Urban List Guide To Auckland

Meet Watershed: Queenstowns’ very own, purpose-built sauna, floating on Lake Wakatipu.  Just a stones’ throw from the CBD, it’s officially opening this December. 

It’s that warm, old-school hospitality with a smile from seasoned hospitality professionals that I get right away—yet it also feels like rocking up to a friend’s place, when they ask if I’m hungry yet. Welcome to Za'atar Bakehouse, your new breakfast spot.

Self-care is getting an upgrade with Queenstown’s first central hot pools arrival, Bathe by Allume bringing a sleek new take on the classic soaking experience. 

The Springs Tavern is Auckland’s newest neighbourhood pub; a laid-back, family-friendly (and yes, dog-friendly) spot made for after-work drinks, weekend catch-ups and everything in between. 

New Zealand's adventure capital is about to score a seriously luxurious wellness upgrade with The Bathhouse Queenstown.

Once a Facebook community for the hangry during COVID-19,  now a vibrant assortment of IRL food festivals and events, and a digital platform dedicated to all things tasty, the rise of Chow Luck Club has been an impressive one. 

When Roses Dining Room closed earlier this year, the hospitality and wider community were shook. But it wasn’t long until they announced there was another venture in the works—and along came Blue. 

Found on the ground floor of the Beca building, all-day eatery, Mensa is the perfect spot to soak up that glorious sunshine, ideally with a coffee and slice of freshly baked sourdough pizza in hand. 

You probably already know Lulu’s. 

A brand new bar concept has opened up in Snickel Lane. And we're stunned. 

It was only just last week when I finally tasted the mole my taste buds have been waiting for—from a colourful, vibrant cantina called Sagrado, tucked away in St. Kevin’s Arcade.

A space which was once a parking ticket booth has been transformed into the vibrant purple hues of Fankery.

It’s a Tuesday night in Auckland city but you’d easily mistake it for the weekend at Sumi. The new izakaya spot by owner-chef Jason Lee (Wakuwaku, Katsu Katsu, Tsuru Tsuru) in City Works Depot is humming.

Escape the concrete jungle of Tāmaki Makaurau and immerse yourself in the elegant and chic vibes of Hotel Indigo.

How's this for an epic love story—Minseok Lee was never a big fan of baking, but when he met his partner, Ellie, she told him how much she adored sweet treats. So naturally, he did what any loved-up man would do and went into business with her on the now-viral cinnamon bun joint, Cinnamon Squared, where he currently bakes up to 600 cinnamon buns A DAY. The moral of the story: find someone who loves you like Minseok.

Wander down the cobblestones of Saint Patrick’s Square and you might happen upon the luxurious first floor of newly-built Hotel Indigo, housed in a restored heritage building. You can enter through the other side too—the Albert Street entrance blending into the concrete jungle as if it was always there (just look for the elegant Bistro Saine font out front).

When you hear the words surf club, what comes to mind? I think of ice cream, pizza, and Alf Stewart (I haven't watched Home & Away in years, but I understand the Summer Bay Surf Club is still standing. Poor old Mr. Stewart, I'm not so sure).

Funny that the first thing I noticed about Kinfolk had little to do with the actual food—rather, it was the artwork on the back wall depicting three women on lilos, eating pasta. I like this place already, had been my immediate thought.

If you’d told me there’d be a future where I’d be sitting in Perch, no dumplings in sight, I’d have been perplexed. 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. 

We’re all for gyms levelling up their recovery game with the introduction of saunas and ice baths but a wellness space that’s completely free from the unrelenting beeps of tabata training just hits different. 

You know that episode of Friends where Ross loses it over someone at work stealing his sandwich? “MY SANDWICH?!” Well, we're not so different to old mate Ross here, because that'd 100% be us, should anyone try to mess with our own sando of choice: anything from new kid on the block, Fitzroy Deli.

Head to Lola Rouge for pan-Asian eats whipped up with the utmost finesse. 

Neat Cakes is now open for walk-ins. 

Travelling across the busy Auckland strip of Great North Road, you’d easily drive past if you didn’t know about this dreamy food haven. The ex-convent, tucked away in Grey Lynn, has since been converted into a beautiful boutique hotel with a sun-lit bistro called Ada. Having changed hands a couple of years ago, Aaron and Fran of rockstar hospitality fame (with projects across Tāmaki such as St. Marg’s, Pie Rollas, Major Tom, Hello Friends + Allies, Winona Forever, Just Like Martha, Rude Boy, and Friday I’m In Love to name a few) reimagined Ada with modern Māori twists to our culinary scene thanks to the beautiful kai from Chef Kia Kanuta and the team. For those who knew about that squid ink spaghetti with paua cream (and a rēwana fry bread mop)—you’d already know Ada is a pretty magical place.

Tyler St Sport is the cracking new venue from Foley Hospitality aka the group behind several other top Auckland establishments including Soul Bar & Bistro, Andiamo, and Somm Wine Bar & Bistro. Solid credentials, to say the least.

It seems like 269 Parnell was under construction for millennia, so much so that we’d long stopped expecting anything to materialise behind it. 

Hidden away on Mills Lane is a brand new speakeasy-style cocktail bar punctuated with sleek blue neon—Quinn.

Parasol & Swing just got an enigmatic younger sister and she can sure handle a shaker. 

Ponsonby Central just scored the cookie shop. They’re soft-baked, they’re chunky, they’re entirely plant-based and they’re pulling people off the streets of Ponsonby for a fix. 

Dessert might seem like an unusual place to start a review—especially one focusing on Chinese cuisine—but then again, Cāntīng is far from your usual restaurant. 

If fine wine luxury's a bit of you (it is), you'll want to head to The College Hill Wine Room by David Nash, glass-first. 

A sublime getaway just 90 minutes from central Auckland, Ruru PurePod the tonic to a this-close-to-burnout sort of week; it's a jaw-droppingly gorgeous setting for a romantic getaway and a secluded retreat for reflection and self-care. 

The famous cinnabun from Hill House Cafe has returned to South Auckland.

From Charles and Patrick Williams—the good folks who brought us Williams, one of Tāmaki's most frothed cafes (by restaurant royalty and hungry punters alike)—comes Bowler, a bangin' salad and açaí bowl pitstop tucked inside Les Mills on Victoria Street. 

It all started as a gelato dream for Hannah Engelsman, founder and CEO (a.k.a official title as Gelato Fanatic) of Little ‘Lato. 

If Wes Anderson hung up his director's hat and opened a cafe, it'd be the kind of place with pastel margaritas, diabolically cool wallpaper, and eggs benedict topped in fluffy, candyfloss-coloured hollandaise. 

Inspired by To’ona’i traditions (Sunday brunch or feasting in Samoan) and the multicultural culinary fabric of Aotearoa coming together at the dinner table, Chef Wallace (Uelese) Mua is bringing his culinary ode to Auckland in the form of JW Marriott's Trivet. 

Forget everything you thought you knew about outlet stores—Mānawa Bay's serving bargains, but make it luxe.

Tucked away just off Karangahape Road is a boutique hotel known as Abstract. As its name suggests, Abstract brings a fresh perspective to the local hotel scene (and staycays) standing out from the crowd not least due to its tasteful theatre-inspired aesthetic. 

St Marg's has emerged from the ashes of the ol’ Thirsty Dog, complete with lush olive-green banquette seating lining sun-facing windows, pops of indoor greenery, organic cotton and rice paper lamp shades.