Broadway Food Company Papakura

Tucked away off Papakura’s Broadway strip is a foodie’s heaven that goes by the name of Broadway Food Company. Boasting six glorious cuisines and counting, it gives us endless options by Auckland’s best independent street foodies. From hand-crafted smash burgers, wood-fired Turkish pides/pizzas, and seriously tasty fried chicken, to finger-licking good slow-cooked BBQ, Indian street food, charcoal kebabs,  plus the Beer Spot (next door)—this place has something for everyone.

With an indoor-outdoor flow, it's home to one of the most spacious dining verandahs in South Auckland—or all of Auckland, for that matter. Oh and it gets better. Broadway Food Company opens up to The Beer Spot and their endless array of brews, so you can enjoy a little tipple while you feast. 

You may recognise some of the names that call Broadway Food Co home, but we assure you it’s not because they’re samey ol’ chains. Oh no, many of these family-run foodies have kickstarted their cult following as food trucks, and lucky us, now have set up stores to sling their goods permanently. 

Fancy a velvety curry bursting with flavour? India Rocks’ Rogan Josh and Butter Chicken will put any previous ones to shame. Everything is made from scratch and trust us, you’ll taste it. Case in point, the tandoori platter, loaded with different meat marinades and literally sizzling on arrival—dinnertime entertainment for all the senses. They also continue the case that a mango lassi remains a must-have. Liquid gold, we’re telling ya.

You don’t know a quality kebab until you’ve laid eyes—and devoured—the meat on Kebab On Broadway’s skewer (which, FYI is top-of-the-line, cooked over charcoal and was even brought over from Iran for the occasion). One glance and it’s clear the meat is oh-so succulent, juicy and seasoned from scratch and will be delish over rice, wrapped up or a salad. They don’t stop there, they even serve the creamiest fettuccine with—you guessed it—their signature kebab chicken. The result? Comfort food like *nothing* else. 

Like your meat beautifully charred and served in generous sizes? Make a beeline for Big Smokin’Mo Barbecue. Peep local couple Moe and Marika’s on-site gigantic smoker, which powers out their low and slow-style meats. The iconic baby back ribs plate, pulled pork loaded fries, or a stonkingly great and melty beef rib—AKA the Dino Bone—to name a few. Don’t leave without a slab of their NY-style cheesecake. That’s an order. 

Fried chicken—plus a killer mac n’ cheese practically snowing with parmesan—has a delicious home at Hei Hei Hot Chicken, from the owners of the hugely successful Passa Passa pop-up. You’ll find the ‘burbs namesake, the Kura Burger, drizzling hot honey on the trusty chicken, while the Hei Hei Burger drips its chicken in cheese. Fried chicken whipped up by Italian chefs, name a better recipe for foodie magic? 

Auckland’s best hummus is found at Woodspirit Turkish Pide, topped with lashings of paprika and Spicy Baked Chickpeas, Olive Salad or Beef Pastrami. Dip this with its soft pita, or take things up a notch and ram your loaded Turkish Pide—a freshly-baked thin sourdough base loaded with cheese and various meat and veggie toppings—into it for the ultimate texture moment. There’s everything from egg and bacon to Sucuk (Turkish Chorizo) and cheese, lamb mince, to choose from. The must-have dessert? Four words: chocolate + traditional baklava boats. 

No visit here is complete without a smashed burger from Smashed As landing in your hands, and straight into your belly. Followed by their herby, golden, gooey camembert bites, that is. It’s just science. This family-run joint is run by Jamie Stewart—the man behind legendary food truck Toasted As and Kingsland's Burgernaut—who makes their burgers with local dry-aged karaka beef—stacked in your choice of single, double or triple-stacked patties. Yes, you read that last one right. 

There’s a lot to love about Broadway Food Company. The authentic touches. The family recipes. The characters behind it. The endless feasting possibilities. Nab your possie and use the tabletop QR codes to order a little something from everywhere for the ultimate feed. But don’t take our word for it, pick and mix—and food coma—your way around for a foodie adventure unlike anywhere else.  

Image credit: Dave Marano, Broadway Food Co.