NZ Michelin Stars Fill Restaurants Despite Industry Slump

When Christchurch's Inati received its first Michelin star, co-owner Simon Levy watched 80 bookings flood in within 90 minutes. By morning, hundreds more had arrived.

Two months later, the rush hasn't stopped. Inati is now fully booked every night, a remarkable feat during New Zealand's traditionally slow winter season.

Queenstown's Essence by Roki earned an even bigger prize: two Michelin stars just eight months after opening. General manager Stephen McAteer says the phones started ringing immediately and haven't stopped since.

"It's been wonderful for the region," McAteer says. Head chef Paul Froggatt describes waves of new guests walking through the doors, bringing energy and excitement with them.

Down the road, one-starred Sherwood experienced what chef Chris Scott calls "tipping gas on the fire." The restaurant jumped from the awards ceremony straight into six weeks of sold-out evenings.

The recognition from the famous French guide is working exactly as hoped. New Zealand's government invested $6.3 million to bring Michelin ratings to the country, betting that culinary prestige would attract high-spending international visitors.

Tourism Minister Louise Upston reports visitor numbers have climbed to 95% of pre-COVID levels. Every tourist who comes for a Michelin meal stays in hotels, visits attractions, and supports local businesses along the way.

The Ripple Effect

The impact reaches beyond packed dining rooms. Inati's Levy says the star created permanent new jobs at his restaurant and likely across the country.

For head chef Dan Matto at one-starred Rātā, the recognition brought "a lot of eyeballs on us, a lot of excitement." Scott puts it simply: "To showcase NZ restaurants on a world stage, if that's not beneficial to the NZ economy, I don't know what is."

The timing couldn't be more critical. New Zealand's hospitality sector faced 414 business liquidations in the year through May, up 49% from the previous year. Industry spending dropped $55 million in just one quarter.

Yet even as many restaurants and cafes struggle, Michelin-starred establishments are thriving. They're proving that excellence draws crowds even in difficult times.

The starred restaurants represent a tiny fraction of New Zealand's dining scene, but they're lighting a path forward and putting the country on the global culinary map.