In a twist you never saw coming, here at Urban List we spend a helluva lot of time frothing talking about the food. We’re in awe of what our local hospo legends whip up, whether it’s a newbie to the scene or a seasoned restauranteur bringing their latest new opening to life. So naturally, we’re keeping an ear to the ground for all the new restaurants, bars, cafes and bakeries worth your coin.
In this ever-evolving list you’ll get sound bites and musings from my recent chats with Urban List food writers Kathryn Steane (who's been leading the charge of all things Urban List eats for years now) and expert chef Vicki Young as we chat all things new, recent and coming soon. Want to be the first to know? Sign up to our weekly newsletter, Insiders. It's free.
Here are the best new openings in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland right now.
BEST NEW OPENINGS RIGHT NOW AT A GLANCE
- Breakfast: Lulu's Neighbourhood Bowls
- Brunch: Mensa
- Quick Lunch: Sagrado Cantina
- Feeling Snacky: Fankery
- Post-Work Vino: Normanby Fine Wine & Spirits
- Dessert And Cocktails: truth/dare
- Date Night: Sumi
- Fam-Friendly: Takapuna Surf Club
- Affordable Eats: Fitzroy Deli
Recent Additions
Lulu's Neighbourhood Bowls
2 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Image credit: Lulu's Neighbourhood Bowls | Laura Zonnevylle
From adorable food truck with dairy-free two-tone soft serve, to a Ponsonby Central shop window and now a brand new spacious oasis dedicated to açai, cocowhip and relaxed vibes. You're probably already a fan so get pumped and get yourself along to Lulu's Neighbourhood Bowls.
Mensa
124 Halsey Street, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland
Image credit: Mensa | Michael White
We always knew the new Beca building would shake things up in Wynard Quarter but what we didn't see coming was Mensa. Spacious, relaxed but with an immaculate food offering (think: restaurant-level menu in cafe form), the eatery has hit the ground running with kai that's anything but ordinary and plans—already—for a dinner offering in the near future. "If you're lucky enough to nab a slice of the sourdough from their pizza oven, save your blistered crusts for an eggy breakfast dip (because pizza totally counts as breakfast)." - VY
truth/dare
9/23 Customs Street East, Snickel Lane, Auckland CBD
Image credit: truth/dare | Emily Raftery
In the very same month that Theo Tjandra snagged best barman at the Lewisham Awards for his work at Goblin, he's opened a brand new venture called Truth Or Dare with co-founder and remarkable chef, Yovin Sius. Needless to say, the spot is popping off with Indonesian flavours whipped up into a European format that'll blow your mind in both cocktail and canape form. "Before you know it, I'm fighting our photographer for every last spoonful." - VY on their matcha mousse-stuffed pavlova.
Fankery
2B York Street, Newmarket
Image credit: Fankery | Patty Lagera (@pattyinplaces / @pattylagera)
Cathy Fan has been amassing an enormous following for her online fusion (now bricks-and-mortar) bakery, Fankery. And it's easy to see why with the likes of mochi-stuffed burnt Basque cheesecake, stretchy cookies and epically ornate, themed creations like the darling fresh cream daifuku she whipped up one Halloween in the form of perfect little pumpkins. "Don’t leave without nabbing a mochi-filled tart—and if you see the one topped with a mini crème caramel, drop everything and get it because it’s giving yum cha egg tart vibes, but better." -VY
New Openings You Definitely Should Have Tried By Now
Sagrado Cantina
183 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central
Image credit: Sagrado Cantina | Michael White
A slice of Mexico City has sprung up in St Kevins Arcade and it goes by the name of Sagrado Cantina. If that sounds familiar that'd be because Sagrado's been working the Auckland night market circuit for some time but now you can find it in the heart of Tāmaki, decked out in colourful traditional Mexican decorative flags. Order anything with the sweet-savoury chilli-spiked chocolate mole sauce, and you'll be stoked. "When Jorge brought the mulato chilli for me to smell its smoky cherry-chocolate fragrance blew my mind." - VY
Normanby Fine Wine & Spirits
31A Normanby Road, Mt Eden, Auckland
Image credit: Normanby Fine Wine & Spirits | Alex McVinnie
If wine bars are a bit of you, you'll want to make a beeline for Tāmaki's newest—Normanby Fine Wine & Spirits. Both a spirited retail space and a casual wine bar and cafe (complete with a private tasting room), the buzzing spot led by renowned wine expert Liz Wheadon is transforming the feel of wine and spirit retail. You won't find a transactional experience here, rather, the team have designed a deeper experience which, to my delight, includes Basque cheesecake). Swing by and you'll be guided through their 1,300+ strong collection 'til you find your perfect tipple of the moment.
KOL
23 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Image credit: KOL | Lewis Hartley
Earlier this year Sid and Chand Sahrawat announced that KOL as we knew it was closing with their last service set for Mother's Day. They had intended for it to become an incubator space for new restaurants but in a plot twist, Sapan and Ruchi Parikh are now stepping in as new owners of KOL. Expect the O.G. KOL's signature menu, plus some exciting new specialties thrown into the mix.
Blue
1/1 Franklin Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Image credit: Blue | Instagram
If you were as devastated as I was to hear of the closure of Roses Dining Room earlier this year, you'll be equally elated to know that as one door closed, another has opened—literally. The team has skipped to Ponsonby and opened cafe-wine bar Blue. "Stepping into Blue gave me the same feeling as when I stepped into Roses all those years ago—an unexplainable feeling like you’re home." - VY
Sumi
City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Sumi | Wono Kim
You'll think you stepped through a portal and ended up in Japan—Sumi is ever-humming (definitely book in advance) and it's the tonic to a long, stressful day at work. Grab a seat grill-side and order flame-grilled eel, a bowl of vegetable tempura, and a yuzu sake or a round of Sapporo. "As I bite into the juicy, savoury-sweet unagi, I understand why it’s such a popular pick on the menu, carefully de-boned and grilled to give way to tender and flavoursome fare." - VY
TOAST On The Green
52 Davis Crescent, Newmarket, Auckland
Image credit: TOAST On The Green | Instagram
If you've been only putting cheese on the inside of your toasted sandwich, you've been toastie-ing wrong. (I'm not throwing shade, I've been doing it wrong too.) Lucky for us city slickers, Mangawhai cult sandwich shop TOAST has quietly materialised in Newmarket to deliver quite the education—their sandwiches are literally two pieces of toast grilled with all the greatest toppings and slapped together, double decker bus style. And sitting pretty at the $16.50-$19 mark, with gluten free bread available for $2 extra, it's lunch, sorted.
Bistro Saine
Within Hotel Indigo, 51 Albert Street, Auckland
Image credit: Bistro Saine | Jonny Valiant
Hotel Indigo is blooming in Tāmaki with Bistro Saine ('saine' being French for 'healthy'), the first serving of a trio of new eateries. Forget what you thought you knew about hotel restaurants, Bistro Saine is a standalone—she's romantic, moody and packed with dishes that'll make your taste buds swoon. "Steak tartare with crispy potato chips hot off the fryer were served by Chef Yutak himself—with a kiwifruit hot sauce kick that was so good my guest asked for a secret pottle to take home." - VY
Cinnamon Squared
41 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD
Cinnamon buns are having (yet another) moment and, right on cue, a tiny pastel-coloured bunnery has popped up in the heart of Auckland CBD. As the name suggests Cinnamon Squared is the home of squarish spiced buns—up to 600 buns a day, to be exact. "These buns are everything you want them to be and that's sweet, sticky, and spicy." - KS
Kinfolk Cafe & Eatery
88 Te Oneroa Way, Torbay, Auckland
Image credit: Kinfolk | Michael White
From the people who started Fields Cafe in Albany (among others) comes Kinfolk Cafe & Eatery, a relaxed, community-forward eatery to fill up at and then hit the beach or amble through the weekend markets. "Somebody stop me before I literally go Kirby on this [chilli prawn scramble] and inhale the entire thing." - KS
Takapuna Surf Club
Rooftop, 111 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna
Image credit: Takapuna Surf Club | Jake Dennis
We've been waxing lyrical about Queens Rooftop ever since it opened in Commercial Bay. In fact, we reckon it's the best restaurant in Auckland CBD right now. The team's next venture has just opened and it's a rooftop garden bar that's as great for dates as it is for the whole fam. Anyone who knows me knows that dessert is my favourite part of any menu—well, that and the cocktails—so imagine my excitement at learning that I can get both with the Naughty Knickerbocker Glory. - KS
23 Galway Street, Cnr Galway Street and Commerce Street, Britomart, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Perch | Anna Kidman
Perch is back from hiatus and if you're anything like us, you'll be shocked to learn they're no longer doing dumplings. But in this new era of Perch, there's plenty to keep bellies full and, dare I say it, you won't even miss the dumplings. "Let’s just say, when the bowls arrived there were joyful expletives, especially around the portion sizes (massive) and the textures (poppin')." - AR
Fitzroy Deli
19 Shortland Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Fitzroy Deli | Michael White
The good folks who brought us Devonport's Dulcie have set up shop in central, this time with one helluva deli where the sandwiches are bigger than your face and you might just end up hooked on brisket for breakfast. "You know that episode of Friends where Ross loses it over someone at work stealing his sandwich? That'd 100% be me, should anyone try to mess with this sando". - KS
Pssst, Here's What's Coming Soon...
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Café Etiquette And The Henry
Hotel Indigo, 51 Albert Street, Auckland
If you're excited about Bistro Saine (you are), know there are two more venues on the way—a cafe and wine bar hybrid by the name of Café Etiquette and a cocktail lounge called The Henry. Opening dates to be announced, watch this space.
Want more? You'll absolutely devour The Feed.
Main image credit: truth/dare | Emily Raftery.