Auckland Restaurants

Princes Wharf and adjoining Viaduct Quay, an easy stroll from the city's major thoroughfare, Queen Street, offer dozens of eateries in every style from cheap-and-cheerful to superposh. High Street, running parallel to Queen Street on the Albert Park side of town, is a busy café and restaurant strip. Vulcan Lane, between Queen and High streets, has some pleasant bars. Asian immigrants have created a market for a slew of cheap noodle and sushi bars throughout the inner city; the more crowded, the better.

Outside the city center, the top restaurant areas are a 10-minute bus or cab ride away on Ponsonby and Parnell roads. Dominion and Mt. Eden roads in the city, as well as Hurstmere Road in the seaside suburb of Takapuna (just over the Harbour Bridge) are also worth exploring with the creation of a dining precinct called The Commons. The mix is eclectic—Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and Thai eateries sit alongside casual taverns, pizzerias, and high-end restaurants.

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  • 1. Cibo

    $$$$ | Parnell

    When you are in the mood for superb food without any drama head to Cibo. The name means "good food" in Italian, and it is apt for this restaurant, which has been around for more than 20 years. Chef Kate Fay is known for smart innovative food and the service is led by co-owner Jeremy Turner, who is possibly Auckland's best maître'd. This is a popular venue for weddings, so don't be surprised if you can't get a table on a summer Saturday.

    91 St. Georges Bay Rd., Auckland, Auckland, 1052, New Zealand
    64-09-303–9660

    Known For

    • Excellent innovative Italian food
    • Exceptional wine list
    • The best place for a long lunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sat.
  • 2. Dizengoff

    $$ | Ponsonby

    One of the area's most popular breakfast and lunch places, Dizengoff serves hearty Jewish (but not kosher) food to an eclectic clientele. The coffee is among the best around, and there is an ever-changing selection of New Zealand art. This place is always busy; avoid weekends unless you get here early for breakfast (no later than 8). The lemon poppy-seed muffins and coffee make an excellent take-out option along with the bagel filled with chicken and red cabbage.

    256 Ponsonby Rd., Auckland, Auckland, 1011, New Zealand
    09-360–0108

    Known For

    • Superb scrambled eggs and veal sausages
    • Long waits especially on weekends
    • Perfect chicken salad

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 3. Fish

    $$$$ | City Center

    This light-filled restaurant with floor-to-ceiling glass looks across the harbor to trendy Devonport and the Bayswater boat marina. The menu is based on high-quality fresh local produce, particularly fish and meat cooked to perfection. Salads are made the minute before they are served. The windows are so big you might need your sunglasses on a bright day, and reservations are advised.

    147 Quay St., Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
    64-09-978–2000

    Known For

    • Superb seasonal and local dishes
    • Bright and buzzy ambience
    • Excellent views
  • 4. Giraffe

    $$$$ | City Center

    Located in the buzzy heart of the Viaduct, Giraffe unites the best local foods with flair and fun. It's open from breakfast until late and whether you are a meat eater or a vegan, the menu will leave you satisfied. The wine list is fantastic and the atmosphere cosmopolitan.

    Viaduct Harbour, Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
    64-09-358–1093

    Known For

    • Regularly changing menu of high-quality food
    • Locally focused wine list
    • Relaxed atmosphere with great service
  • 5. O'Connell Street Bistro

    $$$$ | City Center

    This former bank vault, on one of the city's fashionable backstreets, has a cozy bar from which you can watch passersby through thin venetian blinds. It has garnered a loyal clientele who keep returning for the food and service. The wine list is big and imaginative, showcasing varieties rarely seen elsewhere. Great for lunch, the bistro is popular with the business crowd.

    3 O'Connell St., Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
    09-377–1884

    Known For

    • <PRO>large and varied wine list</PRO>
    • <PRO>intimate and sophisticated atmosphere</PRO>
    • <PRO>superb, ever-changing menu</PRO>

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., Credit cards accepted
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  • 6. Prego Restaurant

    $$$$ | Ponsonby

    It's no mean feat being the longest-running restaurant in Ponsonby, where the locals and their guests are fussy. The broad Italian menu includes wood-fired pizzas and good pasta. Also worth trying, the fish of the day is served in many ways. Prego is extremely noisy, so don't go there for an intimate chat, though you may find the courtyard quieter. It is always full; a wait is likely, but the expert staff will usher you to the bar. The wine list is comprehensive.

    226 Ponsonby Rd., Auckland, Auckland, 1011, New Zealand
    09-376–3095

    Known For

    • Superb modern Italian food
    • Great wine list
    • Noisy and bustling atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
  • 7. Sidart

    $$$$ | Ponsonby

    This spot and its tasting menus bring modern cooking to a whole new level. The chefs take a slew of the finest ingredients and combine them in ways that will delight and astound the most jaded palate. The sweet and the savory are combined on beautiful plates with foam, or the finest jus.

    283 Ponsonby Rd., Auckland, Auckland, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
    64-09-360--2122

    Known For

    • Innovative use of produce
    • New recipes offered at Tuesday night test kitchen
    • Beautiful city views

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 8. Soul Bar & Bistro

    $$$$ | City Center

    There's always something to see at the Soul Bar and Bistro, which fronts the Viaduct Basin on the harbor. The menu is modern with a traditional twist and changes to match the season, but you will always find something good, whether your interest is in fresh fish, meat, or something from the plant family. On the terrace, you're close enough to the moorings to study the paintwork on the yachts, and at night, the bar and outside tables are packed with a polished and often noisy crowd.

    Viaduct Harbour, Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
    64-09-356–7249

    Known For

    • Sensational wine list
    • Hip atmosphere
    • Outside seating on terrace
  • 9. The Food Vault

    $$

    The fresh-baked goods, plumber's breakfast (a hearty plate of eggs, hash browns, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, and anything else the chef adds), and coffee make this a great place to spend a morning. The atmosphere is friendly, with customers ranging from cyclists stopping for a fix to locals looking for a hearty breakfast or lunch.

    10 Matua Rd., Auckland, Auckland, Auckland 0810, New Zealand
    64-09-412--5085

    Known For

    • House-baked goods
    • Excellent coffee
    • Sourdough and brioche bread

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted

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