Directory

Tucked away above Parnell Road, you'll find War Pacific Island Fusion. Here, traditional Fijian cuisine is given a thoroughly modern makeover, resulting in incredible fusion-style dishes that you won't find anywhere else in Auckland (and arguably, the country)—served with a generous sprinkling of island flair. The brainchild of chef and owner Krisneel Chand who's spent over 14 years perfecting his craft in five-star resorts in Fiji, WAR (wild and raw) is his gift to the people of Auckland.

As Gloria's closed its Karangahape Road doors late last year, we were left with quite possibly the worst Christmas present on record. However, we’re back in the good books for 2024 as the sandwich shop has emerged in a brand-spanking new iteration in Auckland's Commercial Bay.

Noble Rot ain't your average wine bar (though you probably surmised that from the name). Evidenced in the countless accolades it has received since opening, which include Cuisine Magazine's 'Best Wine Experience in NZ' for three years running, there really is no better spot to enjoy a glass in Welly.

Italian food always makes our blood run hot, especially the kind coming out of the kitchen at beloved Wellington eatery, Fratelli.

Fife Lane is like your local steakhouse, on steroids (and was, in fact, named one the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants for 2023). This Tauranga gem brings together incredible food and wine in a super chic setting, with a bespoke glass meat locker and dedicated wine room all adding to the experience.

It's been a hot minute since we had anything served to us beneath a cloche. At Embra, however, presentation is paramount so that means yes, you may encounter the occasional cloche—or perhaps shellfish bisque topped with an entire crab, albacore tuna tartare buried beneath rye crumbs and enoki mushrooms to mimic a garden, black-and-white-striped squid cannelloni, and pithiviers so beautiful, they wouldn't look out of place on the royal dining tables of old (see picture, above). We believe the proper term for this kind of cuisine is 'fine dining on steroids'.

After serving the people of Waikato for close to two decades, Palate has recently moved into a funky new premises at SkyCity Hamilton. Recognised by its greenery-clad exterior and neon yellow sign, we're already anticipating that this new version of an old favourite will be here for many more years to come.

Any restaurant that sees fit to serve doughnuts for dinner is our kind of spot (savoury doughnuts no less, pumped full of yellow curry beef and 'glazed' with kewpie mayo—see the mouthwatering evidence, above).

We're a sucker for a pretty cocktail, which means we're in big trouble when we visit Londo—because this spot has pretty cocktails coming out of its proverbial ears. Think ruby-hued clover clubs, whiskey sours the colour of sunshine and a strawberry tequila fizz that's dangerously reminiscent of the ice cream floats of our youth.

Christchurch, you're a lucky bunch with a restaurant like 5th Street in your midst. Whatever your foodie inclinations (pasta and natural wine, steak and beer, or perhaps even fried chicken washed down with a cocktail), this stylish venue has you sorted.

Still rocking the Auckland Italian food scene, Otto (formerly Cotto) is one of the top Italian restaurants in the city. This spot showcases that Italian food doesn’t always have to come with a hefty price tag, with their menu ranging from $8-$28 and every single dish tasting like a million bucks. 

Vibrant cocktails meet contemporary dining at Ember restaurant and The Aviary cocktail bar.

Prepare to experience the flavours of Saigon at Việtflames, where you can get your fix of Vietnamese food without even stepping on a plane. Located in Sylvia Park, this eatery has reopened in a new location in the heart of the popular Mount Wellington shopping mall. 

A brand new Chinese BBQ with a difference has opened in Newmarket.

A brand new, five-star hotel has opened at Auckland Airport and it’s set to turn what you thought you knew about airport hotels on its head. Overlooking the buzzing international terminal with spectacular runway views and out to the Manukau Heads, Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland is a fascinating place to spend a few hours, a day or a night.

If your ideal 'last supper' involves a big bowl of pasta and a plate piled high with cannoli, read on. Ellerslie's cool new pasta joint, Bianca, does both dishes exceedingly well—so well in fact, eating them may cause you to think you've bypassed the death part of that picture altogether, and gone straight to heaven.

Back for another season beachside gem Aryeh by Executive Chef and Restauranteur Lucas Parkinson (Wānaka's Ode) is the place to hit this summer. 

A brand new, multi-million dollar, totally immersive experience created by Hollywood set designers has opened in Auckland CBD.

Date night just got a whole lot more delicious with Tala, Parnell’s hidden gem, opening its doors and slinging sleek, contemporary yet traditional Samoan fare.  

Otherworldly cocktails and noodle dishes come together at The Nightcar, Auckland’s newest hidden bar and restaurant.

Clear your calendar, a sleek new hotel is opening atop Commercial Bay and you’re going to want to check in, stat. Quietly brewing behind the scenes for quite some time now, InterContinental Auckland has landed and it’s luxe incarnate. 

Following in the footsteps of one of Auckland’s most acclaimed and accolade-laden restaurants was undoubtedly an ambitious endeavour for hospo heavyweights Sid and Chand Sahrawat—let alone to open within the same location.

If you're hunting for the perfect rejuvenating gift for yourself or a loved one this Christmas look no further than Tronque x Tonic Room's gorgeous Summer Glow-up Body Treatment.

The wonderful world of Japanese-Italian cuisine has just landed in Ponsonby. The name ‘Itameshi’ is the Japanese word for Italian food and, in essence, that’s exactly what’s being served. While you could call it ‘fusion’, a word that’s become a catch-all phrase for culinary eclecticism (which there’s nothing wrong with, by the way), we hesitate to do so—as Itameshi’s menu, created by 30-year-old chef Roy Yu, is elevated in a way we’ve never seen before. 

If you're looking for the best breakfast in Te Atatū—or Auckland, even—let us introduce you to Neil Cafe. Nestled in the heart of Te Atatū Peninsula along Neil Avenue (get it?), this groovy little spot is serving up some seriously delish brunch dishes, including a game-changing take on poached eggs.

Community is queen when it comes to places we love to hang out but it’s not a vibe that’s exactly easy to pull off. You will, however, find it by the gallon (or should we say pint) at Side Hustle, the newest addition to Morningside Precinct. 

If there's one food we could live on for the rest of our lives, it's pasta. And there's one spot that's currently doing this carby cuisine better than the rest.

All hail The Muriwai Deli, back open after a devastating enforced closure due to the havoc wreaked by last year's Cyclone Gabrielle. But now the boys are back stronger than ever. Opening from 8am Friday to Sunday and now on Friday and Saturday evenings at the brand-spanking new bar, come through for a bevvie or two.  

Consider your after-work feed, treat-yo-self lunch cravings officially taken care of—Brew’d Hawt has opened a second spot in Victoria Street in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s CBD. The quirky fried chicken and elevated comfort food empire is growing.  

Ellerslie Village stalwart Pastrami & Rye has been delighting customers since first opening its doors back in 2016 and rather than rest on their laurels, the bowtie and flat cap-wearing team's creativity just keeps on coming.

We all know and love renowned Chef, Michael Meredith, and if you don’t, then you definitely should. 

If you consider yourself a bona fide food enthusiast, the mere mention of Josh Emett should send your taste buds into a frenzy. The esteemed chef having worked under Gordon Ramsay for 10 years has left his mark in Auckland with his upscale dining experiences at Onslow and The Oyster Inn on Waiheke, not to mention Queenstown's Rata. Now he's adding to his Auckland-based portfolio.

Bringing Spanish sensibilities to the (very chic) table, Bonita is the answer to the prayers we didn’t even know existed. 

One of Auckland’s most chic destinations for degustations also happens to be one of the most creative—helmed by chef Nick Honeyman and 23/2024 Cuisine Chef of the Year Zennon Wijlens.

The team behind Deadshot and Caretaker have just unveiled their latest creation, and this one comes with a hidden karaoke room and prosecco on tap. 

If there’s one place in Auckland worth your hard-earned coin, it’s naturally going to be Broke Boy Taco. More to the point: their first post in Mount Albert, opening on October 18 and complete with a secret menu. 

Meet Domo Bakery, Takapuna's newest Asian-inspired cafe with a twist that's taking Auckland's pastry scene by storm. Newly nestled in the heart of this vibrant coastal community, Domo is already capturing the hearts and palates of croissant connoisseurs far and wide (Hamiltonians, we see you!).

The duo behind some of Auckland’s (if not Aotearoa’s) best smash burgers are getting ready to open the doors of their new permanent space at 1879 Great North Road, Avondale.

An epic new leafy oasis by the legends behind Lucky 8 and Mr Hao has just opened in the heart of Auckland and it will legit blow your mind.

When it comes to baked goods, Butter Baby is a bonafide triple threat (and by that, we mean you'll find them on our best cookies, best cinnamon buns, AND best doughnuts lists—pretty impressive, right?).

A vibrant new eatery has joined the familia at Auckland's City Works Depot, bringing with it a drool-worthy line-up of authentic Mexican tacos, margaritas, and other delights.

If you’re a devoted follower of the legendary Filipino food truck, Hapunan, you’ll be delighted to hear that they’ve found a permanent spot in Huapai, so you can tuck into their culinary delights on the reg. 

Editor’s Note: This venue is permanently closed

‘Veggies are boring.’ Oh pleeease. Here to put that myth firmly to bed is Auckland’s dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurant, Forest, who are here to show you just how remarkable your five-a-day can truly be.

Update: Folds Patisserie will be hitting pause with their last trading day Sunday 6 July 2025 and are currently taking requests for what you want to feast up on before they close. Owner Wendy is adament it's just a bye for now and have plans to return (in some form) in 2026. 

They say the devil works hard but have you ever heard of David Lee? Lee, alongside a dedicated and talented team, is the name behind some of Auckland's most beloved and award-winning eateries and chances are, they’re already regulars on your dining rotation.

The one stop shop for anyone with an obsession with all things flaky, golden, buttery and baked is none other than Blockhouse Bay’s Levain Bakery. 

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.

If one was to pick and mix their favourite elements of any eatery into one gorgeous daytime destination, chances are the end result would look a little something like Dulcie. 

As one door closes, a delicious one opens. Taking residence in the gone-but-never-forgotten space of former beloved bar Peach Pit is Tempero—Auckland’s brand new Pan-Latin bistro and bar. 

Just when I thought the JW Marriott couldn’t get any better, they went and had a $35 million glow up and, boy, does ultra luxe look good on JW. Can confirm, it also looks mighty fine as a calendar reminder which will be exactly what you’ll be receiving after you’ve booked yourself in for a dreamy staycay in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau. 

If you're a plant enthusiast, no doubt you will have come across online plant phenomenon Johnny Jungle on your plant acquisition journey. Well, now you can stalk your next plant baby in person as the slick online store has just put down physical roots in Ponsonby Central. 

Spilt Milk has been feeding hungry Point Chevalier tums since 2016 and they're still going strong. Tucked away in an arcade on Great North Road, you’ll want to make the bright and light café your new local.

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Point Chevalier’s new addition makes a sweet case for why it should be the centrepiece of your daily feeds. 

The Arts House Trust holds one of the most extensive collections of contemporary art in New Zealand. Located in the stunning historic Pah Homestead, in Hillsborough's Monte Cecilia Park, it is host to a regular rotation of art exhibitions from Aotearoa artists, with works selected from the 9000 plus collection and host to nationally touring exhibitions.

If you’re a shore guy or gal then listen up. Cult vegan Thai restaurant, Khu Khu, has opened a second location in Milford, so you can fill your face with delicious vegan fare until your heart's content—and trust us, your heart will be left feeling very content after a night at Khu Khu. 

BOSSI is an exquisite new Italian restaurant nestled into the ground floor of The Pacifica, the country's tallest residential skyscraper located on Commerce Street in Auckland's CBD. Some may already be familiar with the BOSSI name—they opened an authentic Italian deli named DELI di BOSSI, right next door in April.

Welcome to Cassia—the home of Indian food, but almost certainly not as you know it. Under the direction of renowned chef Sid Sahrawat (who also owns Sid at The French Café and Ponsonby's restaurant and cocktail bar, KOL), this glam hotspot is dishing up some of the most groundbreaking Indian cuisine around.

What if we told you the city's first urban cellar door and wine bar has just opened in an epic location on Auckland's waterfront? Named Somm (after the French term sommelier, meaning 'wine steward'), this chic new wine bar and bistro can be found in the former Crab Shack site on Princes Wharf and trust us when we say, it's even more of a good time than it sounds.

No one does food quite like the French. Don't believe us? Treat yourself to a meal and a drink or two at Auckland's hot new Parisian-inspired cafe/bistro and wine bar, Paname Social, and see if you don't agree.