If ever this city is seen to come to life, it’s evening time when the last of the office workers have made their way to the central city to unwind and enjoy a meal at an Auckland restaurant.
Big on variation of price, cuisine and taste, Auckland restaurants truly do cater to all when it comes to dinner time. A melting pot of tastes from over 1.5 million different people, means restaurants in Auckland are inspired by any number of countries and recipes. Try Asian style noodle houses, Spanish style sharing plates, big meat dishes of South American inspiration, or book in for something fancy from the European style restaurants.
When a country has no real ‘staple dish’, it means Kiwis are free to absorb and take on whichever cuisine most suits us individually, so no wonder Auckland is home to both a huge number of takeaway restaurants, fine-dining bistros and everything in between. Meat, vegetarian or vegan, fried, baked or raw, Auckland restaurants leave nothing behind when it comes to impressing customers and making sure those who visit leave well fed and satisfied.
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Tala
What started out as a pop-up restaurant at Karangahape Road’s Bar Magda in 2022 saw subsequent success for TALA, which has now permanently relocated to Parnell Road.
Roses Dining Room
Roses Dining Room may seem a little unconventional, but they’ve certainly got the recipe right.
Culprit
Tucked away up a narrow central Auckland staircase lies Culprit, a trendy and sophisticated inner city hideout serving nostalgic New Zealand cuisine with a modern global edge.
OOH-FA
Anyone who appreciates the genius behind Auckland’s Pici - an intimate space with a limited offering, is going to love Ooh Fa: the same owners, the same philosophy and...
Forest
Forest may be one of Auckland’s only semi-formal vegetarian restaurants, but owner and chef Plabita Florence hopes it is so much more than that.
Amano
Very few big city eateries pull the masses all hours of the day, seven days a week, but at much loved Amano, this is simply the reality.
Cocoro
Japanese cuisine comprises a whole lot more than just sushi rolls and tempura, and more fish types than simply salmon and tuna.
Sen Vietnamese Kitchen & Bar
SEN, meaning lotus flower, is an authentic Vietnamese kitchen and bar that has long been a mainstay in Mount Eden.
Ebisu
Located on the waterfront in the city centre, Ebisu also lies at the heart of Japanese cuisine in Auckland.
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Azabu Ponsonby
Azabu has long been considered a mainstay in Auckland's culinary scene, for good reason.
Tanuki's Cave
Tucked away on Queen Street (in the middle of Auckland’s arts precinct) lies Tanuki’s Cave: a not-so-secret, gem of a yakitori bar.
Tempero
We all know that Karangahape Road is a melting pot of global cuisines, but until recently Latin-influenced options were notably lacking from the scene.
kingi
With a name short for ‘kingfish’ and an ethos committed to sustainability, kingi is representative of a brighter future for New Zealand’s fisheries.
Homeland
Built on the concept of being an embassy for all things food, Auckland’s Homeland is about appreciating local, sustainable produce, creating a sense of community and...
Tianze Dumpling House
Thanks to its suburban Sandringham location, Tianze Dumpling House may feel like something of a secret.
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Cassia
Fans of one of Auckland’s finest restaurants, Cassia, breathed a sigh of relief when the much loved contemporary Indian restaurant reopened within the SkyCity precinct.
KOL
KOL (pronounced ‘coal’ and inspired by the same word) is all about fire, food and cocktails. Cue: vibrant colours, bold flavours and interesting concepts and dishes.
Annabel's Wine Bar
Sitting pretty along the main strip, a trip to Annabel’s is mandatory when hanging around Ponsonby.
Pici Pasta
Pasta fiends unite; you simply can’t miss a meal at Auckland institution, Pici.
Swings
Tastebuds at the ready, the Korean cuisine legends behind OCKHEE have opened up their new venture on Kitchener Street; Swings.
Bandung Café
Inspired by home cooking from the team’s roots in Java, Parnell’s Bandung Café boasts a fresh take on Indonesian cuisine.
Simon & Lee
When you’re looking for big Korean flavours and solid staples in Auckland, look no further than Simon & Lee.
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Hello Beasty
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with foodie offerings around Viaduct Harbour, but spots like
Peach's Hot Chicken
Don’t fact-check us on this, but we’d say a mouthful of Nashville Hot Chicken has been proven to send serotonin levels through the roof.
Cotto
You simply can’t talk about the best of Auckland’s dining scene without mentioning Cotto.
Gemmayze Street
Don’t head here looking for something you’re familiar with, go to be taken somewhere completely new.
Bar Céleste
No matter the shape of your night, Céleste should be a feature.
East Street Hall
The place to be to experience Auckland’s diverse creative scene.
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Kiss Kiss
Pad Thai and fries? Bao bun and a cocktail? Whether you’re out for a flat dinner or looking for a place to hide behind your dark sunglasses on a Sunday lunch, Kiss Kiss has all the Thai treats you need.
Cazador
Cazador’s location is a little off the beaten track, and they like it that way.
Orphans Kitchen
Effortlessly cool and utterly lacking in pretension, Orphans Kitchen is one of the greatest contributions to the Ponsonby Road renaissance.
Tiger Burger
If Korean quirk and good ol’ western burgers once bumped into each other, they've most certainly made themselves at home here on Great N’ Road.
Coco's Cantina
Coco’s has been around as long as anyone can remember - the kind of restaurant that has become so cemented in its neighbourhood.
Ponsonby Central
There are a tonne of fresh and hip eateries and cafés hidden within, that tantalise with their extensive menus.
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Dantes Pizzeria
An authentic Italian pizzeria with the freshest ingredients – right down to the mozzarella which strings its way throughout the melting pot of flavours each topping provides.
Chinoiserie
Chinoiserie is a Taiwanese street food joint that has made quite the impact on the Auckland dining scene.
Brothers Juke Joint BBQ
From the kings of the Auckland craft beer scene, Brothers Beer, comes its edible equivalent.
Bird on a Wire
The guys at Bird on a Wire crisp up some of the best beer battered chips around. An easy companion to one of their Dirty Bird burgers.
Depot Eatery
Al Brown’s Depot has the foot traffic to keep their tables stocked, but not the clamor of the main drag so you can actually hear yourself think.
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Baduzzi
Baduzzi is a stylish and slick operation, a hybrid: a cross between the traditions of authentic Italia and what you’d expect to find in one of the more stylish parts of NYC.
The Lucky Taco
The Lucky Taco have created a truly unique eating experience for New Zealanders.