Amelia WilliamsFinding the perfect spot to eat in Albany can be a mission. You might be finishing a shopping trip at the mall, looking for a family-friendly meal, or needing a cool place for brunch with friends.
Albany’s food scene is massive and packed with amazing global flavours, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Where do you go for authentic Asian food? What about a classic pub meal?
We’ve done the hard (and delicious) work for you. This list covers the spots that deliver on flavour and value for locals and visitors alike.
Forget the guesswork. Here are our top picks for the best restaurants in Albany, Auckland.
How much does dining in restaurants cost in Albany?
Dining in Albany is pretty flexible, which is great for families and young professionals alike. If you’re grabbing a quick lunch at a casual cafe, you can expect a main to be around NZ$15 to NZ$29.
For a standard restaurant dinner, most mains will land in the NZ$30 to NZ$40 range.
Of course, if you’re pushing the boat out for a high-end experience (like premium Wagyu), you could be looking at NZ$40 to over NZ$100 for a main.
A glass of wine or beer to go with it will usually set you back NZ$9 to NZ$15.
It’s a suburb that really does cater to every budget, covering both quick bites and full-blown celebrations.
1. Gao Asian Fusion
Website: https://www.gao.restaurant/
Address: 198/200 Dairy Flat Highway, Albany, Auckland 0632
Contact: 027 218 2114 / [email protected]
Schedule: Tue – Thu, 5:30 PM – 9 PM; Fri, 5 PM – 9:30 PM; Sat, 11 AM – 12:30 PM, 1 PM – 2:30 PM & 5 PM – 9:30 PM; Sun, 1 PM – 2:30 PM & 5 PM – 9 PM
Must-Try: Wagyu Cheeseburger Spring Roll Wrap
Gao is an ideal spot for a stylish group catch-up, mixing flavours from all over Asia in a way that just works. The menu is built for sharing, which I love because you get to try a bit of everything.
We went for their bottomless brunch, and it was fantastic! The food was fresh, and the service was perfectly paced.
They’ve got some really creative dishes, like the wagyu cheeseburger spring roll wrap, that you won’t find anywhere else.
It’s a lively, modern venue that feels special without being stuffy.
The only small downside is that if you’re after a strictly traditional meal, the fusion style might not be your thing. But for a fun, social dinner, it’s a top pick.
Had a great catch up with friends. Cocktails and set menu (which we were able to switch a few items on) made for a decision free fun time. The food was paced perfectly and all delicious. Highly recommend.
– Maree Lloyd, Google Review
We went there last saturday for bottomless brunch! Awesome service and fantastic food! Fresh and great flavour! Highly recommended for weekend brunch.
– Jeanette Dimarucut, Google Review
2. Soul Meat
Website: https://soulmeat.co.nz/home
Address: 11/329 Albany Highway, Albany, Auckland 0632
Contact: 022 377 9738 / [email protected]
Schedule: Sun – Fri, 5 PM – 12 AM; Sat, 11:30 AM – 3 PM & 5 PM – 12 AM
Must-Try: A5 Wagyu
If you’re a true meat-lover, Soul Meat is your heaven. This place is all about that premium Japanese Wagyu BBQ and hotpot experience.
The quality is immediately obvious. They are not kidding when they say they use the finest A5 Wagyu.
That melt-in-your-mouth texture is something you just have to try!
It’s an interactive experience, letting you cook at your table, which makes it great for a fun family dinner or a group of friends.
The vibe is warm and welcoming, and it really does feel like a mini-trip to Japan.
The only catch is that this place is popular, so you really need to book in advance, especially for the weekend. Spontaneous walk-ins are a bit of a gamble.
Multi-choices of food, food Grade was excellent, App ordering was facilitated. Staff was hospitality with excellent service. Highly recommended!
– NV L, Google Review
Had an amazing dining experience in this restaurant. The quality of the wagyu meat was top notch and the service was good.
– Victor Lee, Google Review
3. Saigon Commune
Website: https://www.saigoncommune.co.nz/
Address: 252 Oteha Valley Road, Albany, Auckland 0632
Contact: 021 464 541
Schedule: Tue – Fri, 11:30 AM – 3 PM & 5 PM – 9:30 PM; Sat – Sun, 11 AM – 3 PM & 5 PM – 9:30 PM
Must-Try: Spicy “What The” Pho XL
For authentic Vietnamese flavours that feel both traditional and modern, Saigon Commune is a must-visit. This is where you go for a truly satisfying, generous meal.
Their signature “What The” Pho XL is legendary for a reason. The broth is rich and has that slow-simmered depth, and the bowl is massive.
Their warm, cozy meals are definitely an amazing value for your money.
It’s a fantastic, family-friendly spot that feels welcoming and casual. I’ve been here with a group, and the service was still quick and friendly, even though the restaurant was packed.
That’s the only thing to keep in mind. It gets incredibly busy during peak times, so you might have a short wait. It’s completely worth it for that pho, though.
So delicious!!! Me and my friend had a wonderful party there! I highly recommend Spicy Chicken for spicy lovers! Excellent taste for bbq dishes. Will be back soon!! Thx guys at Mr. hao.
– Chloe Cai, Google Review
Chicken skewers and noodle soup was delicious! seasoning was just right so we were able to clean out the dishes without leaving anything.
People already knew this restaurant was delicious so there were a lots of customers enjoying their meals.
– Jiae Suh, Google Review
4. The Albany
Website: https://thealbanypub.co.nz/
Address: 276 Dairy Flat Highway, Albany, Auckland 0632
Contact: 09 415 9515 / [email protected]
Schedule: Mon – Wed, 11 AM – 9 PM; Thu – Sun, 11 AM – 10 PM
Must-Try: Sizzling Steak
Sometimes you just want a classic, hearty pub meal, and The Albany delivers exactly that.
As one of the area’s most iconic pubs, it has a genuine, relaxed Kiwi vibe that’s great for a casual family dinner or after-work drinks.
The portions they have are incredibly generous. Aside from the classic staple, the Sizzling Steak, another favourite here is their Chicken Parmigiana, and it was huge and delicious.
The space itself is great, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. It’s the ideal spot for a sunny afternoon rendezvous.
They also host live events, which gives it a real community feel. Because it’s such a local favourite, it can get pretty loud and busy, especially on a Friday night or when there’s an event on.
But that’s all part of the fun pub atmosphere.
We just recently held my son’s 21st here and it was amazing! The staff were outstanding, great communication leading up to and on the day of the party, fantastic food and awesome atmosphere! Would highly recommend 😊
– Victoria Smith, Google Review
Went there for dinner and Karaoke. Great food, service and vibe. Amazing portion size too 👌🏼 highly recommend the Risotto and Chicken Parmigiana.
– Vidhi Ganatra, Google Review
5. Daikoku
Website: https://www.daikoku.co.nz/
Address: 270 Oteha Valley Road, Albany, Auckland 0632
Contact: 09 414 2121 / [email protected]
Schedule: Tue – Thu, 12 PM – 2 PM & 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM; Fri – Sat, 12 PM – 2 PM & 5:30 PM – 9 PM; Sun, 12 PM – 2 PM & 5:30 PM
Must-Try: Prawns with YUM-YUM Sauce
Daikoku offers a compelling show alongside its dinner. As one of NZ’s original teppanyaki steakhouses, they’ve perfected the art of “eatertainment” as you eat.
It’s my go-to for birthday celebrations or when I have friends in town. The chefs are so entertaining, cooking everything on the sizzling hot plate right in front of you, so it’s perfect for a group-friendly setup.
The food itself is fantastic. The menu is diverse, covering everything from ramen to sushi, but the teppanyaki is definitely the star of the show.
Their prawns here are cooked just right—juicy and delicious.
The only challenge is that you can’t just show up. Those teppanyaki tables are in high demand, so booking ahead is essential.
Staff were really friendly and accommodating with dietary requirements. Also food is delicious and perfectly cooked. Loved the atmosphere and will definitely be back
– Ayla Bradshaw, Google Review
Always amazing. Chefs all have their unique performance while cooking. A huge amount of food with the entrees included in every meal.
Recommend the prawns as they are fat, juicy, and delicious
– Alyssa Bryant, Google Review
