Urban List Guide To Auckland

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News

Dom Dolla Is Turning Auckland Domain Into An Open-Air Superclub Next February

Auckland, prepare accordingly: GRAMMY-nominated DJ and producer Dom Dolla is heading to Auckland Domain for his biggest-ever headline show in New Zealand.

News

Auckland’s $5.5 Billion City Rail Link Will Finally Open This September

After a decade of construction, years of disruption and plenty of anticipation, Auckland’s City Rail Link finally has an opening date.

News

Ragtag Is Coming To Depot For An Extra Special Collab This Month

Two of Auckland's most-loved restaurants are coming together for two days of exceptional food and even better vibes. Expect duck fat tortillas, big flavours and a great meal. 

Features

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Features

When It Comes To Business Here’s Why Everyone Wins When Females Are Backed

Women make up over half of Aotearoa’s population. But, according to Westpac, less than a third of our businesses are owned by women. 

Fam

Bex Jujnovich On Dinnertime Chaos And The Small Changes That Add Up

Bex Jujnovich gives us the honest version of what weeknights look like in her house. 

Things To Do

Laufey Tour 2026 Auckland: Set Times, What To Expect And Where To Go Before

Laufey is set to make her Aotearoa debut on Wednesday 12 August and, if you haven’t yet secured a ticket, you’d best snap one up, stat. And we have three passes up for grabs, thanks to Visa. 

Best Of Auckland

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Food & Drink

10 Of Auckland’s Most Romantic Restaurants For Date Night

We’ve rounded up ten of the most romantic restaurants in Auckland so you can take the guesswork out of where to go for the most romantic date night. 

Food & Drink

The Feed | The New Zealand Food News You Need To Know

Roll up, roll up. It’s time for this week’s New Zealand food news. Hot off the press (or should we say, toastie press) are all the tasty tidbits you need to know. 

Local Escapes

27 Of The Best Romantic Stays Near Auckland To Book In 2026

Does life feel so hectic right now that you’re missing out on those magical moments with your special someone? Check out these romantic getaways and magical retreats within driving (or ferry) distance from Auckland.

Things To Do

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What's On

10 Of The Best Things To Do In Auckland This Weekend

Take a sneak peek at your weekend, Tāmaki Makaurau. 

Things To Do

Just In: Olivia Dean Is Releasing Extra Tickets For Her Sold-Out Australia And New Zealand Tour

Be nice to each other, because hot new extra Olivia Dean tickets just dropped across all her Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland shows this spring. 

Things To Do

Auckland’s Inaugural Mushroom Festival Is Coming To Karangahape Road This Month

Celebrating all things funghi, the inaugural Auckland Mushroom Festival is bringing informative talks, great food and lots of fun to Karangahape Road this month.

Food + Drink

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Local Escapes

The Must-Save Hidden Haunts To Discover Across New Zealand In 2026

Forget the tourist hubs and ski slopes—these are the secret spots worth planning your trip around. 

Food & Drink

What’s Open This Matariki Public Holiday In Auckland 2026

Matariki is here and it's time to feast. 

Best Of

Where To Find The Best Banh Mi In Auckland In 2026

Whether you’re after a traditional Vietnamese ham, or a crispy crackling lid—let this be your guide on where to find the best banh mi in the city.

Local Escapes

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Local Escapes

25 Of The Best Airbnbs In New Zealand To Lock In For 2026

From rolling valleys to dense native forest and cliffs overlooking black sand beaches, we've found the most jaw-dropping Airbnbs across New Zealand that you can book for a getaway.

Local Escapes

18 Best Kid-Friendly Airbnbs In Australia For Family Fun In 2026

Fancy a kid-friendly weekend at a waterfront beach house with a gated pool? Or sneaking away to the hinterlands for a farmstay filled with horses and cows? You decide.

Local Escapes

Wellington Is The Cultural Capital You Can Actually Do In A Weekend

If you’ve got 48 hours and a curiosity for art, music, film and performance, this is your sign to make a beeline for Wellington. 

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Rest Of The Best

TV & Movies

46 Of The Best Shows And Movies On Disney Plus Australia (August 2026 Edition)

Kick back and dive into the best Disney+ has to offer in Australia and New Zealand for 2026.

Meet The Couples Behind 12 Of The Best Hospo Joints In Tāmaki Makaurau

We sat down with the couples behind 12 of our favourite eateries in Tāmaki Makaurau to find out how they met, what it’s like working together and where they love to go for date night.

Travel

The World’s First Sleep Pods Are Exclusively Coming To Air New Zealand This Year

Air New Zealand has just announced bookable lie-flat sleep pods for Economy travellers, and we’re losing our minds.  

U:L Recommends

30 Of The Best Australian Fashion Brands For Stylish Fits

Let's give it up for Australian talent. There's no denying that a whole heap of the best fashion labels right now are Aussie born and bred.

Health + Wellness

The Best Saunas In Auckland To Work Up A Sweat At

Self-care is getting steamy and it's set to stay that way. Here are the best infrared and traditional saunas to work up a sweat at in Tāmaki Makaurau. 

Features

The Best Op Shops In Auckland Where You Can Find Second-Hand Gold

Cue the Macklemore flashbacks. It's clear that thrift shopping—correction, op shopping—is f**kin’ awesome. Especially in Auckland, with the best op shops per capita, so we say. 

Things To Do

A One-Night Tokyo Sound Venue Is Landing In Auckland—And It’ll Be Gone By Sunrise

This one-off event is one to be experienced rather than documented. It’s been created around a simple idea: if every moment is unrepeatable, perhaps we should treat it that way. 

The Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants In Auckland In 2026

We've got some of the most savvy parent influencers to spill their secrets about where they (and their kids) love to dine, so your next dinner out with the family goes straight to core memory—for only the right reasons.

Food & Drink

The Best Gluten-Free Eateries In Auckland Right Now

We’ve looked high and low and we’ve scouted the best places to eat if you’re gluten free—because there’s no need to miss out.

Best Of

Where To Find Auckland’s Best Matcha, According To Two Matchaholics

Whether you’re a matcha convert or you’re curious about the vibrant green tea that's taken the world by storm, Tāmaki Makaurau has you sussed. Let's find your perfect match-a. 

Bars & Pubs

Cosy Up At Auckland’s 10 Best Bars And Restaurants With Fireplaces

The central tenets of winter are, inarguably, mulled wine, bubbling raclette and settling in for the night at a hidden bar. But there’s another vital ingredient to a winter’s night out on the town and it manifests in the form of a roaring fireplace. 

Food & Drink

16 Of The Best Sandwiches in Auckland in 2026

From a proper cheese melt, to a filling-forward focaccia situation on the go, there’s no shortage of a solid sandwich in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Food & Drink

Where To Find Auckland’s Best Pho In 2026

Here in Tāmaki Makaurau we’ve slurped our way to find the best bowls of steaming hot phở you can get in the city to find some faves we just keep coming back to again and again. 

Food & Drink

Your Oven Is Off Duty: The Case For Stress-Free Group Feasting This Winter

With winter’s indoor-socialising era officially upon us, hosting at home no longer needs to look like a Pinterest board brought violently to life. And we’re here to show you that the best hosts aren’t necessarily the ones making everything from scratch.

Beauty

How To Nail A Salon-Worthy Blow Wave At Home, According To A Top Stylist

We tapped a hair stylist for her go-to tips, biggest blow-wave mistakes and the tricks she swears by for achieving that fresh-from-the-salon finish from your own bathroom.

Food & Drink

The Best Ponsonby Restaurants You Should Eat At

From food courts to candlelit courtyards, casual eateries to date night-worthy dinners, the food scene in Ponsonby is world class—and all within walking distance too.

Best Of

The Best Steaks In Auckland In 2026

When it comes to steaks, the grills (and chefs) in Tāmaki Makaurau aren’t messing around. Whether you’re all about how it’s cooked (from charcoal to woodfired) or all about the cut, there’s a steak for every kind of occasion, big or small. 

Things To Do

Dripping With Naughtiness, The Return Of The Auckland Live Cabaret Festival Is Here

The mercury might be plunging in Tāmaki Makaurau, but there’s one spot in the city that’s only getting hotter this winter. 

Health + Wellness

The Best Hairdressers In Auckland For All Types Of Hair

​Auckland is a mecca for hair salons and when it comes to choosing “the one”, selecting a hairdresser to entrust with your precious locks is a big freakin’ deal.

Food & Drink

25 Of The Best Pies In Auckland Right Now

As Kiwis, a love of pies is practically in our DNA. These hearty pastries have been keeping us fuelled for generations and are the perfect meal for lunch, dinner, or even a cheeky brekkie.

Bars & Pubs

13 Of The Best Sports Bars In Auckland So You Can Catch The Big Game In Style

Sport is basically a religion here in Aotearoa, and meeting your mates to share a drink and yell sports-themed profanities is a rite of passage. And when you can’t make it to a game, there’s no better way to experience nail-biting sport than with a drink in your hand and plenty of people to create the vibe. 

Food & Drink

20 Of Auckland’s Best Bakeries Right Now

We’ve rounded up our go-to picks for that bakery run—whether you’re a sucker for a kiwi classic, a modern Asian sweet, gluten-free sausage roll or a vegan croissant—we’ve got you.

Food & Drink

Where To Try Ube In Auckland Right Now

Ube is having a main character moment in the food and drink scene across Aotearoa, and especially in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Food & Drink

Where To Find Auckland’s Best Hot Chocolates in 2026

Whether you’re a fan of a classic hot choc, or an indulgent one with melted chocolate, floating with marshmallows (toasted, please)—or a thick Italian-style custard situation, there’s a hot choc for every occasion here in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Food & Drink

The Best Ramen Joints In Auckland In 2026

From the first slurp of noodles, a jammy egg and fragrant char of the glistening piece of chāshū, to a deep and savoury, toasted sesame dotted broth—here are our picks for the best ramen in Auckland in 2026.

Things To Do

The Best Art Galleries In Auckland To Check Out Right Now

Whether you'd love to spend your weekend gazing at art-adorned walls with a quizzical look on your face thinking ‘what the heck is that!?’ or simply elevate your mind by marvelling at stunning artwork then we have found the best places for you.

Things To Do

The Best Museums In Auckland To Visit This Year

If you’re curious about anything (or everything), get yourself along to one of Auckland’s many incredible museums and prepare to expand your mind. From ancient relics to impressive architecture, lush outdoors to lifeforms past and present, Auckland has no shortage of intriguing historic collections to get amongst.

Things To Do

The Absolute Best Things To Do In Auckland

One of the side effects of writing for Urban List is friends and strangers alike are always sliding into my DMs asking for recs (which I dig, by the way). So I decided I should really be spilling my secrets here, for all of you, too. 

Food & Drink

Where To Find Auckland’s Best Dumplings in 2026

Ah, the universal dumpling. Enjoyed across cultures and family tables as part of celebrations, they’re found in all shapes and sizes across cultures. From steamed to pan-fried, and all the different varieties in between—there’s something comforting about digging into a big bowlful of dumplings. 

Things To Do With Kids

55 Of The Best Things To Do With Kids In Auckland All Year Round

Auckland is a pretty fun place to grow up. Consider this your ticket to never hearing 'I'm booored' again.  

Food & Drink

The Best Sunday Roasts In Auckland Right Now

​What’s a Sunday without a roast? We’re talking juicy, succulent pieces of meat drowned in gravy, paired with crispy, seasoned veges and—if you’re lucky—a fluffy Yorkshire pud on the side. 

Bars & Pubs

Auckland’s Best Quiz Nights To Test Your Mettle

Grab a pie and a pint, put your thinking cap on, and get ready to show off your obscure knowledge. Who knows? You might even come out on top. 

Food & Drink

The Absolute Best Cookies In Auckland To Munch On

As far as baked treats go, cookies are king, and we don't discriminate.

Restaurants

The Best Japanese Restaurants In Auckland Right Now

We love Japanese food an awful lot here at the Urban List. And who’s to blame us? From sushi to sashimi to sake, Japanese cuisine delivers deliciousness on all levels.

Food & Drink

The Best Vegan And Vegetarian Restaurants And Cafes In Auckland

Forget everything you thought you knew about vegan and vegetarian food. Far from its can-o’-chickpea origins, vegan fare is now unapologetically delicious.

Travel

The Best Things To Do In Fiji For All Types Of Travellers

Explore Fiji's best activities for every type of traveller in 2026.

Beauty

The New Beauty Products To Shop This Month, According To Our Beauty Editor

Welcome to the most fabulous corner of the internet—Urban List's destination for the picks of the beauty crop. This month, it's about scrumptious new scents galore, and a fair few revamps of our favourites. 

Food & Drink

How Our Editor Spends Golden Hour In Wellington

There’s a moment in Wellington when the day starts to soften and the city shifts gears. For our editor, this is Wellington at its best.

Markets & Food Events

The Best Markets In Auckland (Updated May 2026)

Make markets your favourite weekend morning ritual and kick on with mates for the night markets too. Here is our (extensive!) list of the very best Auckland markets.

Local Escapes

Hot Pools, Long Lunches And Lakeside Views: Here’s How To Spend 72 Hours In Rotorua

Swap your waterproof jacket for a robe and hiking boots for slippers, here’s how to spend a stress-free 72 hours in Aotearoa’s geothermal heart.

Features

11 Mother-Led Businesses To Support This Mother’s Day And Beyond

Here are 11 mother-owned businesses to support this Mother's Day and beyond. 

Bars & Pubs

Auckland’s Best Craft Beer Bars For When You Need A Cold One

Beer—it makes the world a better place and lucky for us hop lovers, Auckland’s craft beer scene is absolutely booming.

Food & Drink

The Best High Tea In Auckland in 2026

From vintage teacups to bottomless bubbles—here are our picks for the best high tea offerings across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Food & Drink

The Best Auckland Restaurants For Mother’s Day Feasts In 2026

Make it a memorable weekend (with Mother’s Day this year on Sunday 10th May) and gift her the love language of food, with a feast out in Tāmaki Makaurau.

U:L Recommends

The Best Mother’s Day Gifts To Spoil Mum With In New Zealand In 2026

This Mother’s Day, skip the generic gifts and celebrate with something truly special, while supporting the incredible businesses that make Aotearoa shine. 

Restaurants

The Best Korean Restaurants In Auckland

Korean food has officially taken over Auckland—and we're not mad about it. Whether you're in it for fiery Korean fried chicken, bubbling bowls of stew, or sizzling hot BBQ, this is your go-to guide to the best Korean restaurants in Auckland.

Food & Drink

What’s Open In Auckland On The ANZAC Day Public Holiday 2026

Whether you're after breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner or a little somethin' somethin' this ANZAC Day public holiday, there's loads to choose from. 

Local Escapes

12 Of The Best Large Group Airbnbs For An Epic New Zealand Vacay

Oh New Zealand, how we love it. Home to dramatic, unspoiled landscapes it’s one hell of a spot for a group getaway—and, once you’re there, all you need is the best Airbnb to take your longed-for hol to the next level.

Local Escapes

The Best Family-Friendly Stays In New Zealand For You And The Crew

Managed to wrangle time with the whole fam and tempted by a New Zealand getaway at the best Airbnb? You’ve come to the right place.

What's On

The Best Things To Do With Mum This Mother’s Day In Auckland

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, here are the best things to do in Auckland to celebrate. 

Beauty

The Best Brow Studios In Auckland

We’ve plucked, tinted and shaped our way to bring you the very best brow bars in Auckland. 

Things To Do

What’s On In Auckland This Easter Long Weekend

Whether it’s family brunch with an Easter twist, an Auckland staycation with the kids or an excuse to indulge in Easter hot cross buns and Easter treats—gather the crew for a relaxing weekend ahead, rain or shine. 

Food & Drink

Auckland’s Most Epic Easter Treats For You To Hunt Down In 2026

From doughnuts to gelato, or make it a complete weekend affair with an Easter High Tea—these are our picks for the Best Easter Treats for 2026 

Cafes

The Best Breakfasts In Auckland And Where To Find Them

Fear not, breakfast-lover—you’re about to have the ultimate list of the best breakfasts in Auckland right at your fingertips.

Best Of

The Best Pilates Studios In Auckland So You Bend And Don’t Snap

Let's get one thing straight—pilates may be a great tool for rehab but that doesn't mean it's cruisy.

Food & Drink

Takapuna’s Best Restaurants, Bars And Cafés And Where To Find Them

Takapuna is one of my favourite suburbs in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Not only is it home to one of the most popular beaches on the North Shore, it also boasts a long list of amazing places to eat and drink and that's a combo that makes this food writer very happy indeed.

Restaurants

The Best Restaurants In Auckland Right Now

At Urban List, we've spent a lot of time thinking about what makes the difference between a good restaurant and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland's very best. 

Restaurants

The Best Indian Restaurants In Auckland Right Now

From creamy kormas and crispy pakora to dry fire-breathing curries and fluffy biryani, here are the best Indian restaurants in Auckland.

Beauty

How To Do 2026 Beauty Right, According To An Insider We Trust

To help us whittle down our beauty choices for 2026, we’ve phoned a friend aka, beauty creator, Taylor Arona, to tell us her top five picks.

Bakeries & Delis

Auckland’s Best Hot Cross Buns For Easter 2026

Whether you’re a traditional spiced fruit purist, team chocolate, or partial to a custard cross, bakers are slinging all sorts and we’re here to give you our picks for the Easter season.

U:L Recommends

The Best Auckland Flower Delivery And Florists For Mother’s Day

Treat Mum with a beautiful bunch of flowers. 

Food & Drink

The Capital Culinary Crawl: 48 Hours Of Wellington’s Best Eats

From small batch spirits and sweet treats to world-class coffee and fine dining that'll mesmerise eyes and taste buds alike, consider this your guide to 48 hours of seriously good kai.

Things To Do

Robbie Williams Is Bringing His BRITPOP Tour To Auckland This November

Dubbed the BRITPOP World Tour, it’s part nostalgia trip, part greatest-hits fever dream, and entirely designed to have you screaming “I’m loving angels instead” with thousands of strangers.

Things To Do

Laufey Has Added Extra Sydney And Melbourne Shows To Her 2026 Australia And NZ Tour

After selling out in just minutes in 2024, this tour is your chance to see the siren once more and see why we're all swooning.

Fitness

Auckland’s Best Gyms According To A Personal Trainer

It's the time of year when we resolve to go harder, to be better, to move faster, and to get stronger—no wait, that might just be Daft Punk. In any case, here's our ultimate guide to Auckland's best gyms. 

Local Escapes

Where To Eat, Play and Stay Around Waiheke In 2026

When the summer season kicks in, you’ll see ferry-loads make a beeline over the water to Waiheke for the weekend. A day out in this little slice of paradise makes for a perfect weekend getaway—with minimal travel required. 

Things To Do

Enter A Sunshine State Of Mind Thanks To This Direct Flight On Sale Now

Early mornings, midweek departures, or late-week getaways—you’ve got options no matter what your week looks like.

Travel

Why A Sunshine Coast Escape Should Be Your Next Holiday

Your go-to guide for maximising a trip to the Sunshine Coast

Restaurants

The Best Italian Restaurants In Auckland Right Now

Dive into Urban List's top picks for the best Italian restaurants in Auckland.

Bars & Pubs

Where To Find The Very Best Bars In Auckland

We've rounded up the best of the best bars, with oldies, newbies and everything in between. No matter the specifics, all of these places have one thing in common: they're a damn fine spot to sink a drink.

Things To Do

Foo Fighters Are Coming To Australia And NZ With A Full Line Up Of Local Support Acts

After their "one night only" Tasmania show earlier this year, the Foo Fighters are heading to stadiums across Australia and New Zealand with local support acts on each stop.

Things To Do

J. Cole Is Heading To Australia And NZ: Here’s Everything You Need To Know

After dropping his seventh studio album The Fall-Off earlier in February 2026, J. Cole has announced a globe-spanning tour hitting more than 15 countries and over 50 cities, including major Australian and New Zealand shows.

Music

Zara Larsson Is Officially Touring Australia And New Zealand This October

Swedish pop powerhouse Zara Larsson is hitting Australia this October,

Entertainment

Keli Holiday’s New Record Capital Fiction Reintroduces The Peking Duk Star To The World

The musician shares the inspiration behind the new album's romantic ballads and synthy dance bops—and why he handed over the record release schedule to his fans. 

Things To Do

Brit-Pop Is So Back: Pulp Kicks Off Their Australian And New Zealand Tour This Month

Pulp are heading Down Under for the first time in over a decade. Hitting Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and two nights at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, here's everything you need to know.

Things To Do

Laneway Is Loading: These Are The Sips And Fits You Need In Your Lineup

We’ve whipped up a countdown guide to help you get the most out of Laneway Festival 2026. 

News

Your Guide To Lorde’s Ultrasound World Tour: Setlist, Start Time And Getting There

Heading to see Lorde live? Here’s everything we know so far—setlist clues, start times, what to expect and how to get there.

Food & Drink

From Pool Parties To It’s-Complicated: How to Pair Your Cheese Board This Weekend

Along with the balmy days, summer brings its fair share of unique situations. The same goes for summertime snacking.

News

A Giant Six-Metre Sun Installation Is Coming To Auckland And It’s Free To Visit

Touching down in Tāmaki Makaurau for the very first time, Helios is a jaw-dropping, larger-than-life artwork by renowned UK artist Luke Jerram. 

Best Of

Where To Go In Auckland CBD For A Quick, Nutritious, Cheap Lunch On A Weekday

The economy may be in dire straits but your bank account need not be—cheap eats are not a thing of the past. In fact, you can tuck into a lunch that’s quick and healthy for less than twenty bucks, even if you work in Auckland CBD.

Restaurants

The Best Cheap Eats In Auckland

Whether payday is a distant memory or you simply don’t want to spend your life savings on a meal, don’t go running for those two-minute noodles just yet. There are plenty of cheap eats in Auckland that are minimal on coin but maximum on deliciousness.

Features

Amelia Ferrier’s Guide To Hustle, Downtime, And Slowing Down In Style

Ava Wardecki caught up with culinary creative and all-round ray of sunshine, Amelia Ferrier, to chat about what it really takes to live that full-time recipe creator life.

Food & Drink

Pineapple Chilli Margs And Paloma-Style Mimosas: Here’s How to Be ‘That’ Host This Summer

Your status as host with the most is about to be renewed this summer.

Food & Drink

Where To Wine, Dine And Treat Your Lover In Auckland This Valentine’s Day

Hello lovers, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so if you haven’t made plans yet, you'd better hustle.

Things To Do

25+ Auckland Date Ideas That Aren’t Dinner And A Movie

Let us hear you say love. Whether it’s your first or your one hundredth date, a little thought goes a long way and a dinner and a movie just ain't it. 

Local Escapes

16 Of The Best Picnic Spots In Auckland

Nothing beats good food and breathtaking views, so why not combine the two and head out for a picnic. We've taken the hard part out of your picnic organisation and put together a list of 16 of the best spots you can set yourself up at around Auckland. 

Things To Do

Laneway Festival 2026 Set Times: Full Schedule, Stages And Biggest Clashes

Laneway Festival has dropped its set times, and with them, the annual tradition of optimism, denial and eventual compromise.

Travel

SailGP And Harbour-Side Stays: Our Team’s Insider Guide To An Auckland Long Weekend

We’ve rounded up our crew's tried-and-tested favourites  so you can skip the guesswork and dive straight into an epic Auckland getaway.

Travel

From Bucket List To Boarding Pass: 5 Trips To Book In 2026 With Air New Zealand’s New Year Sale

We’ve all fallen victim to the “yeah, soon one day” thought trap. 

Local Escapes

The Best Hotels In Auckland To Check Into Right Now

From boutique to five-star luxury we've scoured town for la crème de la crème, so without further ado, here are the best hotels in Auckland.