Unhappy diners across New Zealand as more restaurants say no to the doggy bag

A Kapiti Coast restaurant singled out for banning doggy bags is by no means the only one, with a number of others across the country appearing to hold a similar policy.

Paraparaumu restaurant The Social said its "no takeaways" policy was because they didn't want to risk diners falling ill after eating leftovers.

While it is only one of two in the Paraparaumu area listed on restaurant site Zomato as having no takeaways, in the country's two biggest cities numerous others appear to have a similar policy.

While it's not clear if this is a strict rule for all the restaurants, the Herald is aware of a number of those listed that either enforce it as a policy, or strongly discourage takeaways.

Of the 30 most popular fine-dining restaurants in Auckland, 29 were listed on the restaurant directory site as having "no takeaways" available. Fifteen of the 30 most popular dining restaurants were also listed as not having takeaways as an option.

In Wellington, 24, of the 30 most popular fine-dining restaurants appeared to have a similar policy, as well as eight of its 30 most popular dining restaurants.

In Christchurch, 19 of the 30 most popular fine-dining restaurants indicated a doggy bag wasn't an option, with eight of its 30 most popular dining restaurants indicating the same.

In Dunedin there were 17 listed as having no takeaways available.

Owner of The Social Phil Ryan told Fairfax his no doggy bag rule was about food safety.

"If someone takes food home, doesn't heat it properly and gets sick, they'll probably blame us."

However, the policy appears to have sparked more than a little bit of displeasure among guests, with two reviewers on Zomato in the last week expressing their dissatisfaction.

Most readers who have written to the Herald seemed equally opposed to the "no takeaway policy".

Most felt having paid the price they were entitled to do what they wanted with their meals.

The Ministry of Primary Industries said businesses were entitled to refuse leftovers be taken home.

However, it also said food taken home from a restaurant typically becomes the responsibility of the patron.

"If you take the food away, the safety of that food is up to you."

Restaurants that don't have takeaways available:

Paraparaumu

Restaurants listed as having no takeaways out of the top-30 favourite restaurants listed on Zomato

The Blackstag
The Social

Auckland

Fine-dining restaurants listed as having no takeaways out of the top-30 favourite restaurants listed on Zomato

Masu
Eight
Orbit 360
The Sugar Club
The Grove
The Grill
Cocoro
Soul Bar and Bistro
Euro Bar and Restaurant
The French Café
Tatsumi Dining
Clooney
Jervois Steak House
Fish restaurant
Sails
Bellota
Botswana
Bellini
Marvel
Mudbrick
Bracu
Kabuki
Lava Dining
Cibo
La Vista
Meredith's
Aria
Buffalo
Kazuya

Dining restaurants listed as having no takeaways out of the top-30 favourite restaurants listed on Zomato

Depot
Orleans
The Crab Shack
Tanuki's Cave
Café Hanoi
Saan
Baduzzi
The Blue Breeze Inn
Beirut
Cassia
The Glass Goose
Mekong Baby
Woodpecker Hill
Miss Moonshine's
Ebisu

Wellington

Fine-dining restaurants listed as having no takeaways out of the top-30 favourite restaurants listed on Zomato

Ortega Fish Shack & Bar
Dockside Bar & Restaurant
Charley Noble Eatery & Bar
Whitby's Restaurant & Bar
One80 Restaurant
Shed 5
Boulcott Street Bistro
Portlander Bar & Grill
Ancestral
Matterhorn
Hippopotamus
Fratelli
Artisan
Whitebait
Chameleon
Duck Creek
Jane Bistro
The Grill
Cobar
Seasons
The White Swan dining Room
The Glasshouse Restaurant & Bar
Tirohana Estate
Caucus Restaurant & Bar

Dining restaurants with no takeaways out of the top-30 favourite restaurants listed on Zomato

Charley Noble Eatery & Bar
The Crab Shack
Foxglove Bar & Kitchen
Mexico
Shed 5
Portlander Bar & Grill
Boulcott Street Bistro
Ortega Fish Shack & Bar

Christchurch

Fine-dining restaurants listed as having no takeaways out of the top-30 favourite restaurants listed on Zomato

Fiddlesticks
Harlequin Public House
Bessie
Café Valentino
Tequila Mockingbird
Carlton Bar & Eatery
Cook'n with Gas
Baretta
Curator's House Restaurant
Bloody Mary's
Regatta on Avon
St Germain
White House Black
Ace Wasabi
Bealey's Speight's Ale House
No. 4 Bar
The Monday Room
Pescatore
Aikmans

Dining restaurants listed as having no takeaways out of the top-30 favourite restaurants listed on Zomato

Fiddlesticks
Orleans
Harlequin Public House
Tequila Mockingbird
Mexico
Café Valentino
The Running Bull
The Cuban

Dunedin area

Restaurants listed as having no takeaways out of the 21 listed on Zomato

Pier 24 Restaurant & Bar
Salt Restaurant
Plato Café
Speight's Ale House Bar & Restaurant
The Reef Seafood Restaurant
Bracken Restaurant
Bacchus Restaurant & Wine Bar
Two Chefs Bistro
The Terrace Restaurant & Bar
Stuart St Mac's Brew Bar
Nellies Bar & Grill @ Hotel Taieri
The Craic Irish Bar
Brew Café & Bar
Glenfalloch Restaurants
Surburbia Eatery & Nightlife
Claddagh Restaurant
Princes on Dowling Restaurant