Amelia WilliamsAuckland is a hub of good food, but with so many choices, it’s sometimes nice to find the not-so-popular spots to eat at. Locals in the know have their favourite places tucked away from the public eye, but how do you know which are the good ones?
We left no stone unturned to fill our bellies with the most delicious food and drinks from the best hidden restaurants in Auckland. It’s never a bad idea to try something new, so check out these secretive spots!
Seoul Night
– Media credit: seoulnightnz
Website: https://www.seoulnight.co.nz/
Address: Shop 1/16-20 Fort Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact Information:
- 09 558 2413
- [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 5:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Prices: $11 – $45
For delicious Korean cuisine, visit Seoul Night, a hidden restaurant tucked inside a soju vending machine. Yup, you read that right!
Walk inside the vending machine to get inside this dimly lit trendy bar with neon lighting for the vibes. You get to taste scrumptious food meant for sharing and strong, delicious alcoholic drinks that will keep you coming back for more.
Start with a sweet and spicy rice cake skewer, and for the main, a bestseller is the rosé pasta, which has a creamy tomato and coconut cream base topped with bread and fried chicken. Don’t forget to try their Yakult soju slushie for a refreshing drink!
| Pro Tip: The entrance is a red vending machine, and it’s easy to spot if you know what you’re looking for. Just pull the bar on the right side, and you’ll see the reception table. |
Ghost Street
– Media credit: ghoststreetakl
Website: https://ghoststreetakl.nz/
Address: Basement Level, Tuawhiti Lane, 27 Galway Street, Britomart, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact Information:
- 09 306 2233
- [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Sunday: 5:00 pm – closing (subject to change anytime)
Average Price/s:
- Food: $5 – $44
- Chef’s Menu: $70 per head, minimum of 4 people
- Drinks: $6 – $220 (per bottle wines are available)
Ghost Street brings back Beijing’s famous hole-in-the-walls, but this time, in Auckland. You get to enjoy good food and good talks once you enter this underground restaurant beneath Cafe Hanoi.
This hidden restaurant focuses on Sichuan and Xi’anese cuisine but also showcases food from other regions, using only the highest quality New Zealand produce. Expect to find a lot of spicy dishes that will make you reach for the nearest glass of water!
The scallop wonton in Sichuan oil is a popular dish, along with the Biang Biang pulled noodles, with a soup that’s really red because of the chilli oil. If you’re feeling fancy, try their chef’s menu, which includes wild venison tartare and lamb ribs.
| Pro Tip: If you aren’t used to spicy food, ask the servers for non-spicy options. This restaurant isn’t for the faint of heart because you’ll end up wanting to drink milk to drown out the spiciness. |
Caretaker
– Media credit: caretaker.nz
Website: https://www.caretaker.net.nz/
Address: Britomart, Downstairs, 40 Customs Street, Britomart Place, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact Information: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 5:00 pm – 3:00 am
Average Price/s: $13 (may vary depending on the personalised cocktails)
This sleek bar is reminiscent of the golden age of New York bartending. True enough, Caretaker experiments with different and new ingredients to create innovative cocktails.
A place like this is pretty hard to find, but look for the inconspicuous basement and find a door with the letter C at the top of the stairs and head down—the entrance is surrounded by old paint cans. Once inside, it’s dark, trendy, and sleek.
You can choose your cocktail from the menu, but the best part about this place is the bartenders will make the perfect drink that will match your taste. So, strike up a conversation and get ready to be wowed!
| Pro Tip: If you want to catch live bands, head over around 9:00 pm on a Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. There’s nothing like listening to good music while sipping on delicious drinks! |
Tanuki’s Cave
– Media credit: tanukiscave
Website: https://tanukiscave.co.nz/
Address: 319 B Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact Information: 09 379 5151
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 5:00 pm – closing
Average Price/s:
- Food: $6 – $22.50
- Drinks: $7 – $65
We love a good yakitori and kushiage (deep-fried skewers) bar, and Tanuki’s Cave is just that! Look for a neon sign that says, “The Cave,” and head down to the underground—just follow the smell of grilled chicken!
Each yakitori comes with two sticks per serving, and we highly recommend you order the scotch fillet steak grilled in yakitori sauce. Another must-try is the cheese kushiage, which is basically deep-fried cheese but deliciously good!
You’ll probably order a lot here, so if you want to try different things in one order, check out the yakitori set. It’s $22.50 and comes with a salad, chicken thigh, chicken wing, chicken mince ball, tender chicken and leek, and pork belly.
| Pro Tip: They only accept one bill per table. So if you’re coming with friends, you need to pay each other after leaving the restaurant.They don’t do deliveries and only accept pick-ups. Remember that these are only available from Tuesdays to Saturdays, starting at 5:00 pm. |
Bar Magda
– Media credit: bar_magda
Website: https://www.barmagda.co.nz/
Address: 25B Cross Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact Information:
- 21 127 9377
- [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday – Monday: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Thursday: 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Friday – Saturday: 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Average Price/s: $8 – $28 (subject to change depending on menu availability)
In Auckland’s CBD, you’ll find a sensual restaurant offering an interpretation of Filipino cuisine. It’s time to head over to Karangahape Road and search for a wooden door on Cross Street with a wooden Madga sign.
Underground, you’ll find a sleek and intimate atmosphere, and the orange ambient lights definitely add to the vibe. The food here changes depending on the season, so you’ll be surprised with new delicious meals specially curated with seasonal ingredients.
A bestseller and a staple is the lamb rib, which is topped with sambal paste and herbs. You also need to try their cocktails, which are inspired by Filipino ingredients with a twist.
| Pro Tip: Look out for new dishes, which they have quite often. Every season, they open their menu to new dishes that really should be staples! |
Deadshot
– Media credit: deadshot_nz
Website: https://www.deadshot.co.nz/
Address: 45 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Contact Information: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Average Price/s: $21, but will greatly vary depending on the order
A place that offers a unique experience is Deadshot. It’s definitely not your typical bar because there’s no menu here, so everything will come as a surprise once the bartender makes a drink based on your taste.
Incredibly, they can create something that customers will love, whether you’re looking for a sweet or spicy drink. But if you don’t like it, don’t worry because the bartenders will modify it to your liking.
The exterior of this place is not loud—there are no neon signs and bright colours. So look for Better Burger, and Deadshot is just beside it. You’ll probably miss it if you aren’t looking because it looks like a little house.
| Pro Tip: Make sure you have enough cash to pay. This bar isn’t cheap, and don’t be surprised to find your drink will cost $20 or more. |
Lucky 8
– Media credit: lucky_8_nz
Website: https://www.lucky8.co.nz/
Address: 161 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Contact Information:
- 02 197 8396
- [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Friday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 1:00 am
- Sunday: 11:30 am – 12:00 am
Average Price/s: $8.88 – $88
You’d probably miss Lucky 8 if it weren’t for a big black cat on the rooftop at Ponsonby Road. The entrance and stairs are painted black, so you may not see them immediately, but look for the mint green shop, Tatty’s, and they’re just beside each other.
Here, you’ll find affordably priced Asian tapas, usually starting at $8.88. It focuses on serving small plates that are packed with flavours.
It’s best to order a variety to get a taste of many dishes since you only get small portions. Try the pork dumplings, teriyaki salmon skewers, lamb skewers, and Aunty Ho’s glass noodles if you’re looking for delicious meals!
| Pro Tip: If you’re coming on a weekend or around dinner time, we suggest reserving a slot for walk-ins at their website. You’re not required to do that, but it can lessen wait times at the restaurant. |
Thursday Bar
– Media credit: thursdaynz
Website: https://thursdaybar.co.nz/
Address: 224 Symonds Street, Newton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact Information:
- 21 111 2143
- [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday & Friday Sunday: Closed
- Thursday: 6:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Members get access any day of the week
Average Price/s: Exclusive to members only
A very exclusive hidden spot in Auckland is Thursday Bar, which is an invite-only place that’s open only every Thursday. This is a small space situated beneath Symonds Street and can only hold up to 60 guests at a time.
Only members are allowed to come in, and it’s free to join, meaning you can inquire and sign up at any time. But they have a strict rule of only taking 500 members at a time, and those who are inactive will get their membership revoked.
It’s like this place is for the VIPs because there are no cellphones and a no-whisper policy, which definitely keeps everything discreet. So, bring your A-game and your wallet because prices will not be cheap!
| Pro Tip: If you know a member, you can ask them to nominate you. But remember that one member can only bring in one new member. |
Sly Bar
– Media credit: sly_kroad
Address: 354A Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact Information:
Operating Hours:
- Sunday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Thursday: 7:00 pm – 12:00 am
- Friday – Saturday: 5:00 pm – 1:30 am
Average Price/s: $10 – $40, depending on the cocktail and customizations
If you’re looking for a hidden restaurant, then you better start looking for Sly Bar. This speakeasy is located in the space that used to be an adult video store—look for the blue door, but not bright enough that you’ll notice it immediately.
Once you get inside, you’ll find yourself in a foyer—and don’t be scared of the mannequin. This spot is so secretive that we can’t tell you where the entrance is, but know that you’ll find it with just a bit of figuring out, and we don’t want to take out the fun!
Once you see a dimly lit room with a cosy and intimate ambience, then you’ve finally gotten in! Let us tell you that their cocktails – the elderflower gin sour is a particular favourite – are worth all the puzzling moments you will have to go through.
| Pro Tip: This spot is located just in front of a lamppost along Karangahape Road. It’s best to bring your friends so you can put your heads together and find the entrance. |
Glass Goose
– Media credit: theglassgoose
Website: https://www.glassgoose.co.nz/
Address: 78 Federal Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact Information:
- 09 379 9404
- [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 am – 1:00 am
- Friday – Saturday: 11:30 am – 3:00 am
Average Price/s: $6 – $44
If you aren’t looking for The Glass Goose, then you likely won’t find it. It’s a stone’s throw from Sky Tower; just look for a hidden staircase just off the street.
This rooftop restaurant, which remains hidden despite being outdoors, serves contemporary cuisines. Meals are also made for sharing, so bring your friends and family on a hunt for this restaurant right in the heart of Auckland CBD.
A highly suggested meal is their scotch fillet and their meat board, which includes prosciutto, chorizo, and salami. Their meals are best paired with wine, and a glass of cabernet sauvignon goes really well with scotch fillet.
| Pro Tip: The Glass Goose serves raw food, so it’s best to ask your server if you want to avoid these on the menu. Groups of ten or more must book a reservation. It’s easy to do via their website, and you can choose whether you like indoor or outdoor seating. |
