Local flavours – must-try food experiences on your RV journey
Author: The Good Guides Date Posted:2 December 2025
There’s something about hitting the road in your campervan that just makes food taste better. Maybe it’s the fresh air, maybe it’s the freedom to chase good eats wherever they’re hiding. Either way, New Zealand’s regional flavours are worth planning your route around. From hand-cut cheeses and roadside berry stalls to pāua fritters by the sea, the country serves up plenty of reasons to pull over and fire up the gas cooker.
In this guide, we’re sharing some must-try food experiences that are perfect for life on the road. You’ll find tips on what to try, where to try it, and how to make the most of your RV kitchen set-up along the way.
North Island Food Experiences
From earthy, slow-cooked hāngī to fresh oysters shucked while you wait, the North Island dishes up a wide range of flavours worth pulling over for. Whether you're road-tripping up the coast or weaving inland, there’s no shortage of local food spots to explore. Here are a couple of standouts to add to your route.
Auckland & Northland
Sweet treats at Makana Confections in Kerikeri
This boutique chocolate shop is a Northland staple. Known for handmade chocolates and moreish macadamia brittle, it’s a quick but worthwhile stop if you’ve got a sweet tooth. You can sample as you go, watch the treats being made, and stock up on gifts (or just a stash for the glovebox). It's a good excuse to stretch your legs and browse before heading further north.
Morning eats at the Matakana Farmers' Market
Set just north of Auckland, this popular Saturday market is packed with locals stocking up on fresh produce and handmade treats. It’s an easy place to pick up everything from freshly shucked oysters to creamy cheeses and strong coffee. Bring a tote bag, grab a bite, and stock the campervan fridge with a few road-friendly snacks for later.
Explore flavours at the Auckland Fish Market
If fresh seafood is your thing, the Fish Market in Wynyard Quarter is worth a visit. With a mix of fishmongers and ready-to-eat options, it's a handy place to stock up the fridge or grab lunch on the go. Think fresh snapper, smoked kahawai, or classic fish and chips done well. Parking is manageable during weekdays, and there’s outdoor seating if you want to linger a bit before hitting the road again.
Rotorua
An authentic Māori hāngī at Tamaki Māori Village
Rotorua is one of the best places to experience hāngī cooked the traditional way – slow-cooked in an earth oven, full of smoky depth and flavour. At Tamaki Māori Village, the food is just one part of a wider cultural experience that includes storytelling, song, and kapa haka. On the plate, expect tender meats, root vegetables like kūmara, and classic steamed pudding for dessert. It's a memorable way to connect with te ao Māori over a generous meal.
.png)
Street food at the Rotorua Night Market
Held every Thursday evening on Tutanekai Street, Rotorua’s Night Market is a lively spot to grab dinner if you're overnighting in Rotorua. You’ll find a good mix of street food from around the world – dumplings, hangi pies, handmade crêpes, and more – plus live music and local crafts. It’s a relaxed way to get a taste of the city’s food scene without needing to book ahead or sit down for a full restaurant meal. Plenty of options are easy to take away and enjoy back at your camper.
Bay of Plenty
Truffle tasting at Trufflewood Truffles
Located just outside Te Puna in the lower Kaimai ranges, Trufflewood offers seasonal truffle hunts and tastings at their family-owned farm. From June to August, you can join a guided walk with their trained truffle dogs, followed by a tasting of fresh truffle-infused treats. It’s a hands-on, down-to-earth experience that gives you a real feel for the Bay of Plenty’s food scene beyond the usual stops. Bookings are essential, and it’s an easy detour if you’re travelling between Tauranga and Hamilton.
Seafood fresh from the source at Tauranga’s waterfront
Tauranga’s waterfront is a great spot to track down fresh kaimoana. You’ll find everything from fish and chips with a view, to green-lipped mussels, snapper fillets, and pāua fritters cooked to order. Whether you’re dining out or grabbing a takeaway feed for the van, there’s no shortage of seafood options right by the water. Best bet is to arrive hungry, and maybe pack a cooler for the drive.
Hawke’s Bay & Martinborough
Fresh finds at the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market
Held every Sunday in Hastings, this vibrant market is a great place to load up on seasonal fruit, preserves, baked goods, and locally made snacks. It’s one of the biggest in the country, and you’ll find plenty of friendly stallholders offering samples and tips on what’s good. Great for restocking the fridge or picking up a few picnic supplies.
Wine tasting in the Martinborough wine region
Just over an hour from Wellington, Martinborough punches well above its weight when it comes to quality wine. With most cellar doors within cycling or walking distance of each other, it’s easy to spend an afternoon sampling pinot noir and picking up a bottle or two for the road. Add in some local cheese, and you’ve got a solid plan for a laid-back RV dinner.
(1).png)
Wellington
Coffee done right at The Hangar by Flight Coffee
Wellington takes its coffee seriously, and The Hangar is one of the best places to see why. Run by local roasters Flight Coffee, this café combines expertly made brews with a relaxed, modern space that’s perfect for a mid-morning stop. Whether you're into single origin espresso or a well-poured flat white, the team here knows their stuff. They’ve also got a solid brunch menu if you're after something more than caffeine. Easy to find, easy to park nearby, and definitely worth the detour.
Sunday mornings at the Harbourside Market
Right by the waterfront, this long-running market is a weekend favourite for locals. It’s held every Sunday and offers everything from fresh fruit and veg to food trucks serving dumplings, crêpes, and local coffee. There’s plenty of space to wander, and it’s a great place to stock up on produce or grab breakfast with a view. The early start (from 7.30am) makes it easy to beat the crowds and get back on the road before lunch.
South Island Food Experiences
Nelson & Marlborough
Fresh mussels at the Mussel Pot
Located in the small town of Havelock, often called the mussel capital of New Zealand, the Mussel Pot is all about local flavour. The mussels are delivered straight from the Marlborough Sounds and served up in steaming bowls of garlic butter, Thai curry, or classic white wine sauce. It’s a low-key, friendly spot with outdoor seating and a short walk from the waterfront. A great stop if you’re making your way between Nelson and Picton.
Wine tasting along the Marlborough Wine Trail
This is sauvignon blanc country, and you’ll find cellar doors dotted all over the region, especially around Blenheim. Many offer tastings paired with light bites or full menus focused on local produce. The trail is easy to follow, and there’s no shortage of spots to park up, sample a few wines, and pick up a bottle or two for later. If you're a fan of crisp whites or just looking to try something new, this region delivers.
West Coast & Canterbury
Slow-cooked lamb from Pedro’s House of Lamb
Based in Christchurch, Pedro’s is famous for one thing, and they do it exceptionally well. Their signature dish is a whole lamb shoulder, slow-roasted with garlic and rosemary and served with scalloped potatoes. Everything comes packed and ready to reheat, making it a great option if you’re rolling into town and don’t feel like cooking. It’s ideal for two, and even better eaten outdoors with a glass of red.
Whitebait fritters on the West Coast
A true local delicacy, whitebait fritters are a must-try if you're anywhere near the West Coast during the season (September to November). You’ll find them at roadside stalls or small cafes along the route between Greymouth and Haast. Light, crispy, and best served with just a squeeze of lemon, they’re a simple but iconic Kiwi snack that’s perfect for a roadside lunch.
Otago & Southland
Oysters and more at the Bluff Oyster Festival
If you're in Southland in May, this one’s worth planning around. The Bluff Oyster Festival celebrates one of the country’s most sought-after delicacies, fresh Bluff oysters, known for their creamy texture and salty kick. You’ll find them served natural, deep-fried, or grilled, alongside other southern staples like pāua patties and muttonbird. It’s a lively event with plenty of character, local music, and a strong sense of Southland pride.
(1).png)
Cheese tasting at Whitestone Cheese
Based in Ōamaru, Whitestone is one of New Zealand’s best-known cheese producers, and their factory shop is a top stop for anyone into good food. You can try a range of their award-winning cheeses (the Windsor Blue is a crowd favourite) and pick up a few extras for the road. They also offer platters and coffee if you're ready for a break. It’s right off State Highway 1, so it’s an easy detour on the way south.
Ready to hit the road hungry?
New Zealand’s regional food scene is full of reasons to slow down and savour the drive. Whether you’re tracking down seafood by the coast or stocking up at a local market, there’s no shortage of flavours to discover from the comfort of your campervan.
Need gear to make cooking on the road easier? From portable barbecues to compact fridges, RV Super Centre has everything you need to eat well wherever you’re parked.
