If ever this city is seen to come to life, it’s evening time when the last of the office workers have made their way to the central city to unwind and enjoy a meal at an Auckland restaurant.

Big on variation of price, cuisine and taste, Auckland restaurants truly do cater to all when it comes to dinner time. A melting pot of tastes from over 1.5 million different people, means restaurants in Auckland are inspired by any number of countries and recipes. Try Asian style noodle houses, Spanish style sharing plates, big meat dishes of South American inspiration, or book in for something fancy from the European style restaurants. 


When a country has no real ‘staple dish’, it means Kiwis are free to absorb and take on whichever cuisine most suits us individually, so no wonder Auckland is home to both a huge number of takeaway restaurants, fine-dining bistros and everything in between. Meat, vegetarian or vegan, fried, baked or raw, Auckland restaurants leave nothing behind when it comes to impressing customers and making sure those who visit leave well fed and satisfied. 

Toast the Season: Festive Hospitality Hotspots in Parnell

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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.

Ragtag

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A neighbourhood bistro in the heart of Auckland's Westmere, Ragtag is casual, delicious and oozing with atmosphere.

Tala

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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.

Roses Dining Room

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Roses Dining Room may seem a little unconventional, but they’ve certainly got the recipe right.

Culprit

Plates of food next to a menu that sees 'Culprit' in black and white.
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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.

Forest

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Forest may be one of Auckland’s only semi-formal vegetarian restaurants, but owner and chef Plabita Florence hopes it is so much more than that.

Amano

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Very few big city eateries pull the masses all hours of the day, seven days a week, but at much loved Amano, this is simply the reality.

Sen Vietnamese Kitchen & Bar

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SEN, meaning lotus flower, is an authentic Vietnamese kitchen and bar that has long been a mainstay in Mount Eden.

Cocoro

The wooden slated entrance to Cocoro in Auckland.
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Japanese cuisine comprises a whole lot more than just sushi rolls and tempura, and more fish types than simply salmon and tuna.

Dine Al Fresco-Style in Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau

Plates of food on an outdoor table at Bandung Cafe.
One of Auckland’s greatest appeals is its prolonged summers, often sticking around until well after the last of the Easter bunny’s goodies are gone. And even when it starts getting cooler, there’s something invigorating about cosying up with a delicious bowl of food or hot drink, a blanket and an outdoor heater.

Ebisu

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Located on the waterfront in the city centre, Ebisu also lies at the heart of Japanese cuisine in Auckland.

Azabu Ponsonby

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Azabu has long been considered a mainstay in Auckland's culinary scene, for good reason.

Tanuki's Cave

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Tucked away on Queen Street (in the middle of Auckland’s arts precinct) lies Tanuki’s Cave: a not-so-secret, gem of a yakitori bar.

Tempero

Two men and a woman standing in the bright blue entrance to Tempero restaurant in Auckland.
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We all know that Karangahape Road is a melting pot of global cuisines, but until recently Latin-influenced options were notably lacking from the scene.

kingi

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With a name short for ‘kingfish’ and an ethos committed to sustainability, kingi is representative of a brighter future for New Zealand’s fisheries.

Tianze Dumpling House

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Thanks to its suburban Sandringham location, Tianze Dumpling House may feel like something of a secret.

Pizza Pilgrim: The Best Places for Pizza in Auckland

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In a city that is recognised for its diverse culinary options, there is one dish that continues to capture the hearts (and stomachs) of locals and visitors alike: pizza. Whether you are craving a classic Margherita, a packed meat lover’s delight, or just some oozy cheesy goodness, Auckland’s mouthwatering pizza landscape offers something for all pizza fans.

Cassia

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Fans of one of Auckland’s finest restaurants, Cassia, breathed a sigh of relief when the much loved contemporary Indian restaurant reopened within the SkyCity precinct.

Bar Magda

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Tucked away on Karangahape Road is Bar Magda.

KOL

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KOL (pronounced ‘coal’ and inspired by the same word) is all about fire, food and cocktails. Cue: vibrant colours, bold flavours and interesting concepts and dishes.

Annabel's Wine Bar

The glass exterior of Annabel's Wine Bar.
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Sitting pretty along the main strip, a trip to Annabel’s is mandatory when hanging around Ponsonby.

Pici Pasta

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Pasta fiends unite; you simply can’t miss a meal at Auckland institution, Pici.

Swings

Birds eye view of food and coffee from Swings.
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Tastebuds at the ready, the Korean cuisine legends behind OCKHEE have opened up their new venture on Kitchener Street; Swings.

Bandung Café

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Inspired by home cooking from the team’s roots in Java, Parnell’s Bandung Café boasts a fresh take on Indonesian cuisine.

Simon & Lee

Meals on the table at Simon and Lee, Auckland.
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When you’re looking for big Korean flavours and solid staples in Auckland, look no further than Simon & Lee.

The Taco Lowdown: Where To Find Auckland's Tastiest Tacos

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From night markets and food trucks to the tucked-away gems that locals whisper about, Auckland has no shortage of epic taco joints to discover.

Hello Beasty

View of bar and dining area at Hello Beasty, Auckland Viaduct Harbour.
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It’s easy to get overwhelmed with foodie offerings around Viaduct Harbour, but spots like

Peach's Hot Chicken

Chicken burger and side from Peach's Hot Chicken, Auckland.
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Don’t fact-check us on this, but we’d say a mouthful of Nashville Hot Chicken has been proven to send serotonin levels through the roof.

Otto

Bench top dining with palm tree in the background at Otto, Auckland.
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You simply can’t talk about the best of Auckland’s dining scene without mentioning Otto.

Bar Céleste

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No matter the shape of your night, Céleste should be a feature.

Gemmayze Street

Close up of seating area and old photographs and artwork on the wall at Gemmayze Street.
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Don’t head here looking for something you’re familiar with, go to be taken somewhere completely new.

East Street Hall

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The place to be to experience Auckland’s diverse creative scene.

Green Party: Where to find the best plant-based food in Auckland

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Whether you're a committed herbivore or simply curious about exploring the world of plant-based food, Auckland’s vibrant and diverse culinary scene offers a huge range of delicious plant-based options. Featuring mouth-watering plant-based burgers, tantalising Thai curries and indulgent gluten or dairy-free desserts, this guide includes dishes that are so tasty they rival their meat- or dairy-based counterparts in both taste and satisfaction.

Kiss Kiss

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Pad Thai and fries? Bao bun and a cocktail? Whether you’re out for a flat dinner or looking for a place to hide behind your dark sunglasses on a Sunday lunch, Kiss Kiss has all the Thai treats you need.

Cazador

Bar area at Cazador.
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Cazador’s location is a little off the beaten track, and they like it that way.

Chinoiserie

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Chinoiserie is a Taiwanese street food joint that has made quite the impact on the Auckland dining scene.

Depot Eatery

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Al Brown’s Depot has the foot traffic to keep their tables stocked, but not the clamor of the main drag so you can actually hear yourself think.

Ponsonby Central

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

The Lucky Taco

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The Lucky Taco have created a truly unique eating experience for New Zealanders.

Ortolana

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

Tiger Burger

Outside windows at Tiger Burger.
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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.

Tokyo on a Plate: Exploring Auckland's Best Japanese Cuisine

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Delicious Japanese food in Auckland is not hard to come by, which is fortunate because it tends to be loved by Aucklanders all year round.

Bird on a Wire

Wooden table against wooden wall.
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The guys at Bird on a Wire crisp up some of the best beer battered chips around. An easy companion to one of their Dirty Bird burgers.

Baduzzi

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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.

Federal Delicatessen

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This place is off the chain good.

Monsoon Poon

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It's a tropical oasis.

Coco's Cantina

Wooden tables and chairs with red booth seating.
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Coco’s has been around as long as anyone can remember - the kind of restaurant that has become so cemented in its neighbourhood.

Brothers Juke Joint BBQ

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

Our Picks of the Best Indian Food in Auckland

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If your regular Indian order is heavy on the butter chicken, samosas and cheesy naan, we're sorry to say you're missing out. Auckland has some of the best Indian restaurants in New Zealand Aotearoa, each showcasing India's diverse flavours and dishes. If rich and aromatic Mughlai Cuisine, fresh Punjabi Indian food or traditional South Indian street food sounds like something you could get into, read on. Indian restaurants make up an integral part of Auckland's foodscape, each crafting a unique and delicious taste experience all of their own. Whether you're a meat-lover, vegetarian or vegan, there are plenty of dishes to choose from. They can range from mild to very spicy, so err with caution when placing your order!

Dantes Pizzeria

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An authentic Italian pizzeria with the freshest ingredients – right down to the mozzarella which strings its way throughout the melting pot of flavours each topping provides.