Amelia WilliamsReady to dive into a world of incredible flavour? Lebanese cuisine is all about fresh ingredients, aromatic spices, and the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones.
Think creamy hummus, smoky baba ganoush, perfectly grilled meats, and crispy falafel. Auckland is buzzing with fantastic spots that bring the vibrant tastes of Beirut right to our doorstep.
We’ve found the city’s top spots, serving everything from nostalgic home-style dishes to new, exciting flavours in hearty meals.
Get ready to find your new favourite spot on our list of the best Lebanese restaurants in Auckland.
How much does Lebanese food cost in Auckland?
Dining out for Lebanese food in Auckland is pretty flexible for any budget. If you’re after a quick and casual lunch, you can easily grab a delicious shawarma or falafel wrap for around $15 to $25.For a more relaxed, sit-down dinner with a few shared plates, you can expect to spend about $25 to $50 per person.Of course, if you go all out with a full feast at a more upscale spot, the price will be higher, but you’ll always get fantastic flavour for your money.
1. Gemmayze Street
Website: https://www.gemmayzestreet.co.nz/
Address: Shop 16, St Kevin’s Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road, Poynton Terrace, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Tue – Thu, 6 PM – 9:30 PM; Fri – Sat, 6 PM – 10 PM
Must-Try: The Famous Three-Day Hummus
Gemmayze Street elevates Lebanese food with its modern, thoughtful approach to family recipes.
Tucked away in the beautiful St. Kevin’s Arcade on K’Road, the atmosphere is instantly captivating, with gorgeous views of Myers Park and the Sky Tower creating a stunning backdrop.
The menu is designed for sharing, which encourages a wonderfully social and communal dining experience.
I went with a friend, and we opted for the set menu, which was the best decision. The variety was incredible, from the delicate hand-rolled dolmades to the flavour-packed lamb kafta that was grilled to perfection.
You can truly taste the love in their award-winning hummus, handmade over three days, which is unlike any other I’ve had—it’s unbelievably smooth and rich.
While the K’Road location is central and vibrant, finding a park can be a bit of a mission during peak times, so it’s wise to plan ahead.
Customer Reviews
Stop reading the reviews and go! Lovely setting, friendly service and most importantly delicious food. We had the set menu for 2 of us and it was 100% worth it for all the Lebanese flavours and variety of plates. Especially as there is not much of a middle eastern cuisine scene in Auckland, this helps fill that hole successfully. Very much recommend it. Can’t wait to return again. 😋
– Che Kumar | Google Review
This place is excellent.. Yummy food which is so fresh and tasty. Make sure you ring to book ahead as does get full very fast. We loved how Gemmayze Street is a family owned restaurant. We didn’t book ahead but the lady at the front of house let us know there would be a short wait so we hung in the bar for 5 minutes before we got a table. Food did not dissapoint.. Loved it and we will be back.
– Hy-bee Ikiua | Google Review
2. Kohkoz – Real Lebanese Cuisine
Website: https://www.kohkoz.co.nz/
Address: 290 Ti Rakau Drive, East Tāmaki, Auckland 2013
Contact: 0508 564 569 / [email protected]
Hours: Wed – Sun, 11 AM – 8 PM
Must-Try: The Chicken Shawarma Wrap
Kohkoz is all about authentic, homestyle Lebanese food made with genuine passion.
It’s clear that their traditional family recipes, passed down through generations, are the heart and soul of the business.
They make everything in small batches, and you can really taste the quality and freshness.
They use clean, natural ingredients, avoiding any artificial colours or preservatives, which makes every bite feel wholesome and nourishing.
The food here feels incredibly genuine. When I tried their chicken shawarma wrap, the flavours were so fresh and authentic that it instantly transported me.
The chicken was juicy and perfectly spiced, wrapped in soft, warm pita with crisp lettuce and a tangy garlic sauce. This is where you go for a delicious, no-fuss meal that truly tastes homemade.
The main drawback, though, is its location in East Tamaki, which can be a bit of a drive for anyone not living in the area. However, the fantastic food is well worth the trip.
Customer Reviews
I was excited to hear Kohkoz was opening in Botany and it did not disappoint! We tried the chicken shawarma, beef shawarma and falafel wrap and all were delicious and authentic. They were super friendly too. It’s so nice to have true authentic tasting Lebanese food in the area. We’ll definitely be back
– Jwan Kattan | Google Review
Had a fantastic experience at KOHKOZ – Real Lebanese Cuisine! Peter was incredibly nice and friendly, taking the time to recommend dishes that suited our tastes. He was especially helpful with my friend who’s lactose intolerant, patiently explaining the ingredients in each recipe to ensure everything was safe. The food was authentic and delicious—definitely coming back for more of that genuine Lebanese flavor. Highly recommend!
– Mon fh | Google Review
3. Mezze Bar
Website: https://mezzebar.co.nz/
Address: 9 Durham Street East, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Contact: 09 307 2029
Hours: Mon – Tue, 7 AM – 10 PM; Wed, 7 AM – 10:30 PM; Thu, 7 AM – 11 PM; Fri, 7 AM – 11:30 PM; Sat, 10 AM – 11:30 PM; Sun, 10 AM – 10 PM
Must Try: Mezze’s Lentil & Tomato Soup
While Mezze Bar offers a broader Mediterranean menu, their Lebanese-inspired dishes hold their own among Auckland’s Middle Eastern offerings.
The tapas-style approach works particularly well for Lebanese mezze, letting you sample multiple small plates without committing to one massive entrée.
What impressed me most was how well they execute the Lebanese classics alongside their wider menu.
The lamb I ordered came beautifully spiced with warm Middle Eastern flavours, served with roasted potatoes and aubergine.
Their Lentil & Tomato Soup delivers authentic taste, and the mezze platters give you a proper Lebanese sharing experience.
Being in the busy CBD means parking can be a hassle, but that’s the trade-off for such a convenient location.
It’s also great that they handle group bookings well, and their extended hours make them a reliable spot for an early brunch or a late-night dinner.
Customer Reviews
We ordered kebab, chicken risotto and lamb shank. All those meats were so tender and well seasoned. The lamb was amazing and it comes with potatoes and aubergine. The kebab went well with hummus and bread. The risotto itself was a bit bland, but good with chicken. The service is fast paced and the atmosphere is lovely.
– Lauren Son | Google Review
It’s always a pleasure to have a drink and a snack here. The staff is super attentive and the food is always over the roof. I can’t recommend it enough. We appreciate that they have a separate vegetarian/vegan menu. We enjoyed the vegan platter, the mushroom risotto and the roasted carrots.
– Agustina Domínguez | Google Review
4. Ima Cuisine
Website: https://www.imacuisine.co.nz/
Address: 53 Fort Street, Downtown, Auckland 1010
Contact: 09 377 5252 / [email protected]
Hours: Mon – Tue, 8 AM – 3 PM; Wed – Fri, 8 AM – 9 PM; Sat, 5:30 PM – 9 PM
Must-Try: The Mezze platter to start, followed by the Slow-Braised Lamb Shoulder
Chef Yael Shochat’s mezze approach mirrors traditional Lebanese dining perfectly – generous portions meant for sharing and tasting everything on the table.
The mezze-style service gives you a proper Lebanese feast experience with multiple small plates arriving family-style.
Though Ima Cuisine spans a broader Middle Eastern territory, its Lebanese offerings showcase the authentic home-style cooking that defines the region.
During my visit, the fresh salads and vegetable dishes impressed me with their Lebanese flavours and quality ingredients.
The lamb shoulder delivers that slow-cooked tenderness you expect from Lebanese cooking. Everything’s made from scratch, including their flatbreads, which pair perfectly with dips and grilled meats.
Plus, their flexibility with catering makes them worth considering for larger Lebanese-style gatherings.
Take note, though, that like other CBD spots, parking can be tricky.
Customer Reviews
Beautiful food, lovely atmosphere. The owner saw us sitting outside waiting for the place to open and she was so kind to serve us drinks and snacks 30 minutes before their operating hours. The food was amazing, especially the lamb shoulder. And I highly recommend getting a mezze to start. Oh so yummm! Big bonus: they have a basket of toys for the kiddos
– Raquel Visentainer | Google Review
This place is fantastic !! Some of the best food we have found in this great city. Fresh produce cooked with imagination and love. The hardest decision will be choosing from their inspired menu, you will wish you could try a bit of everything as it is all delicious and a real feast. Definitely go here for breakfast and then go back for lunch you will not be disappointed at all.
– Conrad | Google Review
5. Lebanese Grocer
Website: https://www.instagram.com/lebanesegrocer/
Address: 61/65 Pitt Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Hours: Tue – Sat, 10 AM – 4 PM
Must-Try: The Weekly Special Shawarma
Lebanese Grocer is a true gem where you can enjoy an incredible meal and then shop for authentic Middle Eastern ingredients to take home.
Everything is chef-driven, with a focus on homemade authenticity. The dips, like hummus, labneh, and the super-garlicky toum, are all made in-house and are absolutely delicious.
The open kitchen and visible shawarma column create a lively, casual atmosphere.
I love that they have a rotating weekly shawarma special, which always gives me a reason to come back and try something new.
Last week’s lamb special was incredible, loaded with flavour and heavy on the sauce, just how I like it. And what makes it even more special is its lovely courtyard seating on a sunny day.
The only downside is its CBD location, so it tends to be a crowded spot. Still, the quality of the food makes it a must-visit destination for any shawarma lover.
Customer Reviews
Have been wanting to go there in ages and finally made it into town. It was well worth it. Food, service and atmosphere are all 10 out of 10.
Definitely will be coming back to try other dishes.
– Olga Duncan | Google Review
Cool local joint serving up the best shawarmas in Auckland. they do a new special every week and it is always legit. The legit-est. Plus hummus and dips etc and house made sodas. Heavy on the garlic, heavy on the sauce, just how we like it.
– andy p | Google Review
