Pies

The Humble Pie is Serious Business Here

The NZ pie is not a snack. It's a whole thing. And while you can grab a serviceable one from any servo or bakery around the country, the spots worth going out of your way for tend to be regional, a bit off the main drag, and fiercely loyal to local ingredients.

Where to Go Looking

The Fairlie Bakehouse in Fairlie is probably the most talked-about pie destination in the South Island. It gets busy and it deserves to. Quality holds up even when they're pushing out volume. Down in Queenstown, Sanga's Pies have their own thing going on, different from your standard bakery fare. And out on the West Coast, the West Coast Pie Co leans into wildfood, turning pest animals into genuinely good eating, which is very on-brand for that part of the country.

Central Otago is worth a mention too. The Waitapa Pie Co operates out of a local pub, which honestly is the correct setting for a good country pie. These are the kinds of spots that reward slow travel and a willingness to stop somewhere small.