MAPU Test kitchen

simply incredible. this was likely the highlight of my entire 15-day travels through NZ, and a delightful entrance into the south island. chef Sturla created something really special here. limited seating (4 of us all together + chef the night we went). we got their a tad early and explored the garden where a large portion of the ingredients for the nights meal come from. we then proceeded to the dinner where chef prepared a truly exquisite selection of tastings that rivalled some of the best 3-star Michelin restaurants ive been to. culinary highlights: (from memory as i dont have the exact menu or names of the fish, etc.) the homemade breads the incredible fish the asparagus the banana pasta the duck + eggplant the petite fours + the non alcoholic pairing was fantastic! (i think maybe there was a shiso fermented thing that i would have drank a bucket of if available) the best part of the experience aside from the actual incredible food was hearing as the chef prepared the plates, how he thinks about food, the ingredients, and how it all ties in together at MAPU. oh, and the chairs were also very comfy. highly recommend if you find yourself in or near Lyttelton (Christchurch is a very short drive).
Dec 30th, 2022

Absolutely fantastic experience. My husband and I ate at MAPU a couple of weeks ago on our honeymoon and it was one of the highlights of our 2-week trip to NZ. Everything we had was extremely thoughtful, inventive, and--most importantly--delicious. As for beverages: I had the wine pairing and my husband had the non-alcoholic mixed drink pairing, and we felt both pairings were fantastic (each presented unique offerings). It's clear Giulio pours a ton of passion and knowledge into his work. We loved hearing about his concept and the preparation that went into each course. We had a lot of fun getting to know our fellow diners as well--overall it felt like a dinner party that was exceptional in every way! We can't wait to return.
Apr 17th, 2023

Mar 2nd, 2023

We had an unforgettable experience at Giulios Test Kitchen. It is one thing to enjoy a delicious meal created by a highly acclaimed an decorated chef. But to have this very intimate experience, where Guillo prepares the food right in front of you and shares his thought process that went into creating each dish, is truly exceptional. Each course was highly creative, innovative and delicious. No need to call out any particular dish in this review, because you will very likely be served something different. Guilio also served wonderful wines (international and local) - generously.
Feb 9th, 2023

Giuliothank you so much for this evening. A fantastic experience. Best wishes to you and your family for the New Year. Mark Sue and Maxwell.
Dec 26th, 2022