It's that time of the week again. Get ready to feast your eyes on all the hottest food news from around Aotearoa. We’ve got the inside scoop on all the latest and greatest openings, collabs, events, products and more so you can spend less time researching and more time munching (because priorities, people).
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Beat The Winter Blues With Mystery Gelato Month
Image credit: Little ‘Lato | Supplied
The team at Little ‘Lato are bringing a playful twist to their scoops this month—in the form of grey, activated-charcoal coloured, mystery gelato. With four different flavours to puzzle over (including vegan and gluten-free options), have a taste and take a guess at what the mysterious grey scoops could be (you’ll be surprised at how the flavours taste differently in grey). Pop into their Ponsonby or Hamilton store for a taste (or buy a scoop) and submit your guess of flavours, to win a free scoop for every correct guess.
Learn Cambodian Signature Dishes At This New Cooking Course
Image credit: Pan’s Table | Instagram
Architectural designer and passionate home-cook Pangnarith Mam (a.k.a. Pan’s Table) is bringing his fave family-style Cambodian dishes to Tāmaki Makaurau this week—at Onehunga High School’s Adult Learning Centre. From fresh salads and fragrant soups, to flavoursome sauces (like umami-rich prahok) and smoky beeswax-infused coconut rice for dessert, transport your tastebuds to a seat at Pan’s dinner table. Come hungry.
Transport Yourself to Lyon With Bare Wine’s Takeover
Image credit: Bare Wine | Vicki Young
Cosy up with all the wine, cheese and carbs at Bare Wine’s Lyonnaise Bistro pop-up. Les, Max and Mo from Apéro are taking a well-deserved break in France—while their mates Bertrand and Romain from Bare Wine are keeping the restaurant warm for the month. Expect potatoes and onions the Lyonnaise way—indulgently baked in the form of tartiflette (complete with half a wheel of cheese baked on top), luxurious bone marrow with sourdough—and if you’re game, melt-in-your-mouth escargots by the dozen, swimming in parsley and shallot butter. Park up with a glass of French wine and a couple of pillowy gougères to start, while you watch the world pass by.
An Ex-Wellington Patisserie Chef Is Gracing Ōtautahi With Her Dreamy Cakes
Image credit: Grace Patisserie | Vicki Young
Mariah Grace, a.k.a. pastry chef queen and owner of Grace Patisserie started as a patisserie and cafe in Te Whanganui-a-Tara back in 2019 and the people of Pōneke were absolutely spoilt with her elegant dessert creations (like the award-winning 'The Egg' festival dish for Visa Wellington On A Plate in 2019). After a wee break for family, Ōtautahi are now the lucky ones to have Grace Pastisserie’s presence—in the form of custom cakes and desserts by order only (with bookings just opened for the 2025/26 season).
Beervana Is Back With Bold New Brews And All The Snacks
Image credit: Keihei Korean Fried Chicken | Supplied
Crafties, assemble. Beervana is hitting Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s Sky Stadium this Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd August—with breweries coming from across Aotearoa and around the world, including three South Korean breweries making their Aotearoa debut. What’s a solid beer, without a solid snack from the impressive range of Beervana food stalls on offer—from Keihei’s Korean fried chicken, Bacon Bro’s BBQ brisket burgers and birria tacos, Little Polish Kiosk’s pierogi and kielbasa hot dogs, to Indian street food Ghee Spot—to name just a few tantalising snacks on tap. Get your tickets for the ultimate beer day out.
Level Up Your Charcuterie Board With The Art Of Wine and Butchery
Image credit: Huntress Wines | Instagram (Bonny Beattie)
As part of Martinborough’s Pour & Explore Winter Festival this month, Hannah Miller-Childs from A Lady Butcher and Jannine Rickards of Huntress Wines are teaming up for an immersive and hands-on butchery workshop with the luxury of wine pairing and artisan charcuterie to match. Hear from these super-talented and passionate wāhine as they share their craft, while sipping on a hand-picked wine selection and cured meats from the makers themselves. Sign up here.
Get Your Korean Soul Food Fix With This Hot New Takeout Spot
Image credit: Double Dog | Website
After five years of feeding Tāmaki Makaurau with their punchy Korean soul food flavours at Ockhee, the team closed up shop in June and we honestly didn’t know what to do with ourselves. But then they announced their new concept—Double Dog Takeaways—and we’re so stoked they’re back. Same crew, same good vibes, just in a different format that works better with the times. Hats off to you guys—can’t wait for those Ockhee faves (hello, japchae) alongside a next level, gochujang-loaded hotdog next takeaway night.
Indulge Your Inner Diva with Late Night Tuesdays At Auckland Museum
Image credit: Tuitui Museum Bistro & Café | Vicki Young
If you haven’t been to the immersive glam and star-studded Diva exhibition at Auckland Museum, then this is your sign to go. Even better, go on late night (date night) Tuesdays and treat your inner diva with the Diva-themed high tea beforehand at Tuitui Museum Bistro & Café inside the museum. Enjoy three tiers of treats, with our fave bite from Chef Billy and the team being their super soft, eggy truffle mushroom roll—plus a tipple of choice, like house bubbles or a classic cocktail (say less). Bring yourself and the bestie, it’s $89 for two people (excluding your Diva exhibition ticket). Book here.
This Fave Neighbourhood Cafe Just Became A Cocktail Bar By Night
Image credit: Juno | Supplied
When John and Jamie opened up Juno at The Greenhouse after closing up Omni last year (R.I.P. to pillow-soft sandos and the crispiest tempura eggplant ever), we got to see another side of their culinary talents—in the form of lush, daytime cafe offerings. Breakfast never felt more enticing (converting even the non-breakfast eaters)—from creamy porridge laden with poached seasonal fruit, to hearty seeded toast with mayo-cloaked eggs and pops of anchovies, and we can’t forget that vienna (complete with a thick layer of aerated cream over chilled, citrus-infused americano). Back in December, they had plans to open a wine and cocktail bar, and we can confirm it’s worth the wait. Open from Friday 15th August, expect offerings from Chef John like a changing rotation of fresh kaimoana, classic steak tartare, crudités, cheese selection and dessert—alongside your glass of wine by the bar.
Drop Everything, Burger Welly Season Is Now In Full Swing
Image credit: Zelati | Supplied (Tessa Calogaras @tessacalogaras)
Visa Wellington On A Plate have kicked off their month-long food festival in Te Whanganui-A-Tara. With over 200 burgers kicking off Burger Wellington (and a Double Vision Brewing pint to match), events and pop-ups with themed menus, unique restaurant experiences and international guests, we’ll be eating our way from breakfast through to dessert—including this viral Dubai chocolate number, remixed into a plant-based burger form from Zelati. Make your last burger (meal) of the day a dark chocolate gelato and pistachio creme knafeh one, sandwiched in a pistachio-buttered, chocolate brioche-style bun. Available from their Porirua store only, until Sunday 24th August.
Cue The Tears, Neat Cakes Is Shutting Up Shop
Image credit: Neat Cakes | Instagram
Tears were indeed shed as I watched a reel this week announcing the closure of the one-and-only Neat Cakes (the sentimental backing track from T. Swift certainly didn't help). Jack Orsbourn has been churning out some of Auckland's most incredible cakes from her kitchen on Dominion Road for the past two-and-a-half-years (though her baking journey started far, far before that) but sadly, the time for her unique brand of plant-based goodness has come to an end as she faces continued uncertainty around the shop's lease, and takes a well-earned break. The shop's official last day of trade will be on Saturday 23 August (though nationwide delivery will be available until Wednesday 27 August, and there'll also be a bake sale for Gaza in collaboration with other venues on Sunday 24 August. Get all the final date details here). In a heartfelt Insta post to her customers, Jack writes: “There’s a million things I want to say but most importantly I want to say thank you for loving my cakes and accepting me for who I am. I’m sure I will share a few more words over the next month and lots of tears so please make the most of coming into the shop while you can.” When really, the thanks should go to you, Jack, for your incredible contribution to the cake scene here in Auckland, and beyond. —Kathryn Steane
A Month-Long Winter Festival Has Descended On Auckland's Viaduct, And It's Fire
Image credit: Grape & Olive | Instagram
Things are getting heated at Auckland's Viaduct this month, with the launch of the first-ever By The Fire festival. Described as 'a curated, precinct-wide celebration of warmth, ritual, and connection, all inspired by the elemental power of fire,' this festival runs throughout August and features themed eats and drinks from many of the area's best dining destinations. Look out for Hello Beasty's food cart, serving dishes hot off the hibachi grill—an ember-charred, flame-grilled, smoke-infused lunch courtesy of Esther—and warming winter cocktails from the likes of Grape & Olive (pictured), Bivacco, and Frida Cocina Mexicana & Tequila Bar. Don't forget to also check out the incredible bonfire sculpture complete with log seating, crafted by local lighting genius, Angus Muir. —Kathryn Steane
And It's That Time Again, Auckland—Restaurant Month
Image credit: Heart Of The City | Website
And finally, in case you hadn't already heard, August is also Restaurant Month here in Auckland. In foodie speak, that means a whole lot of exclusive events to sink your teeth into along with menus at three price points ($30, $45, or $55+), each designed to deliver serious bang for your buck. As usual, eateries around the city are pulling out all the stops, with some of my fave offerings including a noodle crawl (why hasn't anyone thought of this sooner?), a 1920's speakeasy-style takeover of La Zeppa, and a collab between SOUL and Aussie Restaurant Bar of the Year 2024, Icebergs. —Kathryn Steane
An Epic Spring Food Festival Has Entered The Chat With 70 Events Across Two Months
Image credit: Savour Group | Website
The team at Savour Group have cooked up some of Auckland's best eateries (Bivacco, Azabu, Ortolana, Ebsiu and Non Solo Pizza amongst them). And now they're cooking up more than 70 unmissable food and drink experiences across 18 venues as part of their Spring Food Festival, running from August through September. Incredibly, some events have already sold out but if you're interested in an Aperol-fuelled ladies lunch at Bivacco (18th August-12th October), a garden-to-glass wine dinner at Ortolana (10th August) or my personal fave, a night of fire, flavour and fine whisky with THE Colin Fassnidge, presented in partnership with Glenfiddich and also at Bivacco (24th September), jump on over to their website and secure tix while you still can. —Kathryn Steane
What else is new? Here are the best new openings in Auckland you need to check out.
Main Image Credit: Keihei Chicken | Supplied (Wellington On A Plate)