Ebisu

Located on the waterfront in the city centre, Ebisu also lies at the heart of Japanese cuisine in Auckland. Showcasing the depth and quality of Japanese food and culture, Ebisu is an ever-evolving restaurant serving contemporary meals in a vibrant setting. It’s dark and moodily lit, which lends itself to an intimate and private dining experience.

The menu mixes traditional Japanese techniques with European classics to create an innovative array of dishes for the palate. It’s the excitement and quality that keeps the masses coming back for more. The list of dishes has evolved in recent years, a change that was considered exciting and necessary by Executive Chef Darren Johnson. 

Joining Ebisu at the tail end of the pandemic, Darren’s journey so far has been an interesting one. Originally presented with a reduced menu and trading hours, as well as a lack of staff, Darren feels like he was given the rare opportunity to reinvent Ebisu. The team has been cleverly rebuilt, and the updated menu includes a number of the old favourites, along with new, interesting dishes that reflect what you would expect if you were transported to Japan. 

In a celebration of the incredible seafood New Zealand has to offer, expect plenty of it here at Ebisu. The Big Glory Bay salmon dish with moromi yuzu miso with a pickled cucumber and wakame salad is a highlight, as are the panko-crumbed ebi shinjo prawn dumplings - made all the more moreish when dipped in the tasty yuzu kosho mayo. Aside from seafood, the Japanese classic of agedashi tofu is elevated using moromi miso, ginger and daikon, to create a well balanced and particularly satisfying dish. Pairing well with the food is none other than an extensive sake menu, along with local craft beers and a number of innovative Japanese inspired cocktails. And for those after something simple to take away, the classic Bento boxes are often a winner.