Best Food Tours of Auckland

If you are one of those who when you visit a city want to know the local customs and also the typical foods, then you can not miss a gastronomic tour in Auckland, which stands out for having one of the most outstanding cuisines in Oceania, especially for the combination of local elaborations with British influence.

Among the best things to see and do in Auckland to experience local flavors are taking a sweet food tour, going on a food tour with a local expert, visiting the Muriwai Scenic vineyard, hiking the Matakana Coast with lunch and wine tasting, and sampling the snacks and cocktails of Central Auckland.

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'll get to sample the best desserts, chocolates and cakes the city has to offer.

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

At your first destination, you'll sample some of the city's best pastries, from New Zealand classics to more innovative options. Next, you'll move on to a chocolate shop where you can sample the most delicious artisanal chocolates, with a variety of flavors 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 specializes in seasonal products, such as pumpkin pies and apple biscuits, and you'll also have the chance to sample some of Auckland's best ice cream at a local ice cream parlor.

Finally, the last stop on the tour will take you to a dessert store 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.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an initial cost of approximately 95 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to taste Auckland sweets, which are a local specialty.
• Disadvantages of these tours: the tour only includes sweet products, so if you want to combine with other products such as wines, beers or salty foods you will have to do other tours.

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 will have the opportunity to sample some of the delicious foods that make the local cuisine so special.

Typically, the tour will start in the city center, where you can explore the best markets and grocery stores while learning about local ingredients and local dishes, especially if you plan to visit Auckland in summer, when the weather is great for leisurely strolling around the food stalls.

At 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 freshest and tastiest fruits and vegetables in the region. 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 store, 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 taste some of the most iconic dishes of New Zealand cuisine such as roast lamb and fresh oysters.

Details of interest

• 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 excursions: you will get to know New Zealand cuisine globally.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: it can be an expensive excursion.

If you are a wine lover, you can't miss a tour of the Muriwai Scenic vineyard. This tour will take you through beautiful scenery to a vineyard on the west coast of Auckland, where you can enjoy delicious local wines and learn about wine production in New Zealand, 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 become the world famous wines produced there. If you plan to visit Auckland in October, you will also be able to experience the harvest season, which is highlighted by festivals and great events in the vineyards.

You will also have the opportunity to do tastings, to try the different grape varieties that are exclusive 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 flavors and aromas of the region in a unique way.

After enjoying a relaxed afternoon of wine tasting and beautiful scenery, you will 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 per person, including wine and cheese tastings.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours and a half.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to visit 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 could be intense.

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 most outstanding local productions.

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 landscape 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 flavors, with a variety of options ranging from seafood to lamb and vegetables.

After lunch, the tour heads to a local winery, where you will 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.

Details of interest

• 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 get to know one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they are long duration excursions, so they could be incompatible with a short stay in Auckland.

If you love food and drink, you can't miss the Central Auckland snack and cocktail tour. 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 the famous New Zealand steak feet or some seafood pies. Next, you will visit a cocktail bar, where you will taste the most creative and tasty cocktails in town, made with local and exotic ingredients. You will also taste beers and wines.

The tour will also include a visit to a tapas bar, where you can sample a variety of small plates inspired by Spanish and Latin American cuisine. There you will taste the most intense and exciting flavors 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 best grape varieties, along with some small plates and snacks. You will learn about local wine production and have the opportunity to talk to sommeliers to follow their recommendations and wine pairing tips.

Details of interest

• Price: these tours have an approximate initial cost of €129 per person, including cocktail tastings, drinks and meals.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours and a half.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know the city center and its best bars and restaurants through their flavors.
• 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.

You can book a food tour in advance online or book the tours once you are in the city, although I do not recommend the latter option if you plan to visit Auckland in December or during the summer months, which is part of the high season and, therefore, the places on the tours are usually sold out.

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

The answer will depend on the excursion you choose, although in general you will be able to get to know the New Zealand flavors and some of the local delicacies, as well as the most outstanding regional productions, such as wines or sausages.

On the other hand, you will also get to know the local culture, since 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.

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 well before booking your Auckland food tour. Look for opinions and reviews from other customers and make sure that the tour company is reliable and has experience in the gastronomic area. Also, if you are vegan, allergic to some foods or celiac, don't forget to mention it at the time of your 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 in the excursions.
• Dress comfortably: some food tours can last several hours, so it is important to dress comfortably for walking and standing for extended periods of time.
• 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 have never tried before - maybe some of the flavors will surprise you!
• Ask questions: if you have any questions about the food you are trying, 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.

There are several reasons why it is advisable to take a food tour in Auckland, for example, it is an ideal alternative to discover new flavors and dishes, as it is a multicultural city that offers a wide variety of food and drinks.

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 the history and local culinary traditions.

In addition, 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 will allow you to explore the city to see different neighborhoods and places that you might not have visited on your own or that you would not have included in your tour due to lack of references.