If there’s something New Zealanders know how to appreciate, it’s a well-cooked, tender steak. Coupled with roasted vegetables and a cheeky glass of fine red wine, you can’t go wrong with a simple steak dish.
Here's where to find the best steak in Auckland.
St. Marg's
469 Karangahape Road, Auckland
Image credit: Margo's | Wono Kim
Bistro pub, St. Marg's, does classics but not as you know it. We're talking fish 'n' chips with remoulade, BBQ sauce chicken breast with sesame-celeriac purée and a showstopping skillet pie with a suet-based pastry lid and that's even before we've got to their steak. Their enormous T-bone arrives covered in herbaceous butter with a hearty jug of Béarnaise sauce to douse it in, alongside just the right amount of lemon to cut through.
Tony’s Original Steak & Seafood Restaurant
27 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD
If your folks grew up in Tāmaki, you’ll know Tony's has been the original steakhouse since 1963. Based in the city centre, Tony’s has been lauded as the OG for many a family and date nights since it opened over 60 years ago. Go for the Carpet Bag, a surf 'n' turf crowd favourite eye fillet stuffed with juicy oysters.
Wynyard Grill Steakhouse and Wine Lounge
Shop 3/142 Halsey Street, Auckland CBD
If you’re looking for something a bit more fancy, Wynard Grill has a full grill menu complete with the Japanese A5 Wagyu. At $205 a pop, this is specialty black cattle bred in Kagoshima, Japan. These cows live a stress-free life and are fed well, resulting in the highest beef marble score and a tender, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth, elite steak.
The Grill
Horizon By SkyCity, 85 Hobson Street, Auckland
Image credit: The Grill | Facebook
A local institution freshly installed in Horizon By Skycity, The Grill is a panacea for grilled meat, veges, and fish including a bloody good steak. Speaking of, their offering is grassfed and from 100% New Zealand owned and operated suppliers (crucially, and especially when it comes to meat, the entire menu is sustainability-forward). You'll find steaks under "The Grill" section of their menu where you can match your mood to a prime cut, each of which is paired with pickled onion, confit garlic, and your choice of a veritable rainbow of sauces.
Porterhouse Grill
Pakuranga Plaza, 10 Aylesbury Street, Pakuranga, Auckland
Tucked away in Pakuranga Plaza, Porterhouse Grill may be an unassuming steakhouse but it ticks the boxes for being family-friendly and gourmet. With a Little Grill option for the kids ($16.90 steal for steak and fries), as well as gourmet steaks like the Mushroom Cheddar Melt, The Caesar Sirloin and Roquefort Fillet—think loaded monster steaks with all the cheesy, crispy and crunchy trimmings.
Milenta
210-218 Victoria Street West, Auckland
Image credit: Milenta | Facebook
Head into the city and you'll find Milenta tucked away in Victoria Park Market. Watch the chefs as they grill your ribeye steak over the open fire. Their smoked bone marrow and salsa roja are South American-inspired additions with your flame-kissed steak, and don’t forget the side of fried bread (essential).
One Tree Grill
9 Pah Road, Epsom, Auckland
Another of the best steakhouses in Auckland, One Tree Hill (we love a good pun) is approved by Oprah. Their pasture-fed rib eye fillet with agria spaghetti and bone marrow butter features in their a la carte, set and degustation menu, and is a standout alongside their stellar wine list. Did we mention an underground wine cellar and handpicked steaks?
Cazador Restaurant & Delicatessen
854 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Living up to its name—Cazador is Spanish for "hunter"—all the kai at this cult-worthy establishment is wild, organic, free range and sourced from hunters and gatherers across the country and we're so here for it. Head here for top tier charcuterie, sausages, and an entire leg of NZ Wapiti deer coked over charcoal and served with a herbaceous anchovy jus (ask for Their Feast menu).
Churly’s Brewpub & Eatery
1A Charles Street, Mount Eden, Auckland
Image credit: Churly's | Facebook
Two words: meat library. Beer and steak lovers rejoice, this mechanic's garage turned pub and eatery (plus brewing HQ and, yes, a Lady Butcher meat library) does monthly Prime Cut Steak Nights. Churly's resident meat sommelier highlights limited special cuts and shares the story about where the animal comes from. Their ever-changing menu also includes Argentinian influenced dishes and sauces such as humita, smoked chimichurri, beer jus and nduja butter.
Jervois Steak House
70 Jervois Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
With a variety of cuts from across New Zealand cattle farms, including grain-fed wagyu hailing from Japan and Central Otago, steak enthusiasts are spoilt for choice at Jervois Steak House. Other cuts include the wagyu short rib, slow cooked for 12 hours in jerk spice. Steak cravings during daylight hours? Summon their Power Lunch menu (available only on Fridays) where you'll choose a steak, side, and house wine for just $55. What a steal.
El Sizzling Chorizo
136/138 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Image credit: El Sizzling Chorizo | Facebook
If you've got an indecisive group of steak enthusiasts on your hands, El Sizzling Chorizo's the place to go. Our pick? Orejano Platter where flank steak and pork belly are cooked over coals, Argentinian style, complete with BBQ potatoes, bread and their famous house-made empanadas. As for the steak purists, they’ve got a 300g Scotch Fillet and house beer deal running, too.
Bushman’s Grill
31 Northcote Road, Hillcrest, Auckland
If you've ever heard a South African wax lyrical about a braai (a traditional BBQ) or any time of meat, for that matter, you'll know that a steak house set up by South Africans is going to be a vibe. And Bushman's Grill is exactly that. Head here for ribs cooked overnight and chicken marinated tender before being kissed by the flames. And on Wednesdays they do Rump Mania—a 300g rump steak and a side at $28 is definitely worth the trip over the bridge.
Picador Steak & Charcoal
A3/570 Whangaparaoa Road, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparāoa, Auckland
While we’re over this way, head further north and you’ll find Tuesday and Wednesday rump steak nights for only $25 at Picador Steak & Charcoal. Big rump steaks finished in charcoal for the ultimate smokey flavour and there’s even a kids sirloin steak menu with salad, fries and gravy. If you’re after something a bit fancier, they’ve got bacon-wrapped eye fillet with garlic butter and beer-battered fries. Hot damn.
Moo Moo Smokehouse & Grill
240 Ormiston Road, Flat Bush, Auckland
While we’re travelling, head the other way to Moo Moo’s, where you’ll find speciality steaks for those who want something a wee bit different to the usual number. Besides from what their name suggests, they’ve also got Denver Venison, Kangaroo and Ostrich and Alpaca steaks on the menu. They’ve also got Wagyu Tomahawk—wrapped in gold leaf. Don’t forget to add one of their memorable sides—their Shot Gun Shells are cannelloni tubes filled with smoked brisket and cream cheese, and wrapped in bacon. Yaaaas.
Turned vege part way through this article (or just got a hankering for some vitamins)? Feast your eyes on the best vegetarian and vegan eateries in Tāmaki.
Main image credit: Jervois Steak House | Facebook.