A Taste of Roots

Overview

Experience (what was) one of New Zealand's top eateries this Restaurant Month without leaving the city. Roots was the country's only restaurant outside of Auckland to receive the ultimate three-hat status in the Cuisine Good Food Awards. A hidden gem in the seaport town of Lyttleton, the unassuming restaurant quickly became well known for featuring seasonal flavours and textures, more often than not foraged, local, ethical and sustainable produce.

Chilean-born owner and head chef Giulio Sturla was drawn to New Zealand's natural beauty and arrived here in 2009 with dreams of opening his own restaurant. After spending a year working without pay at world-leading Spanish restaurant Mugaritz with chef Andoni Luis Aduriz, Roots Restaurant wowed customers for seven years before closing its doors earlier in May. 

You can enjoy the magic of Roots thanks to The Grove. At the one-off event chef Kira Ghidoni and leading restaurateur Michael Dearth will bring together their Michelin-star background to wow diners with the best of the Roots menu, expertly matched with fine wines.