Marlborough has become the gourmet centre of New Zealand, where fine dining is expressed in first-class local produce and superb Marlborough wines. Long recognised as a holiday destination with its marine and mountain landscapes, the sun-bleached "Top of the South" also delights food and wine connoisseurs.

From Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisine through Turkish and Indian fare to Italian and Mediterranean styles, Marlborough offers a wide choice for the discerning diner, including New Zealand contemporary and New Zealand fusion; pizzerias and seafood restaurants; New Zealand traditional and family restaurants; cafés, coffee bars and delicatessens.

From the region's clear waterways come a bounty of fresh seafood, like blue cod, snapper, salmon, greenshell mussels and scallops. Add to that wild game, lamb, rib eye beef, boutique olive oils, fresh garlic and seasonal stone fruit, and restaurants have a rich choice of local fare to include in their menus. All can be complemented by any of the fine wines produced from vineyards stretching through the region's valleys. You might try a Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay or one of the acclaimed Sauvignon Blancs.

Use the Dine Marlborough Restaurant Guide to choose your cuisine experience. Bon apétit!