Life is full of delicious dynamic duos: a meat pie with a can of Coke, fish and chips, Tim Tams and coffee—need we say more? That’s why we’ve hunted down the best food and drink pairings in downtown Auckland, thanks to our mates at Good Group Hospitality.
Rally your foodie crew and head down to Quay street where you’ll find these delicious combos all within walking distance of each other. You’re welcome.
Champagne And A Lobster Roll
Dirty Laundry
What’s more luxurious than lobster and champagne? Served in a brioche roll with watercress and doused in cocktail sauce, this is one dish that belongs on every foodie's bucket list. Better yet, it comes with a mountain of truffle Parmesan fries. Match this with a flute of your favorite French fizz like Mumm Grand Cordon or Perrier Jouet, or, if your crew is feeling a little bit fancy, extra drop some cash on the bottle of Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle. You won’t regret it.
Sushi And White Wine
Harbourside
Unsurprisingly, Harbourside is situated overlooking Auckland’s harbour, so it feels right to indulge in some fresh seafood from their dedicated raw bar and tapas menu. Take your pick from an extensive sushi selection, including crunchy tempura crab, rainbow rolls, crispy chicken katsu rolls, melt-in-your-mouth cured salmon and succulent wagyu beef. Pair this with a crisp, fruity Chardonnay from Church Road or a dry riesling from Amisfield in Central Otago and you have yourself a heavenly combo.
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Dumplings And The Dragon Drop
White + Wongs
We love White + Wongs for their decadent Asian-fusion fare, endless small bites and elegant cocktail list. We suggest digging into their dumpling selection because, well… dumplings. We’re talking juicy crab and pork xiao long bao, prawn and coriander crystal skin dumplings, crispy chicken and shiitake mushroom moneybags with sweet chilli sauce, and flavoursome vegetarian wontons. Complete the dumpling feast with the Dragon Drop cocktail featuring Hayman’s gin, red chilli infused vodka and elderflower liqueur with lime, bitters and egg white—delicious.
Burgers And Daiquiris
Sardine And Burger Boy
Adjacent to White + Wongs you’ll find a dedicated cocktail bar: Sardine. Sitting pretty right on the waterfront, it’s the perfect setting to enjoy a lazy, after-work tipple. The extensive drinks list boasts creative cocktails, old classics, champagne, wine and more. We’re particularly taken by the Hemingway Daiquiri, a mix of Havana Club rum, cherry liqueur, lime and pink grapefruit, it’s seriously hard to stop at one. If you’re feeling peckish, you can order from the nearby Burger Boy and devour it while kicking back at Sardine. We recommend the zesty Korean Chicken burger with spiced chicken thigh, Asian-style slaw and Sriracha mayo. It’s a real crowd-pleaser.
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Fried Chicken And Craft Beer
Botswana Butchery
Let’s be real, nothing can beat a hearty helping of crispy fried chicken washed down with a Kiwi craft beer. Situated in the historic Ferry Building, the team at Botswana Butchery is nailing this perfect pairing. Their lunch menu offers chicken coated in Southern spices and deep-fried to crunchy, golden perfection. Level up the dish by adding a side of gooey bacon mac ‘n’ cheese to the mix and pair the flavour punch with a craft beer from Wellington brewers Black Dog or Heke Larger from Waiheke Island.
Ready to down these delicious pairings? Rally the crew and make a day of it exploring downtown Auckland and Good Group’s eateries.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Good Group Hospitality and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why, read our editorial policy here.