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The Best Toastie in New Zealand: McChickle & Bacon
The McChickle & Bacon toastie from Toast on the Green (Auckland) has been crowned champion of The Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover. This winning toastie stood out thanks to its unique flavor combination: shredded chicken, crispy bacon, burger sauce, American cheddar, McClure’s Bread & Butter pickles, and a rich pickle pesto.
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Other Standout Creations
- Taniwha Toastie from Surf Shack Eatery (Waihi Beach) won the People’s Choice Award with smoked eel, mozzarella cheese, and lava bread.
- Previous winner: Figgy in the Middle by chef Rich Johns (Rotorua), described as a “cheeseboard in a sandwich.” It included pickled cream cheese, Swiss cheese, figs, bacon, toasted walnuts, rocket, McClure’s pickles, blue cheese, and chili honey, all between golden sourdough with a parmesan crust.
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What Makes a Perfect Toastie?
Head judge Kerry Tyack explained:
“A great toastie should be handheld, with bread grilled golden on both sides. It doesn’t need to be a panini, but it must have its own ‘life’.”
Two essential ingredients in all entries were cheese and McClure’s pickles, which add the iconic Kiwi toastie flavor.
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Finalists for the Best Toastie in New Zealand 2025
The Great NZ Toastie Takeover 2025 featured 13 outstanding finalists, including:
- McChickle & Bacon – Toast on the Green, Auckland
- The Dipper – Longroom, Auckland
- Hogget Stuck in Spelt – Lime Cafe, Rotorua
- Braised Birria Brotha – Capers Café + Store, Rotorua
- Pulled in the Paddock – Jimmy Coops, Taupō
- Prawn Toastie – Madame Social, Napier
- The MacRib Toastie – Best Burgers, Havelock North
- Reuben’s Rudolph – The Offering, Greytown
- Piggy Bank – The Offering at Moore Wilsons, Masterton
- The Marrakesh Melt – The Jellyfish, Māpua
- Smoked Wagyu Brisket Toastie – The Cafe at Christchurch Casino, Christchurch
- Ms Mac McClure – Johnny Crema, Queenstown
- This Pickle’s on Fire – All Good Bagels, Queenstown
When it comes to the best toastie in New Zealand, the McChickle & Bacon at Toast on the Green takes the crown. However, creative options like the Figgy in the Middle or the Taniwha Toastie prove that New Zealand’s toastie scene is diverse and full of flavor.
Whether you’re traveling across the country or simply seeking food inspiration, these toasties offer a taste of Kiwi creativity at its finest.
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