Ebisu

Restaurants key icon.
Restaurants key icon.

Monday12:00 – 2:00 pm, 5:00 – 10:30 pm.

Tuesday12:00 – 2:00 pm, 5:00 – 10:30 pm.

Wednesday12:00 – 2:00 pm, 5:00 – 10:30 pm.

Thursday12:00 – 2:00 pm, 5:00 – 10:30 pm.

Friday12:00 – 2:00 pm, 5:00 – 10:30 pm.

Saturday11:00 am – 4:00 pm, 5:30 – 10:30 pm.

Sunday5:00 – 10:30 pm.

116 – 118 Quay St, Auckland Central, Auckland

09 300 5271

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.

Words by Nicola Mudgway & Photography by Jerome Warburton

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

116 – 118 Quay St, Auckland Central, Auckland

Nearby Places

Culprit

Plates of food next to a menu that sees 'Culprit' in black and white.
Place Auckland
Restaurants key icon.

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.

Ortolana

Exterior front sign of Ortolana.
Place Auckland
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

This inner-city Britomart offering is nothing short of brilliant.

Albert Park

Large old trees in Albert Park.
Place Auckland
Stay and explore key icon. Wellbeing key icon.

Sitting on the east side of the city only a minute’s walk from Queen Street, this grassy knoll is often packed with uni students and suits.

Espresso Workshop (Britomart)

Close up of the coffee machine at Espresso Workshop.
Place Auckland
Cafes key icon.

A prime example of how focusing on one product and doing it well can be so successful, the Espresso Workshop covers all the bases when it comes to coffee taste, service, knowledge and experience.

Similar Places

Ponsonby Central

Exterior view of Ponsonby Central from the lane entrance.
Place Auckland
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

There are a tonne of fresh and hip eateries and cafés hidden within, that tantalise with their extensive menus.

Brothers Juke Joint BBQ

Food on a tray on a white and wooden table.
Place Auckland
Restaurants key icon.

From the kings of the Auckland craft beer scene, Brothers Beer, comes its edible equivalent.

Federal Delicatessen

Green entrance skirting.
Place Auckland
Restaurants key icon.

This place is off the chain good.

Homestead Café

A flatlay of food.
Place Auckland
Cafes key icon.

From the people who brought you Ceremony Café comes Homestead, a gallery-come-café servicing the ‘burbs with great coffee and food.