Auckland eatery world-rated

Auckland’s The Grove has been named the ninth best restaurant in the world and New Zealand’s number one by TripAdvisor. The Travellers’ Choice Restaurants Awards rank fine-dining restaurants using an algorithm to weigh the millions of reviews on the website, with French eatery Au Crocodile coming out on top, followed by Martin Berasategui and El Celler de Can Roca, both in Spain.

“Food and dining experiences can often be the main highlight of any trip or an evening out,” said Bertrand Jelensperger, senior vice-president for TripAdvisor Restaurants. “Luckily, diners can use this list to find the ideal eatery for any occasion . . .”

The Grove, in central Auckland, was New Zealand’s only restaurant to make the world top 25. Opened in 2004 by owners Michael and Annette Dearth, it serves modern New Zealand food with a French twist and has been home to an impressive roll-call of top Kiwi chefs including Michael Meredith from 2004, Sid Sahrawat from 2006 and Ben Bayly from 2009.

Current head chef Kira Ghidoni joined the Grove kitchen in 2017.

Dishes on a sample menu on its website include kingfish with apple and miso sorbet, oyster taramasalata and roe “crumb”; Northland pork with parsnip, buffalo yoghurt and black pudding; and fig leaf brulee with buttermilk ice cream.

Positive comments on Trip Advisor include “world class restaurant in downtown Auckland” and “nearly flawless”.