The North Shore isn't just about sun, sand, and surf, it's also about beautiful food and drink. As a matter of fact, we reckon some of the city's best restaurants reside on this side of the bridge. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of our most-loved spots on the North Shore for a feed.
In no particular order, here are 15 of the best restaurants on the North Shore. Happy eating!
The Milford Motel
1A Shakespeare Road, Milford, Auckland
Image credit: The Milford Motel / Instagram
One day, we hope to tick Palm Springs off our bucket list. Until then, you'll find us sipping on cocktails and grazing over share plates and pizza at Auckland's very own slice of the famed Californian city, The Milford Motel. Featuring a gorgeous fit-out that captures the PS theme perfectly (think splashes of pastel, oversized white umbrellas, cacti, strings of fairy lights, and even a nostalgic hotel sign), this spot EATS.
Osteria Uno
140 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, Auckland
Image credit: Osteria Uno / Instagram
Auckland is spoilt for great Italian joints, and this charming neighbourhood local—located inside a former butcher's shop—is dishing up some of the very best. Under the watchful eye of hospo power couple Jordan and Sarah MacDonald (who also own Duo and Bon Pinard, which may or may not also appear on this list), you'll be treated to plates laden with beautiful handcrafted pasta alongside freshly shucked oysters, burrata, and a hella good tiramisu. Buon appetito.
Fantail & Turtle
Goodside, Smales Farm, 72 Taharoto Road, Takapuna, Auckland
Image credit: Fantail & Turtle / Facebook
Fantail & Turtle has more than just a memorable moniker going for it—this bar/eatery has been earning its keep as one of the best spots on the North Shore for a drink and a bite to eat, with the awards to prove it. Settle into their beautiful, botanical-like spot (one word: glasshouse!) and whet your appetite with platters, pizzas, buttermilk fried chicken, and jalapeño wontons. Don't forget to also whet your whistle, with drinks ranging from cocktail trees, to one of the most impressive gin selections in all of Auckland. (Psst, check out more of our favourite Takapuna eateries here.)
Olle
52 East Coast Road, Milford, Auckland
Image credit: Olle / Instagram
Korean and Kiwi tastes combine in the most glorious way imaginable at Milford's new fusion eatery, Olle. Drink in the jaw-dropping interiors before settling in for a feed of the following: whipped kimchi mascarpone with housemade crisps, prawn nuggets with lemon mayo and lettuce, Korean fried chicken with maple soy and chili sesame, market fish crudo with pear, chili vinaigrette and dashi granita, and the finishing touch—espresso crème brulee with biscoff crumble and chocolate gelato.
Rosie's Red Hot Cantina Takapuna
The Strand, Takapuna, Auckland
Image credit: Rosie's Red Hot Cantina Takapuna / Facebook
Few things get us fired up like a feed of Mexican. Enter Rosie's Red Hot Cantina, a hot new addition to the North Shore dining scene where cool, cantina vibes mix with cheeto chicken tacos, quesadilla pizzas, churro ice cream sandwiches, and an ever-changing menu of slushy margs. And as if that wasn't incentive enough, know that they also run epic specials, every day of the week ($7 tacos on Tuesdays, for example).
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Tokki
87 Kitchener Road, Milford, Auckland
Image credit: Tokki / Facebook
Chef Jason Kim needs no introduction (however should you need one, he's the guy responsible for creating Gochu's famous-in-Auckland milk buns). In his first standalone venture, Jase is dishing up mouthwatering Korean dishes with a refined flourish such as epic metre-long noodles, melona s'mores, and dumpling-stuffed chicken wings. Oh, and a whiskey and chocolate cart for afters.
The Engine Room
115 Queen Street, Northcote Point, Auckland
Image credit: The Engine Room / Facebook
Anyone who's been a long-time North Shore resident will know of The Engine Room. This Northcote icon has been serving up a successful blend of bistro-style faree with friendly service from its former post office digs, for close to two decades. Pick over goat's cheese souffle and chicken liver parfait for starters, steak frites and the Auckland-famous pork schnitzel for mains, and cheeses or handmade Valrhona truffles to finish. Oof.
Khu Khu Milford
91 Kitchener Road, Milford, Auckland
Image credit: Khu Khu Milford / Facebook
We've been going steady with Khu Khu Ponsonby for several years now, however we're recently opened up the relationship and welcomed in a third party... Khu Khu Milford. This North Shore iteration of the vegan Thai phenomenon is dishing up exotic, flavour-packed dishes that will have you questioning whether indeed you need to eat meat—think 'duck' drunken noodles, crunchy kumara spring rolls, 'pork belly' stir-fry, deep-fried banana ice cream, and colourful cocktails to boot. That's hot.
Duo Eatery
138 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead. Auckland
Image credit: Duo Eatery / Instagram
This chic little spot on a leafy Birkenhead street is a bonafide triple threat, serving up breakfast, lunch and more recently, dinner. It's also bought to us by the MacDonalds, aka the owners of Osteria Uno (above) and Bon Pinard (below), which means good times (and more importantly, good grub!) is guaranteed. Elegant plates of fresh, artisanal fare are the order of the day here, including juicy oysters, steak tartare, crispy eggplant, paua doughnuts, and lamb ribs; with refreshing spritzes to wash it all down.
Semola
1 Moana Avenue, Orewa, Auckland
Image credit: Semola / Facebook
If wining and dining in the manner of Jay Gatsby sounds like your cup of tea (or in this case, whiskey, as there's also a dedicated whiskey bar here), make the sojourn north to Semola. Here dazzling art-deco interiors collide with gorgeous Italian food and cocktails, including an incredible value-for-money long lunch. Bellissimo.
Ramen Takara
4 Anzac Road, Browns Bay, Auckland
Image credit: Ramen Takara / Facebook
No guessing what this humble spot—which also has a sister branch in Ponsonby—does best. However this is no ordinary ramen joint. Owner and exec chef, Yuki, is the daughter of a successful ramen shop owner, whose business operated from the foot of Mount Fuji (we're not even joking). Slurp your way through no less than 13 kinds of ramen, ranging in flavour from traditional to fusion, along with snack-style goodies and larger shared plates (the karaage chicken is particularly popular).
Cave à Vin
146 Kitchener Road, Milford, Auckland
Image credit: @jamesfitzy_ / Instagram
Checking out cosy wine bars is one of our favourite pastimes, which is how we came across this charming venue in Milford. Channelling the chicness of a tradish European wine bar ('cave à vin' means wine bar in French, after all), it offers natural wines by the glass or bottle combined with a mouthwatering menu of share-style plates to pick over. Knock back some primo vino, then stuff your face with cheese, charcuterie, and a skillet cookie for afters. You're welcome.
Bon Pinard
134a Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, Auckland
Image credit: Bon Pinard / Instagram
Well well well, if it ain't another entry from the dream team that is Jordan and Sarah MacDonald. Bon Pinard is their most recent endeavour and as expected, it's ticking all the right restaurant boxes. Taking the form of a French wine bar, this one pairs small, snack-style plates (stuffed olives, burrata, and baguette with butter, that sorta thing) with an incredibly considered drinks list, inviting interiors, and warm service. Oui oui!
Tokyo Bay
20 The Strand, Takapuna, Auckland
Image credit: Tokyo Bay / Facebook
For real deal Japanese with a side of sea views, promptly make your way to Tokyo Bay (which, btw, has a number of awards up its kimono sleeve). Indulge in shared plates of sushi and sashimi, gorge on gyoza, or go full feast mode with one of their tasty dinner boxes; washed down with a nice cold Asahi beer or Japanese soda. Naturally, the only right way to end your night is with a scoop or ten of green tea ice cream.
Hanoi Haven
40 Hurtsmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland
Image credit: Hanoi Haven / Facebook
Call us weird, but we get unusually excited about eggplant chips. Especially the kind that's low-key gigantic, covered in more batter than our arteries would probably like, and slathered in a glorious ginger-soy sauce caramel, from Hanoi Haven. But make no mistake, this Vietnamese spot has more than amazing aubergine up for grabs; crispy sping rolls stuffed with pork and prawns, steaming hot beef pho, and one extremely memorable iced coffee are just some of the other delicious dishes you'll encounter. And let's not forget the stylish fit-out.
Want to fuel up on even more foodie goodness? Check out:
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- Auckland's Best Brekkies
- Vegan + Vegetarian Eateries You Simply Have To Visit
Main image credit: Hanoi Haven / Facebook
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