Food with friends: Our favourite Auckland places for dining in a group

Cotto ticks most, if not all, of the boxes for a great group dining experience. Not only can you make a reservation (which is almost essential if you are in a group), but if your group is big enough (that is, more than 21 people), there is a whole private dining room upstairs on offer. The gorgeous Italian fare served is designed to share, and if you have a group of at least four, you can opt into the set menu and try a little bit of everything (well, a lot of things). Cotto is known for its lively atmosphere, communal dining and all round good food - it’s always a reliable option.

One of Auckland’s first yum cha restaurants, Grand Harbour has been serving yummy Chinese food to the masses since 2000. Traditionally yum cha is a weekend activity, where it is a Cantonese tradition to eat small servings of different foods while sipping on Chinese tea. Grand Harbour is here to please the people, and you’ll find that yum cha is available every day of the week. It’s spacious, it’s fun and there are so many dishes on the menu there is bound to be something to suit everyone’s tastes.

Offering one of the best outlooks of any Auckland restaurant and located in an iconic stone building, Mission Bay’s beachfront Azabu is well worth the venture. Groups can enjoy contemporary Japanese cuisine with a Peruvian influence, in the shape and form of shared plates, either from the a la carte menu or the ‘Omakase’ set menu. The food is not just beautifully presented (don’t miss the volcano sushi roll); it tastes darn good too.

Photo by: Supplied

One of Dominion Road’s favourite late night eateries, New Flavour, is also a common destination for BYOs, which translates to: good for large groups! There is a private dining room available if your group is sizable, but no matter how many people you visit with, make sure there is no shortage of dumplings ordered. Boiled, steamed, fried and even in soup, there are over twenty different kinds, each as delicious as the next.

Housed in the majestic St Kevin’s Arcade, Gemmayze Street is the ideal place to take a group of open-minded pals who want to share in something delicious together. We suggest you order the Jeeb, which means ‘bring’ in Arabic - and is basically a handing over the reins to the restaurant’s team, so you can focus on enjoying and sharing in the warm service and delicious food. 

Perhaps an unlikely contender for a group, seeming as bookings aren’t possible, but given plenty of large tables on offer, it’s usually pretty easy to nab one sooner or later. Home to some of Auckland’s favourite craft beer, as well as Burgernaut, there should be something to keep everyone happy. The burger menu is simple, but delicious. There are three different kinds of smash burgers available, and they come in meat, vegetarian or vegan form. Pair with a beer, and if you can’t decide which one, a tasting paddle lets you try a few. 

Housed in a repurposed chocolate factory, over the years, Cibo has become something of an Auckland establishment. It’s classy yet down to earth and the perfect destination for groups, literally any size. With a set menu option, an express menu option or just the good ol’ a la carte, there is an abundance of options available. And with an entire section of the menu dedicated to ‘plant and garden’, you can be reassured that even your most vegan of friends will be happy!