Dine where the locals dine
It's no wonder Aucklanders love to eat out! With more than 1000 restaurants, an abundance of wineries, farmers' markets, cafés and boutique eateries scattered around the region, Auckland dishes up a variety of dining options. Each of Auckland's regions have their own unique local flavours and specialties. The locals have already developed a taste for them and they're keen for you to try them too! Try out some favourite food spots on wine rich Waiheke Island, in 'slow food' Matakana or Auckland’s oldest wine growing region out west. And don't forget to try the cosmopolitan cuisine in the cities.
And if that's not enough of an indulgence, treat yourself to a few nights away with one of our tasty packages with the focus on food and wine.
Cuisine in Auckland's Cities
There are rich pickings to be found in Auckland, Manukau and North shore with many local secrets including kiwiana flavours, social settings, fine restaurants and family dining.
Kiwiana flavours
New Zealand cuisine is traditionally famous for fish 'n' chips, barbeques on the beach and hokey pokey ice-cream. More recently, New Zealand has gained a reputation for producing some of the world's freshest, finest and most innovative cuisine and wine. Auckland is no exception.
Traditional Kiwi
For the old time local favourite, head down to your closest Auckland beach where you'll be sure to find a fish 'n' chip shop near by. Order battered fish and a scoop of chips accompanied with tomato sauce. Find a spot, with breathtaking views, and eat directly from the newspaper wrapping!
And, if the day is warm and you feel you deserve a refreshing treat, stop in at a local dairy (a small convenience store), and order a hokey pokey ice-cream in a cone.
Gourmet Auckland
Many farmers' markets are emerging throughout the Auckland region and are fast becoming a favourite weekend ritual for Aucklanders to visit. Auckland city now has a farmers' market of it's own where the range of vendors sell what they grow, farm, pickle, preserve, bake, smoke or catch themselves. The North Shore also has a farmers' market in Takapuna and if you want to venture further a-field, try the farmers' markets at Clevedon or Matakana.
There are a vast range of wineries scattered throughout the region from Clevedon to Kumeu, Waiheke Island to Matakana. Each have their own distinct blends, grapes and growing styles. Either visit a winery to sample direct from the grower's door, or dine in a city restaurant that offers local wines to accompany the dishes.
Enjoy the local social scene
Get out and amongst the social scene in Auckland, meet the locals and dine in a fun and exciting setting. If you fancy a substantial, yet delicious pub meal, head along to one of Auckland's iconic pubs such as De Post in Mt Eden, The Occidental in the heart of the city or the Belgium Beer Café in Ponsonby.
For a classy night out, hit the Viaduct Harbour and wine and dine in style at Soul Bar or Bungalow 8. Alternatively head into the trendy suburb of Ponsonby, for an evening at Prego. Al Italiano!
Those after a friendly and lively atmosphere with a 'taste of the orient' should head to Wagamama or Mai Thai.
A fine dining experience
If you’re seeking a culinary delight in the setting of a popular Auckland restaurant, the choices are endless. Waterfront restaurants at the Viaduct and Princes Wharf add dazzling views to the carte du jour. Try out The Waterfront, Wildfire, Tagore, or Harbourside Seafood Bar and Grill.
Uptown or downtown, treat yourself to an evening at dine by Peter Gordon, enjoy a helping of opera with your meal at Toto or treat yourself to the ever popular, French Café. Bon Appetit!
Experience suburban gastronomie at Clooney, a new eatery in Freemans Bay or enjoy the dramatic setting of Mollies and their special winter menu. Alternatively, visit the award-wining Engine Room on Auckland's North Shore or head South of Auckland to Bracu.
Eating out with the kids
When travelling with the whole family, there are a number of fun places to dine where the children will be welcomed, as well as entertained.
Auckland Zoo is ideal for children. There are a number of cafés at the zoo including Darwins, Penguins, the licensed Lion's Larder and Weta. For a real treat, visit the zoo in the evening for a Safari Night and enjoy a kiwi barbeque! Near Auckland Airport in Manukau city is Butterfly Creek, a playground where children can meet animals, ride a miniature train, discover more than 700 free flying butterflies, as well as enjoy a delicious meal at the onsite café. Head north of Auckland to Matakana and you'll find yet another animal playground, Sheepworld with its Black Sheep Café.
If it's more of a restaurant scene you're after, try out Fortuna Buffet Restaurant in SKYCITY or The Viaduct Grill on the waterfront.
Alternatively, pick up some takeaway food and have a picnic on a beach, or admire the views from the high vantage points of one of Auckland's volcano cones.
Boutique Waiheke Island
Waiheke is an island that was made for food and wine lovers. Around every corner are award-winning olive oils and world renowned wines. This really is a foodie's heaven.
Whether you’d prefer to take a guided vineyard tour or to visit the many wineries, beaches, cafés and restaurants at your leisure, you'll be delighted at what you find on the island. Several wineries have an infamous reputation among Aucklander's and are popular for special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays and weddings including the new, awe-inspiring Cable Bay, the famous Mudbrick, Te Whau, Te Motu and Stonyridge Vineyard.
To add to the treats on the island, we're offering you and a friend another irresistible offer. Travel to the island and a friend goes half price!
Slow Food Matakana
Matakana, a boutique village just north of Auckland, known for its gourmet, 'slow food' (the new found art of enjoying food; the opposite to fast food), specialises in locally produced delicacies and award-winning wine.
A 'must do' is a visit to the farmers' market which has Aucklander's flocking to the village every Saturday. The market bustles with more than 31 local growers and food producers selling fresh, gourmet and organic produce.
The village is also surrounded by vineyards and wineries and overflows with cafés and restaurants including Mariposa Palm Café with its canopy of ferns, the funky Black Dog Café and the Dragonfly Café and art gallery.
We know you'll all be hungry to explore Matakana, so we're offering a delicious offer; stay at the four-star Sugarloaf Lodge for two nights, wine and dine at Heron's Flight, Matakana Village Brasserie and Ransom Wines and stay a third night for free!
West Coast Wines & Fresh Produce
Another popular area for the locals to dine is among the native bush in the Waitakere Ranges, bordered with black sand beaches, rolling countryside and a myriad of wineries.
A local gem out west is BeesOnline Honey and Café that serves succulent dishes, all infused with the various honey products made onsite. An emerging favourite is just down the road at the boutique brewery Hallertau and then there are the wineries….
To discover the West Coast wineries from a local perspective, check out our West Coast hot deal!
For more dining options visit www.aucklandnz.com or the Restaurant Association of New Zealand dining guide, www.dinefind.co.nz.
If you'd like assistance with booking accommodation close to any of the dining places mentioned above, please contact Tourism Auckland's reservations team at reservations@aucklandnz.com.