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.
Icing on the cake: Where to find the best sweet treats in Auckland
Without sugarcoating it, Auckland has us well covered when it comes to sweet treats. The city is popping at the seams with culinary wonders, so it should really come as no surprise that sweet tooths can easily embark on a journey of indulgence, tantalising even the most discerning of taste buds. Whether it be to neighbourhoods with quaint corner bakeries or to institutions with queues a mile long, sweet enthusiasts won’t have to search too hard for their perfect piece of sugar-coated paradise.
Explore our Directory
View AllSeabreeze
Wrapping itself around one of Westmere’s coveted corner spots in Auckland, Seabreeze is far more than just a suburban cafe.
The Lebanese Grocer
The Lebanese Grocer in Auckland is so much more than just a grocery shop; it’s a heartfelt venture dedicated to sharing the rich traditions of Lebanese hospitality and...
Lilian
Opening back in 2019, Lilian is a bustling neighbourhood restaurant in Auckland's Grey Lynn that is quickly becoming a local institution.
Beabea's Bakery
Seamlessly blending Kiwi culinary traditions with modern French baking techniques is Beabea’s, a much-loved neighbourhood bakery situated in the humble little suburb...
Ragtag
A neighbourhood bistro in the heart of Auckland's Westmere, Ragtag is casual, delicious and oozing with atmosphere.
Holiday
Who doesn't love the feeling of being on holiday? That’s the ethos behind Holiday, an understated café in Mount Eden aiming to bring the relaxed joy of a...
Tosca
Tosca, a beloved espresso bar nestled in the heart of Remuera's vibrant 1050 precinct, has quickly become a local favourite.
Small Mercies
Auckland’s Small Mercies is a whole lot more than just a donut shop— it’s a warm and inviting space, alive with the aromas of specialty coffee and...
Unyoked
Firstly Australia, and with locations in the UK, the nature company Unyoked has at long last made it to the shores of New Zealand.
Florets
Tucked amongst the Grey Lynn shops lies Florets, a cosy neighbourhood bakery with a strong focus on creating sustainable and nutritious sourdough bread.
Mor 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.
Folds Patisserie
Inconspicuously nestled amongst the hum of Dominion Road in Auckland is Folds Patisserie, an Asian-inspired bakery seamlessly blending flavours from South East Asia with New...
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.
Objectspace
Objectspace in Auckland is a public gallery dedicated to the fields of design, craft and architecture.
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.
