10 Of Auckland’s Most Romantic Restaurants For Date Night

13th Feb 2026

Written by:

Vicki Young
Freelance Sub-Editor | Urban List NZ

Whether it’s cosying up to a crackling fireplace with a wine, sharing snacks over candlelight, or experiencing the degustation dinner of dreams—Tāmaki Makaurau has the most romantic restaurants to celebrate love.

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. If food is your love language, read on. These are our go-to picks for the most romantic restaurants in Auckland.

Here are ten of the most romantic restaurants in Auckland.

Blue

Courtyard, Unit 1/1A Franklin Road, Ponsonby

If you’re after dreamy candlelit vibes, head to Blue on the corner of Franklin and Ponsonby Road. With their window seat underneath twinkling fairy lights and a cosy courtyard, this is the most romantic spot to unwind for a drink and stay on for dinner—by flickering candlelight or under the stars.

The music is always on point and service is welcoming and always on point—I could dine here for hours. With snacks like their take on House Kiwi onion dip and crisps with pops of roe, creamy burrata in fig leaf oil, and crudo with zingy black lime to name a few—as well as an essential Florets sourdough bread mop.

Don’t forget to check the chalkboard for what’s pouring—there’s always an interesting range of natural wines from around Aotearoa available by the glass. Whether it’s with the gals, with your lover, or just for you—there’s something about Blue that will make you swoon.

Insider Intel: They’re open morning through to night—pop in from 2-5pm for gildas, sourdough, olives, saucisson, Kiwi onion crisps and cheese with a glass of natty wine.

Best for: Intimate casual dinner by candlelight

Pici

Shop 22, St Kevin's Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central

It can’t get any more romantic than slurping on cacio e pepe with a bottle of red at Pici. From the main space to the cosy nook up top, to right out the front of the restaurant (with the heater on cooler nights), soak in the atmosphere that is Pici and the buzz of St Kevin’s Arcade.

Head on over next door to their newly redone wine bar and shop, for an intimate and cosy space to rewind with a nightcap after dinner, or bring dessert over (you’ll want both the olive oil cheesecake and snickers-vibe chocolate semifreddo with caramel and pistachio).

Insider Intel: While they do walk-in’s, the space is limited so bookings are recommended.

Best for: Pasta and natural wine

Tempero

352 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central

One look at the menu and Tempero has me at caipirinha and cheese puffs. But that’s just the beginning (trust us)—Tempero is Chef-owner Fabio Bernardini’slove letter to Latin culture. The snacks have my heart, with delicious bites like chicken hearts and crispy pig ears to start (perfect with a cocktail or two).

Make sure you dine with someone who wants to share, because there is no way you’ll be able to choose just one dish. From silky, lemony gnocchi, tender picanha with vibrant pico de gallo, to chicken milanese with a crisp katsu-like exterior, sitting in their popular Mole Negro. Lock eyes over cuatros leches (four milk sponge cake) and horchata sorbet to finish.

Insider Intel: Chef-owner Fabio learnt to make Mole Negro while living in Mexico City and working at Pujol—this sauce has around 40-50 ingredients and takes three days to make, to bring out those incredible layers of flavour.

Best for: Cocktails and mocktails, followed by lots of snacks

Apéro

280 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central

I absolutely adore the dining scene on Karangahape Road and Apéro is another one of these dining gems. A part of the K’Rd fabric since 2014, you’re greeted by comforting smells of Chef Leslie’s cooking as soon as you step inside the warm brick interior.

It’s like stepping into Mo and Leslie’s house. The food is unfussy, classic French that highlights beautiful produce. From their ever-changing pâté en croûte every week, homemade pork sausage with pickles and mustard, signature charcuterie board, to the famous soufflé—there’s something very cosy and comforting about Apéro.

Mo’s extensive wine list showcases unique wines from Aotearoa and around the world, and there’s always something interesting by the glass. Get ready for some deliciously memorable wine-food pairings with welcoming service.

Insider Intel: They’re closed on weekends, but open during the week for dinner (and lunch on Thursdays and Fridays).

Best for: Comforting French classics and exclusive wines

Lillius

19 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton

You wouldn’t expect something like Lillius, driving past a busy Khyber Pass Road. Step inside and it’s an oasis, elegant, refined and visually stunning—plush booth seating against rendered concrete, the open kitchen straight ahead.

It’s a beautiful space and a memorable dining experience at Lillius. Everything from the service to the degustation was on another level. I was very lucky to come here on my birthday and felt treated like an absolute queen.

Insider Intel: They have additional menu options on Sundays and B.Y.O. wines

Best for: A memorable special occasion dinner

Onslow

9 Princes Street, Auckland Central

Buzz into the luxurious International building and walk through to the elegant restaurant space that is Onslow by Josh and Helen Emett. Get ready for sleek and sophisticated snacks to start, like their signature crayfish eclairs and fried chicken with caviar.

Choose between shaken or stirred with a martini trolley in tow, with drinks expertly-made tableside to your taste. The menu celebrates the best of Aotearoa produce and there’s even a salmon trolley—and don’t leave without trying an exquisite dessert from their talented pastry chef.

Insider Intel: They also have an incredible cheese trolley where you can take your pick of cheeses tableside, with seasonal accompaniments.

Best for: The best martini you’ll ever have and fancy snacks

Paris Butter

166 Jervois Road, Herne Bay

Dining at Paris Butter is witnessing food become art, along with the flow and intricacies of fine-dining. From exceptional service, the culinary techniques and stunning plating, to hearing each story behind the dish from the chefs themselves—it’s all part of the Paris Butter experience.

I’ll never forget my first time there and seeing the beautifully plated duck breast with black garlic that looked like a stained glass work of art. Their latest menu includes ‘The Duck Tray’ course which celebrates the whole Cambridge duck—dry-aged crown with aromatic fennel seeds and Sichuan peppercorn, confit legs with duck garum and a rich tea made with the duck frames. If you’re wanting to impress your date, look no further than Paris Butter.

Insider Intel: Keep an eye on their events page and socials for exclusive collaboration dinners with international chefs—these one-off events sell out quickly.

Best for: The complete fine-dining experience

Tala

235 Parnell Road, Parnell

Date night just got even more delicious with Tala—Parnell’s hidden gem serving contemporary Samoan fare. The Samoan word Tala means ‘story,’ or ‘tale,’ and Chef-owner Henry Onesemo is telling the story of his food memories growing up in Samoa, but with a modern and fresh twist.

From tangy, salted plum dusted pineapple to dry-aged sirloin pisupo, get ready for a journey through nostalgic food memories from childhood. Grab a seat by the pass and watch dishes being prepared from start to finish with the umu—a traditional Samoan above-ground fire oven—or head to the cosy banquettes for an intimate dining experience.

Insider Intel: They are one of the few restaurants that partner with Aesop to create a full olfactory experience—adding another dimension to your dining experience at Tala.

Best for: Contemporary Samoan dining experience

Cave á Vin

146 Kitchener Road, Milford

Head to the North Shore because this hip natural wine bar in Milford is giving cosy casual date night with all the right snacks. Think signature sourdough with a crisp bitter crust like Marmite (we hear they use wine in it) and served with a generous amount of whipped browned butter, plus all the charcuterie and cheese, and an ever-changing blackboard of sharing plates hot and cold.

The staff at Cave á Vin are super knowledgeable and you’re always guaranteed something unique from their picks—last time I had a Romanian pet-nat with an incredible selection of cured meats and pickles.

Insider Intel: If they have the skillet cookie, then you must finish with it (they are baked to order). Vanilla ice cream addition is essential.

Best for: A hip French-Canadian wine bar vibe and great wine chats

The Wine Room by David Nash

2/43 College Hill, Freemans Bay

This is a new era of fine wine luxury—a combination of wine bar, private dining room, subterranean wine cellar, sun deck and retail space. For those champagne and caviar moments, The College Hill Wine Room by David Nash has got you—complete with a very extensive wine list (or should we say 23 pages of it) that takes wining and dining to the next level.

With a menu from Executive Chef and Partner Ryan Moore, expect excellent cookery with the seasons and made for sharing—from wagyu tartare with crisps, indulgent Comté cheese tart, to melt-like-butter Matangi lamb rack to name a few of the must-try dishes.

Insider Intel: Triple cooked potatoes are a must-add side (save the bone marrow butter from your bread course for extra indulgence).

Best for: A complete wine experience—ask the staff for wines to match each dish. Ask for a tour of the subterranean wine cellar for the full experience.

Looking for more dining inspo? Check out:

Main image credit: Blue | Instagram

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