The 8 Best Restaurants
in Auckland

Rob Grieve

Auckland Travel Expert

Asia-Pacific | New Zealand

best restaurants in Auckland A combination of expats, wanderers, and second generation families have paved the way for the different heritages, cultures and flavours that make Auckland New Zealand’s most cosmopolitan city.

The city’’s subtropical climate, pristine waters and fertile farmland ensure fresh ingredients no matter the meal in question.

Plus, us Kiwis are lucky to be gifted with a natural beauty that sets the tone for an unrivalled dining experience (food may never taste so good as it does when backdropped by the view from atop the Sky Tower).

best restaurants in Auckland

My favourite thing about dining in Auckland is the sheer variety of options and a quality that’s never sacrificed. Savour for yourself: these are my favourite places to eat.

Blue Breeze Inn

best restaurants in Auckland This Asian-fusion eatery sits in the heart of Auckland’s trendy Ponsonby Central, an outdoor strip lined with chic boutiques and gourmet dining.

Sample flavours inspired by China from a menu that sees plates both small are large: from dumplings, wontons and steamed buns to Chinese roasted duck and ground wild boar.

Once satiated, opt to check out their premier rum and cocktail bar, The Rum Jungle, for an island-inspired libation.

Sidart

Awarded as Auckland’s best fine dining establishment in dining in 2017, head to Sidart for over-the-top food that doubles as works of art (have you ever had your meal served on a bed of rocks?) and a panorama of the skyline to match.

best restaurants in Auckland

Despite its acclaim, the experience remains relaxed. If I absolutely had to choose, I’d pick here as my favourite spot!

The Sugar Club

The Sugar Club also offers lovely fine dining with a view from its location perched atop Auckland’s famous Sky Tower.

Its kitchen headed by Chef Peter Gordon, who’s been named by some “the ‘Godfather’ of fusion cuisine”, crafts both an à la carte and tasting menu for lunch and dinner.

best restaurants in Auckland

Keeping up with the times, vegan and vegetarian menus are available upon request, so veggie-lovers don’t have to miss out.

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DETAILED ITINERARY

Ima Cuisine

best restaurants in Auckland Everything on Ima Cuisine’s Mediterranean menu is home-made from scratch: from their breakfast selection right up to dinner.

Be sure not to miss their weekend brunch that sees specialties such as the Malawach: a Yemenite dish that consists of a puff pastry pancake, free-range eggs, grated tomato, creme fraiche and green chilli sauce.

For dinner, opt for a mezze of small plates and salads or choose from the market catch of the day, Lebanese lamb shoulder, fried halloumi and more equally enticing options.

Amano

Dine on fantastic seafood and Kiwi fare at Amano, a sleek spot housed in an old warehouse with exposed beam ceilings and concrete walls. Take in the waterfront view while you feast on regional catches like Te Matuku Bay Pacific oysters or Chargrilled kahawai.

best restaurants in Auckland

Vegetarians will drool over their Italian dishes or their selection of anything-but-boring veggie plates. Amano also bears an onsite bakery with French croissants to nosh for breakfast or a slice of pizza for a quick lunch.

The French Café

This is high-end dining at its best, and it’s not just me who thinks so; this is one of Auckland’s most award-winning restaurants and was recently named by TripAdvisor as one of the ten best restaurants in the world.

best restaurants in Auckland

The French Café take a holistic approach when it comes to offering an unforgettable experience, focusing not only on top-notch food but also impeccable service and an inviting atmosphere.

MASU

Drop by MASU for Japanese food cooked robata-style: local fish and meat perfectly flamed over a charcoal grill.

best restaurants in Auckland

A buzzing yet casual atmosphere, complemented by a refined yet understated decor, allows you to relish in the mouth-watering flavours cooked up by Chef Nic Watt (who at one time worked at the Park Hyatt Tokyo’s famous New York Grill) and his team.

Depot

best restaurants in Auckland Down the road from Masu is Depot: a laidback eatery with a focus on New Zealand caught oysters. Slurp back salty mollusks or tuck into a plate of their famous ‘Skirt steak’ in a hip and cozy setting.

Note that they don’t take reservations here, but their tables tend to turn over quickly. You can also pop by for a bite in the morning and indulge in warm beignets and a Havana coffee.

Auckland new zealand

Rob Grieve

When we can drag him down from the mountain or get him off his bike, Trip Designer Rob Grieve can be found planning and guiding trips that immerse travellers in his native New Zealand, which explains the (ridiculously charming) accent.