Overview
Are you a loyal gastropub-goer? Then now is your time to shine, with voting for New Zealand's Top 50 Gastropubs officially open. An impressive lineup of 84 gastropubs throughout Aotearoa have put their best foot forward in the hopes of being crowned New Zealand's best, with establishments from Russell to the deep south of Cromwell throwing their hats in the ring.
The concept of a gastropub is pretty simple: a pub that champions food as well as pints. While the competition has already made a name for itself in the UK, this will be the first time the best gastropub will be crowned in Aotearoa, with Hospitality New Zealand getting behind the awards.
Some of the establishments on the list are ones that Kiwis — and tourists — know and love, like Wanaka's famous Cardrona Hotel; the 125-year-old Shakespeare Hotel and Brewery in Auckland; and pubs servicing renowned wine regions like Bannockburn Hotel in Cromwell.
To support your favourite drinking hole, head to the award's website before Thursday, February 29 and scroll through the 84 boozers to pick your favourite. But make sure you choose wisely — you can only vote once.
Not only will you be doing your local a favour, you're doing yourself one too. Everyone who casts a vote will go into the draw to win a terrific Auckland holiday including airfares, a hotel stay, a dinner out, tickets to SkyCity's Wētā Workshop Unleashed and All Blacks Experience as well as two seats at the Top 50 awards evening which will be held on Wednesday, April 10.
The list of New Zealand's Top 50 gastropubs will be announced in March with the supreme winner — determined by a panel of judges — crowned at the awards night the following month. Seven gastropubs that come out on top in their region will also be revealed at the ceremony.
Hospitality New Zealand Chief Executive Steve Armitage said the contentious list will act as a gastropub guide for Kiwis and visitors keen for some kai with their pint.
"There are more than a thousand gastropubs across New Zealand, which are places where local communities and visitors can meet and connect," Armitage said. "We've been blown away by the number of votes already coming through, which is testament to the quality of the country's food and beverage offering."
Voting for the Top 50 New Zealand Gastropub Awards is now open. You can cast your vote on the competition's website. Voting closes on Thursday, February 29, with the list announced in March and an awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 10.