Mapu Test Kitchen

Lyttelton, New Zealand

Chilean-born chef Giulio Sturla doesn’t actually describe his space, Mapu, as a restaurant; it runs as a test kitchen and a chef’s table, but it’s more of a concept than it is a spot to call an eatery. It lives down a small lane in Lyttelton, a historical port town on New Zealand’s South Island. And if you haven’t been before, there’s no signage, no menu or no way of actually knowing when it’s open (securing a spot works as a ticketing system online).But it’s all about the experience – Sturia wants you, and only five others per sitting, to engage, to experiment and to trust his choices. The food? It’s only a few courses (with snacks, too), each with a greater message and story behind it. Ingredients are often foraged from the Banks Peninsula or from his garden and incorporate the finest seasonal flavours. A unique offering not to be missed.

Key Information

• Tasting menu from $142
• Lunch and dinner: Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat
• Visit Mapu Test Kitchen's Website

Location

8A London Street, Lyttelton, 8082