Best Dining Spots in Auckland   by Willia Robb

in Travel / Travel Tips    (submitted 2011-01-03)

It really is impossible to go hungry in Auckland city - isn't going to matter where you're staying there will also be plenty of alternatives within easy striking distance! The top end restaurants here are world-class, serving food that is as good - if not better - than anyplace else on earth. They are the best spots for a spot of luxury, but you'll also discover a large and stylish selection of less formal dining places, wine bars, bistros, gastro-bars and ethnic eateries and cafes. And, in Auckland, 'cafe' means cool: these spots are typically (but not necessarily) licensed, with a modern menu, cool décor and informal, pleasant atmosphere.

With out producing absolute recommendations, the following should provide you a useful impression of what's available with several of my own personal suggestions... bon appétit!

Top end of town
As i said we are spoilt for choices in this category. The French Café, The Grove, Euro, dine by Peter Gordon, Vinnie's, Te Whau (on Waiheke Island - recently recognized as one of the worls's best vineyard restaurants), White, Antoine's, Bracu (outside Auckland in the Bombay Hills), Number Five, the Engine Room (on Northcote Point, across the harbour bridge), Mollie's (private dining suites).

A little less formal but still offering superb fare are Cibo, SidArt, Prohibition, Sails, Prego, Eight Point Two (across the bridge in Birkenhead), Wine Chambers, The Mudbrick Vineyard and Stonyridge Vineyard (together on Waiheke Island) and, in Mount Eden, Meredith's, Molten, Bowman's and CAC.

For a more relaxed bar bistro style establishment, try Pure, O'Connell Street Bistro, The Occidental Belgian Beer Café, Mondial, Prime, Bluestone Room, Ponsonby Road Bistro, The Mulberry, Pastis (authentic French), Soul, De Post (Belgian; Mt Eden).

You'll find the trendiest cafes in Ponsonby, Herne Bay, Parnell, Grey Lynn, Mt Eden, Devonport, Takapuna, Kingsland, 'K' (Karangahape) Road, or if you are in town you'll find plenty in the city - especially around High Street, Chancery and Vulcan Lane. Infact it's difficult to think of where you won't find a very good cafe offering excellent food cheap. Level of popularity is a fickle thing, but some of the present favs are Gala, Dida's, The Fridge, The Teed Street Larder (Newmarket), Ben, Allelulya (K Road), Landreth, Agnes Curran and the very typically 'Kiwi' Queenie's Lunchroom in Freeman's Bay. That should be enough to get you started!

Fabulous seafood
Seafood is exceptional and succulently fresh in Auckland, and there are loads of dining establishments specialising in it. Some of the most popular are Harbourside, Kermadec, Sails, Hammerheads, Mikano, Squid Row (pub-style) and Soul.

Survey the scenery
If you are just in town for a couple of nights mix your cusine and site seeing, try Vertigo at the Mecure Hotel, Orbit, Sails, any of the Waiheke Island vineyard restaurants, Hammerheads, HQ, Euro, Mikano.

Look before you leap
Personally I like to walk down busy restaurant streets considering menu's before picking. There is a few wonderful restaurant 'zones' in Auckland which make it simple to window shop. Look at Ponsonby Road, O'Connell Street and High Street in the CBD, Parnell Road, the Viaduct Basin and Takapuna; areas like this invariably provide an incredible assortment of alternatives.

Step back in time with high tea
Kiwis adore a good cup of tea, and a generous spread of food to go with it! For a old fashioned high tea, head to the Cornwall Park Restaurant. Located in the attractive and spacious Cornwall Park on One Tree Hill, locals have been taking pleasure in high tea here for over 100 years. High end high tea is also offered at historic Cotter House in Remuera; reservations essential, and make certain you go equipped with an appetite! They also provide high tea (or rather a populist version of high tea) at the revolving restaurant, Orbit, in the Sy Tower (Saturdays and Sundays only), or Low Tea at Prohibition in Ponsonby (Friday and Saturday afternoons). Or if it's the treats you are interested in rather than the tea then skip all that and go directly to the Little Cake Kitchen on upper Queen Street in the CBD. Scrumptious!

Eat by the beach
All Auckland's coastal suburbs offer cafes and eateries serving breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. Head off along Tamaki Drive to Mission Bay, St Heliers or 'Kohi' (Kohimaramara), or over the harbour bridge to suburbs like Devonport and Takapuna. However, you will not find anywhere comparable to the Piha Café, anywhere else in the world. It is a long trip, but distinctly Auckland experience (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

And now for something completely different
For cusine with a difference, try a place like Prohibition in Ponsonby, Allelulya (café) on K-Road, Deus Ex Machina (Wellesley Street in the Central business district), the absolutely French and fantastic Le Garde-Manger (Upper Queen Street, CBD), Queenie's Lunchroom in Freeman's Bay, or the above-mentioned Piha Café.

Ethnic food enthusiasts won't starve in Auckland. To be frank I think Auckland may well provide more options than most places with a very varied culture mix, including African, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Indian, Middle-Eastern and more.

Locals advice: Searching for a quick refill but don't want to spend too much? Try fish and chips - you will discover a decent Fish and Chip shop in pretty much any suburb, but I advise going to the nearest beach and eat them straight out of the wrapping paper whilst you enjoy the last of the sun dipping over the horizon.

About the Author

Willia Robb is known as a freelance travel and leisure editor from New Zealand. She travels alot, but is just as content staying at home, particularly if it means a vacation at her preferred hotel in Auckland. Find out more regarding things to do in Auckland.