Where to eat after a late-night event in Auckland

The encore’s finished, the lights are up and now for the all-important question: where are we going to eat?

From post-gig dumplings to burgers in the wee hours, here’s where to find a late-night feed near Auckland’s major event venues.

Opening hours can change, so check directly with the restaurant before making late-night plans.

Where to eat after an event at Spark Arena

Spark Arena is conveniently close to some seriously good late-night eating in central Auckland. For Korean food, head towards Fort Street. Seoul Night, around a five-minute Uber away, has plenty of after-dark energy, with neon-lit interiors and a menu made for sharing: Korean fried chicken, tteokbokki and plenty of soju. Even better, it stays open until 1am Monday to Thursday and 2am Friday and Saturday.

Nearby Pocha is another Korean favourite for fried chicken, hot pots and sizzling plates, while Ken Yakitori Bar is the spot for Japanese skewers hot off the charcoal grill, washed down with sake or a cold beer.

If your concert really runs late, make for The White Lady on Commerce Street. Auckland’s famous white food truck has been catering to the after-dark crowd since 1948, serving burgers, toasted sandwiches and chips until 4am during the week and right through the weekend. 

Where to eat after a show at Aotea Centre or The Civic

When the curtain comes down at Aotea Centre or The Civic, you’ve got Queen Street, Federal Street and the wider city centre at your disposal.

The Glass Goose near SkyCity is handy for rooftop drinks and sharing plates, while The Cave serves yakitori and kushiage in its underground Queen Street bar until late. For Korean fried chicken, hot pots and other shareable favourites, Twelve keeps the kitchen open into the early hours.

If your show finishes a little earlier, head to 1947 Eatery for contemporary Indian or Mezze Bar for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired plates, open until 11.30pm Friday and Saturday. 

OBAR  is another popular Korean option for later dining, while The Churchill, 20 floors above Queen Street, offers city views alongside drinks and small and shared plates, staying open until 1am Friday and Saturday.

Where to eat after an event at ASB Waterfront Theatre or Viaduct Events Centre

Finishing up at ASB Waterfront Theatre or Viaduct Events Centre? You’re already within walking distance of Wynyard Quarter and the Viaduct, with plenty of options for a post-event dinner. For Italian with harbour views and a lively waterfront setting, head to Bivacco. It stays open until 1am Thursday and Friday and midnight Saturday, so there’s still time for pasta, pizza and a post-show drink. 

Across the water, Soul Bar & Bistro is another Auckland stalwart for extending the evening over a glass of wine and something to eat. Its main à la carte menu finishes at 10pm, but bar snacks are available later and the restaurant trades until 1am Friday and Saturday.

The Conservatory in Wynyard Quarter switches to a late-night menu of pizza, fries and dessert after 9pm. Over at Cracker Bay, Bravo  is another handy option for a feed, open til 11pm, Thursday through to Saturday.

Craving noodles instead? Ichiban Ramen on Albert Street is a short walk away, with ramen, donburi, Japanese curry and gyoza on the menu until midnight most nights. 

Where to eat after a gig at the Powerstation

The Powerstation sits within reach of several good dining neighbourhoods, but once it gets properly late, K’ Road is where you want to be.

Pici in St Kevin’s Arcade serves handmade pasta until 10.30pm, while Gemmayze Street dishes up Lebanese sharing plates until 10pm Friday and Saturday. French-inspired Apéro is open until 11pm, and nearby Bar Magda keeps the kitchen open til 10.30pm over the weekend, with the bar serving til late.

For late-night revellers, Little Turkish Cafe serves kebabs, falafel and pizza into the early hours, while The White Lady Karangahape Road satisfies those after-dark burger cravings. And if a curry at 2am sounds like an excellent idea, Butter Chicken Factory is serving up butter chicken, biryani and Indian street-food favourites long after most kitchens have closed.

Karanga-a-Hape Station also connects K’ Road with Te Waihorotiu and Waitematā stations if you’re travelling back towards the central city or waterfront afterwards.

Where to eat after an event at Eden Park

After a game or concert at Eden Park, do what hungry Aucklanders have been doing for years and head towards Dominion Road.

For a satisfying feed, New Flavour is hard to beat. The Dominion Road restaurant is known for its handmade dumplings alongside noodles, fried rice and classic Chinese dishes. It serves until 1.45am most nights and 2.45am Friday and Saturday, with takeaway available too.

Nearby Gogo Music Cafe keeps the grills going until 2am Monday to Saturday. Grab a table, order a spread of lamb skewers, Chinese barbecue, noodles and sharing plates, and enjoy the buzz of the late-night crowd.

If Sichuan is calling, Spicy House brings the heat with dishes including spicy chicken, dumplings and fried rice. It stays open until midnight Friday and Saturday and 11pm weeknights.

Closer to Eden Park, The Portland Public House in Kingsland is handy for pub food and drinks, with closing times ranging from midnight to 2am depending on the day.