Deco Eatery

The Verdict

Cementing the expression “west is best” is Titirangi’s stunning Deco Eatery. Situated in the historic Lopdell House, Deco is bringing a taste of Turkey to West Auckland—and the result is nothing short of incredible.

The stunning 1920s building is divided into a street-side café, main dining area and a balcony with views out to the Manukau Harbour. It’s an interior design dream with high ceilings and polished wooden floors complimented by wooden tables and chairs. There are pops of blue with decorative shutters, cushioned seating and a much-loved blue tiled floor that is the subject matter of many Instagram posts (we’re guilty of a gram ourselves).

The light, bright and beautiful eatery oozes comfort and is the kind of place you could happily pass the day away. Thankfully, you can—Deco serves mouth-watering food morning, noon and night.

At the helm of Deco Eatery, you’ll find Alex Isik and Nigar Ivgen of Nazar Group (they’re also the duo behind the likes of Devon on the Wharf, Miss Istanbul and Bodrum Kitchen). Their Turkish heritage is evident in Deco Eatery’s sensational menu with Alex recreating family recipes from his childhood.

Visit during the day and you’ll be greeted with an all-day menu. Their breakfast-esque dishes include a halloumi bruschetta bene, crêpes adorned with seasonal fruit and a rich tomato and capsicum menemen with perfectly poached eggs. There’s also the aptly named “breakfast in Turkey” starring a platter of scrambled eggs, tomato, cucumber, olives, Turkish pide and other goodies.

For lunch, there’s Deco’s signature wrap, lentil soup and lahmacun (Turkish flatbread topped with spiced beef mince and flavoursome tomato paste). However, the not-to-be-missed dish has got to be the fattoush market salad. Choose between slow-cooked lamb shoulder, roasted chicken, falafel or halloumi paired with fresh salad, Turkish pride crouton and pomegranate vinaigrette. Is your tummy rumbling yet?

Deco also brings its A-game at dinnertime. Start with shared plates such as calamari meatballs, falafel and a whooole lot of dips (think hummus, taramasalata and tzatziki). Alternatively, get all of that and MORE on the famous mezze board. Sujuk sausage, tabbouleh and olives, come at you!

The mains are all about lemon roasted chicken tagine, chargrilled tuna and Mediterranean fettuccine packed with sundried tomatoes, nepolitana sauce and crumbled feta. The star of the show has to be the biber dolmasi. Order this delight and you’ll be served a stuffed capsicum brimming with pine nuts, currants, herbed rice and labneh. Our advice? Opt to add lamb shoulder and brace yourself for the most divine meal of your life.

Be sure to stick around for dessert because the deliciousness continues. The lemon meringue is a crowd favourite while the dark choc fondant is delightfully decadent. Kids (and the young at heart) won’t be able to go past the sundae starring Turkish delight and “other fun stuff”. For something more traditional, the “taste of Turkish” is all about baklava, pashmak (Turkey’s take on candy floss), pistachio ice cream and—of course—Turkish delight.

As for drinks, Deco Eatery has an extensive wine and beer list as well as beautifully presented cocktails. They’ve also earned a reputation for serving the best hot chocolate in town—it’s served with a stick of Whittaker’s chocolate! What’s more, they blend their own espresso on site, creating the best brews in town!

Once your belly is niiice and full, check out the neighbouring Te Uru contemporary gallery or venture further afield to West Coast’s finest beaches. Whatever your plans, we guarantee you’re in for a Turkish dining experience to remember!

Image credit: Kellie Blizard