Waikato foodie weekends
With an abundance of fresh produce, talented artisan producers, and award-winning restaurants, Waikato is perfect for your next foodie getaway. From sampling the cuisine on offer at fine dining restaurants and eateries using the freshest local produce to meeting the people behind the gourmet products at bustling farmers’ markets or imbibing at one of the local microbreweries, there is plenty to treat your tastebuds.
OOLONG, ANYONE?
Those looking to quench their thirst can enjoy a cup of the world’s purest oolong tea at New Zealand’s only tea plantation at Zealong Tea Estate. Take a tour to learn the history of tea and enjoy a tea tasting of the award-winning, 100 per cent organic range before finishing up overlooking the plantation as you indulge in a decadent high tea.
ICE CREAM DREAMS
Based in the increasingly popular foodie suburb of Hamilton East, cult-status Duck Island Ice Cream uses organic milk in its creamy creations, including flavours such as the award-winning roasted white chocolate and miso or blackberry and sage. Further afield, Matamata’s Kowhai Creamery and Raglan Gelato are also making names for themselves, scooping up tasty artisan treats.
DINE IN STYLE
From dining in Hamilton city overlooking the mighty Waikato River to authentic Italian in Cambridge, where lush trees and heritage buildings line the streets, dining in the Waikato is a seriously delectable business. Two-hatted restaurant Palate, in the heart of Hamilton’s CBD, creates excellent food paired with stunning New Zealand wine, while Mr Pickles, also in Hamilton and Alpino in Cambridge, have been marked as ones to watch by Cuisine Magazine in the recent Good Food Awards.
CRAFT BREWS
If you are looking to sample a tipple or two, head to one of the region’s brewers, including Good George Brewery. With several award-winning beer and cider or gin creations, there is sure to be something for everyone. Other passionate microbreweries calling the Waikato home include Bootleg Brewery, Brewracracy, and Hopnotic. All have dedicated taprooms where you can sample a range of beers and enjoy tasty bites from local food trucks at the weekends.
SHOP LOCAL
Depending on your style, choose a menu that suits you (or create your own) with produce and wares from the Farmers’ Markets held at Victoria Square in Cambridge on a Saturday morning and Claudeland’s Barn in Hamilton on a Sunday morning. Look out for sourdough loaves and tasty scones from Volare alongside locally produced honey and small goods and tables laden with fresh green produce, preserves, sweet treats, and more – it is too good to miss.
SAY CHEESE!
Fertile soils and a long-standing farming heritage have made the Waikato region renowned for its dairy industry, so it should come as no surprise that it’s also home to some of the best New Zealand cheesemakers. Mercer Cheese and Meyer Gouda Cheese are main-stayers and award winners on the national cheese scene alongside Cilantro Cheese, specialising in artisanal goat’s milk cheese.