Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner for two, a great lunch spot, or a cozy café, Auckland has it all. This huge list of recommendations came from a local resident in Auckland. So take advantage of it and find the best restaurants in Auckland!
Contents
Britomart (and surroundings)
Britomart, a former port district in Auckland, is now a vibrant area with a mix of historic buildings, restaurants, shops, and nightlife venues.
| Name | Type | Why go here | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amano | Restaurant | Modern NZ/Italian. Stunning interior, in-house bakery, great service. | $$ |
| Ortolana | Restaurant | Modern NZ. Innovative dishes and friendly service. | $$ |
| Ken Yakitori | Restaurant | Japanese. Affordable but super tasty. Cozy vibe. A place locals love. | $-$$ |
| Alma | Restaurant | Delicious modern tapas. Awarded best restaurant in Auckland 2022 by Metro magazine. | $$ |
| The Store | Café | Delicious sandwiches, pastries, and salads. They serve Allpress coffee – one of our favourite roasters! | $ |
| The Chamberlain | Bar | 14 beers on tap – that says it all! | $-$$ |
| The Caretaker | Bar | ‘Hidden’ cocktail bar in Britomart. Excellent service and atmosphere. Open from 5 p.m. | $$-$$$ |
Viaduct (and surroundings)
Viaduct Harbour is a lively district in Auckland, New Zealand. It sits on the Waitematā Harbour and is a popular spot for both tourists and locals. The area is filled with restaurants, bars, shops, hotels, and entertainment venues.
| Name | Type | Why go here | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soul Bar & Bistro | Restaurant | Modern NZ. An icon in the Viaduct. Great spot to people-watch from the terrace. | $$-$$$ |
| Hello Beasty | Restaurant | Modern NZ fusion cuisine and funky décor in the heart of the Viaduct. | $-$$ |
| Bivacco | Restaurant | Italian. Fantastic views of the Viaduct. Wood-fired pizzas are excellent (and not too big!). Antipasti? Try the pickled veggies with Dolcelatte dips – a house specialty. | $$ |
| Dr Rudi’s | Bar | Microbrewery and indoor bowling – classic combo! Great views from the balcony too. | $-$$ |
| St Alice | Bar | Great food and atmosphere in this buzzing bar. | $-$$ |
Wynyard Quarter
Wynyard Quarter is a vibrant waterfront district in Auckland, New Zealand. Located west of the Viaduct Basin and north of Freemans Bay, it’s a popular destination for tourists and locals and offers a mix of restaurants, bars, shops, entertainment, and cultural attractions.
| Name | Type | Why go here | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baduzzi | Restaurant | Italian. Specializes in meatballs. Try the lobster or venison ones – delicious! Great vibe too. | $$-$$$ |
| Auckland Fish Market | Restaurant | The freshest seafood in town! Great collection of eateries inside the historic Auckland Fish Market – so much choice (the lobster rolls are particularly good!) | $-$$ |
| Wynyard Pavilion | Bar | Enjoy a glass of wine and some bites by the water on a sunny day. | $-$$ |
| 16 Tun | Bar | A craft beer bar with plenty on tap. Perfect spot to taste NZ’s many craft brews! | $-$$ |
Central Business District
The CBD is home to some of Auckland’s most popular landmarks, including the Sky Tower, Auckland Art Gallery, and Aotea Square. Besides attractions, the CBD also offers a wide range of shops, restaurants, and bars. Queen Street is the main shopping street where you’ll find everything from international fashion brands to local boutiques. There are countless restaurants to enjoy – below are the best in the Central Business District.
| Name | Type | Why go here | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Bay | Restaurant | At the bottom of Queen Street, opposite the old Ferry Building. A fantastic collection of small casual eateries. Try The Poni Room (best lobster in town), Gochu or Gogi Korean kitchens for great Korean food, Ahi for upscale seafood, and much more. | $-$ |
| Hugo’s Bistro | Restaurant | All-day dining and drinks in this beautiful, central modern NZ bistro. | $$ |
| The Grove | Restaurant | Modern NZ. Pricey but consistently rated among the best restaurants in NZ (and beyond!). | $$$ |
| Mezze | Restaurant | Spanish. A long-standing favourite locals know and love! Delicious tapas and atmosphere. | $-$$ |
| Federal Delicatessen | Restaurant | New York-style deli. | $-$$ |
| Depot | Restaurant | Modern NZ. A local favourite. Great food and vibe. No reservations – put your name down and grab a drink while you wait. | $$ |
| Masu | Restaurant | Japanese. Award-winning, and rightly so. Fresh food and fun atmosphere. | $$$ |
| Cassia | Restaurant | Modern Indian. Regularly voted Auckland’s restaurant of the year – bursting with flavour! | $$$ |
| Remedy | Café | Best little café in the city center. No frills but great food & coffee. Awesome bacon rolls. Plus, there’s a free arcade machine… | $ |
| Chuffed | Café | Lovely little courtyard at the back. Great spot to enjoy a coffee! | $ |
| Odettes Eatery | Café | Award-winning café in City Works Depot. Beautiful, healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. | $$ |
| Best Ugly Bagels | Café | Also in City Works Depot. They bake delicious hand-rolled, wood-fired bagels fresh daily. | $ |
| Mo’s | Bar | Hidden gem of a bar. Small, busy, and cozy. Open late. | $-$$ |
| The House Bar, Hotel de Brett | Bar | Beautifully restored from its original 1950s decor. Fantastic cocktails! | $$ |
| Brothers | Bar | Local craft brewery. Great spot for a beer and pizza. Cozy armchairs, too! They also have breweries in Mt Eden and Orakei Basin. | $-$$ |
Ponsonby
Ponsonby is a trendy residential suburb in Auckland, New Zealand. It’s located about 2 kilometres west of the city centre and is known for its shopping, dining, and nightlife scene.
| Name | Type | Why go here | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPQR | Restaurant | Italian. Grab a street-side table on a sunny day and watch the world go by. | $$ |
| Ponsonby Central | Restaurant | You’ll be spoiled for choice! Best Neapolitan pizza in the city (Dante’s), great burgers (Burger Burger), amazing Argentine BBQ (El Sizzling Chorizo), vibrant Chinese-Thai fusion (Blue Breeze Inn), Latin American/Asian fusion (Inca) and more! | $-$$ |
| Saan | Restaurant | Modern Thai. Some of the best Thai food in the city. | $$-$$$ |
| Orphans Kitchen | Restaurant | Modern NZ. Cool little restaurant in Ponsonby serving innovative, delicious dishes. | $$ |
| Azabu | Restaurant | Where Peruvian cuisine meets Japan! Fresh flavours and stylish setting. | $$ |
| Salta | Café | Simply a great little café! | $-$$ |
| Bambina | Café | A local favourite café. And rightly so – great food and coffee. Can get busy. | $-$$ |
| The Unbakery | Café | Award-winning organic café. Healthy enough to make you smile. | $-$$ |
| Conch Kitchen & Bar | Café | South American-inspired food. Another hidden gem! Great service. | $$ |
| Deadshot | Bar | Very cool, intimate cocktail bar (owned by the same people as Caretaker in Britomart). | $$ |
Whether you love local dining, are after fine dining in Auckland, or just want the best-value restaurant in town… you now have a great overview of all kinds of restaurants, bars, and cafés Auckland has to offer. Enjoy your meal — and if something disappoints you… just blame the local who shared this list with me. 😉
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