Hello Beasty

Restaurants key icon.
Restaurants key icon.

Monday12:00 – 10:00 pm.

Tuesday12:00 – 10:00 pm.

Wednesday12:00 – 10:00 pm.

Thursday12:00 – 10:00 pm.

Friday12:00 – 10:00 pm.

Saturday12:00 – 10:00 pm.

Sunday12:00 – 10:00 pm.

95-97 Customs St W, Auckland Central, Auckland

021 554 496

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with foodie offerings around Viaduct Harbour, but spots like Hello Beasty are certainly a cut above the usual tourist eateries. Situated between Customs Street West and the Viaduct Basin, Hello Beasty offers hidden gem vibes in a super convenient location. 

Upon entry, you’ll initially be delighted with the playful yet tasteful interior. Expect plush velvet booths complemented by natural wood tones and curved furnishings. The star of the show is the vibrant neon cat sign, casting a cosy and playful atmosphere upon the restaurant. 

Food-wise, this is Asian-fusion at its best. The brainchild of Stuart Rogan, Hello Beasty reflects the chef’s travels, cooking his way across countries and cultures. The menu boasts influences from Japan, Korea and China, combined with traditional New Zealand philosophies of simple techniques, stellar produce and fresh ingredients.  

Open for both lunch and dinner, there is a decent selection of share-plates on offer, as well as some mouth-watering vegetarian and no added gluten options. From crispy fried brussel sprouts with white miso to Korean fried cauliflower with spicy gochujang glaze, the team knows how to do veg damn well. 

On the meat and seafood front, the Hibachi grill takes centre stage. Chow down on the likes of wild-caught Australian banana prawns with kombu butter and crispy pork belly with pickled kohlrabi. Melt-in-your-mouth moments also include the slow-cooked lamb shoulder with Sichuan sauce or the crispy fried soft-shell crab.

Desserts don’t disappoint either, with Hibachi-toasted banana marshmallows or Kkwabaegi twisted doughnuts with miso caramel rounding out a pretty epic meal. Add to that a cocktail or two—we like the sound of the Beasty G&T with ​​Roku Gin—and you’ll likely be rolling home. Look, there are worse things in life. 

Words by Jess Willemse & Photography by Anna Briggs

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

95-97 Customs St W, Auckland Central, Auckland

Nearby Places

Baduzzi

Interior of cafe by mirrors.
Place Auckland
Restaurants key icon.

Baduzzi is a stylish and slick operation, a hybrid: a cross between the traditions of authentic Italia and what you’d expect to find in one of the more stylish parts of NYC.

Ortolana

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

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

Silo Park

Courtyard outside.
Place Auckland
Stay and explore key icon.

Silo Park is a far cry from the refinery image it presents, and has grown substantially over the past few years into one of Auckland’s ‘to be’ places, especially over summer.

Hotel Britomart

A view of a hotel room on a sunny day in Auckland.
Place Auckland
Accommodation key icon.

Contemporary and chic, The Hotel Britomart opened in October 2020, but its journey had started long before.

Similar Places

Mor Bakery

Two women smiling in front of the camera outside a cafe.
Place Auckland
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.

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.

Tiger Burger

Outside windows at Tiger Burger.
Place Auckland
Restaurants key icon.

If Korean quirk and good ol’ western burgers once bumped into each other, they've most certainly made themselves at home here on Great N’ Road.

Perch

Curtains in the restaurant.
Place Auckland
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Well worth a visit for its impressive dumplings and cocktail lineup.

The Kimchi Project

Entrance to the Kimchi Project.
Place Auckland
Cafes key icon.

Offering Korean-inspired breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with a menu full of delicious surprises.