From bistros and cafes to takeaways and food trucks, tipples enjoyed at home to beverages on tap—there are so many Māori-owned businesses you can support. Dine and drink like a local during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 by supporting a kakato (delicious) tangata whenua-owned pakihi (business) in Tāmaki Makaurau.
With the tournament kicking off at Ngā Ana Wai (Eden Park) in Tāmaki this month, it’s high time you planned out your itinerary for each match. And you know what that means team…kai and inu (food and drink) for pre, during and post-game feeds.
Have a ball checking out these epic Māori-owned businesses for all your food and beverage fixes during the tournament, thanks to our hoa (friends) at Whāriki and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. Whether you’re heading to a game or inviting the whānau to watch at home, there’s something for everybody to enjoy on this list.
Mt Atkinson Coffee
44B Portage Road, New Lynn
Stayed up late to watch the game? Get your caffeine fix at one of West Auckland’s best coffee spots. Enjoy a delicious parakuihi (breakfast) with a cup of its distinct brew and be sure to grab a bag of freshly roasted beans to enjoy a Mt Atkinson cuppa at home.
Beau
265 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
Seasonal kai and an excellently curated wāina (wine) list are the names of the game at this friendly neighbourhood restaurant. Not only is the food delicious—the vibes on point and the service immaculate—but with menus in both te reo Māori and English, the encouragement for diners to use kupu Māori when ordering deserves special recognition. Rawe!
Smokin Cole BBQ
108 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn
Smoky, meaty, mouth-wateringly good. Nestled in Grey Lynn, Smokin Cole BBQ is the perfect setting for a pre-game feed. If there’s one tip we can offer, it’s to invite the whole whānau cause the more you order, the more you’ll get to try.
Happy Hour
Available from New World, PAK’nSAVE, Farro, and other outlets
You’ll be bursting to try the refreshing drop that is Happy Hour hard kombucha—an alcoholic version of Mama’s Brew Shop’s organic kombucha—as your beverage of choice come game day. Create the perfect happy hour with a can of boozy booch, just as the name suggests.
Fantail & Turtle, Goodside
The Avenue, Smales Farm, Takapuna
Ideal for a pre-match refreshment, this bar and eatery exude manaakitanga (hospitality) and whanaungatanga (shared experience) in both its service and menu. With friendly staff, craft beer on tap, and a menu of seasonal kai designed to share, it’s a great one to visit with whānau young and old.
Homeland
11 Westhaven Drive, CBD
At the helm of the cafe, restaurant and food embassy that is Homeland is renowned chef Peter Gordon (Ngāti Kahungunu), a rangatira (chief) of kai for Aotearoa and the Pacific. If you're seeking a special Tāmaki dining experience that heroes kai Māori, this is certainly a destination worth visiting.
Blue Rose
414 Sandringham Road, Sandringham
Say it with us: Blue Rose’s hāngī pies are unmatched! Situated quite literally down the road from the stadium, it’d be remiss of you to not stop by the beautiful blue facade of this sweet little spot to grab a bite. A pie is the ultimate snack for a hīkoi (walk) to the game, nē? Score!
Morell Bistro
91/95 Upland Road, Remuera
The vision and expertise of the owner-operators behind Morell Bistro make this neighbourhood establishment one of Remuera’s best-kept secrets. The modern menu of Italian-style cuisine champions the finest produce, cooked with aroha (love), and their warm hospitality guarantees your dining experience to be especially enjoyable.
SPQR
150 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
Locals know the best place to settle in at this modern Italian spot is on one of the street-side tables, but if the weather doesn’t allow (because, Tāmaki), cosying up inside is just as good. Go for the oven-roasted snapper with saffron and herb risotto—and thank us later.
Harlan Pepper Food Co.
317 New North Road, Kingsland
Conveniently located in perfect proximity to Ngā Ana Wai, drop into Harlan Pepper for a bite to eat ahead of a daytime match. Known for its epic brunch fare and great coffee, we’ll probably see you there!
Pink Neon Sign
Ground Floor, 35 High Street, CBD
The kawhe (coffee) is strong, the tunes are vibing, and the pink details are a forever mood. Need we say more? Stop by for a takeaway or sit down to embrace the vibrant community feel of this rad inner-city coffee shop.
OHA Café
9 Kitchener Road, Waiuku
Whānau is at the heart of this family-owned and run cafe, located on the southern outskirts of Tāmaki. The name ‘Oha’ means abundance/generous/plentiful and is indicative of the friendly service and yummy kai you’re guaranteed to encounter at this buzzy spot.
Groove Bar
487 New North Road, Kingsland
Celebrate your team’s win (or commiserate if you have to) with a kanikani (dance) at Kingsland’s number one spot for a night out a mere stone’s throw away from the stadium. Serving up appetising eats and RnB beats, it’s good times all around at Groove Bar e te whānau!
Natalia’s Food Journey
Locations online
Satisfy your puku (stomach) with a visit to Natalia’s Food Journey, a food truck fast becoming an icon in the West Auckland food scene thanks to their soulful eats. Think pulled pork and slaw sliders, fried chicken, nachos, and loaded fries—we’re salivating just thinking about it.
The Kingslander
470 New North Road, Kingsland
Our list wouldn’t be complete without a dedicated sports bar—The Kingslander is the tahi. There’s no better institution for relaxing back with a cold one, tucking into some tasty bar snacks, and tuning into a game.
Tahu Drinks
Stockists online
Mark the occasion of a game night party at home with a TAHU gin and tonic for guests on arrival. Offer an array of garnishes like lemon, lime, berries, grapefruit, and lavender for everyone to put their spin on this classic inu (drink).
Ao Cacao | Ruma te Tiakarete, The Chocolate Room
Shop online
Fancy a sweet treat? With an impressive resumé of not one, not two, but three stints at Michelin Star restaurants, master pastry chef Thomas Hilton is the impressive artisanal chocolatier behind this decadent joint. Shop online to enjoy the decadent experience that is Ao Cacao.
The Hāngī Shop
583 Great South Road, Ōtāhuhu
Enjoy a traditional earth oven kai at The Hāngī Shop, with your choice of pork and chicken or lamb and chicken to accompany potatoes, kūmara, pumpkin, cabbage and stuffing. And don’t skip on Nanny’s rēwana bread e te whānau, it’s too good to pass up.
Toby’s Seafood
Branches in Ōtāhuhu, Massey, Glen Eden, Manurewa, Glen Innes
Do as tangata whenua do and pay a visit to Toby’s; the kaimoana (seafood) is as fresh as it gets. They might be most famous for their parāoa parai (fry bread) but honestly, the entire menu hits. Get your fill of fish and chips, cream pāua, kina pots, and boil up from one of their many locations across the city.
The Keto Food Co.
Available from New World, PAK'nSAVE, and Four Square supermarkets
Dine in and dive in. If convenience is what you’re after, don’t skip on The Keto Food Co.’s delicious and nutritious ready-made meal solutions found in your local supermarket. The range includes heat-and-eat keto meals, sides and sous vide meats.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 kicks off in Tāmaki Makaurau on Thursday, July 20. For more information, head here.
Whāriki is a Māori business network connecting Māori in business across the motu. If you are a Māori business owner or want to learn more about the Māori business community, check out the website and discover their rārangi pakihi (business directory).
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Whāriki and Tātaki Auckland Unlimted. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Image: SPQR, Beau, Fantail & Turtle, Groove Bar and Ao Cacao