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.
The Best Restaurants in Auckland (2026)
From polished CBD dining rooms and a lively brasserie to contemporary Indian, sustainable seafood and inventive vegetarian cooking, these are the Auckland restaurants to book next.
The Best Cafés in Auckland (2026)
From specialty coffee roasters and matcha bars to Asian-inspired bakeries and neighbourhood favourites, these are the Auckland cafés worth seeking out.
The Best Bars in Auckland (2026)
From rooftop wine bars with harbour views to underground yakitori dens and true neighbourhood locals, these are the Auckland bars worth crossing town for.
Ponsonby Guide: The Best Shops, Restaurants & Bars (2026)
If you know anything about Auckland, you’ll have heard of Ponsonby Road, which features a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. With eateries along the strip serving up everything from pizza to prawns, Ponsonby Road caters to all sorts of visitors who come to revel in its eating and drinking scene as much as the people watching.
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Hotel Fitzroy Curated by Fable
An indulgent Auckland staycation feels entirely justified at Hotel Fitzroy, curated by Fable.
The Real Life Restaurant
If you’ve ever wondered what a burger joint would look like operating from your lounge, then you’d better head to Morningside over the next two weeks.
Public Record
Public Record on Ponsonby Road is a space that can really only be described as an archive of beautiful things.
Get your Pocket Guide for Auckland
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.
Ruby Ponsonby
At this point, RUBY is one of the country’s most recognisable names in fashion: it’s the homegrown label worn by every Auckland cool girl.
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.
Crushes
An eclectic mix of all things homemade, handcrafted, New Zealand made and vintage.
Little ‘Lato
Even in a city full of ice cream spots, Little ‘Lato is worth crossing town for.
Pilar Café & Eatery
Right on the corner connecting Ponsonby and Karangahape Road, Pilar Café & Eatery is the perfect little sun-drenched spot for coffee or brunch with a side of...
Faradays
Winning hearts as well as awards is Faradays, a luxury retail store nestled in Auckland’s charming Parnell district.
Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Leave the regular world behind for a while at Wētā Workshop Unleashed.
Onslow
Onslow on Princes Street gets the balance between polish and warmth exactly right.
{Suite} Gallery
Housed within a landmark heritage building on Ponsonby Road, {Suite} Gallery is a contemporary art space showcasing photography, painting and sculpture.
Gilt Brasserie
Gilt in Chancery Chambers is an inner-city brasserie with a lively, come-as-you-are kind of energy to it.
Allpress Auckland Roastery
Coffee is the most important item on the Caffetteria’s menu, and it is some of the freshest in town.
Everyday Needs
As the shop’s name suggests, the focus here is on items for the home that are practical and useful – the kind of things you couldn’t imagine living without.
