This year Anzac Day falls on a Sunday, meaning that Monday 26 April is a public holiday (which we'll hereby refer to as 'Anzac Monday'). Because of this, some cafés' and restaurants' opening hours may differ from usual, but never fear—if you're still not satisfied after eating your weight in Anzac cookies, there are plenty of places throwing open their doors for a feed (some even a cheeky drink). Here are a few of our top spots to eat out in Auckland on Anzac Monday.
Ahi
Commercial Bay
A national holiday seems like the perfect time to visit Commercial Bay's beautiful New Zealand-inspired restaurant, Ahi. This latest venture from renowned chef, Ben Bayly is dishing up all kinds of Kiwi kai on Anzac Monday between10am-9pm, including charcoaled half crayfish from Fiordland, wagyu beef short rib from Canterbury, and an incredible boysenberry and pohutakawa honey waffle cone for afters. Keep things patriotic with a tipple from the NZ-heavy drinks menu.
Burger Burger
Auckland-wide
Personally, we can't think of a better way to spend our holiday than smashing back a big-ass burger, especially one from the legends at Burger Burger. Lucky for us, all of their Auckland stores (that's Commercial Bay, Newmarket, Ponsonby and Takapuna) will be operating as usual on Anzac Monday, meaning there's a burger (and a big ol' bowl of potato skins with aioli) to be found in a 'burb near you. 10% surcharge applies.
Chandelier Lounge at Cordis
Auckland CBD
Feel like getting a lil' fancy this Anzac Monday? Then why not treat yourself to high tea inside Cordis hotel's gorgeous Chandelier Lounge. In association with luxury tea brand, TWG this is certainly one fine way to spend your day off. They've recently debuted a new autumn menu, so expect goodies like shredded duck cannelloni, pecan, honey and pear tartelettes and our personal fave—rum and raisin scones. Available from 11:30am, bookings essential.
Coops Corner Pub
Auckland Viaduct
Fingers crossed that the sun's shining come Anzac Monday, cos waterfront hotspot, Coops Corner Pub is calling our name. Home to some of the most ridiculous margaritas you'll ever meet—tequila ice cream—and a whole lotta other, non-liquid goodness, served up in a coveted Viaduct setting, this is one seriously sweet venue and will be open from midday until late.
Dear Jervois
Herne Bay
Like the rest of Auckland, we're head-over-heels for Herne Bay café, Dear Jervois so we're stoked to see they're opening their doors from 8am-4pm on Anzac Monday. Serving up solid, prettily presented brekkies and brunch (their famous matcha waffles, for example), a damn good cup of coffee and some of the best people-watching around, we wish we could start every day the Dear Jervois way. 15% surcharge applies.
Harbour Eats Food Hall
Commercial Bay
For New Zealand's fanciest food court, head on over to Harbour Eats at Commercial Bay. Whether you're into hot dogs and hoagies dripping in cheese (Good Dog Bad Dog), drool worthy pan-fried dumplings (Foodu), vegan doughnuts (Tart Bakery), artfully-constructed sushi (Oji) or fried chicken as big as your face (Kai Eatery), the second floor of Auckland's newest shopping precinct is a legit smorgasboard and it's open for your eating pleasure this Anzac Monday from 10am-9pm. Don't forget to wash down all of that delicious foodie goodness with a bevvie from Public, Harbour Eats' swanky central bar.
Hello Friends + Allies
Epsom
Hello Friends + Allies is an obvious café choice this Anzac Monday (OG creator, Fran Mazza's father lived in the Italian town of Rimini, where the Anzacs fought in World War II—hence the name). Don your poppy and get along between 8am-4pm for their famous red velvet hotcakes piled high with fairy floss, mermaid yoghurt bowls and more.
Major Tom
Rosedale
Head on over to Rosedale where top brunch spot, Major Tom is slinging all of its usual deliciousness on Anzac Monday from 8am-3:30pm. Smash back a plate of fried chicken french toast or pulled pork benedict with a rocky road iced chocolate on the side, before digging into one of their incredible cabinet treats (lamingtons the size of your face, for example). After that, it's home for a nap. Surcharge applies.
Mexico
Auckland-wide
Fire up your tastebuds with a trip to Mexico, whose five Auckland stores—Britomart, Ellerslie, Ponsonby, Silverdale and Sylvia Park—will be open for business as usual on Anzac Monday (please note, a surcharge may apply at some stores). Yip, we can definitely think of worse ways to spend our holiday than tucking into tacos and sinking margaritas, hbu?
Miann
Britomart
Keep things sweet this Anzac Monday with a trip to Miann, whose Britomart store will be slinging all the usual sugary suspects from 12-10pm. Think hot chocolate that tastes like liquid Caramilk, glossy gateaux and some of the best gelato on the Auckland block. Walk off all that sugar with a stroll around Britomart (second hot choccy in hand). Surcharge applies.
Saxon + Parole
Commerical Bay
If you feel like getting a lil' flashy this Anzac Monday, a trip to Saxon + Parole should do the trick. Located on the second floor of Commercial Bay and open from 10am-9pm, this NYC-style steakhouse is home to some seriously incredible drinks and even more incredible food. Indulge your love of oysters, chow down on mouthwatering beef burgers (famous back home at their OG eatery in the Big Apple), dig into legit American pie, and sink a few New York Sours along the way—all while taking in gorgeous harbourside views.
Takapuna Beach Café
Takapuna
With unrivalled seaside views and some of the best café grub in Auckland (hellooo, breakfast pasta!), a trip to Takapuna Beach Café is always welcome. These guys will be open on Anzac Monday from 6am-6pm, so even if you have to wait for a table (it happens), there'll be time aplenty to stuff your face. Failing that, grab a coffee and a pastry to-go and walk one of Auckland's most beautiful beaches. 15% surcharge applies.
The Lula Inn
Auckland Viaduct
Viaduct eatery, The Lula Inn is always a good time, and Anzac Monday is no exception. In fact, they're taking things to a whole new level this holiday with their epic Brunch En Rosé event—think your choice of brunch and bottomless rosé, frosé or rosé bubbles for only $47.50, along with DJ Phoebe Falconer on the decks. Available from 12pm, bookings essential.
Tuitui Museum Bistro & Café
Parnell
Name a better way to celebrate Anzac Monday than with a wander around the incredible Auckland War Memorial Museum, followed by a feed at Tuitui Museum Bistro & Café (open 9am-5pm). These guys have Kiwi food on lock, with everything from corned beef croquettes and mussel pots, to roast lamb and fish 'n' chips (complete with mushy peas and malt spray, no less). Or why not splurge on their incredibly unique Kiwi high tea, featuring ham club sammies, devilled eggs, Southland cheese rolls, snapper pate, quiche, sausage rolls, lamingtons, lollie cake and date scones... OMG.
Find out what else is happening for Anzac Day this year.
Image credit: Saxon + Parole