Neighbourhood Hangs: Your Guide to Karangahape Road
The somewhat brighter, more vivacious cousin of Ponsonby Road, Auckland's Karangahape Road boasts just as much foot traffic and loyal lovers who come for the vintage shopping and community-conscious eateries.
Words by: Nicole Mudgway
Photos by: Nancy Zhou, Naomi Haussmann and Anna Briggs
Karangahape Road, also known as K Road, is the cultural (and arguably, culinary) soul of Auckland’s CBD. The area took off after the expansion of nearby motorways in the 1960s. In a previous life, Karangahape Road was the city’s somewhat shady Red Light District, and over time, it has transitioned into a hub for foodies, artists, fashionistas and even the homeless.
Don’t be surprised to see outfits that you wouldn’t see elsewhere in Auckland, as K Roaders pride themselves on the vintage and thrift shop scene they surround themselves with, and if you’re looking for that bargain second-hand t-shirt to finish your next look, this is the place to come.
K Road is certainly one of Auckland’s most diverse and creative streets. Its former reputation has done nothing to deter visitors – instead, those who set up shop here seem somewhat proud of the area’s shady history, giving them a mysterious edge that transfers into both the fashion and food scene. Adorned with street art and lined with galleries, bars and restaurants, K Road prides itself on being welcoming and inclusive.
Morning coffee and breakfast
179/183 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Start your day with a coffee and scone at Fort Greene, or grab a cold brew to take away from Daily Daily. Alternatively, Bestie, housed in the impressive St Kevin’s Arcade building, is a popular spot for leisurely breakfasts, providing remarkable seated views over Myers Park or of the building's stunning interior. For good reason, the cheese toastie with a chilli fried egg is a staple on Bestie’s ever-changing food menu - the quince jelly and fresh spring onion sure make for some perfectly paired garnishes.
Conscious consuming
225 Karangahape Road, Newton, Auckland
K Road is well known for its thrift shops and other funky stores. Conscious consumers will be right at home in Crushes, a vintage store also home to a refillery and plenty of handmade pieces by local artists and designers. Nearby, Smoove is a retro second hand store with plenty of treasures just waiting to be found. Book lovers will enjoy The Green Dolphin Bookshop, and neighbouring Flying Out will keep music enthusiasts occupied. Lastly, consumers of all things fine will want to visit Everyday Wine, an all-organic wine store focusing on wild-fermented, unfiltered and vegan wine.
Peruse the galleries
3/582 Karangahape Road, Entrance via 2 Newton Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
As far as creativity goes, K Road punches well above its weight. Bergman Gallery is a dealer gallery representing and exhibiting artists from the broader Pacific region, somewhat similar to Tautai, which now showcases works from contemporary Pacific creatives out of its newly expanded premises. Tür Studio is a clothing and homewares store, exhibition space, event hall and, as folklore would have it, occasional makeshift venue of late night parties. Finally, Artspace Aotearoa is a forward thinking, artist led, non-profit contemporary art gallery designed to push the boundaries of the viewer's mind.
Apéritif, hors d'oeuvres and a feast
375 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland
If a day of shopping and gallery viewing doesn’t spark an appetite, the multi-fusion smells wafting along K Road undoubtedly will. Happy hour deals at Coco’s Cantina always start the night off right, or cross the road to Otto for a lively, communal style dinner over shared plates with the group. Don’t miss Otto’s spinach, goat’s cheese and sage dumplings, but save some room for their latest spin on a tiramisu for dessert. Alternatively, head back to St Kevin’s Arcade for an abundance of options - try Low Brow for well priced burgers and beer, Gemmayze Street for a Lebanese-inspired feast or Pici for some of the city’s best cacio e pepe, hands-down.
Night cap
280 Karangahape Road, Auckland
Finish the night off with a tipple at Bar Celeste or a glass of fine wine at sophisticated yet unpretentious Apero Food and Wine. Check online for the latest gigs playing underground at The Wine Cellar or Whammy Bar, the latter again being housed in St Kevin’s Arcade. Whatever your vibe, there’s bound to be something along K Road that tickles your fancy.
More Auckland Stories
Neat in the Neighbourhood: Your Guide to Point Chevalier
Tokyo on a Plate: Exploring Auckland's Best Japanese Cuisine
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.
Neat in the Neighbourhood: Parnell
Parnell is one of Auckland’s oldest and most picturesque suburbs. It effortlessly blends history with contemporary charm, and it exudes a vibe that compels visitors to return. Nestled on the eastern fringes of Auckland's central business district, Parnell beckons with its quaint streets, heritage buildings, boutique shops, and an array of enticing culinary and beverage delights. Whether you're a local looking to rediscover your neighbourhood or a visitor eager to explore the heart of Auckland's art and culture scene, Parnell is one of our favourite places to eat, drink, shop, and wander. Treat this guide as your local passport and embark on a journey through this quaint central Auckland suburb.
Neat in the Neighbourhood: Grey Lynn
Said to be home to Auckland’s ‘free thinkers’, Grey Lynn prides itself on being a neighbourhood with charm and a different way of doing things. Houses in the district were mostly built in the 1880s, and low rent in the 1950s attracted many immigrant workers who quickly made this neighbourhood home. Now, having undergone a similar renewal to Ponsonby, Grey Lynn has become a much sought after place where locals live close to neighbourhood shops and within easy reach of Point Chevalier beach.
Wander the Heart of Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau
Neat Auckland Places
Little Rosie
Don't worry if you didn't get a seat at the ever-popular Rosie, their sister eatery is here to satisfy your hunger. Head next door to Little Rosie for a moreish selection of takeaway goods ready to devour.
Tiger Burger
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.
Georgia Jay
There is no staple more important to a person’s wardrobe than a quality leather bag, and Georgia Jay sure knows how to make them.
Otto
You simply can’t talk about the best of Auckland’s dining scene without mentioning Otto.
Pineapple on Parnell
Prepare to be seduced by the old world charm behind the door at Pineapple.
