The Best CBD Restaurants, Bars And Cafes In Auckland Right Now

There’s no doubt Tāmaki Makaurau is a treasure trove for the epicurious. No matter your budget and proclivities, there's a world-class eatery to settle into somewhere in our inner city.

So you can get straight down to business (power lunches very much included,) we’ve pulled together Urban List's pick of the best restaurants, bars and cafes to feast at in the CBD. 

Here are the best restaurants, bars and cafes in Auckland CBD. 

Never miss a new opening or upcoming event in Auckland again—get us in your inbox here.

The Best Restaurants In Auckland CBD 

East

63-67 Nelson Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: East | Facebook

Everything is vegetarian at East, proving you don't need meat for a gourmet, Asian-inspired feast (sorry, we couldn't help the rhyme). Vegans are equally looked after here. Find laska to dumplings, jackfruit buns, and heavnly mushroom and truffle dumplings. Oh, and their their Sunday yum cha is everything.

Gilt Brasserie 

2 Chancery Street Chambers, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Gilt | Website

If triple cheese souffle sounds like a bit of you, you'll want to wrangle yourself a table immediately at Gilt. Actually, any lover or refined comfort foods, bistrot faire and *that* dish you had in France many moons ago will find their delight here. Wine connoisseurs have endless options, and cocktail lovers can look straight onto the lively bar as they’re shaken about. P.s. People watching from their Chancery Street windows is a vibe.

Bistro Saine 

Inside Indigo Hotel, 51 Albert Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Bistro Saine | Instagram

Bistro fare in dimly-lit light is yours to unwind over in Bistro Saine. The all important steak tartare is on the cards, plus it’s grilled counterpart: the steak-frites. By the way, it’s fine in French culture to scoop up the sauces with bread—so do get an extra sourdough and cultured butter, okay?

Beauty oozes out of every corner here: Trinkets are smattered across surfaces while bold art, sleek dark wood, and vintage crockery sit in dim, candle-flickered light. 

BOSSI

10 Commerce Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Bossi | Website

A total crowd-pleaser, Bossi has everything you want in a glamorous Italian dining. You don’t need to look at the menu to know you want the Fettuccine alla Ruota—which is tossed in a Parmigiano Reggiano wheel and lashed with truffle oil for good measure. Best of all, it has its very own daytime deli to fix you up with everything from coffee to mortadella to go.

Advieh

1 Queen Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Advieh | Instagram

Middle Eastern food for the masses, whether you're on a spicy hot date, showing your in-laws around town, or dining with the pickiest palate. A totally new experience comes by way of Advieh's chicken pate baklava dish (a sweet-come-savoury dish that you just have to try) and a splash-out doesn’t come better than the whole dry aged duck. The buffet breakfast they offer is banging too.

You might also like: 

• Your Cheatsheet To All The Best Italian Spots In Auckland

• Where To Eat In Auckland If You're Gluten-Free

• Auckland's Top Dog-Friendly Restaurants And Bars

Metita

SkyCity, 90 Federal Street, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: Metita | Facebook

You want fresh? You’ll get it—beautifully—at Metita. Michael Meredith's Pacific fare is flavoursome and wholly inimitable. Cooked oysters with bone marrow are a stand-out,  and a visit isn’t complete with the Pacific special occasion meat, the crispy skin pork hock. Want to dial up the luxury? A private dining room—sleek, dimly lit, wooden and fabulous—is yours to book. 

Ghost Donkey

Commercial Bay, Level 2/1 Queen Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Ghost Donkey | Google for Business

Decked out with a starry red ceiling, this place is a serious contender in Tāmaki Makaurau’s Mexican food scene. Fill your face with their ‘carrot mince’ nachos or rather inventive taco fillings. We rate them for having one of the best ceviche dishes in town, where prawns and fish come together—in an ice cream sundae glass, no less. We told you Ghost Donkey is a bit of fun, alright. 

Le Chef

Vulcan Lane, 13 O'Connell st, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: Le Chef | Facebook

The sign of a good creme brulée is one that makes you work to crack into—literally. Find this, and a carbon-copy of french bistro dining experience at Le Chef. Croque monsieur, confit duck, terrine and charcuterie and (by pre-order) raclette is yours to chomp into. P.s. Rain or shine, you’ve simply got to sit en terrace.

1947 Eatery

60 Federal Street, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: 1947 Eatery | Facebook

Wrap your mouth around all the things at this atmospheric, modern Indian eatery where every mouthful is an utter delight. Cocktails at 1947 are serious business, often incorporating the fragrant notes of Indian cuisine. Oh, and you can’t skip dessert: Gulab Jamun (i.e. deep fried dough balls) are served syrupy, rose-tinted and with a dose of coconut coffee cream. 

Hugo’s Bistro

67 Shortland Street, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: Hugo's Bistro | Facebook

The menu may be ever changing at Hugo’s but one thing stays the same: The service is slick and the bistro fare is jaw-droppingly good. So much so that you’d want to lick your plate clean—if you weren’t in the presence of power-lunchers, that is. They do ruddy good eggs—and all kinds of breakfast offerings—too.  

Cassia

SkyCity, 90 Federal Street, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: Cassia | Facebook

A swish, light and bright restaurant whipping up some of the finest modern Indian cuisine around. Cassia is one of those sleek all-rounder restaurants—the kind that caters to a hot date or birthday bash just as much as it does your out-of-town parents. Courses after courses—both big and small—is the main ritual here, but we also rate it for a simple cocktail and pani puri pick-me-up. Plus, should find yourself dreaming about this dinner months to come, rest assured that Cassia’s curry sauces can absolutely be bought to enjoy in your own time.

Fat Puku’s Smashed Burgers

1/492 Queen Street, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: Fat Puku's Smashed Burger | Facebook

Smashed burgery goodness with ‘frosted’ skinny fries and milkshakes in a retro, neon-flecked wonderland. Not just any smashed burgers, Fat Puku's patties have edges so thin and crispy yo
u'd think they're some kind of lace. If timing works out, you’ll even find film buffs gathering for a cosy vintage flick here. Plus, we always love a restaurant named after a cat. 

Mexico

23 Britomart Place, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: Mexico | Supplied

Bite into seasonal specials, do a tequila tasting and revel in the rich culture that this menu pays homage to. Margaritas are Mexico's *thing* and each flavour has a booze-free counterpart (perfect for that workday lunch). Quesadilla and taco choices are pletiful—as are their gluten free dishes, which is basically all of them (thank you cornflower). It's fresh off a refurb, so expect quriky beauty at every corner plus a cosy upper floor. 

FISH Restaurant

Hilton Auckland, 147 Quay Street, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: Hilton | Facebook

Sustainably caught seafood paired with views of the glistening Waitematā Harbour at the pointy end of Auckland’s Hilton. The presentation of dishes at FISH is stunning—but we’d bet money on you ship-watching 99% of the time. Scampi tail eclairs, grilled crayfish tail, torched clams, flamed ora king salmon—they’re all here. 

Huami

SkyCity, 87 Federal Street, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: SkyCity | Facebook

Eat your way across China with a curated menu featuring flavours from Canton, Sichuan, Huaiyang and Beijing. Delish. Of course, peking duck is on Huami's menu—and in full display on their glass-lined pantry of produce. Get your cameras out when your cocktails arrive, because these puppies are pretty.

Bivacco

115 Customs Street West, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Bivacco | supplied

Saving your linen dress for a special occasion? The burrata at Bivacco is its call of duty. It wouldn't look amiss among the pastel interiors, striped canopies and of course, waterfront views. Spritzes are endless here—as are fresh, seasonal dishes with an Italian influence. Speaking of endless, they have one of the most sought-after Sunday buffets. Unlimited mozzarella? Enough said, really. 

Treat yo’self to a lavish Italian spread with a stunning view to match. Save room for a helping of their decadently creamy zabaglione-filled tiramisu.

Onslow

9 Princes Street, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: Onslow | Facebook

Another home run by the Emmett crew, Onslow has everything we love: An elevated menu that’s not afraid of being playful, fiercely chic interiors, and a pretty little flower-filled terrace to boot. Speaking of aesthetics, the crystal trinkets they serve items on are a delight (that paté, anyone?). An unmissable part of the experience is the Martini Trolley. Filthy, twisted, shaken, your drink is served up just how you like it table-side.

Alma

130 Quay Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Alma | supplied

You’ll want to take your worldly, hard to impress pal to Alma. They’re about Spanish spins on tapas, sharing dishes as well as the kind of show-stealing mains you categorically won’t be sharing. It’s a petite restaurant, but their wine list (also Andalusian) is huge—as is their gin selection. Also a great for out of towners— there’s a focus on fresh produce from our land and moana and views of the bustlind Britomart precinct.  

Seoul Night

Shop 1, 16/20 Fort Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Seoul Night | Facebook

Step through a drinks machine and you’ll find yourself in a subterranean Korean bar with the best anju (for the uninitiated that means Korean bar food) and refreshing soju slushies. Portions sizes at Seoul Night command you to wear your stretchy pants when you visit. Our pro tip? Round up a huge group of pals, and each choose a main to swap and share as you go. You're 100%  going to have a tricky time deciding on one dish. 

Culprit.

Level 1/12 Wyndham Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Culprit. | Supplied

Constantly creating new and surprising dishes, Culprit. is art as food incarnate. Come hungry and with an open imagination. Their ever-evolving dishes strikes an otherworldy balance between fine dining, comfort food, experimental cuisine, and even surrealsim.  A dash of theatre is guaranteed: if not by the sculptural nature of their foods, by their occasional trolley service. 

Mr Morris

Galway X Commerce Street, Britomart, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Mr Morris | Facebook

Renowned chef Michael Meredith’s exceptional restaurant slings modern Pacific and NZ flavours in the heart of Britomart. Mr Morris is nestled in one of Auckland's heritage buildings, and the ambiance is immaculate. Sleek enough to dress up for a special occasion (it's a fave among anniversary celebrations) yet casual enough to pop into post-work. Pro tip: the kitchen counter is the best seat in the house.

Esther Restaurant

QT Auckland, 4 Viaduct Harbour, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: Esther | Facebook

You’ve seen the puff bread blow up online (literally) alongside *that* basque cheesecake—now its your turn to see it for yourself. Visit mezze-style restaurant Esther hungry and with a friend (minimum) because there’s a lot to try, and thankfully it’s all designed to share. Any kind of baked cheese they have on rotation is a must-order, alongside at least one whole roast (ahem, the chicken). You'll leave full, comforted and thoroughly happy. 

Brew'd Hawt

151 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Brew’d Hawt | Supplied

In what world can your mac and cheese come dripping in chili oil? Four words: Vikki Lane’s Brew’d Hawt. Fried Chicken with an edge is their thing. So much so, they’ve devised the likes of szechuan, lemon pepper and Thai-tinged to flavour their chicken—and beyond. Have them as wings, slapped between burger buns, or even tacos. You’re the master of your fried chicken coma.

Mighty Hot Dog

47 Chancery Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Mighty Hot Dog | supplied

A deep-fried lesson in indulgence, sometimes you just need a hot dog on a stick rolled in dough, fried for the gods, coated in sugar and served with lashings of sauce. So when that craving hits, take yourself to Chancery Squar's Mighty Hotdog. Can't decide? Get a half-half of saussie, spicy ramen, kumara, potato with your mozzeralla. Sweet teeth are sorted: You can get a dough-covered moro or snickers bar, alongside salted caramel on a stick too. Bliss. 

Gochu

Commercial Bay Level 2/1 Queen Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Gochu | supplied

Two words: XO Noodles. Itty-bitty pork mince, served generously, with lashings of a spicy sauce and delectable noodles. Truth be told, it's hard to pin point a favourite in Gochu's elevated korean rotation. The spicy pork milk buns with beurre blanc sauce will change your life, whipped tofu with light crackers, and even their greens are incredibly addictive. There's a full bar on site to hook you up with (our favourite match) a crisp riesling—and more. 

Ahi

Commercial Bay, Level 2/7th Queen Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Ahi | Facebook

Translating to ‘fire,’ Ahi delights locals and travellers alike homegrown, authentic Aotearoa flavours. You’ll find unique produce like South Island tahr along side classic market fish and local crayfish on the menu. Comfort food classics are also given this spin: Kawakawa sourdough and their crispy potatoes with mushroom ketchup, for example. You might be tempted by a table overlooking Britomart Square here, but Ahi’s chef-side bench seating is where it’s at. (By it, flames galore and a buffet of whiffs). 

The Best Bars In Auckland CBD

Bar Albert

13 Wyndham Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Bar Albert | supplied

Welcome to the highest rooftop bar in New Zealand. You may need to wait to gain access to this jewel sitting pretty 38 floors up, but boy is Bar Albert worth the wait. We're talking a well-curated (mostly local) wines and beer list plus special champagnes. Cocktails are their thing—as is naming them, with Fog Cutter, Khyber Pass Road, Naked and Famous gracing the menu.  We also rate them for being one of the only spots in Auckland city that dishes up Flammkuchen: a light Alsacian pizza-like creation that's topped with crème fraiche, pancetta and onions.

Rocketman

10 Roukai Lane, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: Rocketman | Facebook

Kitted out in 80's space regalia with just the right amount of neon light, this spot’s the perfect place to escape from the world for a while, and maybe challenge a stranger to some karaoke. Interaverts, don't fret: There's plenty of plush booths and tables at Rocketman that lend themselves to quality conversations—or demure backseats during their comedy nights #hecklefreezone. 

Ground Wine Bar

10 O’Connell Street, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: Ground Wine Bar | Website

It’s everything a wine bar should be. Look out for a discreet emblem, take a vintage elevator down a floor (or staircase from yesteryear—equally charming) and venture into the warm arms of Ground Wine Bar. They offer curious and classic wines by the glass, where you can pull up with friends, or rock it solo with a good book in tow. 

The Nightcar

44 Queen Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Urban List | Wono Kim

Champagne trolley service and Chinese noodles galore. Need we say more? Well, actually we will: Cocktails. Cocktails, which are uniquely listed in order of strength and named by their key liquor at Nightcar. Come hungry, fall-off-the-bone lamb pieces and mix-and-match noodle bowls are something special. And if you feel like you're in a sleek dystopian space, you'd be right. It's inspired by the very Night Car in Snowpeircer (and you'll even find an Andre there). 

Caretaker

40 Customs Street, Britomart Place, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Caretaker | Facebook

Find your way into this sultry subterranean speakeasy and kick back as the mixologists whip you up a custom tipple (or three) inspired by yesteryear. The mood is cosy and dim at Caretaker—perfect for a hot date, or the all-important D&Ms among friends. It's all about grazing on the nibble front, with cheese and charcuterie sourced from near and far to bring out the flavours of your Mint Julep.

Mo’s

5 Federal Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Mo's | Facebook

You want to be a local here. Practically an institution, Mo’s has been—and still firmly is—vibing for yonks. Swing by for great cocktails, beer and wine, and stellar hospitality. Oh, and in a corner location that looks straight out of a metropolis postcard. 

Panacea

23 O'Connell Street, Auckland Central

Image Credit: Panacea | Instagram

You can’t put “unique” and “cocktails” in the same sentence until you’ve taken yourself to Panacea, sat near their Chancery Street-facing windows, and contemplated life over craft cocktails—or one of their handpicked whiskies. All of the cocktail distilling, batching, sorcery happens in house here. The results? Impossibly layered and unique cocktails that (we’re sorry to break it to you) you’ll never be able to recreate at home. All the better to come back, we say. After all, they’re open ‘till late every day of the week except Monday.

Soul Bar & Bistro

Lower Hobson Street X Customs Street West, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Soul Bar and Bistro| Facebook

You're not a real Aucklander if you haven't posed before Soul's petunia-clad verandah. A favourite for years now among Auckland's good-timers, jet-set and anyone who appreciates a sleek service, soul is just as much a bar as it is a restaurant. Salt and Pepper Squid has reached urban icon status in this town—as does their direct view of the Viaduct. We also rate parking up and enjoying a dessert alongside their cocktails as a little bite-sized indulgence. 

Mezze Bar

Durham Street East, Auckland CBD

Image credit: @anniethingtoeat | Instagram

The perfect place for spending a lazy evening sharing Mediterranean tapas and mezze. Plus. where you'll always cheeky slice of cake no matter the hour. Their chocolate cake is Bruce Bogtrotter-level gooey and chocolatey, as is their baklava. Their drunken raisin-drenched paté might be touted as a sharing dish, but you'll want a scoop to yourself. Another feather in Mezze Bar's cap? It's also one of the few restaurants and cafes in town that you can look out at Queen Street from. 

Queens Rooftop & Wineshop

Level 21/1 Queen Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Queens | Instagram

She's sleek, convivial and statuesque. From caviar bumps and sundowners, to a stand-out seafood tower, Queens the kind of place you could come for lunch, watch the sunset, and while until the wee hours of the morning. The food is shareable with a focus on the raw bar and grilled goodness. We will warn you though, you won't be able to bring yourself to share the chaat fries. Peep the frozen bed of kaimoana as you come in, and the handpicked wine bottles as you leave—it’s really an experience at every step.

Parasol and Swing Company

7/204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Parasol and Swing | supplied

Organic wine, mind-blowing cocktails and actually life-changing eats perched on a rooftop in the Viaduct—what’s not to love? Parasol and Swing may tout itself as a bar, but it's fully-stacked Californian-cool food menu gives you the full restaurant experience. You'll want to look out for their ever-rotating special cocktails: quirky tastes, colours and glassware await.  

The Churchill

Four Points by Sheraton, 396 Queen Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: The Churchill | Facebook

Gin lovers will be starry-eyed at this cracking bar. If not for the ritzy art-deco inspired interior, for the 170-odd gins stacking The Churchill’s bar. Not to mention, it’s sky-high dwellings—outdoor seating included. Go classic with a G&T that packs a punch or their bespoke gin-centric cocktails. Food here is classic, refined, and nods to yesteryear’s charm. Tuna tartare, and Churchill Cordon Bleu, anyone? 

The Best Cafes In Auckland CBD

Addis Ethiopian Cafe And Restaurant

233-237 Queen Street Auckland Cbd, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand

Image Credit: Addis | Google Business

Auckland CBD finally has a permanent purveyor of Ethiopian foods and we couldn’t be more happy. Welcome to Queens Arcade, Addis. Ethiopian style coffee is the cornerstone of their grab-and-go offering (and our city-side mornings) alongside hearty Ethiopian dishes served traditionally—many of them vegetarian too. Not sure where to start? One word: Tibs. They’re tiny, succulent beef pieces in a spiced sauce.

Paname Social

3 Lorne Street, Auckland City

Image Credit: Paname Social | Supplied: Website

Unabashedly Auckland’s greatest spots for people-watching (thank you Lorne Street-facing terrace tables,) Paname Social easily dishes up the best cafe fare in the city. Watch Auckland city wake up and rush by as you scoop up a gooey baked croissant. Or polish off a fresh espresso just as you would in Paris—after all, it’s modelled on the easy, effortless appeal of French local corner bistros. You’ll love it so much you’ll want to come back for lunch and dinner—which you absolutely can do, most days of the week.

Stolen Summer

18B High Street, Auckland Central

Image Credit: Stolen Summer | Facebook

There’s no better place to be a local at than this High Street hole in the wall. Stolen Summer’s staff are friendly, incredibly good at remembering names, and it’s filled with cute decor—plus dinky art, that you can even purchase if you want to gaze at it for longer than it takes to pour a latte. You’ll be sent out the door with a tiny cookie on top of your lid here and taking it feels like communion. It’s a sweet little ritual if we ever knew one.

Perch

23 Galway Street,Cnr Galway Street & Commerce Street

Image Credit: Perch | Facebook

It’s a leafy corner spot that’s seen many a delicious refresh in its time (a perfect metaphor for our city, really) Perch focuses on life’s essentials: Great fresh food matched with ruddy good cocktails. Wholefood bowls and mezze platters are at the heart of their offering—and let us tell you, these are packed with flavours, garnishings and bold sauces. It’s a pop-in affair here, so glide in on weekdays between 12-7pm when you need a break from the office, or pre train-ride home. 

Rude Boy Deli & Eatery

34 Sale Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Rude Boy Deli & Eatery | Facebook

Hefty, colourful portions and cabinet food that screams ‘eat me right now’.  You'll find one of the best selections of cakes by the slice in Rude Boy Deli & Eatery, with a few dotted in for seasonal celebrations. If you prefer your sugar coma with a bit of savoury, syrupy fried chicken waffles are a must. Ask politely and you might even be able to take home a whole cake. If all else fails, a rich slice for the road will do (especially if it's their new wobbly jelly one).

Scarecrow

33 Victoria Street East, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Scarecrow | Facebook

Part urban farmers market, part gourmet kitchen, everything at Scarecrow is top-notch and wholesome. Their Breakfast Greens will gently lift you out of even the worst hangovers. Plus, if you happen to spot a packet of their gravlax salmon in their fridges, then you simply must buy it. Sorry, we don’t make the rules.

Ima Cuisine

53 Fort Street, Downtown

Image credit: Ima's | Facebook

Home to a Hot Cross Bun pilgrimage for Aucklanders every April, Ima Cuisine has the best cabinet food in town. Baked foods take centre stage—among them are goopy caramel covered doughnuts, the biggest almond croissant in town, and your new obsession, eggy and starchy kachapuri. The same can be said for their sit-down food, which is all about mezze, middle eastern comfort foods. Ps, their soups are killer in the winter.

La Garde-Manger

466 Queen Street, Auckland Central

Image credit: La Garde-Manger | Facebook

One of the originals in Auckland CBD’s French food fare is La Garde-Manger. Crepes and Galettes (their savoury counterparts) are one of their crowning glories, and can be yours for brunch through to dinner. Should your eye wander from our favourite doughy friends, classic bistrot fare—hearty, casual, perfectly executed—is on the cards, including classic snails and confit duck legs. Warm service, wooden floors, gingham tablecloths. Pure bliss. 

Amano

66-68 Tyler Street, Britomart Place, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Amano | Google for Business

Start your day with a boutique smoothie. Or a shrub (middle eastern fermented drink). Or a breakfast martini. Or just, a seriously good flat white. All-day eatery Amano is a one-stop shop in every essence: there’s a nifty pastry cabinet, hot drinks galore, and a fully-stacked, seasonal, sit-down menu boasting sustainable, no-waste food. Bonus points for always having a 'dairy' section that's packed with mozarella of some sort, in their lunch and dinner menu.

Receptionist

Exchange Lane, 95 Queen Street & Unit 7 Little High Street, 59-67 High Street

Image credit: Receptionist | Instagram

If you like your coffee served by kind folks in a sleek monochrome uniform, take yourself to Receptionist, one of the only Japanese drip spots in town. You don’t need to muck about with umming and ahhhing on food, the offering is petite but iconic, with croissants as the focus. Our top tip? Go for the almond one, even if you have to wait an extra minute to have it fresh from the oven.

Chuffed

43 High Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Chuffed | Facebook

Devour a chilli scramble that’s everything, plus signature Black Forest crumpets or salmon-topped for those on the savoury side. When you eat here, you’ll walk out chuffed (we had to). No seriously, you might walk out with a rich slice of their fudge in hand or a second coffee—because their cold drip is really that good. Plus, they give you the option of adding a scoop of icecream to your joe. Sure, you may have to work extra hard to find Chuffed—given its hidden down a little alley off High Street—but it’s worth the minor hustle.

Slow Koi Manual Kohi Brew Bar

227 Queen Street, Strand Arcade, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Slow Koi | Instagram

Breathing life back into Strand Arcade in the sleekest of ways, Slow Koi is a Japanese-style cafe that's a tonic for tightly wound nervous systems, or if you just want to chill the F out. The interiors are black, brightened only by a minimalist aquarium behind the brew bar where koi fish potter around mesmerisingly. Perhaps that's also why the green of their matcha seems so verdant, and their manual brew coffee so punchy. Order a slab of their creamy Basque cheesecake (when it's going), choose oat or regular milk, Thea or Slow Koi's own matcha blend then sit back and revel in just existing. 

Hi Toastie

Elliott Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Hi Toastie | Instagram

'Gram-worthy lattes, puffy hot dogs, and toasted sandwiches that aren't messing around. All churned out from a cheery container box. Hi Toastie gives you the lunchbox you wished you had as a kid. You'll no doubt finish your toastie by the time you arrive back at your desk—so double up on your kaya toast or Hong Kong Style hot dog. Pro tip: save time by ordering yours online before you make the trek up to Elliot Street. 

Sumthin Dumplin

18/26 Wellesley Street & 12 O'Connell Street, Auckland CBD

Image Credit: Sumthin Dumplin | Facebook

Beef and cheese is a godly pairing, especially when wrapped in a wholemeal dumpling bun. Find this and tofu, pork, chicken, prawn varieties (all fried fresh and with rad names) at Sumthin Dumplin. You won’t have to wait long here but if you do, you’ve got a window straight onto the rolling and pinching station for a little daytime theatre.

Hungry for more? Check out: 

• Restaurants Across Aotearoa Worth Travelling For

• Quiz Nights To Flex Your Fun Facts At

• The Plant-Based Eateries You Should Know About

Main image credit: Bistro Saine | Website.

Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.