch and wine tasting

Matakana Ducks|©Ian Rushton
Matakana Ducks|©Ian Rushton

If you're looking for an adventure outside of Auckland, a small group tour to the Matakana Coast is the perfect getaway for those looking for a day full of fun, delicious food and, of course, wine, which is one of the local highlights.

The tour starts early in the morning, with a bus usually taking you from your accommodation in Auckland to the Matakana coastal region. The trip itself is an enriching experience, as the scenery will offer some of the best scenery of your trip, especially if you plan to visit Auckland in February or during the summer months.

Once on the Matakana coast, you can enjoy a delicious meal prepared especially for your group at a local restaurant. There you can sample some of New Zealand's fresh and authentic flavours, with a variety of options ranging from seafood to lamb and vegetables.

After lunch, the tour heads to a local winery, where you'll have the opportunity to sample some of the region's finest wines. From fresh and fruity whites to robust and full-bodied reds.

You'll also learn about the winemaking process and discover what makes the Matakana region so special for wine production. If you plan to visit Auckland at Christmas, you can also discover the region's signature decorative lights.

Interesting details

  • Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 205 euros per person, including wine tasting and lunch.
  • Duration: approximately 7 hours.
  • Advantages of these tours: You will see one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: these are long tours, so they may not be compatible with a short stay in Auckland.

5. Central Auckland Snacks & Cocktails Tour

fried chicken with lettuce|© Alexander Kovacs
fried chicken with lettuce|© Alexander Kovacs

If you love food and drink, the Central Auckland Snack and Cocktail Tour is not to be missed. This tour will take you through some of the best bars and restaurants, where you can sample delicious snacks and creative cocktails in the heart of the city.

At your first stop, you can try some local snacks, such as New Zealand 's famous steak feet or some seafood pies. Next, you'll visit a cocktail bar, where you'll sample the most creative and tasty cocktails in town, made with local and exotic ingredients. You can also sample beers and wines.

The tour will also include a visit to a tapas bar, where you can try a variety of small dishes inspired by Spanish and Latin American cuisine. There you will taste the most intense and exciting flavours of the city, while enjoying a variety of drinks, even if you plan to visit Auckland during the winter.

The evening will end at a wine bar, where you can sample some of New Zealand's finest grape varieties, along with some small plates and snacks. You will learn about local wine production and have the opportunity to talk to the sommeliers to follow their recommendations and wine pairing tips.

Details of interest

  • Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 129 euros per person, including cocktail tastings, drinks and food.
  • Duration: approximately 3 and a half hours.
  • Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know the city centre and its best bars and restaurants through their flavours.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: although it is a very varied tour, you will not have much time to rest or stay in each place you visit.

How to book a food tour in Auckland?

Woman in front of laptop|©JESHOOTS.COM
Woman in front of laptop|©JESHOOTS.COM

You can either book a food tour in advance online or book the tours once you are in the city, although I don't recommend the latter option if you plan to visit Auckland in December or during the summer months, which is part of the peak season and therefore tour sites tend to sell out.

Keep in mind that in New Zealand, as in other countries, fares are dynamic, so if you book in advance, you can freeze your fare, secure your spot and also avoid last-minute increases that could make your trip more expensive and alter your experience.

What will I see on these tours?

Food in new zealand|©tjabeljan
Food in new zealand|©tjabeljan

The answer will depend on the tour you choose, but in general you'll get a taste of New Zealand flavours and some of the local delicacies, as well as regional highlights such as wines and cured meats.

On the other hand, you will also get to know the local culture, as many of the places you visit, such as Matakana or Waitemata, are directly related to the Maori tribe, which is the most traditional and prominent local minority.

Tips for a food tour in Auckland

Restaurants on upper Queen Str.|©Brigitte & Heinz
Restaurants on upper Queen Str.|©Brigitte & Heinz

If you are planning a food tour in Auckland, here are some tips that can help you have a much more efficient experience:

  • Do your research and choose a reliable tour: make sure you do your research before booking your food tour in Auckland. Look for opinions and reviews from other customers and make sure that the tour company is reliable and experienced in the food area. Also, if you are vegan, allergic to certain foods or have coeliac disease, don't forget to mention this at the time of booking.
  • Don't eat too much before the tour: although it is tempting to eat something before starting the tour, it is better to leave room in your stomach to try all the delicious tastings offered on the tours.
  • Dress comfortably: some food tours can last several hours, so it's important to dress comfortably for walking and standing for extended periods.
  • Try new things: One of the most positive aspects of a food tour is trying new and different foods. Keep an open mind and dare to try things you've never tried before - maybe some of the flavours will surprise you!
  • Ask questions: if you have any questions about the food you are tasting, don't hesitate to ask the tour guide. Local experts can give you interesting information and help you better understand the culture and history behind the food you are tasting.

Why do you recommend taking a food tour in Auckland?

Empty tables in the restaurant|©A. Wee
Empty tables in the restaurant|©A. Wee

There are several reasons why a food tour in Auckland is a great way to discover new flavours and dishes, as it is a multicultural city that offers a wide variety of food and drink.

You can also learn about the local culture, as food is an important part of Auckland and on a food tour you will have the opportunity to learn about local history and culinary traditions.

You can also make the most of your experience and get expert recommendations. The tour guides on a food tour are local specialists in Auckland's cuisine. They will be able to give you recommendations on the best restaurants and bars in the city, as well as information on local produce and culinary techniques.

Finally, a food tour will give you the opportunity to discover the city in a different way, as it allows you to explore the city to see different neighbourhoods and places that you might not have visited on your own or that you might not have included in your tour due to lack of references.

Book the Kumeu wine tour