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If you're big on a meal with a view, SkyTower's Orbit restaurant is your one-stop shop (or, in this case, restaurant). The 190-metre high dining room rotates once every hour, providing 360-degree views of the city, Hauraki Gulf and beyond. The Kiwi-inspired a la carte menu features a range of vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free dishes. We recommend going all out and opting for the three-course set menu. Visit during the weekend for the ultimate high (hah) tea.

Bagels and coffee go hand-in-hand, and there’s no better place to get your fix of the two than at Roost in Ponsonby’s Vinegar Lane. Roost is run by Vulcan Lane Bagel’s Ruben Maurice, a man who knows a thing or two about the perfect bagel. Him and his two business partners, Wayne Schuler and Shaun Marlo have created a minimalist space for Ponsonby workers to pop in for a delicious lunch on the go. 

From its Belmont beginnings, Little & Friday has come a long way. The recently relocated Newmarket café is a bright, beautiful space offering the same goodies Little & Friday fans have come to know and love. Whether you’re after a wonderful filled roll, an afternoon doughnut, or a dose of caffeine in Newmarket, Little & Friday is sure to impress. 

Scratch Bakers HQ can be found on Graham Street for whenever you need an afternoon pick-me-up, coffee or lunch on the go. All their goodies—be it scones, pies, tarts or brioche—are made by hand crafted daily using fresh ingredients and produce.For those who would rather eat in, Scratch has a small but delicious food menu featuring hot cakes, pork belly omelettes and slow-cooked scrambled eggs. Scratch Bakers also provide baked goods for some of Auckland’s best cafes. 

Urban Ashram believes that everyone can benefit from practicing yoga, and their Ponsonby studio is definitely the place to do it. With classes to assist you in being strong, centred, aligned and mindful, Urban Ashram is a welcoming environment to relax and unwind in. Every Thursday night, the Yoga Lab hosts workshops, master classes, events and guest teachers to help you deepen your yoga practice. 

Nestled in Grey Lynn is one of Auckland’s best yoga studios. Yoga Ground is perfect for beginners and those wanting to find balance in their minds and lives. The studio is flooded with natural light and helps you find your flow one class at a time. Yoga Ground also hosts retreats in the Coromandel and Bali.

Golden Yogi in Takapuna understands that everyone has a different yoga style and practice it for different reasons. From vinyasa, yin yoga, kundalini (deep meditation) and align and flow, to restorative, kids and pregnancy, Golden Yogi has classes for every age and ability. Keep an eye out for events as they host regular workshops, retreats and talks. 

Situated in Stonefields, OM Yoga Studio will help you breathe, move and flow without aches and pains in no time. With a focus on yin, vinyasa and locating trigger points, OM offers classes for every level of fitness and flexibility. 

Located in Kingsland, The Centre is a serene yoga studio run by some of Auckland’s best yoga teachers and natural health therapists. They offered yoga, meditation, naturopathy, massage therapy and hypnotherapy as well as a number of different health services. The Centre lives on top of Little Bird Unbakery—the perfect place to pick up your post yoga snack. 

Whether you’re a yoga novice or as limber as can be, the team at beautiful new studio EastWest Yoga Newmarket will take you on a yogic journey through Vinyasa, Yin, Yoga Nidra, Ashtanga and Yin Yang. The 22 classes a week range from 60 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on your fitness level and lifestyle. Joining the sister studio in Ponsonby, an EastWest membership now gives students access to both sites.

Keen to embrace yoga but don’t know where to start? EastWest Yoga in Ponsonby will help you learn the basics and get a killer workout at the same time. Located on Ponsonby Road, this yoga studio specialises in hot hatha, power vinyasa and yin classes. You can opt for different packages depending on your lifestyle. 

What better way to enjoy Japanese cuisine than overlooking stunning Takapuna Beach? The food at Tokyo Bay matches its spectacular location. We love the spicy fresh tuna and panko tiger prawn sushi, duck dumplings shumai, or opt for one of their teppan-yaki meals—your tummy will be thanking you for days.

Serving Pan Asian cuisine, Big Fish Eatery is inspired by bold Asian flavours, beautiful produce and fresh ingredients to create authentic and delicious dishes. Whether you love sweet, salty, spicy or sour, there’s something for everyone—and there’s take away and delivery available.

*Update: Now an online offering only.*

Opening in 1984, Hard To Find bookstore was first located in an Onehunga basement. Making it—yup, you guessed it—hard to find! The second hand bookstore was located on Onehunga Mall, making it MUCH easier to find and now it has moved to St Benedicts Street! Give yourself at least an hour (but probably more like half a day) to browse the treasure trove. Every single nook and cranny is stacked high with books and you're guaranteed to find some gems. 

Bang smack along Dominion Road, The Dominion is the perfect stop for pre-game drinks or feed with mates. Serving tasty lunch fare from 11am and dinner till late, The Dominion serves fare you wouldn’t expect to find in a bar. We’re talking almond-crusted pork schnitzel, Asian style pork belly salad, and Neapolitan risotto. Make sure you hit up one of their quiz nights—the perfect excuse to gather your mates for a few brews.  

Ponsonby Road icon Conch Kitchen And Bar has announced today that it will be closing for good tonight, March 28, 2024, after 26 years on the strip.

Whether you like your coffee darker or lighter, sweeter or stronger, Birkenhead’s Coffee General have your back. These guys take coffee seriously—and we mean seriously. The café serves up speciality coffees made from roasted New Zealand beans in a glorious fashion. They also sell tools of the trade including coffee makers, filters, drippers and jugs.

For a tasty ramen fix look no further than Mt Eden village’s Zool Zool. The restaurant is the brainchild of Toru Hirae of Soi restaurant and Kazuya Yamauchi of Kazuya restaurant so it’s no wonder Zool Zool has got it goin’ on. Their ramen menu is divided into broth and non-broth options with flavours including teriyaki chicken, beef cheek and pork mince. There is also a range of Japanese-style tapas such as edamame, octopus fritters, tempura veges and chicken katsu. Zool Zool has Orion Japanese beer on tap and a selection of sake and wines.

While The Leigh Sawmill Café is a bit off the beaten track, we promise the trip north will be worth it! The restaurant and bar is known for their gourmet pizzas and fresh fish. We’re big fans of their gratuitous pizza topped generously with fresh fish, shrimps, capers, aioli and lemon—oh my! There’s also an on-site brewery so you can be sure you’re sipping on the freshest of fresh craft beers. 

OhSO is a Grey Lynn neighbour favourite. The café is known for their great food, service and, of course, coffee! The café also as an outdoor deck and free wifi so it’s the perfect setting to write that novel of yours. It’s also licensed so you can have a cheeky bevvy when writer’s block sets in. We’re big fans of their build-your-own breakfast menu that allows you to have things just the way you like it! 

One of the tastiest, fuss-free lunches in the city is a bagel from Best Ugly. The brainchild of celeb chef Al Brown, Best Ugly in City Works Depot hand rolls Montreal-style bagels on site. Favourites on the menu include the Yodi—pastrami, habanero mustard, grilled Swiss and a pickle, and the Holey Smoke made with smoked fish, crème fraiche, lemon zest rocket saunce and parsley. You can also pick up a bag of bagels and take them home! 

Whenever you’re in need of a healthy yet tasty sweet treat, lunch or juice on the go, Ethos Café can help you out. This New Lynn café and bakery specialises in vegetarian, seasonal and organic food to cater for every taste and dietary requirement. Pick up a vegan cream cheese bagel and a smoothie made with only the good stuff. Ethos Café also serves up organic and ethically traded Flight Coffee and make some of the best cabinet salads in Auckland. 

Ponsonby Road Bistro has earned a name for itself as one of the city’s top fine dining restaurants. With a knack of creating fresh, modern cuisine using seasonal ingredients, Ponsonby Road Bistro has dished up some sublime food over the last few years. Their current food menu features the likes of five spice crispy duck, chipotle-marinated lamb rump, and their irresistible warm Valrhona chocolate pudding—the perfect end to what is likely to be a perfect meal. 

New Lynn’s hottest new eatery, Bodrum Kitchen is your one-stop shop for Turkish and Greek-inspired fare in West Auckland. Tuck into fresh dips (think tzatziki, taramasalata and hummus), nibbly mezze bits, souvlaki and kebabs. Bodrum Kitchen also has a delicious lunch menu featuring Turkish mince, Fasulye beans and their twist on a classic eggs bene. Finish your meal with baklava and you’ll be one happy diner. 

Northcote is home to The Flaming Onion—a gourmet burger joint flipping some of the best burgers in Auckland. From classic beef to beer-battered fish burgers and everything in between, The Flaming Onion does takeaways and home delivery. They’ve just introduced premium wagyu beef burgers and gluten-free buns. An order of their kumara fries is a must. 

Andiamo is a neighbourhood bistro that has been serving up fine food to the people of Herne Bay for 30 years. The menu is a mixture of reliable favourites, seasonal and trending dishes prepared with honesty and ‘simplicity done well’ in mind. Andiamo classics include their chicken liver pâté, Caesar salad and next-level delicious confit fennel duck leg. Enjoy alongside Andiamo’s famous negroni from the barrel (smoky flavours for the win!) and finished off with a classic crème brulee. 

You can’t call yourself an Aucklander until you’ve cut shapes on the dancefloor at the Longroom. The Ponsonby bar and bistro has been creating fond memories since way back when. They have a DJ dropping beats on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights—but you already knew that. What you might not know is the Longroom has deelish brunch, lunch and dinner menus. Enjoy a long lunch in the sunny courtyard and make your way through the extensive drinks menu.

If you like to heat things up a bit, then head to Britomart for some bikram yoga. A series of 26 hatha yoga postures, combined with two pranyama breathing techniques, it’s designed to help you have an invigorating yet rejuvenating yoga experience. The Bikram Yoga Britomart studio temperature is kept at 40 degrees for the optimum workout. 

For more than 40 years now, Fort Street’s Angus Steak House has been dishing out some of the biggest steaks in town. They only use prime New Zealand-breed Angus beef and lamb racks, pork chops or venison, all cooked to your liking. Put in your steak order and then tuck into the impressive salad selection with a couple of sides—the jacket potatoes are our fave. If you’re a sweet tooth you’ll want to save room for their classic creations. We’re talking pavlova, apple strudel, chocolate mud cake and lemon tart. Oh yes!

Almost too pretty to eat, the sushi at &Sushi is colourful, fresh and seriously inventive. Light and airy, it is a great lunch break spot for workers and those in need of a break from shopping. There are plenty of options to tempt your taste buds, including their delicious range of dessert sushi.

Leah Light is pretty much every Aucklanders dream when it comes to finding the perfect spot to get your nails done. Leah has been in the industry for decades and strives to provide 'something special' on those days when you want to feel like a star. While her Parnell business also does waxing and tanning, nails are where it's at—celebs like Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Lorde have all had their nails done by this talented woman. 

Home to some of the best pies in Auckland, Muzza’s Pies in Mt Albert is a hot spot for those who truly appreciate a good pie. The pies are made with fresh, flaky pastry filled with all sorts of genius flavours. Favourites include the classic steak and cheese, Mexicani, chicken and apricot and chilli beef and sour cream as well as blueberry, apple and custard for those with a sweet tooth. Word of warning, let them cool down before devouring—fresh batches are constantly whipped up and come out of the oven piping hot. 

Fresh pasta made daily, sauces made from scratch and a tiramisu to die for, Covo Italian Bistro is an inner-city Italian fave. Located down Fort Street, Covo offers a range of Italian culinary delights including gnocchi, risotto, Roman-style pizza, and scaloppina—best devoured with a glass of fine Italian red. It’s an Auckland institution with food and service that will never let you down. 

Charlie & George is a killer brunch spot in Stonefields. The interior design is fresh and innovative, just like their baked goods! If a stack of buttermilk cupcakes with a cup of Kokako coffee doesn’t entice you then we don’t know what will. They also offer a wider range of sweet treats and savoury goodies in the cabinet.  

Need a beverage fix, but can’t seem to pinpoint that exact liquid craving? Sip Kitchen in Mairangi Bay can help you out. With their heavy focus on wholefoods sourced locally and naturally, Sip creates smoothies and juices from heaven—Three C, Ginger Ninja and Berry Immune to name a few. Sip also provides guilt-free vegan goodies that you’ll want to stock up on. 

With inspiration from Mumbai, Urban Turban combines old recipes with fresh flavours to introduce a new and exciting type of Indian Cuisine. Urban Turban encourages you can bask in the sun of at their North Wharf restaurant, while enjoying some of the best Indian food in town. Don’t leave without trying the Tandoori Prawns!

The world is your oyster when you dine at Eight. The Langham Hotel’s on-site buffet restaurant has eight unique kitchens for you to choose from. The best part? You can enjoy as many courses as you like! Here you’ll find an American-style grill, Asian noodle and dim sum kitchen, a fresh seafood bar, authentic Indian curries and—our favourite—a dessert bar complete with a chocolate fountain. Eat all the food.

Pssst Aucklanders, we’re going to let you in on a little secret here. It’s to do with your new favourite watering hole and place for, well, stuffing your pie hole. We’re talking about none other than Apéro, a cosy yet chic wine bar and eatery propped up on Karangahape Road. Taking its name from the urban French tradition of enjoying a quality drop and bite in good company, it comes as no surprise that Apéro is one of best French restaurants in Auckland.

Henderson is home to a café as sweet, yet as naughty, as a little sister. Little Sister has all sorts of goodies, including the notorious donuts (available in custard and cream and jam). Kokako Organic Coffee is on offer, alongside a South East Asian inspired menu. And the donuts, you can’t forget the donuts. Honestly, if you haven’t got the jist yet—go try the goddamn donuts.

Known for some of the best contemporary Japanese fare in town is Ebisu, a funky restaurant on Britomart's Quay Street. Ebisu’s teriyaki chicken, seared sirloin steak or daily market fish bento boxes are always a hit during lunch, loaded with karaage chicken, tuna sashimi salad, perfectly pickled pickles, and the obligatory miso soup. For dinner, crispy soft shell crab is an absolute must, and the miso glazed eggplant will rock your world. 

Kingsland’s Habitat For Fitness is exactly what it says it is—a habitat for getting super duper fit, and having fun while you’re at it. Group training is the main focus at Habitat For Fitness, with heart pumping, endorphin inducing classes such as Tabata, Barre Attack and TRX. 

Dominion Road’s Cereal Killa does a fantastic breakfast on a strip more famous for its dumplings than its eggs. The menu is short and sharp, offering some of Mt Eden’s best breakfast options. The simple avo on toast is fab, but the coconut porridge with pear, ginger, rhubarb & coconut caramel seems to be the local favourite judging by how many fly out to the tables. For more substantial fare, the big ’un will just allow you to roll yourself out the door. 

This little gem is the perfect spot to meet your Japanese cuisine needs. Yokoso offers a street-side window to select your dream takeaway or head inside for a relaxing respite from the busyness of Dominion Road. We can’t get enough of the black rice tempura prawn sushi and their bento boxes go down a delicious treat.

The Remuera Local really is ‘the local’, because there aint no place we’d rather be. The Remuera Local is a hub buzzing with activity, with a menu to feed the masses. The food on offer, is a little bit of everything, a little bit of everything French inspired. The perfect place for a group outing or hungover brunch, as there is bound to be a dish to tickle everyone’s fancy. The Remuera Local also supports the locals, by pouring glasses of New Zealand’s finest drop. 

If you’re a self confessed burrito connoisseur, make your way to The Mexican Cafe. This inner-city Mexican restaurant specialises in generous portions of classics, and a few twists (Devil Nachos are a favourite). The Mexican Cafe will have you leaving satisfied, without robbing your bank balance—perfect justification to spend more on some serious margaritas, as they boast 80 types of tequila. Oh, and the best part? They’re not stingy on the guac! 

One of the best outdoor eating spots in Auckland, The Tasting Shed is perfect for a day trip out of the city. It has a seasonal menu and a substantial, global wine list to tickle the palate—be prepared to step outside your comfort zone here.

Although the location is not so secret anymore, Amy’s Secret Kitchen on Brown Street in Ponsonby is still revered as a treasure. What started as a passionate hobby of sisters Amy and Charlotte, has blossomed into Amy’s Secret Kitchen, which officially launched in 2012. The girls are on a quest to create the most delicious and gorgeous confectionary in New Zealand.

L’Escabeau French Kitchen is a café on Richmond Road run by two incredibly friendly French women who churn out a delicious array of French delicacies for the Ponsonby and Grey Lynn neighbourhoods. Whether you sit down for a bite to eat or grab something to takeaway, you can rest easy knowing you are going to be served high-quality French fare.

Amongst Parnell’s Jubilee Building is Foundation on George, a tranquil café with an innovative and modern interior and a cabinet full of home-made sweet and savoury treats to fuel your guilty indulgence. Diners also have the option for prepared to order food which can be enjoyed in the natural light of the spacious interior. All in all, Foundation on George provides a serene café setting with traditional fare for locals and visitors alike.  

It’s not everyday that you are able to wine and dine amongst blossoming flowers and greenery. The Botanist in City Works Depot is the collision of a café, wine bar and florist, so your options are endless. With a team made up of restaurateurs, florists and sommaliers, the experience you get at The Botanist is truly inventive and invigorating.

4&20 in Remuera is owned by the masterminds behind Zarbo food store in Newmarket. Inspired after their European travels, husband and wife Andy Tse and Deborah Chait returned to New Zealand to emulate the classical methods of bread-making found overseas. Using just three ingredients of organic flour, sea salt and filtered water, the dynamic duo churns out artisan, naturally leavened breads inspired by European tradition. 

Flowers After Hours, located in trendy Parnell, has been bringing joy to Aucklanders for the past 25 years. The specialized team of florists behind Flowers After Hours consistently create unique bouquets and arrangements that are a beautiful way to complement any occasion, from corporate events and product launches to dinner parties and special gifts.

Equipoise Spa, located on Jervois Road in Ponsonby, is a place of tranquillity where customers can relax, rejuvenante and restore mind, body and spirit. At Equipose Spa, the focus is on enhancing the soul, which therefore enhances outer beauty and directly affects overall wellbeing. The menu of services at Equipoise Spa includes facials, body treatments, massage therapy and manicures + pedicures, among many other offerings.  

About Face has been voted New Zealand’s favourite beauty clinic and it’s no surprise why. Following their mantra “Great looking skin for a lifetime, without extreme measures”, About Face delivers the best in beauty in the form of facials. Auckland’s most comprehensive range of facials, it also offers an array of other offerings including massage and spa treatments, laser hair removal and manicures and pedicures.

The Elephant Wrestler is an institution in Takapuna, conveniently located on Hurstmere Road. It’s a versatile gastropub good for any occasion, from a birthday party to a work function and anything in between. The weekly rituals make the Elephant Wrestler a staple any day of the week and include Friday’s catch of the day and Tuesday Trivia.

Located conveniently on Ponsonby Road towards the K-Road intersection lies Tartine Café, up until recently known as Café People. The full service café is known for its French inspiration, drawing from the French word 'Tartine' which literally translates to 'a slice of bread.' French Tartines au Beurre, Charcuterie Platters and Oeuf & Boeuf are some of the French influenced items you will find on the menu at Tartine Café.

Cats and coffee? Why not! Auckland's BaristaCats is situated in the heart of the CBD and visitors can pay to pop in for an hour and pet cats to their hearts content while sipping on a complimentary coffee provided by Auckland roasters Be.Specialty and a bite to eat if you’re keen. 

Thai Street on Jellicoe Street in Wynyard Quarter has set the bar for an authentic Thai street food experience. People from all over the city venture to Wynyard Quarter to be transported to the streets of Bangkok for the evening, where they enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff, and lest we forget; authentic Thai street food.

One of the best places to grab sushi during your lunch break, Sushi Pac offers a range of options for you to mix and match your ideal meal. Whether you love salmon, chicken, beef, prawn or tuna sushi, you’ll find it at Sushi Pac. We also love the crayfish seafood mix.