Cheap, cheerful, and classically Kiwi
When you’re road-tripping around New Zealand with Kiwi Experience, it’s hungry work. And we know it’s not just the jaw-dropping landscapes you’re here for - it’s the full cultural experience, right down to the local flavours and snacks.
That’s why, with a little help from our legendary crew at Kiwi Experience HQ, we’ve pulled together a top 10 list of iconic Kiwi snacks worth trying for under five bucks.
1. The Classic Kiwi Pie
Warm, flaky, and filled with everything from the iconic mince and cheese to steak and even butter chicken, the humble meat pie is a rite of passage in New Zealand - especially with a legendary dollop of tomato sauce. Hearty, handheld, and undeniably satisfying, it’s hands down the number one snack to try. Bonus: it easily passes for brunch, lunch, or dinner. #winning
🟢 Where to try: Bakeries, petrol stations, or go a bit boujee and grab one from a café.
2. Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
Now this one’s a winner. While the rest of the world calls it honeycomb, here in NZ we proudly call it hokey pokey. Golden honeycomb toffee bits swirled through creamy vanilla ice cream - you don’t have to wait for summer to enjoy this classic treat. The only real question is: one scoop or two?
🟢 Where to try: For a classic experience that’s Kiwi As, grab a scoop of Tip Top Hokey Pokey at a beachside ice cream shop, a local dairy (that’s a cornershop to everyone else), or pick up a tub from the supermarket.
3. Pineapple Lumps & Chocolate Fish
Now here’s a sweet Kiwi combo you didn’t know you needed. Pineapple Lumps are chewy, chocolate-coated, pineapple-flavoured bites that have been a local favourite for generations.
And the Chocolate Fush (that’s Kiwi for Chocolate Fish)? A fluffy marshmallow covered in smooth chocolate and shaped like a fish - simple, nostalgic, and oh-so good.
🟢 Where to try: Grab a bag from any supermarket or dairy. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a chocolate fish served alongside your hot chocolate at a local café.
4. L&P (Lemon & Paeroa)
A fizzy drink that’s “World Famous in New Zealand.” Sweet, citrusy, and with a flavour all its own, L&P is a true Kiwi classic that’s been quenching thirst for generations. It’s so iconic, there’s even a giant L&P bottle in Paeroa, the town where it all began (and the perfect stop for a roady selfie beside it).
🟢 Where to try: Bottled and chilled in every dairy, supermarket, and most cafés around New Zealand.
5. The Sausage Sizzle (New Zealand’s street food)
A slice of white bread, a freshly grilled sausage, and a squirt of tomato sauce or mustard. The sausage sizzle is a weekend staple, often served up at local fundraisers, markets, or outside hardware stores, such as Bunnings and Mitre10. It’s quick, satisfying, and tastes like community spirit.
🟢 Where to try: Weekend markets, Bunnings stores, or community fundraisers. Cheap, cheerful, and oh-so Kiwi.
6. Paua, Whitebait & Mussel Fritters
Straight from the ocean and into the pan, these seafood fritters are packed with local flavour. Whether it’s delicate whitebait, rich paua (abalone), or tasty mussels, these are a true taste of coastal New Zealand. Crispy on the outside, tender in the middle - add a squeeze of lemon and you’re good to go.
🟢 Where to try: Freshly cooked at local weekend markets, food trucks, or coastal cafés. Keep an eye out in seafood-loving towns, especially along the West Coast.
7. South Island Cheese Rolls
Synonymous with the South Island and affectionately known as “Southland sushi,” these humble rolled-up slices of bread filled with a cheesy onion mix are comfort food at its finest. Toasted until golden and served warm, they’re the kind of snack you didn’t know you needed - until you tried one.
🟢 Where to try: Found in cafés and bakeries across Otago and Southland. Best enjoyed with a hot cuppa on a chilly day.
8. Asparagus Rolls
Yep, you heard that right. Another firm Kiwi fave and a retro party classic, asparagus rolls are exactly what they sound like - canned asparagus wrapped in soft white bread with a smear of butter or mayo. It might sound unusual, but trust us… it just works.
🟢 Where to try: Occasionally found at markets, community events, or retro-style cafés - or have a go at making your own!
9. Feijoas
Sharp, fragrant, and uniquely Kiwi, the feijoa is a fruit that definitely divides opinions - but when you love it, you really love it. Best eaten fresh and in season (March to early June), just slice it in half and scoop out the juicy, tangy flesh. Come autumn, locals go mad for them - and you’ll see why. You might even spot them growing wild or dropping from trees in suburban backyards.
🟢 Where to try: Found at fruit & vege shops, weekend markets, roadside stalls - or gifted by a friendly local.
10. Kiwi Dip
An absolute classic at any Kiwi gathering. Made by mixing a packet of onion soup with a tin of reduced cream, this simple combo turns into a moreish dip that’s dangerously addictive. Best served with salt and vinegar chips (crisps).
