World City Guide

Restaurants

The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

Many of Auckland’s restaurants operate as cafés, bars, music venues and nightclubs, as well as serving food. They do not generally have a pre-book service, although when they do, they rarely book far in advance. They do not readily give out telephone or fax numbers, or e-mail addresses either.

GST (Goods and Services Tax) will be mentioned on the menu, indicating whether it is included in the price or not. In the vast majority of cases, it will be included as a percentage of the total bill, currently 12.5%. Tipping is rarely included in the bill and until recently was not expected, in fact it was even frowned upon. Globalisation has, however, led to a more ‘American’ attitude and it is now advisable for diners to tip 10-15% – but only if the service is good.

The prices quoted below are for a three-course meal and for a bottle of house wine or the equivalent.

Gastronomic

Antoine’s Restaurant
Despite its conservative tone and decor, this sophisticated silver service restaurant is a favourite, of some 27 years standing, among Auckland’s gastronomes and widely held to be one of the best French restaurants in the country. Situated just 10 minutes from the city centre, the restaurant offers some splendid dishes. Particularly high on the must-try list are the wonderful salmon dishes, tripe dishes and duckling, all from fresh New Zealand produce but cooked with Gaelic flair. The menu changes weekly.

333 Parnell Road, Parnell
Tel: (09) 379 8756. Fax: (09) 524 0684.
E-mail: antoines@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.antoinesrestaurant.co.nz
Price: NZ$80. Wine: NZ$20.

Hammerheads Seafood Restaurant & Bar
This is a very popular waterfront restaurant with a balcony, where it pays to be seen. White awning and views of the Auckland skyline and harbour supplement the restaurant’s effortless style. It has a reputation for slow service, although the cocktails are dynamite and the food is well worth the wait. Specialities include very fresh fish and shellfish, with some lamb, poultry and beef dishes, although diners are well advised to go with the fish.

19 Tamaki Drive, Okahu Bay
Tel: (09) 521 4400. Fax: (09) 521 4499.
E-mail: booking@hammerheads.co.nz or info@hammerheads.co.nz
Website: www.hammerheads.co.nz
Price: NZ$65. Wine: NZ$18.

Otto's
Once a magistrates court, this lovely building is now one of the premier restaurants in the city, with tasteful decor and loads of potted plants. The food is catholic in its influences and melts on the taste buds, especially the duck confit, dressed in coconut and palm sugar, and the seared venison with onion ravioli.
40 Kitchener Street
Tel: (09) 300 9595. Fax: (09) 300 9596.
E-mail: enquiry@ottos.co.nz
Website: www.ottos.co.nz
Price: NZ$80. Wine: NZ$25.

Sake Bar Rikka
This is quite simply the best Japanese restaurant in town, done up with wall hangings and gleaming clean surfaces. Dishes include chicken teriyaki, a dazzling variety of sushi, miso and a never-ending tempura platter with hot sauce and pickled ginger, all washed down by authentic sake.

Victoria Park Market
Tel: (09) 377 8239.
Price: NZ$65. Wine: NZ$20.

Toto Restaurant
Possibly the city’s finest Italian restaurant, this open and airy opera-filled room (with live opera on Thursday and Saturday) leads to a sunny terrace where it is good to be seen eating at the white-clad tables. The ripieno (stuffed breads) make mouthwatering appetisers and the roasted scallops and lobster are delicious menu options.

53 Nelson Street
Tel: (09) 302 2665. Fax: (09) 302 2047.
E-mail: toto@totorestaurant.co.nz
Website: www.totorestaurant.co.nz
Price: NZ$70. Wine: NZ$18.

Business

Belgian Beer Café (The Occidental)
This popular, business-like but atmospheric former pub has been converted into an authentic Belgian bar in the heart of the downtown area. The wood décor, method of serving the beer, massive pots of mussels with lobster bisque and brandy or coconut cream and lemon grass, are accompanied perfectly by other Belgian favourites, including massive bowls of chips with mayo, and the venue will suit most occasions. Each dish on the menu has a suggested libation from Hoegaarden to fruit beers via some excellent kiwi wine. No bookings.

8 Vulcan Lane
Tel: (09) 300 6226. Fax: (09) 300 6228.
E-mail: occi@belgian-beer-cafe.co.nz
Website: www.belgian-beer-cafe.co.nz
Price: NZ$30. Wine: NZ$19.

Euro
Euro opened just in time for the America’s Cup defence and since then has been the place to be seen in town. It has superb service, bare wood and tastefully refined decor, as well as a fantastically imaginative and varied menu, including rotisserie chicken on a bed of mashed potato and peanut slaw.

Shed 22, Princes Wharf, Quay Street
Tel: (09) 309 9866.
E-mail: info@eurobar.co.nz
Website: www.eurobar.co.nz
Price: NZ$70. Wine: NZ$18.

GPK
Another delicious fusion house combining Italian pizza bases (and sometimes toppings) with Pacific rim toppings, such as Thai green curry or octopus, which are then all finished off in large wood-fired ovens. The surroundings are a combination of smart restaurant and bare-wood bar with a relaxed atmosphere.

262 Ponsonby Road
Tel: (09) 360 1113.
Website: www.ponsonbyroad.co.nz
Price: NZ$30 or NZ$20 for a pizza. Wine: NZ$15.

Grand Harbour
Renowned throughout Auckland as probably the most opulent of the city’s Chinese restaurants where many a business lunch is enjoyed in the open airy ambience over glorious, authentic eastern tucker, served with a no nonsense modern attitude. The yum cha is delicious, particularly the Hong Kong style, as is the dim sum, the Peking Duck and there is a variety of refreshing teas and fruit juices to wash it down if you have to keep a clear head. You’ll need to book at weekends.

18-28 Customs Street West
Tel: (09) 357 6889.
Price: NZ$40. Wine: NZ$20.

Iguaçu
Often the haunt of young corporate wannabes and their hangers-on, Iguacu is a wood and flash brasserie. It has large glass windows through which patrons look out and passers-by look in at lucky folk indulging in good but expensive steaks, pan-fired lamb and fresh fish. There is also excellent jazz during Sunday brunchtime.

269 Parnell Road, Parnell
Tel: (09) 358 4804. Fax: (09) 358 0587.
E-mail: info@iguacu.co.nz
Website: www.iguacu.co.nz
Price: NZ$90. Wine: NZ$20.

Trendy

Anglesea Grill
Elegant surroundings and comfortable furniture prepare the diner for what can only be described as one of the best seafood restaurants in Auckland. Fresh fish is prepared in every conceivable way (chargrilled, fried, steamed, chowdered or raw) and presented in a stylish and highly appetizing way, alongside a wine list of great variety and value. While you’re eating (you will have to book) check out the perpetual stream of local restaurant reviewers eating out on their night off.

C149 Ponsonby Road
Tel: (09) 360 4551. Fax: (09) 360 4552.
Price: $60. Wine $22.

Brazil
With-it café in a mosaic-lined and barrel-vaulted former theatre entrance that vibrates to heavy grooves, R & B riffs and jazz melodies and attracts a lively and discerning crowd. Eggs Benedict, great breakfasts, toasted bagels, veggie breakfasts and Thai chicken salad typify the menu as do fantastic fruit shakes and some industrial strength and great-tasting coffee, made from beans roasted and ground in the basement.

256 Karangehape Road
Tel: (09) 302 2677.
Price: NZ$16. Wine: NZ$12.

Kermadec
A large, fashionable and imaginatively decorated seafood specialist with a big bustling and music-filled brasserie, Kermadec serves classier versions of bistro favourites – pan-fried snapper, Cajun-spiced fish, fish curry and scallops. The adjacent Pacific Room dances to the beat of an altogether quieter, more expensive and refined drum.

First Floor Viaduct Basin, corner of Hobson and Quay Streets
Tel: (09) 309 0413 (brasserie)/0412 (restaurant). Fax: (09) 307 0072.
E-mail: info@kermadec.co.nz
Website: www.kermadec.co.nz
Price: NZ$70. Wine: NZ$20.

Wildfire
A new flashy kid on the block, with black-topped waterside tables and massive fiery grills inside. Gourmet pizzas are produced, which, although good, are put completely in the shade by rotisserie specials of quail, duck, venison, steak and many more, marinated in herbs and spices and roasted over manuka coals.

Princes Wharf
Tel: (09) 353 7595. Fax: (09) 353 7590.
E-mail: team@wildfirerestaurant.co.nz
Website: www.wildfirerestaurant.co.nz
Price: NZ$40. Wine: NZ$20.

Zarbo
The finest deli café in all of Auckland, Zarbo is renowned for its fabulous range of products from all over the world, which are used to forge delicious breakfasts and lunches, either from the menu or picked from the display counter. The decor in this 120-seat deli and café is simple but stylish. The food takes pride of place in a long glass-covered deli counter, stuffed to overflowing with fresh cheeses, meats, dips, spreads and breads from which diners will be hard pushed to make a quick selection. There are salads of seasonal roasted vegetables, Asian sweet chilli kumara, and orzo pasta with pumpkin and feta, alongside filled rolls, lasagne, chicken breasts, roast beef and glazed ham. The breakfast menu is accompanied by scones, muffins and Eccles cakes. Lunch finishes at 1500 but the restaurant is open until 1700 for salads and some dreamy cakes and brilliant brownies.

24 Morrow Street, Newmarket
Tel: (09) 520 2721. Fax: (09) 520 3665.
E-mail: zarbo@zarbo.co.nz
Website: www.zarbo.co.nz
Price: NZ$18. Wine: From NZ$15.

Budget

Java Room
Described as Pacific Rim, the predominant influence in this intimate, light-hued and comfortable restaurant is Indonesian, although there are some fantastic Szechuan dishes, particularly the prawn offerings. The spicy fish cakes also take some beating, as does the whole snapper in sambal.

317 Parnell Road, Parnell
Tel: (09) 366 1606. Fax: (09) 366 1612.
E-mail: hooi@javaroom.co.nz
Website: www.javaroom.co.nz
Price: NZ$60. Wine: NZ$20.

Kamo
This stripped-down-to-keep-the-prices-down restaurant has functional furniture and a rowdy atmosphere. Pacific Rim is mixed with Mediterranean flavours, to come up with menu items such as fresh fish marinated in coconut cream and finely diced vegetables.

382 Karangahape Road
Tel: (09) 377 2313. Fax: (09) 377 2314.
Price: NZ$15-20. Wine: NZ$18.

Merchant Mezze Bar
This buzzing, café-style restaurant has Turkish rugs thrown around and an intimate little deck area. It serves dishes from the Mediterranean, the Middle East and beyond, including Spanish tortilla, grilled mushroom on polenta, ceviche, and Thai green curries.

430 Queen Street
Tel/Fax: (09) 307 0349.
E-mail: mezzebar@pl.net
Price: NZ$30. Wine: NZ$18.

Monsoon
A heady mixture of Thai and Malay food makes for an exotic eating experience at a surprisingly low price. Functional decor takes second place to wonderful satay dishes with peanut and chilli sauce, and fish and tiger prawns in a vibrant red curry sauce. Main courses are around NZ$16.50.

71 Victoria Road, Devonport
Tel: (09) 445 4263. Fax: (09) 446 0170.
E-mail: monsoon1@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.monsoon.co.nz
Price: NZ$35. Wine: NZ$18.

Sri Pinang
A very popular, although simplistic Malaysian restaurant, Sri Pinang starts diners off with half a dozen chicken satay skewers and follows those with some gorgeous sambal okra, beef redang, grilled tamarin fish or claypot chicken and rice, all scooped into the mouth on a tasty roti. A fresh coat of paint on the walls has freshened up the interior somewhat but no money has been wasted on the décor, which explains why the food stays cheap and tastes so good.

356 Karangahape Road
Tel: (09) 358 3886.
Price: NZ$30. Wine: NZ$1 corkage.

Personal Recommendations

Alhambra
A restaurant and live music venue on the Ponsonby Road, on a hill overlooking downtown Auckland, that as a result has not only a rather special interior (designed to look like the outside of a Spanish villa), but also spectacular views of downtown Auckland (particularly at night). The food ranges from excellent tapas to more substantial Mediterranean cuisine and there is a far-reaching and engaging list of wines and beers as well as piano and live jazz nights to put you in a cosmopolitan-smoothie frame of mind.

1st Floor Three Lamps Arcade, 283 Ponsonby Road
Tel: (09) 376 2430. Fax: (09) 376 2437.
E-mail: alhambra@ihug.co.nz
Website: www.ponsonbyroad.co.nz/websites/alhambra
Price: NZ$26. Wine: NZ$16

Bluefins
This is yet another informal, friendly, hanging-basket-strewn, wooden-floored and apparently simple seafood specialist, but this time in the glorious surroundings of Okahu Bay. The fish is fresh, the seared scallops melt in the mouth, the tuna is just pink in the centre, and the paua is large, golden and tastes of the sea. And the steaks are juicy too.

1 Aitkin Avenue, Corner of Tamaki Drive and Aitkin Avenue, Okahu Bay
Tel: (09) 528 4551. Fax: (09) 528 4582.
E-mail: bluefins@ake.quik.co.nz
Price: NZ$50. Wine: NZ$20.

Di Mare
One of the best surf and turf restaurants in the city serving mouthwatering steaks and an extraordinary variety of seafood to a highly appreciative local crowd, who all know that it’s buried behind the main drag in Parnell but never tell anyone else. This intimate restaurant is sited in and around a courtyard where you can sip some fabulous local wines and sup variations on old standards, a very modern take on paella, or more traditional fare.

Shop 9, 251 Parnell Road
Tel: (09) 300 3260. Fax: (09) 303 1593.
Price: NZ$60. Wine: NZ$22 (+BYO).

Harbourside Seafood Bar and Grill
This is a typically informal Kiwi seafood restaurant, which is extremely classy, because of the beauty of the location and the quality of the food and wine. Located in a historical building, Harbourside affords magnificent views of the harbour from its balcony and terracotta-tiled terrace. Meanwhile, the contemporary interior is spacious, airy and stylish. The restaurant offers a myriad of prepared and presented fish and crustaceans (such as pan-fried John Dory with watercress, shiitake mushrooms and citrus zest risotto) with inland fare for the unenlightened.

99 Quay Street
Tel: (09) 307 0486. Fax: (09) 307 0523.
E-mail: harbourside.auck@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.harboursiderestaurant.co.nz
Price: NZ$60. Wine: NZ$30+.

Tony’s
Tony’s is a no-fuss or bother steakhouse (and that goes for the decor too), where the portions are about the size of the animals from which they were removed. The massive sides of juicy beef and lamb are cooked beautifully, while the accompaniments, which include pumpkin mash and sweet potato wedges, are wholesome and delicious in equal measure.

32 Lorne Street
Tel/fax: (09) 373 2138.
Price: NZ$50. Wine: NZ$19.