Auckland’s Best New Restaurant Openings Of 2026 You Need To Know About

Here at Urban List New Zealand, we spend a lot of time thinking about the next meal. Whether it’s a bar, bakery, restaurant or pop-up event, we’re all ears (and appetite). From restaurant collabs (check out The Feed for food news across Aotearoa every week), special events, or new openings from seasoned hospitality legends—Tāmaki Makaurau hospitality is a thing of resilience, flavour-forward creations and all about sharing culture and ideas, one tasty plate at a time.

Here are the best openings in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland right now. 

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Aka Rooftop

Level 15 Radisson Red, 33 Lorne Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Views of the city from Aka Rooftop | Vicki Young

Having just opened for bookings this month in May, Aka is the largest outdoor rooftop bar in Australasia, perched above Tāmaki Makaurau right in the city centre on Lorne Street. With panoramic views and a modern Asian menu (Aka means ‘red’ in Japanese), expect Southeast Asian-influenced bites led by seasoned Head Chef Edberg Loh (Marina Bay Sands, Cafe Hanoi, Xuxu Dumpling Bar). From juicy karaage with ginger marinade, crunchy san choy bau, to wontons loaded with crab—and that’s just to name a few of my picks on the mouthwatering menu. Make your way (up 15 levels in fact), stat. 

Agnès

98 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead

Image credit: Agnès | Supplied 

Agnès is all about bringing back old school hospitality of classic bistro food done well. From breakfast matcha yoghurt soft-serve to their house-made Cumberland sausage with beef fat chips during the day, to chef’s ideal burger (we’re talking dry-aged beef, raclette and onions) with wine over golden hour. There’s something for every kind of appetite at this all-day to night neighbourhood eatery and wine bar. Plus, we hear their toffee pud is worth saving room for. Read about our visit ahead of their opening day here. 

Aarth

1/333 Parnell Road, Parnell

Image credit: Aarth | Supplied 

Aarth is the debut restaurant from chef Vicky Shah (Cassia, Sidart, Ki Māha) reimagining modern Indian dining in Tāmaki Makaurau. Translating to “deeper meaning,” Aarth is about exploring the history, emotion and symbolism in Indian cuisine. Get ready for flavour combinations that will excite your tastebuds from snacks to desserts (yes there’s two) and have you reaching for another drink (check out their stylish Kindle cocktail list).

From a playful pink-hued kokum oyster dotted with vibrant green curry leaf oil, whitebait bhaji with lime leaf chaat masala, their take on a Kiwi Butter Chicken in snack form, or transport yourself across India with their choose-your-own chutney adventure with “lamb and too many chutneys.” It’s tender, spicy, comforting, refreshing and you’ll want to save some aloo paratha for that chutney mop. Finish with a nostalgic nod to “Mango Lassi,” complete with charred pineapple, mango custard and pops of sweet lychee. 

Aarth’s menu is a love letter to flavour and texture inspired by heritage, a delicate balance of spices and pleasantly unexpected combinations of ingredients at each bite. Currently open nights from Wednesday to Sunday, 5.30pm to late (with daytime offerings coming soon).

Bravo at Cracker Bay

9 Westhaven Drive, Auckland CBD

Along the Auckland Harbour is the latest marina addition Cracker Bay at Westhaven—Bravo at Cracker Bay is giving dreamy dining by the water, from breakfast through to night. Start the day with tiramisu French toast, or savoury options like nduja flatbread (do add a fried egg) for breakfast. Snack on prawn toast for lunch and dinner, or push the boat out (pun-intended) with The Bravo Seafood Platter—complete with prawn toast, market oysters, sashimi, tuna tacos, plus the option to add half a crayfish. There’s something for every appetite on the menu come dinner—from smash burgers to steak frites, rally the crew for an all-day getaway at Cracker Bay, the new summer hang. A sister to Ayrburn in Arrowtown, finish the night with one of their Ayrburn wines while admiring one of the best sunset views in Tāmaki Makaurau. 

CURIO

Corner of Wyndham &, 151 Queen Street, Auckland CBD

Formerly Little Culprit (across the road from Culprit), is Culprit’s new bar chapter Curio, a newly transformed cocktail and wine lounge, for “the unique and uncanny.” Decked out with old-school film treasures along the bar walls, Curio bar is a nod to Kyle Street’s fave films from the 80s and 90s, particularly the 1984 film The Gremlins. From refined cocktails layered with flavours that will throw you back to nostalgic memories of breakfast crumpets (cue beverage director Liam McLennan’s crumpet-infused bourbon with maple syrup and marmite ‘Old Fashioned,’ a.k.a. ‘Krump’) to non-alcoholic offerings of all their signature cocktails, thanks to the talents of their friends Project Hydrosol. Pair your sip with snacks from Culprit across the road (we’re looking at you, garam masala fried chicken—and if you’re feeling extra hungry, Culprit’s epic kaimoana platter).

Den Ramen Bar 

22A Cross Street, Newton

Image credit: Den Ramen Bar | Supplied

Tokyo street ramen food truck Miso-Ra and the Pici crew have opened their joint venture Den Ramen Bar just off K’Rd (on Cross Street) earlier this month. For those who have been following Miso Ra’s food truck locations across Tāmaki Makaurau for that miso ramen fix, you can now check out this new brick and mortar chapter tucked just off Karangahape Road. Open for walk-ins only—we’ll see you there for comforting bowls of shio, shoyu and miso ramen, as well as an excellent snacks and drinks list. From pork shoulder chāshū in a chicken and snapper broth, chāshū pork shoulder and belly in a soy chicken broth, to a flavoursome vegetarian miso ramen with all the veggie textures, we’re excited to slurp our way through the menu as the seasons change. With Kirin on tap, chilled red, sake, cocktails and ramune on the sip list…I’m eyeing up a yuzu negroni and grilled snapper snack, before digging into a hearty chashu-topped, steaming bowl of ramen already. 

Goldie's Bar & Yard

138 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna

Image credit: Goldie's Bar & Yard | Supplied

Goldie’s Bar and Yard has just opened in Takapuna, bringing a slice of Wild-West-meets-Palm-Springs to the North Shore with this latest new venue from Star Group. Expect long lunches featuring Southern-inspired bites and cocktails through day to night, and get ready for big line-dancing energy in the golden-hour glow (along with live country music and a mechanical bull if you dare). With bites like Goldie’s fried chicken (don't forget the bourbon BBQ sauce), a fluffy slab of "Texan toast" with a big quenelle of jalapeño honey butter on top, and their show-stopping Honky Tonk Hammer of slow-roasted beef shin to share (pre-order only)—along with a cracker drinks line-up featuring Goldie’s own beers, plus cocktails (and mocktails) like cinnamon foam Cowboy Cold Brew and Arnold Palmer's Southern Iced Tea. Bring your dancing shoes (or should we say cowboy boots) and head to Goldie’s, stat. 

Hapunan

2 Anzac Avenue, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Hapunan (CBD store) | Facebook

For those who have been to Hapunan in Huapai or been lucky enough to get a plate of their sell-out Lechon Kawali meets Bicol Express at the night markets (I have fond memories of that crispy spiced chicharon topping from my encounter at the then Balmoral Street Food Markets), you’ll be stoked to know they’ve opened up their second store in Tāmaki Makaurau city centre earlier in March. Don’t forget to get their award-winning Adobo del Diablo (pictured)—and a scoop (well, container-full and we’re not complaining) of house-made ube ice cream to finish too.

蒸味轩 Little ShunDe

414 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket

Having just opened their doors a few weeks ago, Little ShunDe is a slice of Cantonese comfort food, specialising in a dry-steaming technique from the Shunde region of Guangdong—locking in flavours and all the natural juices in ingredients. Known for their specialty dry-steamed ribs (and cauliflower for the vegetarians), as well as comforting claypots and congee, it’s no wonder this restaurant has been humming since day one—expect to wait for your table, often with queues out the door during peak lunch and dinner time.  

Mulleti - Nonna’s Kitchen & Spritz

Located in Ponsonby Central, 136/146 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby

The newest addition to Ponsonby Central is Mulleti, a Roman-style forno (bakery) from Enis Baçvoa (the award-winning pizzaiolo behind Tāmaki Makaurau institution Dante’s). Choose from Roman tray pizza by the slice (paying by weight and choosing from different pizzas and toppings in the same order), long Roman pizza sandwiches, Roman street food (with fried faves like pizza fritta), and comforting baked pasta straight from nonna’s kitchen. Speaking of nonna, every slice, pasta al forno, fritto and snack at Mulleti, is their way of sharing a piece of Enis’ mother’s kitchen with Ponsonby too (look out for her beautiful photography by the entrance).  

Mussel and Chip

2 Anzac Street, Takapuna Beach

Image credit: Mussel and Chip | Instagram

Kaimoana (especially kutai a.k.a. mussels) lovers rejoice, Takapuna has a new chippery in town—Mussel and Chip—and they’re serving mussels by the dozen, with all the tallow-fried chips and fluffy focaccia sides (for that essential sauce mop). Owned by Jake Bartrom, a second generation mussel farmer—these are as fresh from farm to chippery as it gets. Choose from chorizo vodka tomato, a Vietnamese broth-inspired dozen, classic Paris Butter and wine, Thai-infused coconut with crispy shallots, buffalo-style blue cheese sauce or natural (with lemon and parsley). We’ll take all six dozen with a crisp local beer on tap (they also have cider, wine by the glass, non-alc options and free soda water too). At the time of writing, I’m eyeing up their just-in, fried mussels, along with a comforting bowl of mussel chowder. Make your trip over the bridge, stat. 

RETURN

165 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby

Image credit: RETURN | Supplied (Photography by Amber Soljan)

Return is a nod to husband and wife duo, Chef Matt and Barbara Lambert’s Aotearoa homecoming—a return to independent hospitality and their internationally-recognised culinary innovation they’re bringing to their next chapter in Tāmaki Makaurau.

With signature snacks like chef’s take on ‘fish & chips,’ featuring a beer-battered cracker with cured white fish, pickled onions, fresh herbs and house-made tartare, to a decadent deep-fried bone marrow topped with kina (yes, you heard that correctly), to name a few of the flavoursome first bites ahead of the rest of the menu showcasing Aotearoa kaimoana and wild game, alongside fresh, seasonal produce. Read more about our visit here.

Roe

279 Parnell Road, Parnell

Image credit: Roe | Instagram

Head into the golden sandy oasis that is 269 Parnell, and make a beeline for Roe. Having just opened in May from the team at Rhu, you’ll know they have a knack for doing classics right—elevated and dialled in with attention to all the textures and layers, and in this case, to make the ultimate fish sando of sando dreams. From a shatteringly crisp tempura batter encasing freshly filleted fish, refreshing crunch of finely chopped lettuce and creamy, tangy, house tartare sauce between freshly-baked milk bread—it’s everything you’d ever want in a fish sando. Don’t leave without a soft pretzel in soft serve with fish caramel for dessert too.

Special Mentions

The Corner

602/604 Remuera Road, Remuera

Image credit: The Corner | Supplied

The Corner has officially reopened with a refreshed menu and interior, offering a new chapter for one of the neighbourhood’s most loved locals. In collaboration with local recipe developer Melie Ferrier, the kitchen team has introduced a menu that reimagines pub classics with modern, shareable favourites, designed for everything from casual catch ups to long evenings with friends. A standout on the menu is Melie’s Lumache alla Vodka, featuring lumache pasta tossed in a rich vodka sauce with prawn, nduja, and Parmigiano Reggiano.

The menu update is complemented by an interior refresh across the bar, courtyard, and bathrooms by Ctrl Space—drawing on classic London pub inspiration with modern touches. The refreshed brand identity, designed by Lucy Kirkwood of Friends of Friends (who also designed Waterboy) mirrors the open and inviting energy that defines The Corner experience.

The Grill

Located in Horizon by SkyCity, 85 Hobson Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: The Grill | Supplied 

Chef Lesley Chandra has recently taken up the helm as Head Chef at The Grill, and the latest additions to the menu reflect the elegant and refined style you may recognise from his former restaurant Sidart. From a nod to a nostalgic Kokoda from his childhood in Fiji presented as Market Seafood Ceviche (with pops of sea grapes), to his Thai-style lamb cutlets with lemongrass, lime and cashew (a reflection of his time at acclaimed Auckland restaurants). 

Along with the existing menu, the wagyu steaks at The Grill need no introduction. Seared and rested in their own fat, we recommend their dry-aged bavette cut from Southern Stations Wagyu in Ōtautahi—an underrated, flavoursome cut.

Cassia Residency at Ozone

1/18 Westmoreland Street West, Grey Lynn

Image credit: Cassia x Ozone Grey Lynn | Supplied (Photography by Sahil Patel)

Award-winning modern Indian restaurant Cassia has entered an exciting new chapter, with their Grey Lynn residency at Ozone Grey Lynn, ahead of the re-opening of Cassia’s new forever home on Albert Street (in Auckland’s CBD) later this year (see below). From Wednesday 17th June to 15th August, diners will be able to experience a special Cassia and Ozone residency menu while their flagship restaurant is being completed. It’s a full-circle moment for Ozone Head Chef Karol Troncoso, who previously worked at Cassia and is now back in the kitchen alongside Sid, Cassia Head Chef Ketan Joshi and the team. 

Along with a special tandoor, new menu highlights feature Delhi style butter chicken, alongside fan faves such as pani puri and their famous Mughlai lamb chops (with smoked yoghurt, pickles and coriander). Plus, they had me at Moreton Bay toast and ghee lamb sausage rolls too. Save room for dessert: there’s lychee and yoghurt sorbet, and a decadent chocolate kulfi featuring cumin caramel and Ozone’s coffee ganache—this residency is definitely not one to miss.

The residency runs on Wednesdays to Sundays, from 5pm to late (and we hear there’s an Ozone lunch special on the menu with Cassia chicken kebab during the day too, plus great coffee). Walk-in’s welcome, but book to make sure you definitely have your seat here.

Coming Soon

La Buvette by Bare Wine

104 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn

Bare Wine is expanding above ground, with their eighthirty coffee and local pastries from Copain since opening their doors to their new home mid-May, with a cave à manger coming soon. Meaning 'refreshment stand,' or a casual bar in French, we're so excited for a place to grab a glass of wine and great snacks to come soon at their new home. While La Buvette is currently open during the day (Wednesday to Saturday, from 7am to 2.30pm) they're still at their Brown Street spot for a wee while (at the time of writing, we're told Bertrand and Romain are back in the kitchen for one last service hurrah together from Wednesday 1st to Saturday 4th July before the move to La Buvette around the corner).

Cassia (v3)

Albert and Wyndham Streets, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Cassia | Supplied

Award-winning modern Indian restaurant Cassia is on the move after their residency at Ozone. Set to open later in August—the new home beside voco Auckland City Centre will be Cassia’s new permanent home, after almost three years at SkyCity (having relocated from the flooding to their Fort St restaurant back in 2023). Expect all the signature faves from Cassia on the menu and many more exciting new bites to come.

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