We all know Newmarket as an incredible shopping destination, but what about its many epic eateries?
From Peruvian tacos and schnitzels the size of your face, to perfect coffee and cocktails in bongs (for reals!), this suburb certainly has plenty to eat out on.
So without further ado, here's our pick of the best restaurants and cafes in Newmarket...
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The Best Restaurants In Newmarket
Katsu Katsu
483 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland
Hankering for something golden and crispy? Look no further than Katsu Katsu. Think thick-cut pork, chicken, and prawn all coated in panko and fried to gold. You’re drooling, right? Each set comes with bottomless rice, slaw, and miso—perfect for those days you need a second wind in a bowl.
But maybe Katsu’s not your thing? No stress. There are slurp-worthy udon noodle dishes and all the beloved Japanese snacks and sides like edamame, karaage, and takoyaki. Oishii!
Tsuru Tsuru
10 Teed Street, Newmarket
Image credit: tsurutsuru | Vicki YoungTianFu Noodles
477 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland
IKYMI, TianFu is one of Auckland's best places for a spot of noodle-slurping. Cheap and cheerful with noods for days (which is exactly how long it would take you to work your way through the menu), the Dan Dan noodles are especially popular though their dumplings in spicy sauce also have quite the reputation.
The spice-shy may want to proceed with caution, however—here, hot really does mean hot.
Arte Della Pasta
21 Remuera Road, Newmarket, Auckland
Image credit: Arte Delle Pasta | supplied
In the mood for a piping hot bowl of pappardelle, smothered in beef ragu and Stracciatella cheese—slices of fluffy, filled foccacia (now there's a mouthful)—or perhaps a slab of creamy, coffee-laced tiramisu?
You'll find all of these delicious dishes plus more at the charming Arte Della Pasta. You can even book into one of their pasta-making classes to replicate some of these dishes at home (look out, Nonna!).
Corner Burger
Westfield Newmarket, Level 4/309 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
Burger fiends will wanna drop by fan fave, Corner Burger. This cool spot inside Westfield Newmarket is responsible for some of the city's tastiest burgs, featuring grass-fed beef patties, cornflake buttermilk chicken thigh, Jack Daniel's BBQ pulled pork, cajun fried tarakihi and other drool-worthy fillings, all jammed inside a super-soft brioche bun.
They also do a string of epic sides and even better, alcoholic bevvies (because everyone knows that burgers and beer are besties). And if, like us, you have a second stomach just for sweets, be sure to check out their insane dessert burgers—we like the Snickers, which pairs a donut bun with homemade Snickers parfait, vanilla ice cream, peanut butter, caramel and chocolate sauces and sprinkles. Yeow!
Pearl Garden
Level 1/1 Teed Street, Newmarket, Auckland
Tucked away on Teed Street is Pearl Garden, the Kan family's authentic Chinese eatery that's been bringing its deliciousness to Newmarket for more than 45 years.
Yip, Mama Kan started the business way back in 1975 with a vision to hero unique Chinese cuisine and she's clearly succeeded because this spot is still humming in 2021 and was even voted Best Chinese Restaurant by Metro magazine.
Using fresh ingredients and a menu reminiscent of Mama Kan’s cookbook, this is the spot for seriously good dim sum including their much-loved pork and cashew dumplings.
Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq
Westfield Newmarket, 309 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
Sure, Archie Brothers is more of an arcade than it is a restaurant, but that shouldn't discount them from a mention on this list. Why? Not only do they know how to make some pretty tasty grub (think burgers, pizzas), but their milkshakes and cocktails are all kinds of insane.
Topped with cookies, candy and in some cases a whole ice cream, there is no way we couldn't include them. Sipping on your chosen tipple amongst Archie's buzzing, carnival-like atmosphere only adds to the experience.
The Candy Shop
2/8 Osborne Street, Newmarket, Auckland
Image credit: The Candy Shop | supplied
When 50 Cent bragged about taking us to 'The Candy Shop', we sure hope he was talking about the one in Newmarket because honestly, we'll settle for nothing less. With a strong Korean influence, this is one of the best restaurants in Newmarket and you'll want to stuff your face with at least one of everything on the menu.
Get amongst breakfast burgers and croffles in the AM, wrap your mouth around fried chicken and bibimbap for lunch, then chow down on wagyu chopped cheese sliders and beef dumplings in the PM. The only thing that could possibly make this situation any better is coffee, wine or a cocktail and guess what? They have all three.
Selera
487 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland
Baha Betty
Westfield Newmarket, Level 4, Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
Get ready for a flavour explosion at Baha Betty, an eclectic and highly delicious spot found on Westfield Newmarket's rooftop dining precinct.
Blending Mexican and Californian cuisine, their menu is jam-packed with flavour—think fried chicken, nachos, burgers (basically, all of our dream dishes in one place). However, if you have room for only one thing, make it their juicy signature beef tacos. Bonus points for their on-point drinks offering, which includes everything from ice cream floats right through to bubbles.
Khao San Eatery & Bar
61 Davis Crescent, Newmarket, Auckland
Khao San Eatery is your go-to for Thai food with a fusion twist and by that, we mean South East Asian flavours paired with premium Kiwi ingredients like South Island salmon and locally sourced wagyu.
Slurp on down a bowl of tom yum noodle soup, spice up your day with one of their hearty curries (the Massaman is a fave) or give yourself a food baby proper with their whole fresh market fish. And the best bit is, you can have a cocktail while doing it.
V.T. Station
73 Davis Crescent, Newmarket, Auckland
Image credit: V.T. Station | supplied
V.T. Station made quite the impression on us when it first opened in 2019, and we're sure your own visit will have you feeling a similar way.
Not only does this spot boast an incredibly memorable fit-out, styled after the famous Mumbai train station from which it takes its name—the fare here is off the charts.
Expect beautifully presented Indian street food (a paradox, we know, but trust us when we say it works), paired with insane cocktails, including one served inside a bong. IYKYK.
Burger Burger
Osborne Lane 3B York Street, Newmarket, Auckland
Our love for Burger Burger still runs deep after all these years, and their Newmarket spot never fails to disappoint.
Tucked away on Osborne Lane, it's always buzzing and is particularly useful for dealing with those post-shopping munchies.
Smash back one of their famous beef burgers (some of the best in the city, don't you know), eat your body weight in potato skins, and even sink a cocktail or two if the occasion calls for it.
Just remember to save room for something from the dessert bar (hellooo, ice cream sandwiches).
The Best Cafes/Other Eateries In Newmarket
Atelier Shu
6D Kent Street, Newmarket, Auckland
A gentle mix of textures gives Atelier Shu a satisfyingly minimalist feel—the perfect backdrop for some of the most beautiful pastries we’ve ever seen. These delicate offerings include six flavours of French-inspired canelé, a passion fruit cheese tart that looks like a daisy, a winter special choux featuring ‘Senkintan’ black sesame paste from Japan, and more.
Blackdrop Eatery
44 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
Their cookies are literally the stuff of dreams. A little bit crunchy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, at Blackdrop Eatery you can get everything from classic choc chunk through to strawberry cheesecake, bueno nutella, white choco biscoff, double choc oreo. The latter actually has an oreo stuffed into the middle. This is not a drill.
Cookies aside (it was hard for us to write that), they’ve got a gorgeous range of speciality drinks like yuzu iced Americanos and super cute Matcha Valentine. Feeling something more savoury? Their cheese toasties will hit the spot.
Luna Bakehouse
237 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
Luna Bakehouse is responsible for the circular croissants and soft serve ice creams, served in croissant cones that you've probably seen blowing up social media.
Joining stores in Elliott Stables and Glen Innes, this pint-sized spot is designed for grabbing treats on the go, with just one table out front.
Sitting alongside their viral creations, you'll find the likes of Biscoff cruffins—halloumi and butter chicken sauce danishes—and tubs of matcha and white chocolate cookies.
Sweeten the deal with one of their decadent moccachinos, made from Kokako coffee and Whittaker's chocolate.
Newbie Newmarket
33 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
Eggs bene? Check. Smashed avo? Check. Purple yam French toast? CHECK. These are just some of the goodies you'll find on offer at Newbie, a popular haunt amongst Newmarket locals.
Along with these incredible brunch-time finds, you'll also have the choice of some outrageously good cabinet food (their doughnuts are especially delish). Find them hidden inside the Mercury Plaza building on Broadway.
Mutual Friends
2 Morgan Street, Newmarket, Auckland
Bought to us by the legends behind popular burger joint, Parade, Mutual Friends was an obvious choice for this list.
Not only do they sling a damn fine cup of Allpress coffee, but they also offer some seriously tasty cabinet food and brekkie options, which have been known to include acai bowls, waffles, and smoothies.
Look for them on Morgan Street, inside the swish QB Studios workspace.
L'affare Newmarket
22 Melrose Street, Newmarket, Auckland
Image credit: L'affare Newmarket | Wono Kim
If coffee's your poison, you can't go past L'affare, whose name you will have seen emblazoned across packets of coffee beans at your local supermarket. And this spot in Newmarket is where some of those same beans probably originated, being that it is their Auckland HQ (the brand is originally from Wellington), a roastery, cafe and 'bean store' all in one.
We recommend fuelling up on the eggs bene with cured salmon and housemade muffins, and the fried chicken waffles with bourbon syrup and sour cream. However, just know that they also do burgers and beers, if that's more your jam.
Don't forget to pick up a bag of beans and any coffee-related equipment you need before you leave.
Duck Island Ice Cream
Shop 8/2-8 Osborne Street, Newmarket, Auckland
Image credit: Duck Island | supplied
Even the icy chill of winter won't put us off visiting Duck Island, the pale pink ice cream parlour on Osborne Lane.
Joining stores in Takapuna and Ponsonby (along with those in Hamilton and Wellington, as well as space in the freezer at your local supermarket), there's something utterly irresistible about this particular brand of ice cream.
Perhaps it's the nod to nostalgia (with flavours like fairy bread, ambrosia and peppermint slice), their inclusiveness (that means dairy-free and vegan options)... or perhaps it's simply their sweet-as-pie fit-out.
Whatever the reason, you'll want to check out this spot lickety-split. Bonus points for sharing a wall with the aforementioned Candy Shop.
Daily Bread
8/10 Morrow Street, Newmarket, Auckland
Daily Bread (the venture from German baker Patrick Welzenbac and Orphans Kitchen/kingi duo, Tom Hishon and Josh Helm) has a growing number of bakeries across Auckland, including this gem inside Citta Design's Newmarket store.
For freshly baked pies, pastries and of course bread, you won't find better. Being the sweet-toothed peeps that we are, we can never go past one of their cardamom buns, while their doughnuts and hazelnut croissants are also rather glorious.
Wash down your choice with a cup of Coffee Supreme (custom-blended, no less), then grab a couple of loaves to take home.
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Main image credit: Katsu Katsu by @jimouteatsin (Instagram).