Eating Out in Auckland

One thing is sure: you won't go hungry in Auckland - there are ample choices within easy reach of any hotel! The formal restaurants here are world-class, serving fare that is as good - if not best - than in any place else on earth. They're the perfect places for a spot of indulgence, but you'll also find a huge and stylish selection of less formal restaurants, wine bars, bistros, gastro-bars and ethnic eateries and cafes. And, Auckland, 'cafe' means cool: these places are regularly (but not always) licensed, with an eclectic menu, trendy décor and casual, friendly atmosphere.

Without development absolute recommendations, we're here to point you in the right direction for some great dining experiences in the 'City of Sails'... Bon appétit!

MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA

Absolute indulgence

Where do we start? The French Café, The Grove, Euro, dine by Peter Gordon, Vinnie's, Te Whau (on Waiheke Island - voted one of the world's finest winery restaurants), White, Antoine's, Bracu (outside Auckland in the Bombay Hills), number Five, the machine Room (on Northcote Point, over the harbour bridge), Mollie's (private dining suites).

Smart casual

A exiguous less formal but still offering superb fare are Cibo, SidArt, Prohibition, Sails, Prego, Eight Point Two (across the bridge in Birkenhead), Wine Chambers, The Mudbrick Vineyard and Stonyridge Vineyard (both on Waiheke Island) and, in Mount Eden, Meredith's, Molten, Bowman's and Cac.

Wine and dine

For a restaurant or wine bar, try Pure, O'Connell street Bistro, The Occidental Belgian Beer Café, Mondial, Prime, Bluestone Room, Ponsonby Road Bistro, The Mulberry, Pastis (authentic French), Soul, De Post (Belgian; Mt Eden).

Cafe culture

For the coolest cafes head to Ponsonby, Herne Bay, Parnell, Grey Lynn, Mt Eden, Devonport, Takapuna, Kingsland, 'K' (Karangahape) Road, or plainly roam through the central city - especially in the vicinity of High Street, Chancery and Vulcan Lane. There are perfect cafes a exiguous additional out of town, too - in fact, it's hard to think of in any place in Auckland where you won't find somewhere serving perfect food, from breakfast onwards, at surprisingly uncostly prices. Some of the coolest of the current café selection are Gala, Dida's, The Fridge, The Teed street Larder (Newmarket), Ben, Allelulya (K Road), Landreth, Agnes Curran and the very typically 'Kiwi' Queenie's Lunchroom in Freeman's Bay. And that's just the tip of the iceberg...

Sumptuous seafood

Seafood is superb and succulently fresh in Auckland, and there are abundance of restaurants specialising in it. Among the favourites are Harbourside, Kermadec, Sails, Hammerheads, Mikano, Squid Row (pub-style) and Soul.

Survey the scenery

For great views and great dining, try Vertigo at the Mecure Hotel, Orbit, Sails, any of the Waiheke Island vineyard restaurants, Hammerheads, Hq, Euro, Mikano.

Look before you leap

Want to see what's on offer before you commit? Great places to check out the restaurant scene on foot are Ponsonby Road, O'Connell street and High street in the Cbd, Parnell Road, the Viaduct Basin and Takapuna; all four offer abundance of eateries of all types.

High time for tea?

New Zealanders love a good cup of tea, and a kind spread of food to accompany it! For a original high tea, head to the Cornwall Park Restaurant. The surroundings, by One Tree Hill, are beautiful; Aucklanders have been enjoying them for a hundred years. Luxury high tea is also ready at historic Cotter House in Remuera; bookings essential, and make sure you go armed with an appetite! For a contemporary take on an old favourite, try high tea at Orbit in Sky City, with views of the entire Auckland region from the moderately revolving restaurant floor (Saturdays and Sundays only), or Low Tea at Prohibition in Ponsonby (Friday and Saturday afternoons). And if you beyond doubt can't wait till after lunch, the exiguous Cake Kitchen in upper Queen street is laden with freshly baked temptations.

Eat by the beach

All Auckland's beachside suburbs offer cafes and restaurants serving breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. Head along Tamaki Drive to Mission Bay, St Heliers or 'Kohi' (Kohimaramara), or over the harbour bridge to suburbs like Devonport and Takapuna. However, you won't find in any place quite like the Piha Café, in any place else in the world. It's a long trip, but uniquely Auckland sense (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

Out of the Ordinary

For dining with a difference, try somewhere like Prohibition in Ponsonby, Allelulya (café) on K-Road, Deus Ex Machina (Wellesley street in the Cbd), the beyond doubt French and amazing Le Garde-Manger (Upper Queen Street, Cbd), Queenie's Lunchroom in Freeman's Bay, or the above-mentioned Piha Café.

Ethnic

Ethnic food fans won't go hungry in Auckland. There's an great selection of cafes and restaurants serving food from around the world, along with African, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Indian, Middle-Eastern and more. And there's bound to be a takeaway outlet, somewhere near your Auckland hotel.

Local tip: Want something cheap, typically Kiwi, filling and delicious? Try fish and chips - they're ready all over the city, and taste best eaten right from their wrapping paper, outdoors, by the harbour or beach.

Eating Out in Auckland

MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA