The Fat Duck in Te Anau has been named Supreme Champion at the 2025 Estrella Damm Top 50 New Zealand Gastropubs Awards.
The awards recognise the best food-led pubs across the country, with the winners announced at a ceremony in Auckland.
The Fat Duck, owned by Cam Davies and Selina Wright, was acknowledged for its innovative cuisine using local produce. Judges recognised its ‘outstanding culinary offerings, service, and commitment to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.’
Sharing the award on the pub’s social media accounts, the pair joked about the recent earthquake felt in the area: “If the earthquake yesterday didn’t rock your world… this will! Thank you to our amazing team and to our Fiordland and Southland community, we truly appreciate all your support.”
The pub also took out one of four regional awards, for ‘Best in the Lower South Island’.
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In the remaining categories, Franklins Bar & Eatery in Pukekohe took the award for ‘Best in the Upper North Island’, Thistle Inn in Wellington took the ‘Best in Lower North Island’ award, while Strawberry Tree Kaikoura Ltd. was named ‘Best in Upper South Island’.
Thistle Inn, a Wellington institution that was first opened in 1840, also took the award for ‘Best Paired Meal’.
This year the award in the sustainablity category was not handed out as though there were ‘commendable efforts,’ judges wanted to see more initiatives that go ‘beyond best practice and are woven into the everyday operations.’
The winners were selected out of a shortlist of top 50 gastropubs, that were determined by a public vote. This year’s judges were Tracey McKay, a seasoned FMCG marketing professional; Travis Field, owner of Fantail & Turtle and 2024 Supreme Champion; Tim Read, MasterChef winner and founder of Helmet, which supports mental health in hospitality; Lou Baddiley, a tourism expert and food storyteller; and Tash McGill, a leading drinks writer and advocate for New Zealand’s hospitality sector.
