Boy & Bird

The Verdict

Boy oh boy! There’s a lot to love about Boy & Bird in Ponsonby. They have a mantra of “eat, drink and be humble”, so we have a sneaky suspicion you’ll love the chicken eatery as much as we do!

Specialising in all things chicken (and so much more), the team prides itself on sourcing local ingredients and free-range, corn-fed chicken. The dishes are fresh and wholesome but with some all-important decadence (chocolate fondant, we’re looking at you). The lil—but important—things are considered with compostable packaging, organic teas and house-made sauces. We like their style!

Step inside and you’ll be charmed by the beautiful historic building. Exposed brick walls and native timber floors are complemented with industrial pendants and neon lights. Trust us: you’ll immediately feel at home in this relaxed environment—and the homely menu will cement this feeling.

Boy & Bird’s starters are so epic, you’ll be tempted to skip mains and just get a bunch of these. Think: buttermilk fried chicken, Dutch beef krokets and Cajun fish fingers. Our faves? The spiced cauliflower fritters and vegan-friendly chickpea koftas—they’re both totally unmissable!

While the starters are divine, the mains are equally mouth-watering. Choose between a brioche hot roll (stuffed with the likes shredded chicken or crumbed fish) or one of their Auckland-famous salads. The latter includes chicken with black beans and kumara or—our personal fave—sautéed kale alongside quinoa, apple and halloumi. Better yet, Boy & Bird are only too happy to prepare a half-sized salad for just $11. Lunch = sorted.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a chicken kitchen without tender, rotisserie chicken with lashing of rich gravy. Boy & Bird has this perfected with house-rubbed chicken, roasted to perfection and served as a quarter, half or whole. For a lunch-on-the-go, grab the chicken quarter with gravy, slaw and chunkies (aka the BEST potatoes, ever).

If chicken’s not your thing—fear not! Boy & Bird also serve confit duck, baked gnocchi and market fish. As for sides, dig into charred courgette, sautéed greens and polenta chips with chipotle aioli. And, rest assured, vegetarians and vegans are catered for in exceptional style. Pro tip: the vegan sticky root salad with lentil, silverbeet and cashew dressing is totally epic.

We hope you’re hungry because dessert is literally heaven on a plate. Choose from a zesty lemon tart or Dutch apple doughnuts (also known as oliebollen) served with a wicked salted caramel sauce. There’s also a decadent chocolate fondant that literally oozes with molten tastiness (we won’t judge when you lick the plate clean).

Wash down with a wine or a Monteith’s beer. You’ll also find an ever-changing cocktail of the day and a spiced hot toddy—perfect for chilly winter days. We can’t go past the refreshing house-made sodas and Mama’s Kombucha on tap.

Is that your belly we hear rumbling? We thought so. Make a beeline for Boy & Bird’s mouth-watering, finger-licking eatery and get amongst—dining here is an Aucklander’s right of passage! Alternatively, get their deliciousness delivered with their app, Uber Eats or shout the office with their epic catering. It’s healthy, it’s wholesome and it’s oh-so tasty!

Image credit: Jared Donkin