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. 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
  • 2. 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
  • 3. 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.
  • 4. Bambina Ponsonby

    $$$ | Ponsonby

    This café is part of the Ponsonby Road old guard and has been serving its loyal customers for over 20 years. The menu offers breakfast staples like eggs and bacon, but you can also mix it up with coconut yogurt, muesli, and superb salads at lunchtime. A big central table brings together its diverse patrons while separate tables are also available for those wanting a more private dining experience.

    268 Ponsonby Rd., Auckland, Auckland, 1011, New Zealand
    64-09-360–4000

    Known For

    • Great coffee
    • Fresh seasonal food
    • Classic Auckland café experience

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 5. SPQR

    $$$$ | Ponsonby

    This former motorcycle shop is one of the best places on Ponsonby Road for people-watching. The excellent food is largely Italian, and it's known for its thin-crust pizzas. Should an outside table not be available, you can sit in the minimalist concrete interior. With the eclectic clientele, the people-watching is just as good inside. The bar cranks up as the sun goes down. On weekend mornings, aspiring celebrities and the "love your work" set can be seen having a late breakfast in public.

    150 Ponsonby Rd., Auckland, Auckland, 1011, New Zealand
    64-09-360–1710

    Known For

    • Excellent food and wine
    • Hip (sometimes too hip) ambience
    • Fun outdoor seating

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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