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.
Powered by New Balance: A Walk & Talk with Ponsonby’s Women in Business
In Auckland, Ponsonby is defined as much by its independent businesses as it is by the pace they keep. For the women behind some of the neighbourhood’s most-loved spots, no two days look the same, shifting from early opens to midday rushes and into social evenings. It’s the kind of schedule that calls for something considered – an everyday choice that knows how to keep up.
Toast the Season: Festive Hospitality Hotspots in Parnell
As the year rapidly draws to a close, local businesses are gearing up to celebrate the festive season in a multitude of creative ways. Parnell's diverse hospitality scene is no exception, with many cafes, restaurants, and bars refreshing their menus and offering private spaces for holiday gatherings. This, combined with the inherent charm of the neighbourhood, makes Parnell the perfect destination to embrace the magic of the silly season.
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.
Explore our Directory
View AllWētā 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.
The Open Book
Tucked into a charming character villa on Ponsonby Road, The Open Book is a second-hand bookstore made for those who love a slow, curious browse.
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.
OOH-FA
OOH-FA on Dominion Road in Mt Eden is the pizza-and-wine sibling to Karangahape Road’s popular Pici, but this spot...
Outdoors Society
Fashion really does meet function at Outdoors Society on Mount Eden Road.
Pici Pasta
Pasta fiends unite; you simply can’t miss a meal at Auckland institution, Pici.
Honey Sundays
Tucked into a sun-drenched corner of Herne Bay, Honey Sundays is more than just a cafe, it’s a slice of surf culture in the ‘burbs.
Gourmet Gannet
Tucked away in Catalina Bay, Gourmet Gannet is a local favourite in Hobsonville, known for its artisan sourdough and fresh-baked pastries.
Bowler
Bowler has stepped onto the Wynyard Quarter dining scene, bringing a fresh new energy to the mix.
Ozone Coffee Grey Lynn
Tucked away in Grey Lynn, Ozone Coffee is more than just a specialty coffee roastery, they’re your Ultimate Coffee Host.
Bodega
In the heart of Auckland’s Ponsonby, Bodega brings a fresh spin to the classic neighbourhood deli.
Seabreeze
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.
