Whether you've booked in a long weekend away or are planning on staying put, we've rounded up some of the best dishes to try your hand at making, from "grown-up" pizzas to boozy desserts.
Plus, there are some special eateries we think are worth braving the winter chill for, includinga revamped Clooney's Jesse Mulligan is raving about and a secret winter garden in the city serving up delicious kombucha-infused cocktails.
You'd also do well to get clued up on a free chocolate venture making its way around the country too.
Here are our favourite foodie picks for the weekend:
Moroccan-spiced pumpkin and goat's cheese pizza. Photo / Allyson Gofton
Chef Allyson Gofton says the days of eating greasy, deep-pan pizzas on the couch are over. Well, at least in her house they are. Grown-up pizzas, for our evolved tastes, are in - think toppings such as fresh goat's cheese, pomegranate, aubergine and pumpkin.
This week Gofton has shared two pizza recipes that she says are "stylish anytime, anywhere": Moroccan-spiced pumpkin and goat's cheese pizza and a buffalo mozzarella, bacon and fennel pizza.
The carrot and macadamia entree at Clooney's. Photo / Rebecca Zephyr Thomas
Viva's Eating Out Editor Jesse Mulligan says Clooney's dining experience is one you should "shout from the rooftops" or, at the least, share with your friends on social media.
With a new chef on board, Mulligan raved about the visual artistry of the meals as well as the service, with "unusually scripted banter", that he praised as "very, very good".
He writes: "Incredible new chef, same amazing room, and a legendary restaurant we are lucky to have for special occasions, overseas dignitaries and hopefully, the occasional spontaneous dinner enjoyed by normal people who want to see how good the world can taste."
The Mediterranean galette at Black Frog Cafe. Photo / Getty Images
Though this naturally light-filled space boasts a charming view out its windows, its interiors seem to have stayed put from former tapas restaurant Barcelona.
The Spanish-style interior is an odd fit for the "Kiwi kitchen with a French accent" but writer Tess Nichol says Black Frog's crepes - both sweet and savoury - are "lovely" and "decadent".
Heard that saying or know someone who uses it often? For some of us, no matter how full we are, there's always that craving for something sweet at the end of a meal.
But what causes that insatiable – and for the millions of us watching our weight – frustrating post-dinner urge? Is it just habit or is there something more going on?
A clinical psychologist specialising in eating behaviour and a nutritionist have revealed the truth about those sweet cravings and how to get them under control for good.
One of the cocktails on offer at The Secret Winter Garden. Photo / Anna Williams Photography
Every day throughout the month of June The Secret Winter Garden will be offering drinks, nibbles and music at a hidden rooftop bar at The Glass Goose on Auckland's Federal St.
The inner-city bar has collaborated with Good Buzz Kombucha to create a health-infused selection of cocktails and mocktails and will host a rotating pop up of food truck favourites such as Judge Bao and Melt. All of which you can enjoy in a pretty setting of wintry floral installations while taking in live saxophone performances and DJs.
A key date in a whisky connoisseur's diary, Ardbeg Day is back for the seventh year running. Whisky fans will be able to get a taste of this year's newest limited edition release, Ardbeg Grooves, a 1969-style peat and wood smoked drop, combining flavours of apple and smoked pear.
Kiwi whisky fanatics will be the first in the world to try Ardbeg Grooves and can do so at Ardbeg's four embassies stationed across the country on June 2, the official release day of the limited edition Ardbeg Grooves for purchase.
Find an Ardberg embassy near you:
• House of Whiskey, 38 Courthouse Lane, Auckland Central, 1010 – 11am – 5pm • Regional Wines, Beers & Spirits, 15 Ellice Street, Mt Victoria, Wellington, 6001 – 10am – 3pm • Whisky Galore, 834 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central, 8013 – 10.30am until close • The Jefferson, 7 Fort Lane, Auckland, 1010 – 12am until close and then again from 4pm
For six weeks (May 31 - July 7) Cadbury will visit 28 locations throughout the country.
Kicking off in Auckland the company hopes to create moments of connection by encouraging Kiwis to "share the taste" of Cadbury with friends, family and colleagues.
To find out when Cadbury will be stopping in your town, see here.
