Urban List Guide To Auckland

Discover the best of Auckland — where to eat, drink, explore and escape, plus local news and cultural must-reads, all curated by Urban List.

News

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Flight Of The Conchords Have Just Announced Their First NZ Tour In 14 Years

The much-loved Kiwi band will return for a full tour of their home country for the first time in 14 years.

News

Auckland Bartender PJ Renaud Wins Jameson Bartender Series With Pavlova-Inspired Cocktail

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

News

Is The CRL Going To Give Auckland Its Spark Back? These Small Business Owners Think So

Businesses around Auckland's new CRL Stations have spent years enduring construction, dust and road closures. Now, as the city prepares for the new underground train system to open, we chat to business owners near the stations about what they're expecting to change.

Features

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Fam

Bex Jujnovich On Dinnertime Chaos And The Small Changes That Add Up

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

Features

When It Comes To Business Here’s Why Everyone Wins When Females Are Backed

Women make up over half of Aotearoa’s population. But, according to Westpac, less than a third of our businesses are owned by women.

Things To Do

Laufey Tour 2026 Auckland: Set Times, What To Expect And Where To Go Before

Laufey is set to make her Aotearoa debut on Wednesday 12 August and, if you haven’t yet secured a ticket, you’d best snap one up, stat. And we have three passes up for grabs, thanks to Visa.

Best Of Auckland

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Best Of

26 Of The Best Lakefront Airbnbs For Your Next NZ Adventure

From Queenstown stunners to tempting Taupō stays and a cosy Lake Hawea cottage, Urban List has been sniffing out some seriously good lakefront contenders for your next NZ vacay.

A number of delicious-looking Korean dishes which you can feast on for cheap.

Restaurants

The Best Cheap Eats In Auckland

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.

A gorgeous wooden table sits outside this peaceful Hokotika stay for outdoor, beachside dining

Local Escapes

24 Dreamy Beach House Airbnbs In New Zealand To Book In 2026

NZ boasts some seriously gorgeous beaches and some of the best Airbnbs right by the water.

Things To Do

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A bartender is busy behind the bar while a sports game plays on a massive screen at Tyler St Sport.

Bars & Pubs

14 Of The Best Sports Bars In Auckland So You Can Catch The Big Game In Style

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.

Travel

The Early Bird Travel Hack: What To Book Now For Your Euro Summer 2027

If your winter has been spent scrolling wistfully through everybody else’s Euro Summer because you snoozed on snagging flights last year, this is your opportunity to right that wrong.

Food & Drink

Your Oven Is Off Duty: The Case For Stress-Free Group Feasting This Winter

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.

Food + Drink

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News

This New Auckland Food Festival Will Turn The City Into One Big Restaurant 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.

A roaring fire in a chick black, red and brick restaurant interior.

Things To Do

The Best Things To Do With Dad This Father’s Day In Auckland 2026

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.

Food & Drink

10 Of Auckland’s Most Romantic Restaurants For Date Night

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.

Local Escapes

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Travel

Now Open: Meet The New Queenstown Stay Bringing Resort Style To The Adventure Capital

Check into lakefront luxury with mountain views, all-day dining and alfresco hot tubs.

Food & Drink

Auckland’s Best New Restaurant Openings Of 2026 You Need To Know About

We live for new openings (especially the kind that involves food) and know you do, too. Fortunately, Auckland is the city that just keeps on giving when it comes to new restaurants, bars, cafes and bakeries—we really are a lucky bunch.

A bright room looks out onto an impossibly blue sea at Andersons Cove, one of the best romantic getaways from Auckland.

Local Escapes

27 Of The Best Romantic Stays Near Auckland To Book In 2026

Does life feel so hectic right now that you’re missing out on those magical moments with your special someone? Check out these romantic getaways and magical retreats within driving (or ferry) distance from Auckland.

Urban List Guides

Australia
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
- Perth
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Byron Bay
- Hobart
- Adelaide
- Townsville
New Zealand
Asia
- Bali
- Hong Kong
- Osaka
- Singapore
- Tokyo
Rest of the world
- Barcelona
- Fiji
- London
- New York
- Paris
- Rome

Rest Of The Best

Music

Cue The Nostalgia, The Fray Just Announced A Major Return With Their 2027 Australian Tour

The Fray is bringing their Summer of Light tour to Australia in 2027, and if you missed your chance to see their totally sold-out 2025 tour, you’d better register for pre-sale ASAP.

Travel

The World’s First Sleep Pods Are Exclusively Coming To Air New Zealand This Year

Air New Zealand has just announced bookable lie-flat sleep pods for Economy travellers, and we’re losing our minds.

Children observe the iceberg at the exhibit of Titanic: The Human Story

News

A Major Titanic Exhibition With 200+ Artefacts Is Making Its New Zealand Debut In Auckland

More than a century after the Titanic embarked on its ill-fated maiden voyage, one of the world's most famous ships is resurfacing in Auckland through a major international exhibition.

What's On

What’s On In Auckland This Month And This Year 2026

As per usual, mighty Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is pulling out all the stops. Here’s what’s on in Auckland this week, this month, and this year.

News

Dom Dolla Is Turning Auckland Domain Into An Open-Air Superclub Next February

Auckland, prepare accordingly: GRAMMY-nominated DJ and producer Dom Dolla is heading to Auckland Domain for his biggest-ever headline show in New Zealand.

News

Auckland’s $5.5 Billion City Rail Link Will Finally Open This September

After a decade of construction, years of disruption and plenty of anticipation, Auckland’s City Rail Link finally has an opening date.

TV & Movies

46 Of The Best Shows And Movies On Disney Plus Australia (August 2026 Edition)

Kick back and dive into the best Disney+ has to offer in Australia and New Zealand for 2026.

Things To Do

Just In: Olivia Dean Is Releasing Extra Tickets For Her Sold-Out Australia And New Zealand Tour

Be nice to each other, because hot new extra Olivia Dean tickets just dropped across all her Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland shows this spring.

Things To Do

Auckland’s Inaugural Mushroom Festival Is Coming To Karangahape Road This Month

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

Meet The Couples Behind 12 Of The Best Hospo Joints In Tāmaki Makaurau

We sat down with the couples behind 12 of our favourite eateries in Tāmaki Makaurau to find out how they met, what it’s like working together and where they love to go for date night.

Local Escapes

25 Of The Best Airbnbs In New Zealand To Lock In For 2026

From rolling valleys to dense native forest and cliffs overlooking black sand beaches, we've found the most jaw-dropping Airbnbs across New Zealand that you can book for a getaway.

Local Escapes

The Must-Save Hidden Haunts To Discover Across New Zealand In 2026

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

A woman sits by a pool wearing a dress by Venroy one of the best Australian fashion labels

U:L Recommends

30 Of The Best Australian Fashion Brands For Stylish Fits

Let's give it up for Australian talent. There's no denying that a whole heap of the best fashion labels right now are Aussie born and bred.

A group of women sit in a communal infrared sauna at Genki Vitality.

Health + Wellness

The Best Saunas In Auckland To Work Up A Sweat At

Self-care is getting steamy and it's set to stay that way. Here are the best infrared and traditional saunas to work up a sweat at in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Features

The Best Op Shops In Auckland Where You Can Find Second-Hand Gold

Cue the Macklemore flashbacks. It's clear that thrift shopping—correction, op shopping—is f**kin’ awesome. Especially in Auckland, with the best op shops per capita, so we say.

News

Ragtag Is Coming To Depot For An Extra Special Collab This Month

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.

A Queens Matariki Special Pasta: hand-rolled saffron fettuccine with South Island creamed pāua and shaved black truffle.

Food & Drink

What’s Open This Matariki Public Holiday In Auckland 2026

Matariki is here and it's time to feast.

Best Of

Where To Find The Best Banh Mi In Auckland In 2026

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.

Things To Do

A One-Night Tokyo Sound Venue Is Landing In Auckland—And It’ll Be Gone By Sunrise

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.

The Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants In Auckland In 2026

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.

Lemon meringue, berry crumble and tiramisu baby tarts

Food & Drink

The Best Gluten-Free Eateries In Auckland Right Now

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.

A glass of strawberry matcha beside a sticky bun.

Best Of

Where To Find Auckland’s Best Matcha, According To Two Matchaholics

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.

A couple dig into some delicious looking fare by the fireplace at Fenice restaurant on Waiheke Island.

Bars & Pubs

Cosy Up At Auckland’s 10 Best Bars And Restaurants With Fireplaces

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.

Food & Drink

16 Of The Best Sandwiches in Auckland in 2026

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.

Food & Drink

Where To Find Auckland’s Best Pho In 2026

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.

A Woman Showcasing Her Perfectly Blown Hair

Beauty

How To Nail A Salon-Worthy Blow Wave At Home, According To A Top Stylist

We tapped a hair stylist for her go-to tips, biggest blow-wave mistakes and the tricks she swears by for achieving that fresh-from-the-salon finish from your own bathroom.

Food & Drink

The Best Ponsonby Restaurants You Should Eat At

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.

Best Of

The Best Steaks In Auckland In 2026

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.

Things To Do

Dripping With Naughtiness, The Return Of The Auckland Live Cabaret Festival Is Here

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

Someone with curly hair looks at the camera.

Health + Wellness

The Best Hairdressers In Auckland For All Types Of Hair

Auckland is a mecca for hair salons and when it comes to choosing “the one”, selecting a hairdresser to entrust with your precious locks is a big freakin’ deal.

A vegan pie brimming with spicy winter vegetables.

Food & Drink

25 Of The Best Pies In Auckland Right Now

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.

Food & Drink

20 Of Auckland’s Best Bakeries Right Now

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.

Food & Drink

Where To Try Ube In Auckland Right Now

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

Food & Drink

Where To Find Auckland’s Best Hot Chocolates in 2026

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.

Food & Drink

The Best Ramen Joints In Auckland In 2026

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.

The stunning interior at Auckland Art Gallery

Things To Do

The Best Art Galleries In Auckland To Check Out Right Now

Whether you'd love to spend your weekend gazing at art-adorned walls with a quizzical look on your face thinking ‘what the heck is that!?’ or simply elevate your mind by marvelling at stunning artwork then we have found the best places for you.

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira entrance.

Things To Do

The Best Museums In Auckland To Visit This Year

If you’re curious about anything (or everything), get yourself along to one of Auckland’s many incredible museums and prepare to expand your mind. From ancient relics to impressive architecture, lush outdoors to lifeforms past and present, Auckland has no shortage of intriguing historic collections to get amongst.

Things To Do

The Absolute Best Things To Do In Auckland

One of the side effects of writing for Urban List is friends and strangers alike are always sliding into my DMs asking for recs (which I dig, by the way). So I decided I should really be spilling my secrets here, for all of you, too.

The Hideaway best kid-friendly AIrbnbs Australia

Local Escapes

18 Best Kid-Friendly Airbnbs In Australia For Family Fun In 2026

Fancy a kid-friendly weekend at a waterfront beach house with a gated pool? Or sneaking away to the hinterlands for a farmstay filled with horses and cows? You decide.

Food & Drink

Where To Find Auckland’s Best Dumplings 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.

Things To Do With Kids

55 Of The Best Things To Do With Kids In Auckland All Year Round

Auckland is a pretty fun place to grow up. Consider this your ticket to never hearing 'I'm booored' again.

Someone tucks into an impressive looking roast at The Bridgman

Food & Drink

The Best Sunday Roasts In Auckland Right Now

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.

Bars & Pubs

Auckland’s Best Quiz Nights To Test Your Mettle

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.

Salted caramel coconut cookies from Butter Baby, one of the best cookie spots in Auckland.

Food & Drink

The Absolute Best Cookies In Auckland To Munch On

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

Restaurants

The Best Japanese Restaurants In Auckland Right Now

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.

Someone tucks into a delicious dish at Khu Khu, one of the best vegan restaurants in Auckland.

Food & Drink

The Best Vegan And Vegetarian Restaurants And Cafes In Auckland

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

Travel

The Best Things To Do In Fiji For All Types Of Travellers

Explore Fiji's best activities for every type of traveller in 2026.

Beauty

The New Beauty Products To Shop This Month, According To Our Beauty Editor

Welcome to the most fabulous corner of the internet—Urban List's destination for the picks of the beauty crop. This month, it's about scrumptious new scents galore, and a fair few revamps of our favourites.

Local Escapes

Wellington Is The Cultural Capital You Can Actually Do In A Weekend

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.

Food & Drink

How Our Editor Spends Golden Hour In 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.

Markets & Food Events

The Best Markets In Auckland (Updated May 2026)

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.

Local Escapes

Hot Pools, Long Lunches And Lakeside Views: Here’s How To Spend 72 Hours In Rotorua

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.

Tania and Shaianne walk along a beach together

Features

11 Mother-Led Businesses To Support This Mother’s Day And Beyond

Here are 11 mother-owned businesses to support this Mother's Day and beyond.

Bars & Pubs

Auckland’s Best Craft Beer Bars For When You Need A Cold One

Beer—it makes the world a better place and lucky for us hop lovers, Auckland’s craft beer scene is absolutely booming.

Food & Drink

The Best High Tea In Auckland in 2026

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

Food & Drink

The Best Auckland Restaurants For Mother’s Day Feasts In 2026

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.

U:L Recommends

The Best Mother’s Day Gifts To Spoil Mum With In New Zealand In 2026

This Mother’s Day, skip the generic gifts and celebrate with something truly special, while supporting the incredible businesses that make Aotearoa shine.

Restaurants

The Best Korean Restaurants In Auckland

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.

Food & Drink

What’s Open In Auckland On The ANZAC Day Public Holiday 2026

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

The Pōhutukawa Tent at Wild Canvas best large group Airbnbs New Zealand

Local Escapes

12 Of The Best Large Group Airbnbs For An Epic New Zealand Vacay

Oh New Zealand, how we love it. Home to dramatic, unspoiled landscapes it’s one hell of a spot for a group getaway—and, once you’re there, all you need is the best Airbnb to take your longed-for hol to the next level.

Indulge In Luxury Best family friendly accommodation NZ

Local Escapes

The Best Family-Friendly Stays In New Zealand For You And The Crew

Managed to wrangle time with the whole fam and tempted by a New Zealand getaway at the best Airbnb? You’ve come to the right place.

A person in a pink suit pours champagne into flutes on a silver tray.

What's On

The Best Things To Do With Mum This Mother’s Day In Auckland

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

Beauty

The Best Brow Studios In Auckland

We’ve plucked, tinted and shaped our way to bring you the very best brow bars in Auckland.

Things To Do

What’s On In Auckland This Easter Long Weekend

Whether it’s family brunch with an Easter twist, an Auckland staycation with the kids or an excuse to indulge in Easter hot cross buns and Easter treats—gather the crew for a relaxing weekend ahead, rain or shine.

Food & Drink

Auckland’s Most Epic Easter Treats For You To Hunt Down In 2026

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

Stacked biscoff pancakes from The Breakfast Club

Cafes

The Best Breakfasts In Auckland And Where To Find Them

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

Three women do pilates on reformers at SO Fitness, one of Auckland's best pilates studios.

Best Of

The Best Pilates Studios In Auckland So You Bend And Don’t Snap

Let's get one thing straight—pilates may be a great tool for rehab but that doesn't mean it's cruisy.

Food & Drink

Takapuna’s Best Restaurants, Bars And Cafés And Where To Find Them

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.

Someone squeeze some sauce onto a stacked tray of hummus.

Restaurants