Matakana Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings is one of Auckland’s top foodie destinations; always crammed with shoppers and visitors seeking fine food grown and made in the region.

Two stalls at the market, Orata Oysters and Manaaki Whitebait Fritters have recently been awarded the title of ‘Iconic Auckland Eats’ after internationally respected food and wine writer and author/editor of nine cookbooks Lauraine Jacobs chose them as her top picks. \

“My idea of a late breakfast down by the river that runs alongside the market is a combination of hot and cold. Grab a tray of freshly shucked oysters, farmed in the nearby Mahurangi Harbour, served with locally grown fresh lemons to squeeze, and combine that cold snack with a warm whitebait fritter, cooked to order. 

“Manaaki whitebait is New Zealand’s only farmed, truly sustainable whitebait and their generous fritter is tucked between two slices of buttered white bread sprinkled with plenty of salt and freshly ground pepper”, Lauraine said on why they were her top picks.

Iconic Auckland Eats celebrates 100 dishes that can only be enjoyed in Auckland. From food trucks to fine dining and farmers’ markets, Iconic Eats can be found to suit any budget.

Of the 100 unique Auckland dishes on the list, 50 were nominated by well-known Auckland food lovers, while the public nominated the second fifty.