Takapuna is one of my favourite suburbs in all of 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.

Whether you're after a cone of award-winning gelato on the beachfront, a stomach-stretching Vietnamese feast within an indoor oasis, or tacos and frozen margs overlooking the water, here are my picks for the absolute best restaurants, cafés, and bars in Takapuna.

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Jump to: 

• The Best Restaurants In Takapuna
• Date Night 
• Restaurants With A View
• Casual Dining
• On A Budget
• Asian Fusion 
• Hot Euro Summer
• Family-Friendly 
• More Epic Restaurants 
• The Best Cafes In Takapuna 
• Brunch
• Sweet Treats And Desserts 
• More Epic Cafes 
• The Best Bars In Takapuna
• Cocktail Bars
• Rooftop And Waterfront Bars 

The Best Restaurants In Takapuna

Date Night 

Al Forno

34 Anzac Street, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: Al Forno  | Facebook

Setting the bar for Takapuna dining is Al Forno. An eatery that has won the hearts of locals and non-locals alike, it's the suburb's very own slice of Italy. Forget carbs for a night and settle in at this charming restaurant (complete with a mural of the Italian countryside) where you'll choose from a mouthwatering selection of antipasti, wood-fired pizza, pasta, and more. If you're bringing a date, I recommend the spaghetti bolognese, aka your best shot at nailing a Lady and the Tramp moment. Al Forno also gets extra brownie points for serving legit Italian wine. 

Botticelli Restaurant & Wine Bar

8 Anzac Street, Takapuna, Auckland

Botticelli is cute, cosy, and has been dishing up incredible Italian from its spot on Anzac Street for three decades. Graze over antipasto, fork-spin your way through a big ol' bowl of pasta, gorge on risotto, eat your body weight in pizza and don't forget to check out their tiramisu, lemon meringue or chocolate mousse (there are no wrong choices here, people). Being a wine bar, you can trust that they also offer some solid vino options.

Restaurants With A View

Rosie's Red-Hot Cantina

The Strand, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: Rosie's Red-Hot Cantina  | Facebook

If it's Takapuna restaurants with ocean views you're after, you've come to the right place. The sister eatery to Rosie's Red-Hot Cantina in the Viaduct, this beachside spot is where Californian cantina energy mixes with punchy eats like birria tacos, quesadilla pizza, tequila floats and churro ice cream sandwiches, plus candy-coloured frozen margs to wash it all down.

Tokyo Bay

20 The Strand, Takapuna, Auckland

Tokyo Bay brings together two of life's greatest pleasures: Japanese food, and the beach. Located right beside the seaside with amazing views to boot, this spot has so much to be impressed by. I recommend hitting up their outdoor dining area for an early-evening dinner in the sun, which will likely include next-level sushi, sashimi, tempura, and teppanyaki. Don't forget to also check out their increds desserts.

Casual Dining

Taylors On Hurstmere

168 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland 

Image credit: Taylors On Hurstmere  | Facebook 

Taylors On Hurstmere claims to have Takapuna's best wine list, and I might be inclined to agree. Yes, this is defo the place to go if you're in the mood for a glass of vino (they even host regular wine tastings), however, let it be known that this spot also slings some pretty great grub (think jumbo spring rolls, tequila chicken, and pork belly with crackling). Rounding out this one's credentials is its wonderfully friendly vibe, making it a spot you'd be proud to call your local.

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On A Budget 

Takimi Mazesoba

4/40 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: Ubear Eats  | Website 

New Zealand has never had a solo dining cubicle ramen spot so you bet I almost fell off my chair when I heard Takimi Mazesoba had opened. The cubicle concept is a favourite the world over. Wood panels separate you from the ramen-slurper nest door, allowing you to give your steaming bowl of noods your undivided attention which, of course, is exactly what the heaven-sent dish deserves. Head here to dine in peace with a bowl of near-brothless dry ramen complete with thick, chewy wheat noodles. This is cheap eats, Takapuna style. 

Asian Fusion

Nanam

178 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: Nanam | Facebook

TOK TOK

129 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: TOK TOK  | Facebook 

Asian eateries don't get much better than TOK TOK, sitting pretty on the corner of Hurstmere Road and The Strand. And when I say pretty, I'm not lying—decked out with strings of lights, Vietnamese furniture and pops of greenery, this is one super gorgeous spot. The décor of course is only as good as the food, and I can assure you, there are certainly no worries here. Channelling drool-worthy South-East Asian flavours into fusion dishes like popping prawns with yuzu mayo, sweet and sour pork belly, and matcha chocolate fondant, dining here is a proper case of died-and-gone-to-heaven.

Hot Euro Summer 

Lil Ragù

150 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: Lil Ragù  | Instagram 

Pasta is the true master of my heart—especially the kind that's cooking inside Lil Ragù's kitchen-on-wheels aka one of the best restaurants Takapuna wide. This humble food truck is slinging some of the most mouthwatering noods imaginable, along with Italian cocktails and mouthwatering sides from its al fresco locale in the heart of Taka. Buono!

Family-Friendly 

Burger Burger

40 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: Burger Burger  | Facebook

Hands down one of my fave locations for a spot of Burger Burger (perhaps because of its proximity to the beach, so I can walk off the food baby that inevitably follows). Pull up a pew in the all-weather outdoor dining area (complete with an Instaworthy mural by Auckland artist, Andrew J Steel) and smash into a meal of insanely delicious burgers, fries in every form imaginable, and a Duck Island milkshake (or a cheeky cocktail for the grown-ups) to wash it all down. Dream. Meal.

More Epic Restaurants 

Sakebar Nippon

34 Anzac Street, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: Sakebar Nippon  | Website

The Best Cafes In Takapuna 

Brunch 

Takapuna Beach Café

22 The Promenade, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: Takapuna Beach Café  | Instagram

Forget the best cafés in Takapuna, this is one of the best in Auckland and has the awards to prove it. Located in a prime position next to the Takapuna boat ramp, complete with a light-filled dining room and sun-drenched deck, you couldn't get much closer to the water if you tried. And it's not just the location that has me sold. Takapuna Beach Café also serves some of the best brunch Takapuna has on offer, and even more amazing pastries, bread, and gelato (again, award-winning, and again, some of the best in Auckland). 

Honey

12 Huron Street, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: Duck Island Ice Cream  | Instagram 

Takapuna without ice cream is like ice cream without ice (or cream). This beachside 'burb is practically made for strolling the shoreline with a scoop in hand, which you should probably get from ice cream royalty, Duck Island, who have recently moved into the neighbourhood. Take your pick of 24 incredible flavours (ambrosia, fairy bread, and toasted marshmallow among them) as well as ice cream sandwiches, pints, and ice cream cakes. Oof.

Luna All Day 

98 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland

I've been a fan of Luna All Day (formerly Luna Bakehouse) since they started the viral round croissant craze here in Auckland. There's a distinct Asian influence to the food here, which has recently come to include bowls of brightly coloured bingsu (shaved ice), pies, mochi tarts, and doughnuts.

La Tropezienne

69 Lake Road, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: La Tropezienne  | Instagram 

No one does food quite like the French, and while the birthplace of the baguette may be almost 20,000 kilometres away, the good news is—La Tropezienne isn't. This little slice of French paradise can be found on Lake Road (they also have stores in nearby Milford and Browns Bay), and is where a team of genuine French bakers and pastry chefs spend their days creating only the most gorgeous French treats. There are pies, quiches, and of course, baguettes, but the real reason I come here is for the sweets. Choose from a line-up of jaw-dropping cakes, tarts and patisserie, including my personal fave, the religieuse coffee (choux pastry filled with velvety smooth coffee cream).

More Epic Cafes

Stroll Coffee

48 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna

Image credit: Stroll Coffee  | Kathryn Steane

I'm a sucker for a quirky logo, so you can bet I was sucked in by this spot's coffee-carrying troll. However there's more to Stroll Coffee than monster-emblazoned cups; they also do a damn fine brew and a short but sweet selection of sweet treats to go with, which you can either enjoy in their cosy laneway abode or whilst 'strolling' Taka beach. Of course, I can't leave without letting you know that they also sell merch with said troll on it...

No. 1 Pancake

33/45 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland

Takapuna, you lucky thing—you're also home to one of just two No. 1 Pancake stores in the city. World famous in Auckland for their hotteok, or Korean pancakes, which come stuffed with all manner of moreish fillings, I cannot recommend the potato and cheese (which has become something of an icon around these parts) enough.

The Best Bars In Takapuna 

Cocktail Bars 

Fantail & Turtle

Goodside At Smales Farm, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: Fantail & Turtle  | Instagram 

The best place to sink a drink in Takapuna is surely Fantail & Turtle. This trendy bar, located in the Goodside precinct at Smales Farm, may be away from the beach but one look at the menu and you'll forget all about the whole sun and sand thing. Their extensive gin collection (enhanced with botanicals from their on-site garden) is a major drawcard, as is their impressive selection of wines, beer and cocktails, while they also know how to rustle up some seriously good grub (the jalapeño wontons and buttermilk fried chicken are legit). Side note: for the best seats in the house, check out their cool glasshouse.

Rooftop And Waterfront Bars 

Takapuna Surf Club 

111 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland

Image credit: Takapuna Surf Club  | Instagram 

If sipping on spicy margs while overlooking Takapuna Beach sounds like your dream drinking scenario, this is the spot for you. Just four months young, this rooftop possie is the latest (and quite possibly, greatest) in a line-up of epic establishments from the team behind Dr Rudi's, Saint Alice, and Queens Rooftop. But Takapuna Surf Club isn't just a bar—you'll also be treated to woodfired pizzas, soft serve ice cream, and other fun yet elevated club-style eats. Arcade games, automated darts and pinball machines only add to the vibe (and are sure to be especially fun after a few drinks...).  Takapuna bars and restaurants don't come more tops than this. 

Looking for more top food and drink content? Check out: 

• The Best Bars In Auckland 
• Cheap Eats To Sate Your Appetite 
• Where To Find Auckland's Best Cup Of Coffee

Main image credit: Hanoi Haven  | Facebook

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