The foodie’s guide to Auckland’s best bars and restaurants

Whether you're looking to impress your foodie friend from Melbourne, your aunty from Dunedin, or an overseas colleague with high expectations, Auckland delivers the goods.

Here’s a curated list of Auckland’s best restaurants and bars that show off the region’s diverse flavours, culinary talent and scenic hotspots, ideal for treating out-of-towners or rediscovering just how good we have it here.

SOUL Bar & Bistro

A true Auckland icon. SOUL has been serving up harbour charm, impeccable service and oysters on ice for more than two decades. The sun-soaked terrace overlooking the Viaduct Harbour is unbeatable, whatever the season, while inside, the signature flower ceiling offers no shortage of photo ops.

The bistro-style menu is fresh and contemporary, and when paired with hand-crafted cocktails it’s the perfect place for long lunches or elegant dinners.

Depot

Fast-paced, unpretentious, and utterly delicious; Depot on Federal Street is where you take someone who loves a high-energy atmosphere.

Al Brown’s famed eatery delivers Kiwi ingredients in renowned dishes, like snapper sliders, crisp oysters, and pork hock, all best washed down with a cold glass of something local from the curated drinks list.

The Churchill

Gin lovers, gather around. The Churchill is New Zealand’s highest gin bar, offering more than 200 labels alongside a premium menu of share plates if you’re feeling peckish. Chic and elevated (in both senses), visitors will remember both the well-crafted cocktails and the incredible skyline views.

Bar Magda

Bar Magda brings Filipino-inspired food and creative drinks to a cosy basement space, tucked off vibrant K’Road. With low lighting, warm hospitality and an ever-changing menu, this one’s ideal for intimate catchups or foodie visitors looking for something a little different.

Queens Rooftop

Sitting high above the city and accessed via an unassuming ground-floor wine shop, Queens Rooftop is a surprise worth discovering. Take the lift to level 21 and you’ll step out into a sleek, contemporary space with wraparound views: east to Coromandel, west to the Waitakeres and out across the harbour.

Choose a spot on the open-air terrace or settle into the relaxed indoor lounge for wine, cocktails, and Mediterranean-style plates.

Huami

Huami offers sophisticated Chinese cuisine with a sleek, contemporary fit-out within SkyCity’s dining precinct. There’s an extensive menu, but the handcrafted dim sum, Peking duck and baijiu cocktails make it a standout for upscale group dining. This place will impress visitors who appreciate refined flavours and stunning presentation.

Rooftop at QT

This is one of the best spots in the city for a drink with a view. Rooftop at QT looks out over the harbour and skyline, with a terrace that catches the sun by day and city lights by night.

The menu leans Mediterranean and the drinks list covers all your classic and contemporary cocktail requests. DJs play Thursday to Saturday, but the view’s always the main event.

Saint Alice

Made for breezy afternoons that stretch into evening, Saint Alice overlooks the marina with a seafood-heavy menu and the signature Viaduct energy that draws both locals and visitors back time and again.

Dishes like local oysters, freshly baked focaccia, share boards and pizza keep things unfussy; grab a table by the window with mates and soak up the harbour views.

Bivacco

With elegant Italian-inspired dishes, sun-drenched seating and prime harbourside real estate for people-watching, this is a go-to for big occasions, long lunches, and showing off the Viaduct at its best.

If you’re in town on a Sunday, settle in for the Bivacco Feast, an elevated buffet where you can load your plate with everything from cured meats and fresh pasta to seafood and delicious desserts.

Vic Road Wine Bar

Hop on the Fullers360 ferry to Devonport and treat your guests to this neighbourhood favourite. Vic Road Wine Bar offers boutique vino, artisan cheese, small plates and sharing platters, and a relaxed, European-inspired atmosphere that embraces Devonport’s historical charm.

Cafe Hanoi

For fresh Vietnamese flavours and bustling street-style energy, Cafe Hanoi always delivers. The mood is vibrant, the food is fast, fresh and full of heat, and the fit-out nails a modern Vietnamese aesthetic. It’s always consistent and considered one of Britomart’s best spots for catch ups over shared plates.

Metita

Celebrated chef Michael Meredith’s love letter to his Samoan heritage, Metita, is a must for anyone wanting to experience Auckland’s unique cultural flavour. Expect reimagined Pacific dishes in a beautiful setting within The Grand by SkyCity complex, perfect for visitors who want to taste something completely unlike anything they’ve had before.

Tala

For Pasifika fine dining in the heart of Parnell, Tala blends ancestral Samoan cooking techniques with contemporary presentation, storytelling, and ceremony. The ‘Chef’s Journey’ is the ultimate Tala experience, seated at the chef’s counter for direct views and interaction with the kitchen. It's an immersive way to dine and a proud showcase of Auckland’s cultural identity.

Pici

Small but mighty, Pici is known for handmade pasta and minimalist vibes with a maximalist wine selection. Located within St Kevin’s Arcade on the vibrant Karangahape Road (K’ Road), it’s walk-ins only, but open til late and well worth the wait.

Onslow

With its refined take on modern New Zealand cuisine, Onslow is an elegant option for a special evening out. Set in a quiet corner of the city, the service is thoughtful, the menu celebrates seasonal produce, and the whole experience is polished without being stiff. Be sure to add a little ceremony to your cocktail with their popular martini trolley service.

Mr Morris

This is chef Michael Meredith’s second appearance on this list, and for good reason. Mr Morris is modern, experimental and sustainably minded, serving dishes that are technically brilliant and inspired by Aotearoa’s land and sea. Choose the Mr Morris Experience menu and let the kitchen take the wheel for an unforgettable dining experience.

MASU by Nic Watt

A local favourite for modern Japanese dining in Auckland, MASU blends bold flavour with a bit of theatre, thanks to the open robata grill, where skewers and seafood are cooked over charcoal in full view. The menu covers expertly prepared meat, vegetables, sushi, and sashimi, backed by a comprehensive sake list. 

Ahi

Ahi champions Aotearoa on every plate. Expect fresh ingredients, locally sourced or grown in the Ahi Garden, handled with fine-dining finesse and elevated to art form. Every dish delivers on chef Ben Bayly’s vision to offer a truly New Zealand culinary experience. Located within Commercial Bay, enjoy your meal with views overlooking sparkling harbour waters.

Origine

Origine serves up French flavours, local ingredients and a front-row seat to the harbour. Origine is chef Ben Bayly’s take on a modern brasserie, with familiar French dishes like escargot, duck liver parfait and beef bourguignon. With a crisp and classy fit out, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into your European summer dreams, no passport required.

Baduzzi

Baduzzi blends Italian tradition with a New York vibe. Famous for their meatballs (yes, you’ll want to order plural), the menu is hearty and the atmosphere is great for groups. It’s a go-to for family occasions or inner-city lunches that accidentally turn into a few shared bottles of red.

Otto

Occupying a cosy corner on vibrant K’ Road, Otto delivers elegant Italian-inspired dishes with a Kiwi sensibility. The menu shifts with the seasons, but standouts like the spinach and goat cheese dumplings or the beef cheek ragu keep regulars coming back for more. It’s relaxed but considered, ideal for a low-key dinner that still feels special. 

Amano

Amano is beloved for a reason. Seasonal, handmade, and unfailingly on form, the food walks the line between rustic and refined. Beautiful interiors, fantastic Italian-inspired dishes, and friendly service, served up in a historic building in Britomart; Amano ticks all the boxes for a go-to restaurant recommendation.

Kazuya Restaurant

Behind a modest entrance on Symonds Street, Eden Terrace, Kazuya blends European techniques with Japanese precision across multiple courses. Settle in and enjoy a tasty and textural journey through five or seven dishes. With their mission of ‘making the guests smile’, Kazuya certainly is a gastronomic delight.

Odettes Eatery

Bright, airy and effortlessly cool, Odettes offers a Mediterranean-meets-North African menu. Come for brunch, stay for rosé, or swing by midweek for lunch. Located within City Works Depot, Odettes feels like a mini retreat from the pace of the CBD.

SkyBar

Want to show off Auckland from a completely different perspective? Head to SkyBar. Perched high in the Sky Tower, it’s New Zealand’s highest bar, serving innovative cocktails with panoramic views stretching across the city and harbour. It’s an unforgettable stop for sunset drinks or a decadent digestif.

Azabu

A sleek fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavours, Azabu’s tuna tataki and spicy gyoza are always a hit. The Ponsonby site has an edgy vibe, while Mission Bay offers a more coastal feel. Take your pick from sashimi, sushi rolls and Nikkei-influenced large and small plates, while the kids enjoy a bento box with all their favourite Japanese bites.

kingi

Located within The Hotel Britomart, kingi celebrates local, sustainably caught seafood, with a menu that pays tribute to New Zealand’s coastal bounty and seasonal produce.

The raw bar is a highlight, with standouts like gamefish crudo, crayfish taco, and freshly shucked oysters served simply and well. The menu shifts with what’s in season and available, backed by a thoughtful local wine list.

Alma

Spanish-inspired and full of warmth, Alma brings the vibrancy of Andalusia to Auckland. Share a few small plates, sip on sherry or a glass of Spanish wine, and enjoy the theatre of the open fire kitchen.

Darling on Drake

It’s giving: neighbourhood bar energy with serious food credentials. Overlooking Victoria Park, Darling on Drake delivers elevated interiors, a spacious sundeck, and a lively crowd that rolls in early and stays late. The sundeck’s weatherproof setup makes it an all-seasons favourite for long afternoons that turn into evenings.

Panacea

Hidden away on O’Connell Street, Panacea’s mixologists serve up clever cocktails made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, gathered daily and mixed into inventive, ever-changing creations. Expect unexpected flavour combos, skilled execution, and a setting that feels both intimate and refined. 

Orbit 360 Dining

As the name suggests, Orbit 360 takes you on a full rotation of the city skyline while you dine. Set high above the city in the Sky Tower, you’ll enjoy views of the Waitematā Harbour, Rangitoto, the city fringe and beyond. The menu is kiwi-inspired, featuring the best of local and seasonal produce.

HI-SO Rooftop Bar

At the top of SO/Auckland, HI-SO offers one of the best views in the city, stretching across the Waitematā to Rangitoto Island. The rooftop terrace is the main draw, backed by a cocktail list featuring both classics and signature creations. DJs spin Thursday to Saturday, making it a solid late-night option when the skyline’s looking her sparkliest.

Bar Albert

One of Auckland’s highest premier bars, Bar Albert offers skyline views and a sophisticated drinks menu that boasts an extensive selection of single-batch spirits. With unobstructed views of the Auckland skyline and glitzy Gatsby vibes with plush leather couches, it’s the ideal spot for a date or an intimate catch up with friends.

Gemmayze Street

Tucked inside St Kevin’s Arcade on K’ Road, Gemmayze Street brings modern Lebanese to the table, with dishes that are designed to be shared around. The setting is convivial; fancy enough for a special occasion but also casual enough for an impromptu get together.

There’s nothing on the menu that you’ll regret, but be sure to kick things off with their iconic hummus.