Immigrants from African countries, in particular from the Horn of Africa, have proliferated in Auckland's inner southwest in recent years.

Revelry, the brain-child of restaurant designer Jason Rosen and bar manager Benjamin Taylor, rests somewhat uneasily beneath the International Food Hall on the corner of Ponsonby Rd and Pollen St.

We came here because this venerable old Ponsonby institution bagged a thumbs-up from global hipsterdom's fountainhead Tyler Brule, who, in an open love letter to Auckland published on the Financial Times' website

Kingsland's latest eatery aims to offer something for everyone

It was Andrew who ordered the crisps. He remembered having tried some nice Irish ones at this Irish pub and he asked the waitress for some brand names.

The Whiskey is dead, long live the Whiskey.

The reaction was understandable. You’re in grey, dismal London in winter, the weather is vile, but you are keeping your spirits up with a little glass of Villa Maria wine.

We came here because the cafe is housed inside the Palmers Garden Centre and it seemed a good idea to stop for brunch after some taxing plant shopping.

Fresh and zesty dishes lie in wait for those worn down by less authentic, gravy-laden imitations

An innovative garden-to-table menu and great wines turn dinner at Ortolana into a culinary adventure

There's something very "Downunder" about the service in Queenstown. Waiters, bartenders, receptionists and shopkeepers take that relaxed, "she'll be right", Kiwi attitude to a new high.

We came here because we'd never been to Browns Bay - quelle horreur - but had heard it was the place to brunch beachside.

Boom. I'm excited. At last Auckland has its own Basque-style tapas bar complete with a counter laden with just-prepared, ready to eat pintxos, the name given to traditional tapas in northern Spain.

Not often are you tempted to order only cold courses throughout a restaurant dinner. But such has been this summer that the procession of dishes delivered by Tribeca at the lower end of the temperature range seemed just right.

Where to go on Valentine's Day? Viva gives you some food for thought.

There’s something for all appetites at a French bistro in Newmarket

It's a worldwide trend - top chefs moving into gourmet fast food and now chef Sean Marshall (Roxy) is the latest restaurant chef to bring us fabulous food on the go.

In the gastro bar world, we are talking about tapas and sharing plates drawn from international cuisine. That's Libertine.

What makes a truly great restaurant and how does it reach into our consciousness

We came here because we're enjoying the vibe and Melburnian intent of this new Ponsonby development and have been slowly ticking off its eateries.

They're not necessarily the latest or the slickest, just good places with nourishing food, great coffee and a pleasant atmosphere to help you rest and regather that holiday spirit while on the highway to somewhere.