As New Zealand's biggest city, Auckland is bursting at the seams with great food, coffee, nightlife, shopping and a colourful culture to keep any visitor or local busy. Discover our favourite places in Auckland.
A passion for great food, coffee, nightlife, and shopping, Auckland is bursting at the seams with the colourful culture that comes from being the country’s most cosmopolitan city.
Once named the country’s capital by early settler William Hobson (the then governor of New Zealand), Auckland now boasts the biggest population of all urban areas. Visitors come from far and wide, with Auckland Airport seeing around one million international travellers a month, while the city is also home to the largest Polynesian population in the world.
The city straddles the Auckland volcanic field and saw quite a bit of action back in the day. The volcanic cone known as One Tree Hill stands as a dominant landmark to remind locals of their once precarious position. Neighbourhoods such as Stonefields sit atop the ancient lava flow, really adding to the mystery of the city.
The abundance of inlets and harbours mean Aucklanders are never far from the sea, and a short ferry ride away are picturesque islands and scenic reserves. Nicknamed the ‘City of Sails’ thanks to the people’s obsession with gliding upon the ocean, it’s been said that nearly one in every three households in Auckland has a boat.
Keep your eyes peeled on Ponsonby Road for famous faces, eat and drink from some of the best hospitality spots the country has to offer, and soak up the special feeling that you won’t get anywhere else of sharing a city with over 1.5million other people.
Glow Up With Auckland’s Best Facials
We all need a little ‘me’ time every now and again - especially when life in the big smoke becomes a little too hectic. And what better way to remedy (or at least mitigate) the chaos than by booking a facial and giving your skin the TLC it deserves?
Your Guide to North Island Road Tripping
The North Island is bountiful in its diverse scenery, from geothermal activity to golden sand beaches, enchanting forests to rolling green farms - it’s a landscape that ticks all the boxes. The North Island is also rich in Māori culture, vibrant cities and authentic Kiwi experiences.
A New POV: The Best Seats in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland
With approximately 53 volcanic centres spread out across the region, it’s hardly a surprise that Auckland offers an abundance of seriously good views.
A Parnell Guide to Christmas
Take a trip to Auckland’s oldest suburb, wander the historic buildings and beautiful shops, and embrace the Christmas magic of Parnell.
Explore our Directory
View AllMor Bakery
There is nothing quite like a freshly baked pastry to start the day, a simple fact well grasped by those at Mor Bakery in Auckland.
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.
Norma Taps
Sustainability and creativity combine at Norma Taps, an innovative space making its home in Auckland’s City Works Depot.
Sumer Art Gallery
It’s hard to miss. The building façade is painted in semaphore-like triangles of bright purple and white, located centrally on Beach Road near Britomart.
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.
Crushes
An eclectic mix of all things homemade, handcrafted, New Zealand made and vintage.
Maison des Lys
Maison des Lys is an artisan French pâtisserie but with a real point of difference.
Fort Greene
What started out as a humble sandwich stall has evolved to become a much-adored, artisanal bakery and cafe that has more than made its mark on Auckland’s Karangahape Road.
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.
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...
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.
Sen Vietnamese Kitchen & Bar
SEN, meaning lotus flower, is an authentic Vietnamese kitchen and bar that has long been a mainstay in Mount Eden.
Cocoro
Japanese cuisine comprises a whole lot more than just sushi rolls and tempura, and more fish types than simply salmon and tuna.
Ebisu
Located on the waterfront in the city centre, Ebisu also lies at the heart of Japanese cuisine in Auckland.
Azabu Ponsonby
Azabu has long been considered a mainstay in Auckland's culinary scene, for good reason.
Kepa Road Café
Kepa Road Café is the younger, cooler sibling to Remuera’s popular Browns Eatery and Store.
Browns Eatery and Store
Nestled amongst a row of busy shops along Remuera Road lies Browns Eatery and Store. It’s a deceptively big, welcoming space, offering something of a European vibe.