Quick answer
New Zealand is easy for vegetarians in Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch, where menus mark vegetarian dishes and Indian restaurants are common. Small towns near Milford Sound, Mount Cook and Tekapo have fewer choices. Motels with kitchens help families cook simple meals. Declare all food you bring, as undeclared items attract an instant fine.
How easy is it to eat well?
Vegetarian & Jain friendliness
5 = easy everywhere, 1 = plan every meal
Indian food availability
5 = Indian restaurants everywhere, 1 = rare
What to order (and what to ask about)
Kumara chips
Sweet-potato fries; kumara is the Maori sweet potato and appears on almost every menu.
Hokey pokey ice cream
Vanilla ice cream with crunchy honeycomb toffee; check brands for gelatine.
Pavlova
Meringue topped with cream, kiwifruit and berries; New Zealanders claim it as theirs.
Afghan biscuits
Chocolate cornflake biscuits topped with icing and a walnut, sold in most cafés.
Feijoa
A tart, fragrant fruit in season from about March to June, also in juices and ice cream.
Manuka honey
Strong, dark native honey graded by strength, and priced accordingly; small jars make good gifts.
Queenstown gourmet burgers
Queenstown's famous burger shops offer vegetarian patties; expect queues in peak season.
Hangi
A Maori earth-oven feast of meat, kumara, pumpkin and stuffing; ask whether vegetables are cooked separately.
Bakery pies
Mince-and-cheese is the classic; bakeries usually also have a vegetable or curry pie.
Fish and chips
Battered fish and thick chips; the chips are usually fried in the same oil as the fish.
Green-lipped mussels
Large native mussels, steamed or in chowder, especially around Marlborough.
Phrases that help
| Say | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Kumara | Sweet potato |
| Capsicum | Shimla mirch (bell pepper) |
| Courgette | Zucchini, similar to tori |
| Hangi | Maori earth-oven feast |
| Kia ora | Hello or thank you (Maori greeting) |
| Sweet as | No problem, all good |
Is New Zealand good for vegetarian travellers?
Yes, in the cities. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown have cafés and restaurants that mark vegetarian and vegan dishes, and Indian restaurants are common. Supermarkets such as Woolworths, New World and Pak'nSave stock paneer, frozen rotis, lentils and spices.
It gets harder in small towns. Te Anau, Mount Cook village and Lake Tekapo have only a few restaurants each, often with one or two vegetarian mains, and Milford Sound has a single café. Plan ahead on those days.
Where to find Indian food
- Auckland: Sandringham is known as the city's Little India, and Papatoetoe has many Indian grocers and eateries.
- Queenstown: several Indian restaurants in the town centre and Frankton.
- Rotorua and Christchurch: a good handful each.
- Te Anau and Tekapo: usually one or two options, with limited hours.
Hangi and cultural dinners
The Maori hangi in Rotorua is cooked in an earth oven, with meat and vegetables in baskets together. Ask when booking whether vegetables are cooked separately; most cultural evenings offer a vegetarian plate on request.
Jain travellers and families
Motels and apartment hotels with kitchenettes are common in New Zealand and are the easiest answer for Jain travellers and families who want home-style meals. Indian restaurants in Auckland and Queenstown can usually cook without onion and garlic if asked.
Bringing food from India
New Zealand's biosecurity rules are strict. Declare all food on your arrival card, including spices, pickles and dry snacks. Officers inspect it and return what is allowed. Undeclared items can attract an instant fine of NZD 400.
Long scenic drives mean long gaps between towns. Carry fruit, nuts and sandwiches on the Milford Sound and Mount Cook days.
Plan the rest of your trip
See things to do in New Zealand, where to stay in Queenstown, the New Zealand trip cost and the best time to visit. Visa steps are on the New Zealand visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is New Zealand vegetarian-friendly?
Can I find Indian food in Queenstown?
Can I bring Indian food into New Zealand?
Is Jain food available in New Zealand?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
