Vegan Food Guide for New Zealand Local & Street Food

Find plant-based local specialties, learn key phrases, and get tips for vegan dining.

Local Foods

Cities

Filtered results are based on automated analysis of common food data. This is for general guidance only. Ingredient variations, preparation methods, cross-contamination risks, and data accuracy can differ significantly. Always verify all information directly with vendors before consumption, especially for allergies or strict dietary needs. See full disclaimers for filtered results.

While many Thai dishes can be made vegan, fish sauce and shrimp paste are very common. Be specific about excluding all animal products.

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Essential Phrases

I am vegan

He kaimanga ahau

hay kai-mah-nga ah-how

Indicates vegan diet preference

No animal products including eggs and dairy

Kāore he hua kararehe, kāre he hēki, kāore he miraka

kah-or-reh hay hoo-ah kah-rah-reh-hay, kah-or-reh hay hay-kee, kah-or-reh hay mee-rah-kah

Specifies no animal products including eggs and dairy

Watch Out For

Honey (especially manuka honey in many dishes)
Pavlova (contains egg whites)
Anzac biscuits (may contain butter)
Many desserts (contain dairy)

Safe Options

Plant-based cafés in Auckland and Wellington
Vegetable-based hangi portions (when specified)
Jackfruit burgers (increasingly common)
Dairy-free flat white coffees with plant milk

Important Notice

Traditional Māori cuisine heavily features animal products. When attending cultural events, request vegan options in advance as these may not be standard offerings.