For a night out feeling fancy, a sweet pick-me-up or a tasty bite to get you through your day, Parnell won’t disappoint. Arguably the most stroll-worthy suburb in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, it's packed with restaurants, cafes and bars that know a thing or two about really good kai.
Here are Urban List's top picks for the best restaurants, bars and cafes in Parnell (pray for a good park, then get amongst).
The Best Restaurants And Bars In Parnell
Tala
235 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Tala | Supplied
Samoan food just got a super chic shake-up, thanks to chef Henry Onesemo and the crew at Tala. This exquisite spot, hidden away down a quaint laneway, is dishing up contemporary takes on the cuisine from its beautifully decorated dining room featuring a traditional umu (open Samoan fire). The story behind each dish is just as delicious—take their copra (dried coconut meat) dessert, for example. "(This) was created around the smell of making copra," Henry explains. "During the German occupation of Samoa, copra was a major export. I love the smell of the copra-making process and we have turned it into a dessert." Consider me enthralled (and hungry).
269 Parnell
269 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: 269 Parnell | Wono Kim
If you're yearning to travel, you're in very good company at 269 Parnell. A striking market area peppered with vendors, it's around-the-world eats, no annual leave required. Round up your hungriest crew, order a round of dishes from as many vendors as possible and graze into the night.
Cornelia
289 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Cornelia | Facebook
Any restaurant ranking at 4.9 stars on Google has my immediate attention. Enter Cornelia, the cosy Italian eatery and wine bar with a menu that will see you falling head over heels—or perhaps in this case, head over stomach—in what the Italians call "more." Owned and operated by Roman born Fabio Buonomo and his partner, Lena Solomon, this is true Italian in every sense of the word. Shout-out to their game-changing strawberry tiramisu, and homemade pasta (made fresh on the daily, of course).
TwoFold
196 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: TwoFold | Instagram
TwoFold has transformed the old Woodpecker Hill venue into an elevated brewpub, serving some of the tastiest food in the area. Think freshly shucked oysters, fried chicken, and their popular seafood roll packed with crab and lobster. TwoFold isn’t just the place to be for good grub; they also have an in-house brewery headed by Bernard Neate (ex-Alibi Brewing), who makes some of the best beers in the country. He has recently brewed a double hazy IPA called FO’G, which is thick, fruity, and way too easy to drink.
War Pacific Island Fusion
Upstairs, 237 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: War Pacific Island Fusion | Kathryn Steane
If you haven't had the pleasure of trying Fijian cuisine, make your way promptly to War Pacific Island Fusion. The crème de la crème of Fijian dining here in Auckland, this humble upstairs spot offers a fun, fusion-style menu that perfectly encapsulates the tastes and aromas of the islands, including smoking cocktails, and smoking (not smoked!) fish. I adore their spicy fish pakora, which features chunks of white fish coated in a beautiful golden batter not unlike fried chicken.
3 Nutmegs
363 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: 3 Nutmegs | Facebook
Think you know fries? Think again. 3 Nutmegs’ cheese and butter sauce-smothered version of this famous snack is tasty AF, as is the rest of the menu. Perched at the top of Parnell Rise this Indian restaurant is committed to sustainability and prides itself on using the freshest ingredients in its dishes. The staff are wonderful and welcoming, and you'll definitely leave totally satisfied.
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Crown Range Lounge
251 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Crown Range Cellar | Facebook
One of the best spots to unwind after a long day at work, Crown Range Lounge dishes up effortlessly relaxed atmosphere, live music and very good wine. A step back from the buzzing main street and decked out in a calming palette with exquisite Central Otago grass features, it's easy to accidentally stay here the whole evening. We'll take a glass of their red berry-forward China Girl Pinot Noir and (at least) a helping of their Brazilian tapioca cheese bread bites any day.
Rhu
235 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: @philspector_ | Instagram
Who is Rhu? Only one of the best eateries to be found along the entire Parnell strip, thank you very much. Found in the space formerly occupied by fancypants bakery Alpha (and owned by the chef who once ran it, Tushar Grover), this all-day spot specialises in food worthy of the most haute establishment, served in a relaxed setting. "At Rhu, we celebrate the beauty in simplicity, drawing from our fine-dining roots to create dishes that feel familiar but are executed with quiet precision," Tushar and the team tell us. "Rhu means soul, and we believe some food is meant to do just that, nurture your soul. The space reflects the same, warm, honest, and made for people who love good food and better company." Indulge in fried chicken sandwiches and grilled cheese with mushroom pate for brunch; or graze over oysters and homemade sourdough with a cheeky glass of vino on the side, come dinnertime.
Pineapple On Parnell
207 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Pineapple On Parnell | Facebook
KG Japanese Restaurant
211 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: KG Japanese Restaurant | Instagram
Squirrelled away down a staircase in the digs formerly occupied by Renkon, this one’s well and truly earned its spot among the best restaurants in Parnell. Slinging flavourful donburi bowls on your choice of rice, udon noodles or ramen noodles, and available in extra-large portions for when you’re feeling ravenous, KG Japanese Restaurant isn’t messing around.
Bandung
119 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Bandung | Instagram
Swing by Bandung to feast on Indonesian street food fare. From garlic tapioca crackers and banana-wrapped spiced fish cakes to jackfruit and tofu curry, satay gado gado, and crispy lumpia (Indonesian spring rolls), it’s all of Bali’s best eats. Wash it down with a shot of jamu health tonic.
Oh Calcutta
151 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Oh Calcutta | Website
Made to be shared with loved ones, the dishes at Oh Calcutta are as warming as they are delicious. The restaurant is cosy and welcoming, giving you an experience of Indian culture that goes beyond cuisine—it’s as much about the culture and passion of India’s people. Chef Meena Anand has woven Ayurvedic philosophy into the menu and you’ll find meals that feature sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent—six ‘rasas’ known to support the balance of body, mind and spirit.
Cibo
91 Saint Georges Bay Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Cibo | Instagram
Italian for food, Cibo dishes unexpected, palate-pleasing combinations like miso caramel pork belly and duck parfait with blueberry compote and honeycomb, as well as something mysteriously referred to as “CO2 fish”. Eat your fill, topping off the culinary explorations with a Pineapple Lump-inspired pav aka my dream dessert.
Everest Dine
193 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Everest Dine | Instagram
Introducing deep fried momo, a Nepalese dumpling you’ll want to down by the plateful. Get your mitts on these, and a succulent array of other Nepalese-Indian fusion morsels like Everest chicken and veg Manchurian at Everest Dine, a Parnell restaurant that dishes up a modern twist on traditional cuisine. Thirsty? Have a sip on an Everestini (because punnily-named drinks just taste better).
Barulho
2-16 Watt Street, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Barulho | Instagram
A slice of Spain in Parnell, Barulho promises top-tier, Mediterranean-inspired eats and great service. Get your fix of Manchego and jalapeno croquetas, burrata, beef and caramelised onion empanadas, and paella with all the trimmings, followed by Portuguese tarts, churros, and dark chocolate and olive oil mousse. I. Want. It. All.
Rūmī
251 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: @welovegoodfoodnz | Instagram
Immerse your senses in Persian mezze and more at family-run restaurant, Rūmī. Discover kashk bademjan, a tangy eggplant dip with onion, mint, and walnuts; kuku sabzi, a herb and leek frittata; and more kababs than you can poke a stick at. Bring your meal to a close with tea, baghlava, and Persian ice cream.
Gerome
269 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Gerome | Instagram
Gerome is dishing up flavour-packed Greek food with a generous serving of ambience. The menu is fresh, comforting and dependable with all the essential Greek flavours: think feta, spinach, honey, labne, mint, harissa, peach, and olive.
Rosie
82 Gladstone Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Rosie | Instagram
Rosie has been on the scene for over a decade, and is still going strong thanks to its elegant all-day menu (which, we might add, starts with breakfast cocktails). Personally, I reckon it's not a visit to this beloved eatery without scooting across the road to the Parnell Rose Gardens, with one of their famous hot chocolates in hand.
The Best Cafes And Other Eateries In Parnell
Winona Forever
100 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Winona Forever | Facebook
Casetta
116 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Casetta | Facebook
ChaBliss
177 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: ChaBliss | Wono Kim
Perched on the edge of Parnell’s main strip is ChaBliss, a cute tea house where you can sip on a number of natural teas in calming surrounds. Move over nitro coffee, it's all about nitro tea here, and tea beer, a non-alcoholic in a rosy hue. Both are must-drinks for the adventurous tea connoisseur. Milk tea is on the menu too but it’s likely fresher than you’re used to, it’s made with real milk and cream, not the powdered variety. Yaaas.
Red Rabbit
96 Saint Georges Bay Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: Red Rabbit | Instagram
Even the most steadfast coffee snob won't be able to resist a cup from Red Rabbit. Formally on Faraday Street and now found on the ground floor of the Xero Building, it's the single-origin caffeination you crave, expertly wielded, every day of the week. Reserve all judgement please if you see me in the early hours of the morning, sipping on a coffee coup (it looks like a cocktail, but it ain't).
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Main image credit: War Pacific Fusion | Urban List NZ
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval-curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.