Best Sushi Spots in New Zealand

"Sapparo is one of the best little haunts I came across in 2014. It’s popular amongst the locals, who head there for lunch meetings, cute dates and solo-sushi-missions. I’ll happily admit that I often find myself there during a busy week day for a late lunch, a’ la solo-style. They staff are so sweet that they will even usher you towards a kind little corner table, reserved for me and my fellow lonesome lunch-goers. Insiders tip - the lunchboxes are insane, but my personal favourite is the sashimi, it’s just that good."

"Time and again this hallowed spot is voted Best Sushi in Auckland by far posher palettes than mine and it was award-winning status that drew me there in the first place. And boy does Bian deliver - the rice is chewy and flavoursome, the wasabi gives a kick in all the right places and the freshness of the fish (and I’ve heard meats) are absolutely stand-out. What does it for me with sushi is the tuna - how good is their tuna sashimi and sushi counterpart? Well at Bian, it’s the best, the very best. Get here now!"

"Don’t discount sushi joints that pass the city borders, as Sushi Zen in Lynfield is a stunner of a sushi spot happily filling the bellies of westies and ‘travellers’ alike. Offering up a selection of go-to sushi feasts at a reasonable pocket charge, I’m always more than happy to stop in at Sushi Zen for a grab-and-dash sushi box with extra wasabi, on the way to Piha."

"The sushi is so tasty, fresh and full of zingy flavours that no matter where you live in Auckland, I highly recommend taking a trip to Howick to experience the delightfulness that is Aunt Lee’s Sushi. A local who grew up in East Auckland was the first one to put me onto this fantastic Japanese restaurant and I only wish I had found it sooner. This is the definition of traditional sushi hand-crafted with love."