Sri Pinang

The Verdict

Locals often say Karangahape Road's Sri Pinang is the best Malaysian food in Auckland. The fact that it’s BYO, and the food and corkage is cheap as chips are just the cherry on top. And they're not the only ones who think so—their beef rendang has been named an Auckland Iconic Eat and they've even been named one of the best restaurants in the world (and the only one in NZ) according to Condé Nast Traveler's interactive food map of the world. Ka pai Auntie Angie!

Says Pim Techamuanvivit, chef/owner of Nari and Kin Khao in San Francisco, and executive chef of Nahm Bangkok: "Sri Pinang is the oldest of old school Malaysian restaurants on K' Road in Auckland. Auntie Angie rules the kitchen and the dining room. The food is simple, homey, and very more-ish—think sambal prawn (in the shells), roti curry, beef rendang, char kuey tiew, and stir-fried beans in black olives."

Well, there you have it. It's nice when the rest of the world catch on to what we've been thinking the whole time, isn't it? What's more, the lovely staff at Sri Pinang can adapt almost everything on the menu for vegetarians. So what are you waiting for, grab the crew and bottle and head to Sri Pinang for some of the best eats in NZ.

Image credit: Babiche Martens.