Where To Eat & Drink In Auckland

Finding a restaurant to eat at in Auckland on Christmas Day isn't always easy (the phrase 'needle in a haystack' springs to mind). Well never fear, 'cos we've done the hard yards for you and found out who's open to play host this year so you can sit back, relax and make merry while someone else does all the work.

We love a good market, especially one with the word 'Christmas' attached! So hop in the car, crank up the Mariah (your secret's safe with us) and head along to one of these incredible Christmas markets coming to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this holiday season.

Beginning as bench buddies in matching chef’s whites, Laura Metcalf and Kelsie Culpan are the best mates behind one of Auckland’s most beloved bakeries.

Ho, ho, holy snowball. December is nearly here and it's time to get our Christmas party on. Is it just us, or did this year really sneak up on us?

The new Italian restaurant from the couple behind Baduzzi and The Grove looks to northern Italy for inspiration. 

Tapped cocktails are set to be the new pint this summer, with your next ice cold pick-me-up just a mere pour away.

The new 'supper house' aims to serve the community however it needs it, with an English and French-leaning menu, great drinks and a friendly vibe. 

Expect bangin’ beats, a little mystery, a few tricks and a whole lot of treats with nights fuelled by Kraken Black Spiced Rum. 

There are hotel restaurants, and then there are restaurants that just happen to be inside hotels.

The team have turned the former Bonita space into a new sandwich shop serving everything from chicken caesar salad to fish and chips inside sliced bread. 

Set to evoke the spirit of the elegant eateries in department stores in cities like London, Paris and New York, Lottie's has a distinct international feel 

We’ve brought together three of Aotearoa’s most recognisable creative voices to get a little closer to the people behind the art.

New Zealand’s biggest city is made for a long weekend, here's how to do it right.   

Londo's Bob Fairs will be partnering with Pici's Jono Thevenard to cook a six course meal as part of Auckland Feast festivel in November. 

It has been a big year for New Zealand's food scene and things show no sign of slowing down. Auckland Feast powered by Mastercard will launch in November, turning the city into one big food festival. 

Jack Cashmore will bring his two-hatted restaurant from the central North Island to Auckland's Kauri Bay for two nights as part of the Auckland Feast festival. 

Just three months after closing its doors, Rosalia's is set to reopen with its former head chef at the helm. 

Opening up Sydney's West for Kiwis looking to get away, Air New Zealand will be kicking off non-stop flights on 26 October 2026 to Western Sydney International Airport.

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. 

Auckland bartender PJ Renaud has won the 2026 Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series.

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

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.

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.

Father’s Day is just around the corner (6 September if you’re wondering) and while not all of us have a father we almost certainly all have someone who’s unabashedly cracked dad jokes with reckless abandon.

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. 

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

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

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. 

Matariki is here and it's time to feast. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

​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. 

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. 

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

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.

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

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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 

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

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

In Te Waipounamu's (South Island) largest city, a quiet transformation is unfolding. Ōtautahi Christchurch's dining scene is redefining New Zealand gastronomy—rooted in resilience post-earthquake, regional produce, and a new generation of chefs who are rewriting the rules.

Embark on a sensory journey across Aotearoa’s culinary map—connecting the dots between region, producer, and restaurant. It’s not just where to eat, but why it matters and sharing a kōrero with those turning local treasures into global experiences.

From locally-sourced produce to award-winning wines—it’s time to put Aotearoa under the spotlight, showcasing the magic that happens when multi-cultural culinary creativity meets incredible produce grown in Aotearoa soil. 

We’ve said it before but we’ll say it again: rooftop bars are the shiz. What’s not to love about sitting sky-high, sipping on a beverage and taking in an epic view? Auckland’s best rooftop bars are dotted across the city and come in all shapes in sizes.

It’s the festive season—or should I say feastin’ season—and if you’re a bit of a sweet tooth who cares more for the pav station than ham this Christmas, read on. 

Buckle up—here’s our hit list of New Zealand spots where the journey and the destination both steal the show.

With thatched-roof farmhouses and world-renowned udon on her must-do in Japan hit-list, we asked Nozomi Inoue for the ultimate run-down on her favourite hotspots.

No matter your budget—from cheap and cheerful to total baller—there’s all manner of top-tier eateries to sink your teeth into.

Private dining is the ultimate fantasy—home-style dining (if your home’s hella plush) surrounded by all your favourite people, where tastebud tantalising dishes materialise in front of you, care of a top-tier chef. If I’m dreaming don’t wake me up.

If there's one food trend that's defined 2025 thus far, it's Dubai or knafeh chocolate. What started as a candy bar bringing together pistachio cream, tahini, and kataifi (a type of shredded pastry) inside a crackable, paint-splattered chocolate shell, created by Sarah Hamouda of Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai—has inspired an infinte number of copcats across the globe, and just as many sweet treats (think cookies, pastries, even cocktails). 

For tasty kai with bangin' views, make a beeline for the Auckland Viaduct. 

There’s something about dancing I just can’t get enough of. Whether it’s dancing in the moonlight, dancing in the dark or dancing in the rain, there really is nothing greater.

From chic patisseries and pretty pink ice cream parlours to boujee burger joints, Ponsonby's got it all.

With its top-notch eateries and unrivalled views of the Waitematā Harbour, Wynyard Quarter is one of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s most beautiful spots.