Amelia WilliamsBotany is rapidly becoming East Auckland’s premier food destination, offering a vibrant culinary scene that easily rivals the city centre.
If you’re looking for fantastic restaurants in Botany, Auckland that don’t require a downtown drive, you’re in the right place!
This vibrant part of Auckland is a convenient spot for various demographics, from families needing a quick dinner to workers looking for a good lunch near Botany Town Centre.
Get ready to discover the best spots, with a special focus on mouth-watering Asian flavours. I’m talking about noodles, BBQ, and fusion dishes, as well as fantastic options for casual, sit-down dinners.
We’ve done the tasting for you and compiled the definitive guide to the top 5 most recommended restaurants in Botany, Auckland.
How much does it cost to dine in Botany, Auckland?
Dining in Botany accommodates a diverse range of budgets, with meal prices varying according to your chosen dining experience. For budget-friendly and quick meals, such as ramen or dumplings, you can expect to pay approximately NZD $15 to $28 per person.
Casual or family dinners can cost you and your group approximately NZD $20 to $40 for a main dish. If you plan a more social night out or a celebratory meal at Goode Brothers, expect to spend somewhere between NZD $25 and $60 per person.
1. Goode Brothers Botany
Website: https://www.goodebrothersbotany.co.nz/
Address: Shop 36, Botany Town Centre, Town Centre Drive, Botany, Auckland
Contact: 09-272-4516
Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: 11:30 AM–9:00 PM
- Wednesday and Thursday: 11:30 AM–10:00 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM–11:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
Must-Try: Famous #6 sauce with your choice of pasta
Goode Brothers successfully mixes the vibe of a fun gastropub with approachable Italian cuisine.
They fondly call their concept “Kiwitalian,” which is evident in their menu as they offer a unique fusion of Italian staples like thin-crust pizzas and classic pasta alongside pub favourites.
On top of that, they also have an extensive calendar of events, including Pasta Classes and a Weekly Pub Quiz. The events make Goode Brothers a fun local community hub where you can meet new and familiar faces.
That means, if you’re looking for a quiet and relaxed dinner, you might have to skip this spot.
When I visited the restaurant, I ordered the fettuccine pasta with the Famous #6 sauce as recommended by friends. It was creamy with topped with chicken and bacon. It’s a great pick for anyone craving comfort food!
Customer Reviews
Tried out the bottomless brunch and didn’t even have to wait a minute after our cup was empty, quick with the refills. Special mention to Georgia and Monique for the service and patience with our big table. Especially having to re explain everything. And after all of that taking our photos. Didn’t take photos of everyone’s plate but judging by these pictures you can can guess if we liked it or not😋😋
- Aprylz Solomona | Google Review
First time we visited Goode Brothers. We really enjoyed our meal. Pork Belly was devine! Pizza was something we never tasted before, the aroma and the taste were exceptional! Compliments to the Chef!!!(Sat 14 Sept @ 13h45) Also to the waiter Ryan for your friendly service and being so attentive. Thank you for a great experience
- M. Truter | Google Review
2. Sumthin Dumplin – Botany
Website: http://www.sumthindumplin.co.nz/
Address: Opposite Kmart, Shop F3, 500 Ti Rakau Drive, Botany Downs, Auckland
Contact: 09-948-0182
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
Must-Try: Three Spice Prawn
Sumthin Dumplin is a fantastic spot that redefines the humble dumpling with its innovative and unique fusion flavours.
Forget your typical fillings. At Sumthin Dumplin, you’ll find creative twists like “Beef & Cheese” or the popular “Three Spice Prawn”.
The restaurant also uses premium pork and high-quality ingredients, which means you get a gourmet feel and taste, even in a fast-casual setting.
The best part, for me, is the signature sauces like “Sumthin Chili” or “Sriracha Mayo”. I can never go back to just soy sauce after trying their sauces.
Their menu may be small and very focused on dumplings, but that’s how you know the food is good, because they spent time mastering the flavours.
Lastly, they’ve nailed a playful and trendy brand identity that’s super popular with the younger crowd.
Customer Reviews
Sumthin Dumpling Botany offers super tasty dumplings at a reasonable price. The decor was very warm and inviting and the service was pretty good. My only critique is that the fries were a little under seasoned , but other than that a must try !!
- Alister Louie | Google Review
I don’t know why we waited so long to try Somethin’ Dumplin’ – we were blown away by the taste, presentation and the best sauce in the world! I will never go back to soy sauce again after trying their Somethin’ Chilli sauce!! We couldn’t keep away and came back the very next day! Highly recommended 😁
- Katie Hamilton | Google Review
3. Kabul House Restaurant – Botany
Website: https://www.kabulhouse.co.nz/
Address: 317 Ti Rakau Drive, Burswood, Auckland
Contact: 09-200-4550
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 PM–09:30 PM
Must-Try: Qabuly Pulao
Kabul House in Botany offers a unique and highly-regarded dining experience with its authentic Afghan cuisine, setting it apart from typical Middle Eastern or South Asian fare.
Their specialty is traditional, fragrant, and rich food, such as the must-try Qabuly Pulao with a lamb shank. Be sure to sample the traditional Afghan dumplings, Mantu or Ashak.
I also personally tried their highly-rated Mixed Kebab. That first bite was unforgettable, with the way the flavours burst in my mouth; flavours I think I’ve never tasted elsewhere.
On top of the exceptional food, their portion sizes are also very decent, which is a great value. Overall, every dish has that comforting, homemade warmth that really makes Afghan cooking stand out.
The warm ambience of the store and the attentive staff also add to the top-notch and homey dining experience.
It is important to note that while Kabul House is not an official part of Botany, the restaurant is only approximately a 5-minute drive away from Botany Town Centre.
Customer Reviews
This was our first time trying out Afghani food. I took my friend from Canada for lunch and we were delighted with food and service. We loved the atmosphere and the sitting arrangements. Food was rich in flavors and very decent potion. Will go again soon
- Vikashni Prasad | Google Review
I do recommend that you try their beautiful meals with so much flavour, they will amaze you and make you happy. The staff are very kind and polite, and we feel welcome. I can’t wait to go there again soon!
- Er W | Google Review
4. Howick Club Inc
Website: https://howickclub.co.nz/Restaurant
Address: 107 Botany Rd, Botany Downs, Auckland
Contact: 09-537-7100
Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11:00 AM–12:00 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
Must-Try: Pork Belly Roulade
The Howick Club is a welcoming, family-friendly hub that offers far more than just food. It’s a genuine community spot with great value.
It’s a lively and secure place to socialise, hosting a packed calendar of live entertainment, social activities like trivia, and indoor sports.
Although the club requires membership to access other amenities and events, the restaurant itself is open to members and non-members, with a small difference in price points.
For working locals, it’s a fantastic option for affordable, delicious dining, offering varied menus, competitive prices, and special lunch deals for members.
When I visited as a non-member, I had high expectations of the food. And I wasn’t disappointed!
The food here was very well-made, super tasty and flavourful. I tried the pork belly roulade, and dare I say it easily solidified its position as one of the best pork recipes I’ve had.
The pork was so tender, so flavorful, so unforgettable. Highly recommend you try it too!
Customer Reviews
What a great club. Lots of facilities and well used by the locals/members. I had calamari from the bar snack menu and they were so delicious! Soft as butter, served with a fresh green salad. There could have been a little less batter, but overall, a great dish. An hour of pool playing after dinner ended on a great note 🙂
- Jo Adams| Google Review
Howick clubs offers a wide range of services and facilities. The food at the restaurant was made very well and was super tasty and flavourful. The pool tables are very clean and well maintained, as well as the darts as well. Overall a wonderful experience and a gray way to spend an evening with your family and friends 😊
- Alister Louie | Google Review
5. Ajisen Ramen (Botany) Restaurant
Website: https://www.ajisenbotany.co.nz/
Address: 451 Ti Rakau Drive, Huntington Park, Auckland
Contact: 09-950-8008
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM–3:00 PM and 5:00 PM–9:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 11:30 AM–9:30 PM
Must-Try: R6 Black Tonkotsu Ramen
Ajisen Ramen is a global brand with over 700 locations, so you can count on a consistently prepared and delicious bowl of ramen every time.
This restaurant is the go-to place for authentic Japanese noodles, particularly because they use the same recipes that the founder has used since the 1960s.
They have a wide variety of ramen flavours on their menu, so it’s the perfect place for ramen lovers. My personal favourite is the rich and satisfying R6 Black Tonkotsu Ramen that features slow-cooked black garlic sesame oil.
If you’re not a fan of ramen or just want to try new dishes, they also have various sides, rice bowls, stir-fried options, and other ala carte dishes.
Take note, though, if you have allergies, you need to look closely at the menu to make sure that you choose the ramen that’s safe for you to eat. It seems they do not accommodate modifications to cater to dietary and allergy restrictions.
Customer Reviews
The best ramen in Auckland! Me and my partner go there almost every week! She always order the black tonkotsu which is so rich in flavor. I love the paiku and kimchi ramen but all other options are good. The service is always quick and the price is reasonable for such a tasty meal.
- Jonathan Almeida | Google Review
oishī desu ! If you like Japanese food, come here. Staff were very welcoming, good atmosphere, efficient service, and the ramen was a solid 8/5. Pork was tender, noodles were cooked perfectly, the broth was just the right amount of thickness, and to top it up with chilly powder. Definitely recommended!
- Kyzan Kazuya | Google Review
