Foodie finds in Hamilton & Waikato

Suggested foodie finds in the Hamilton & Waikato region include:
- Award winning restaurants and city dining in Hamilton
- Top wineries including Vilagrad Winery and Mystery Creek Winery
- Forage for your own Blueberries at Monovale Blueberries
- Stop for New Zealand’s best pie (2011,12) at NZ’s top bakery (2012), Viands Bakery in Kihikihi
- Dine on Hobbit inspired pizza at the Redoubt in Matamata
- Meet friendly folk in country cafés
- Source local produce at the many farmers markets
- Learn how to make your own Cheese, or just find delicious locally made cheeses at Over The Moon Dairy Co
- Try honey from different hives throughout the region from Sweetree Honey
- Visit New Zealand’s only Oolong Tea plantation at Zealong Tea Estate and try the Discover Tea experience
Award Winners
With a rich dairy farming and agricultural sector it is no wonder the region produces some award winning cuisine including:
- Good George Brewery, Hamilton
- Sparkling Ale: NZ Brewers Guild Awards - Gold
- Doris Plum Cider: NZ Brewers Guild Awards - Silver
- Chim Choo Ree Restaurant, Hamilton
- Cuisine Magazine Best Regional Restaurant Award
- Victoria Street Bistro, Hamilton
- Montheith’s Wild Food Challenge winner
- Smith & McKenzie Chophouse, Hamilton
- Hospitality New Zealand Best Restaurant Award
- Vilagrad Winery, Ohaupo
- Pinot Gris: New Zealand International Wine Show Awards – Gold
- Over the Moon Dairy Company, Putaruru
- Champion Soft White Rind Cheese Award - NZ Champions of Cheese Awards
- Champion Washed Rind Cheese Award - NZ Champions of Cheese Awards
- Aroha Organic Goat Cheese, Te Aroha
- Milk Test NZ Champion Cheesemaker - NZ Champions of Cheese Awards
- Champion Goat Cheese Award - NZ Champions of Cheese Awards
- Mercer Cheese, North Waikato
- Champion Sheep Cheese Award - NZ Champions of Cheese Awards
- Meyer Gouda Cheese
- Champion New Cheese Award - NZ Champions of Cheese Award
- Sweetree Honey
- Dried Bee Pollen: National Beekeepers Association Awards - Gold
- Special Reserve Honey: National Beekeepers Association Awards - Silver