IZU is a restaurant at 170 Great South Rd in Waikaretu, a quiet corner of rural Franklin, and it holds a strong 4.7 rating on Google. A country restaurant lives or dies by its regulars, and the good ones tend to cook what is in season and close to hand, letting local produce shape the menu rather than the other way round. That simplicity is part of the appeal: honest portions, a short menu done well, and a room that doubles as the neighbourhood's meeting place. Because rural kitchens often keep shorter or more irregular hours than their city cousins, it pays to ring ahead before making the drive, especially on weeknights or public holidays. For anyone passing through or living in the Franklin countryside, IZU's high rating makes it an easy choice on Great South Rd.