Zoe RocheAuckland is a paradise for foodies all around the country. The city has a restaurant for almost every cuisine you can think of, whether it’s Asian, Pacific, European, or American.
Not only that, but the city’s already huge food scene is just growing more and more as new restaurants continue to pop up on its busy streets. The choices are just endless when you’re in Auckland!
If you’re on the lookout for new restaurants to try, here are the best ones you shouldn’t miss out on!
Tala
Address: 235 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand
Website: https://www.tala.co.nz/
Contact details: +6421 172 8349, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Wednesday: 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Thursday to Saturday: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
After a successful pop-up at Bar Magda, Henry and Debby Onememo brought Tala to its own space on Parnell Road. The new restaurant brings traditional Samoan food with a fresh twist all the way to Auckland.
Chef Henry, former Head Chef at East St. Hall, puts his own flare to some of the best Samoan dishes. He offers two set menus, the $215 Chef’s Journey and the slightly shorter Fagogo Journey, which costs about $165 per person.
With its intimate, industrial, and chic interior and the full view of the Umu, a traditional Samoan open-fire oven, Tala makes a great addition to the many date night spots in Auckland.
| Pro Tip: If you’re bringing a car, find a parking spot along Parnell Road and at St John’s car park at 244 Parnell Road. These are the closest spaces near the restaurant where you can park. |
Osteria Uno
Address: 140 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, Auckland 0626, New Zealand
Website: https://www.osteriauno.co.nz/
Contact details: 0274216401, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Tuesday to Thursday: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Friday to Saturday: 4:00 PM to late
Birkenhead residents hoping to try new Italian restaurants will surely love the newly opened Osteria Uno. The sophisticated yet unpretentious restaurant is a sister restaurant of Duo, another excellent Birkenhead eatery.
The 48-seat restaurant takes pride in its handcrafted pasta dishes, small-plate sides, and snacks. Its delectable dishes can be paired with a long list of Italian-inspired cocktails and an extensive cellar list.
The dessert list remains true to the restaurant’s mission of bringing good Italian food to Auckland. You can enjoy strawberries, meringue, salted buffalo yoghurt mousse, a Fig panna cotta, fig compote, pumpkin seed praline, Osteria’s own tiramisu, or an affogato.
| Pro Tip: The restaurant doesn’t take bookings for groups under 5 people, so arrive there early if you’re in a group of 2 to 4. Otherwise, you’ll be waiting until there’s a vacant table for your group. |
Metita
Address: 90 Federal Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Website: https://skycityauckland.co.nz/restaurants/metita/
Contact details: +64 9 363 7030, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Saturday: 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Bar opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM
Saturday and Sunday: 11:30 AM
Aotearoa chef Michael Meredith’s new restaurant, Metita, is one of Auckland’s latest additions to its lineup of restaurants offering Pacific cuisine. Located at The Grand by SkyCity, the restaurant is the perfect date night destination for those staying in the hotel.
Although the menu is mainly inspired by Polynesian and Samoan cuisines, the dishes aren’t served and cooked in a traditional sense. Chef Meredith reimagined various dishes to fit his customers’ modern and contemporary tastes.
You can feast on Metita’s Sunday Long Lunch, which includes dishes like fried lamb rib, kingfish, fried skin pork hock, and pani popo (Samoan coconut buns). Alternatively, you can indulge in a hearty dinner with friends by choosing Metita’s 3, 4, or 5-course menu.
| Pro Tip: The fried pork hock is a must-try when you visit! If you’re not sure what to order, this is your safest bet! |
Bonita
Address: 131 Main Highway, Ellerslie, Auckland 1051, New Zealand
Website: https://bonitabonita.co.nz/
Contact details: +64 22 547 2507, [email protected]
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
For those who can’t choose between Spanish and Korean cuisine, Bonita got you covered! Serving Spanish and Korean fusion dishes, this new Ellerslie restaurant will surely give an unforgettable dining experience!
Each dish, from the savoury beef tartare to the juicy grilled chicken thigh, is a masterpiece meant to be savoured with loved ones. Pair them up with some good cocktail or a sweet and smooth makgeollie, and you’re in for a tantalizing experience.
For our vegetarian friends, Bonita has a separate menu to make sure you also enjoy your dining experience with them. From appetizers to desserts, the restaurant has a couple of dishes that they can also turn vegan by request.
| Pro Tip: Give the Hwachae Cobbler cocktail a try on your visit! It’s made of white rum, watermelon, peach, and berries and is definitely one of our favourite cocktails from Bonita! |
Gilt Brasserie
Address: 2 Chancery Street, Chancery Chambers, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Website: https://giltbrasserie.nz/
Contact details: +64 9 300 3126, [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday: 11:30 AM to late
Gilt Brasserie is an elegant yet relaxed restaurant down Chancery Street that you should add to your must-try restaurant list. Nestled in the historic Chancery Chambers Building, the restaurant can serve amazing dishes all day long.
Gilt serves contemporary European cuisine with a slight New Zealand touch. Think Belgium endive’ au gratin’, Casarecce pasta, triple cheese soufflé, and tomato schnitzel served in a stunning and warm restaurant in the middle of the city.
The brasserie’s beverage list is just as impressive, if not more, as its food menu. It has one of the most extensive wine lists in the city and some of the best classic cocktails you’ll find in New Zealand, elevating every dish they’re paired with to the next level.
| Pro Tip: Gilt Brasserie has a private dining room you can book for any occasion. It can seat up to 12 people, and you can enjoy the same all-day menu along with a new chef’s selection menu. If you’re interested in booking the private dining area, email them at [email protected] or call +64 9 300 3126. There’s also an enquiry form available on the website that you can use. |
Tempero
Address: 352 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Website: https://www.temperoakl.com/
Contact details: +64 9 218-2011, [email protected]
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 4:00 PM to late
Tempero is the newest addition to Karangahape’s exciting gastronomic landscape. The Latin restaurant opened its doors in July 2023 and is among the best new restaurants in Auckland that you shouldn’t miss!
Tempero is led by Chef Fabio Bernardini, former executive sous-chef of Pujol, the 13th restaurant in the World’s 50 Best list. Although the food menu is small, the mixture of Mexican, Brazilian, Peruvian and other Latin influences is enough to blow your mind.
Groups larger than 8 also have a set menu that they can enjoy for a more cohesive dining experience. That said, Tempero is very much willing to curate a special set menu for groups smaller than 8 as long as they contact the restaurant in advance.
| Pro Tip: Tempero hosts a Feijoda night every Wednesday night. Diners can enjoy a three-course meal plus a side for the main course for only $100 for two people and $60 for solo diners. |
Paname Social
Address: 3 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Website: https://www.panamesocial.co.nz/
Contact details: 027 309 7079, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday and Tuesday: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Wednesday and Friday: 7:00 AM to late
Saturday: 8:00 AM to late
Sunday: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Paname Social brings the best flavours across Europe all the way to the bustling Lorne Street of Auckland. Led by the same team behind Atelier, Ambler, and Wander, you can trust that Paname Social is nothing short of impressive.
Typically open from morning to evening, the restaurant can serve all your cravings from breakfast to dinner. Its extensive menu, spanning from an all-day brunch menu to modern bistro-style food, will surely leave you wanting for more!
The fun doesn’t end there, as Paname Social also has an oysters and champagne bar, ideal for those coming out of a tough day at the office! Indulge in freshly shucked Te Matuku oysters and wash away the stress with Paname’s range of champagnes!
| Pro Tip: Paname Social can host private functions and events where you can enjoy a new set of menus specially curated for your party. Hit them up, and they’ll gladly give you a tour of their event setups! |
Itameshi
Address: 4 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1021, New Zealand
Website: https://www.itameshi.nz/
Contact details: 09 000 000, [email protected]
Operating hours:
Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Italian cuisine in itself is already one of the best cuisines in the world. But Itameshi, a new restaurant in Grey Lynn, takes already outstanding Italian cuisine to the next level by adding a Japanese twist to each dish it serves.
The restaurant has a lovely brunch menu served from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM from Monday to Friday and 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM every Saturday. Expect creamy mushrooms on bread, house-made pasta with miso creamy carbonara sauce, matcha pancakes, and more!
If you’re in need of a perfect dinner spot, Itameshi has your back. From appetizing entree dishes like Sicilian sashimi and grilled flatbread to filling pasta and mains like 12-hour cooked osso bucco and pork parmesan katsu, there’s something for everyone!
| Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a suggestion on what food to order, give the miso carbonara a chance, and you sure won’t regret it! The matcha tiramisu is also to die for if you’re looking for a good dessert. |
MoVida Auckland
Address: Britomart, 52 Tyler Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Website: https://savor.co.nz/movida
Contact details: +64 09 302 9888; [email protected], [email protected]
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00 PM to late
MoVida is by no means new to serving mouthwatering dishes, but it’s a relatively new addition to Auckland’s long list of must-visit eateries. It’s an established restaurant in Australia, and its new Auckland branch sure lives up to its sister companies’ reputation!
The menu is curated by award-winning chef Frank Camorra and is filled with some of the best Spanish food you’ll ever come by in Auckland. Of course, the iconic taps, like the hand-filleted Ortiz Cantabrian artisan anchovy, are present on the menu.
The food aside, MoVida’s uninterrupted harbour views are another reason you can’t afford to miss out on dining here. Imagine looking over the port while sipping classic Spanish wines or a good glass of martini. Pretty awesome, no?
| Pro Tip: Finish off your meal with a lovely Spanish crème caramel flan, and you’ll leave the restaurant with a happy smile. It comes with a crunchy pestiño that matches really well with the smooth custard, giving the traditional caramel flan a unique twist. |
Bossi
Address: 10 Commerce Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Website: http://www.bossi.co.nz/
Contact details: +64 9 948 0906, +64 9 948 0819
Operating hours:
Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM
If you’re looking for an authentic Italian dining experience, Bossi Restaurant down Commerce Street is one of your best options. This relatively new restaurant promises to bring Italy right to the heart of Auckland, and it has been living up to its promise so far.
The menu is a combination of small and large Italian dishes. There are natural oysters with shallot vinegar and lemon and fried olives stuffed with ricotta for starters and filling crab lasagne and roast pork-filled pasta for your main.
Bossi’s drinks menu is also quite a banger, ranging from beers (brewery auckland) and cider to fancier cocktails and champagnes. With an in-house master sommelier, Bossi can help you find the perfect drink to go with your meal.
| Pro Tip: For groups of 11 or more, you might love Bossi’s set menu. The two sets cost $95 to $105 and come with an aperitivo, antipasti, second dish, a contorni or side dish and a dessert to finish it off. |
Alma
Address: 130 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Website: https://www.alma.nz/
Contact details: +64 9 242 1570, [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to late
Alma is a charming new restaurant on Quay Street. This small restaurant brings Andalusia’s delicious dishes all the way to Auckland and serves them to its patrons with imported Spanish wines.
Alma’s open-flame grill helps create a charred and smoky flavour that’s hard to find anywhere else. The lamb, tahina (ground sesame paste), zhoug (spicy cilantro sauce), and cucumber dish are testaments to how much the grill helps elevate every dish.
As Andalusia cuisine is quite new in the city, some ingredients might be unfamiliar but don’t worry because the waiters will explain each. If you’re looking for a new cuisine, don’t think twice about visiting Alma!
| Pro Tip: Alma is pretty small, so if you’re coming in as a group, be sure to book a table in advance to avoid waiting for a long time. The restaurant can take group bookings of up to 8 people. |
Bivacco
Address: 115 Customs Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Website: http://www.savor.co.nz/bivacco
Contact details: +64 09 801 6505, [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to late
Bivacco is a new restaurant in Customs Street West offering authentic Italian food made with locally sourced ingredients. Located near the stunning Viaduct Basin, the restaurant is perfect for a sunny, slow lunch and a relaxed after-work drinking session.
The laid-back restaurant has everything, from appetizing antipasti, like mushroom and truffle arancini, to sumptuous grill dishes, like wood-roasted Hawke’s bay lamb rump. There’s even a separate kids menu for families visiting the restaurant.
Be sure to also drop by on a Sunday and enjoy Bivacco’s buffet! Enjoy a seafood station filled with prawns, tuna, and mussels, a meat section with mouthwatering porchetta and rib-eye steak, an exclusive Bloody Mary station, and so much more!
| Pro Tip: Bivacco hosts an aperitivo hour from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM every Friday and Saturday. They serve special and seasonally changing drinks with complimentary bites and live DJ music. |
