Sunday, a.k.a. the most anti-social night of the week. The only thing worse than staying in on Sunday is being lumped with the responsibility of having to find a good restaurant that’s open. Usually, this thankless task means countless hours of your precious weekend wasted in an increasingly disappointing search.
But we’re here to change all that. We’ve scoured all our favourite eateries to make your Sunday evening eating a breeze.
Smoking Shack
108 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Smoky, meaty low 'n slow BBQ, at your service. Make a beeline for Smoking Shack.
Hanoi Haven
40 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland
If you find yourself on the shore in need of a feed on a Sunday, head to Hanoi Haven. And don't skip the ginger and soy sauce caramel-spiked eggplant chips.
GOAT - From India With Love
12 Wyndham Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Short for "Greatest Of All Taste" you won't find butter chicken at GOAT. Nope, this is real Indian cuisine minus the fiery spice levels.
Sammy's Deli & Diner
136 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Two words: immaculate sandos. We could kick back and graze at Sammy's Deli & Diner for hours.
Nami Record Bar
115a Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
A plate of tteok-bokki and vegetables with a marg rimmed with vibrant orange gochugaru salt? Say less and go straight to Nami.
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Itameshi
4 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn
Image credit: Itameshi | Vanessa Zhao
Epically hangry but doom-scrolling through menus online is only getting you down? You might just be craving something totally different which is exactly what Itameshi does. Technically it's Japanese-Italian fusion but it's closer to absolute wizardry and is sure to lift any day of the week, even a Sunday.
Impression Restaurant
395 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
It's Dunedin's favourite Chinese restaurant, now in Tāmaki (and on a Sunday, even). Here's everything you need to know about Impression Restaurant.
Queens Rooftop & Wineshop
Level 21/1 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010
When *everyone* gets a rooftop spot with stunning harbour views, you know you’re in for a treat, especially when said rooftop is Queens and you'd totally forgotten they're open on Sundays.
Eden Noodles
105 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland | Shop 3/18-26 Wellesley Street East, Auckland CBD | 424 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland | Commercial Bay, Level 2/7 Queen Street, Auckland CBD | The Eatery At Eastridge, 215 Kepa Road, Mission Bay, Auckland
Eden Noodles is the go-to cheap eats hub when it comes to spicy dumplings (from $7) and dan dan noodles (about $15). And the Eden Noodles spice scale sure packs a punch.
Hazy Tiger
22 Durham Street West, Auckland CBD
Springing forth from the enticing red glow of neon (and the latest creation from the people who brought us Seoul Night) Hazy Tiger serves atmosphere, plus wicked Korean eats and tapped cocktails in the realm of Matcha Yuzu. Plus, all the dishes clock in at either $8, $11, or $16, and they're not stingy on the portion sizes.
ChaBliss
4/177 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland
Image credit: ChaBliss | Wono Kim
An idyllic tea space that's intentionally grounded in the contemporary, ChaBliss serves tea iterations in the realm of nitro, beer, and champagne.
Parasol And Swing Company
7/204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Yes siree, Parasol and Swing is open on a Sunday which means excellent fare (from burgers and tacos to surprisingly magnificent iceberg lettuce wedges) and hella 'Grammable cocktails are but a booking away.
Federal Delicatessan
86 Federal Street, Auckland CBD
Get fed (see what we did there?) at Al Brown’s old-school New York City Jewish-inspired delicatessen. From knockout poutine to eat-me cheesecake and everything in between, snag it by the plateful at The Fed.
Advieh
1 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
Middle Eastern food for the masses, whether you're on a spicy hot date, showing your in-laws around town, or dining with the pickiest palate, Advieh's a great pick.
Seoul Night
16-20 Fort Street, Shop 1, Auckland CBD
Step through a drinks machine and you’ll find yourself in subterranean Korean bar, Seoul Night, which just so happens to have the best anju (for the uninitiated that means Korean bar food) in Tāmaki and refreshing soju slushies.
Bar Magda
25b Cross Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Bar Magda | Josh Harvey
There's something sultry about subterranean Filipino-inspired Bar Magda and Sunday's the perfect day to indulge.
Good Luck Club
7/30 Walters Road, Takanini, Auckland
It's giving elevated diner with smashed burgers, a sizzling pour-over cheese burg' situation, fried chicken, and shakes for days. On the hunt for fuss-free American-style fare in generous portion sizes? Head to Good Luck Club.
Bonita
131 Main Ellerslie Highway, Auckland
If you're in need of a cosy spot with incredible food (sometimes Korean-style tapas, sometimes something else entirely) and game-changing cocktails, Bonita's for you.
Brew'd Hawt
151 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD | 12 Putney Way, Manukau City Centre, Auckland
For fried chicken done right and cheesecake to follow, bite into Brew'd Hawt.
Tacoteca
City Works Depot, 1/90 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD
Tacoteca's guac is spiked with grilled pineapple and charcoal oil so just imagine how next level their tacos are.
The Breakfast Club
1179 Great North Road, Point Chevalier, Auckland
Image credit:
Treating yourself to a Sunday brunch? Go on. And The Breakfast Club's neon-soaked, piled-high plates are a great shout.
Amano
68 Tyler Street, Britomart, Auckland CBD
Serving up rustic Italian-inspired cuisine, Amano is big on environmentalism opting for ethically farmed, sustainably caught and no waste.
Caretaker
40 Customs Street, Britomart Place, Auckland
If you're in the mood for bespoke cocktails in a dreamy speakeasy setting with live jazz from 9pm, Caretaker's for you.
The Emerald
581 Manukau Road, Greenwoods Corner, Auckland
You might have to fight tooth and nail to get a reservation at The Emerald but your efforts will be rewarded with many pretty plates, all of which will make your tastebuds rejoice.
Fat Puku’s Smashed Burgers
1/492 Queen Street, Auckland CBD | Shop 1/12 Jellicoe Street, Auckland CBD
Burgery goodness with ‘frosted’ skinny fries and milkshakes in the retro wonderland that is Fat Puku's Smashed Burgers.
Cafe Hanoi
27 Galway Street, Britomart, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Cafe Hanoi | Facebook
Cafe Hanoi is loved for its laid-back atmosphere and minimalist decor as much as its stunning flavour blend of traditional Hanoian street food with North Vietnamese and New Zealand cuisines.
Ghost Donkey
Commercial Bay, Level 2/1 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
Decked out with a starry red ceiling, serving tacos and ‘not tacos’ Ghost Donkey is proving itself to be a major contender in Auckland’s Mexican food scene.
Ahi.
Commercial Bay Level 2/7 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
Translating to ‘fire’ Ahi never fails to delight with its homegrown, authentic Aotearoan flavours.
Baduzzi
10-26 Corner Jellicoe Street Unit 2, North Wharf, Auckland CBD
For Italian cuisine in all its ancient glory (think hearty meatballs and the best pasta), hit Baduzzi.
Ghost Street
27 Galway Street, Britomart, Auckland CBD
Ghost Street is all about Beijing-inspired juicy seafood, melt-in-your-mouth braised brisket, crispy dumplings, succulent noodles, fresh greens and next-level cocktails in a secret underground haunt.
16 Tun
10-26 Jellicoe Street, Auckland
16 Tun has more craft beer from independent brewers than you can tipsily brandish your empty glass at, plus bar snacks, you know, for balance.
Ragtag
162 Garnet Road, Westmere, Auckland
Image credit: Ragtag | Facebook
Head to Ragtag for everything you never expected (but definitely needed) to appear in a taco, plus a whole lot of other lovely things.
The Fox
85-87 Customs Street West, Viaduct Basin, Auckland CBD
Very decent pub grub straight from the motherland awaits you at The Fox, complete with a list of ‘Licence to Swill’ cocktails, British ales and a notable gin selection.
Everybody Eats
306 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga | 133 Line Road, Glen Innes, Auckland
Head to ONE in Onehunga or Tātou in Glen Innes on a Sunday for Everybody Eats—a three-course, pay-as-you-feel, community dining experience.
Saint Alice
Level 1/204 Quay Street, Auckland CBD
For when you want to feel luxe, Saint Alice is the one. Order up a round of oysters with a side of parmesan truffle fries and all your worries will melt away.
Corelli’s Cafe
46 Victoria Road, Devonport
The friendly, creative vibe of Corelli's Cafe gets us every time with its eclectic (and extensive) menu and a treasure trove of cabinet food.
INCA
9 Richmond Road, Ponsonby Central, Auckland
INCA is elevated Japanese-Peruvian fare by Nic Watt in Ponsonby Central's laneway. Ideal for pre- and post-cinema feeds.
Want more? Check out:
- Where To Eat In Auckland On A Monday
- Auckland's Best Non-Alcoholic Bevvies Worth Raise A Glass To
- The Finest High Tea Spots In Auckland
Main image credit: Smoking Shack | Michael White.