The best restaurants in Auckland

What is it? A three-hatted restaurant in a spectacular waterfront spot at Commercial Bay, with sparkling harbour views to match the food. Ahi translates to ‘fire’ in Te Reo Māori, and is the secret behind some of the most distinctive flavours in every dish. 

Why go? At Ahi, everything is kissed by fire and crafted to tell the story of New Zealand’s finest producers and growers. Chef-restaurateur Ben Bayly handpicks the freshest ingredients from across the country – including Ahi’s own organic kitchen garden in Patumāhoe – and transforms them into plates that are as artful as they are flavour-packed. The menu even lists the food miles for every ingredient, so you know exactly where your meal came from. Think braised goat shoulder from Awatere Valley, oysters with granita from Waiheke, and wood-fired duck breast with Sichuan peppers from Cambridge. Wander past the open kitchen to catch a glimpse of the flames (and the magic) in action.

Order the: Te Matuku oyster with garden granita and Morningside cider

Address: Commercial Bay Level 2/7 Queen St, Auckland Central

Price: Blowout

What is it? One of New Zealand’s hottest new openings, tucked within the SkyCity dining precinct. Helmed by award-winning chef Michael Meredith, the menu draws on his Samoan roots to showcase vibrant Pasifika flavours in a stylish, date-night-ready dining room.

Why go? If you’ve never had Pacific Islander food, let Metita be your introduction. From Samoa to Tahiti to Moorea, each dish tells a story of the Pacific Islands. A handy glossary helps you navigate the menu, which features delights like panikeke (Samoan fried doughnut), povi masima (salted beef), umala sourdough (sweet potato bread) and ota povi (beef tartare). 

Order the: 55-day dry-aged scotch steak with palusami purée (taro leaf and coconut cream sauce) and ravigote (French sauce similar to salsa verde)

Address: The Grand by SkyCity, Level 3/90 Federal St, Auckland Central

Price: High-end

What is it? One of Auckland’s favourite dumpling stops, Eden Noodles, is for everyone from hipsters to big family groups. Make sure you order a side of their excellent beef noodle soups with your pillowy packages of porky goodness.

Why go? The dumpling wars have been raging for some years on Dominion Road – Auckland’s Asian food capital – but Eden Noodles is a perennial favourite (along with Barilla down the street and Mr Zhou's, ten minutes away). They've actually got ten locations across the city, all serving cheap and cheerful dumplings, along with noodles, hot pots, Sichuan pita bread and rice bowls. Inhaling a dozen pork and chive dumplings bathed in your sweet and spicy sauce is a quintessential cheap and cheerful Auckland experience.

Order the: Dumplings in sweet and spicy sauce

Address: 105 Dominion Rd, Mount Eden + nine other locations

Price: Budget

What is it? A lively all-day eatery under the Sky Tower, loved for its fantastic oyster bar.

Why go? Al Brown is one of the nation’s best-known chefs, and his stylishly casual joint has been consistently packed since it opened. Expect fresh, seasonal New Zealand produce elevated with international influences, resulting in share plates that are interesting but proudly unpretentious. There’s often a wait, but it’s 100 per cent worth it. The raw bar serves freshly shucked oysters and clams, alongside charcuterie boards and a mix of small and large share plates. Try the braised lamb neck with Yorkshire pudding or the famous snapper sliders – they've been named an Iconic Auckland Eat for five years running. 

Order the: Snapper sliders with pickled lemon mayo and watercress

Address: 86 Federal St, Auckland Central

Price: Mid-range

What is it? World-class modern Japanese from an internationally acclaimed chef, minus the intimidating vibe.

Why go? Masu suits anyone who loves Japanese flavours but is open to new interpretations on the theme. The king crab, grilled lamb cutlets and crayfish spicy miso tacos fly out the door. The menu tells you you’re eating high-end Robata-style Japanese sharing plates using the very best of New Zealand produce, but the attentive, slick service, huge space and kick-ass fitout – complete with the theatre of a very open kitchen – make you wonder if you’re in New York, London or Melbourne.

Order the: Wagyu kimchi gyoza

Address: 90 Federal St, Auckland Central

Price: High-end

What is it? Say hello to this bold Asian-fusion eatery at Viaduct Harbour. Hello Beasty is so popular that prime times are often booked out weeks ahead – luckily, they reserve a handful of tables for spontaneous walk-ins. 

Why go? With its open kitchen, buzzing vibe and neon-pink ‘Beasty’ cat mascot, Hello Beasty is playful, punchy and full of flavour. Chef Stuart Rogan trained in Michelin-starred hotels before cooking his way around the world – and his food reflects that global journey through the flavours of Japan, Korea and China. Hello Beasty's menu is split between snacks, raw and cold cuts, dumplings, hibachi and share plates, with a few cheeky desserts. Use pillowy shokupan (Japanese milk bread) to mop up burrata in yuxiang sauce, crunch into Korean fried cauliflower in spicy gochujang sauce, and don’t miss their famous prawn and crab toast.

Order the: Prawn and crab toast with sweet and sour sauce, Japanese mayo and green onions

Address: 95-97 Customs St W, Auckland Central

Price: Mid-range

What is it? A small but mighty pasta and wine bar tucked inside the historic St Kevin’s Arcade on K’ Road. They specialise in fresh, hand-rolled pasta and pour natural wines from New Zealand and Italy. 

Why go? Named after the thick, spaghetti-like pasta from Tuscany, this spot is best-known for its cacio e pepe pici – simple, creamy, and nothing short of spectacular. But the pasta party doesn’t stop there. Expect all shapes and sizes, from anchovy butter linguine to venison bolognese mafaldine, and butternut-and-salted ricotta radiatori. A tight selection of antipasti and sweets rounds things out, while the wine list champions natural and organic drops from both New Zealand and Italy.

Order the: Pici cacio e pepe

Address: Shop 22, St Kevin's Arcade, 183 Karangahape Rd, Auckland Central

Price: Mid-range

What is it? There’s no funny business here, just good vibes. Since opening in mid-2024, this coastal-luxe all-day eatery has quickly gained a loyal following. It serves up the freshest seafood, with a lineup of spritzes to match. 

Why go? Anchored right on the harbour, this breezy spot brings fresh vibes and fresh flavours to Westhaven Marina. There’s a sunny outdoor courtyard to soak in the waterfront views with a Spritz or a nautical-inspired dining room with cosy booths for small groups. The menu is a true toast to the coast, blending South American-Japanese cuisine with the best of New Zealand's coastal bounty. The showstopper? A towering seafood platter stacked with Szechuan pepper squid, tuna taquitos, gurnard goujons, prawn cocktails, oysters, sashimi and even half a crayfish.

Order the: Whitebait fritter with chardonnay butter sauce and frizzled leeks

Address: 121 Westhaven Dr, Westhaven Marina 

Price: Mid-range

What is it? In the middle of Britomart’s buzzing dining scene, this fire-fuelled restaurant stands out with small plates inspired by Spain’s southern coast. The playful wine list keeps pace too, balancing Spanish wines with stellar homegrown varietals.

Why go? Translating to ‘soul’, Alma is the kind of place that’ll fill your cup (and your belly). The menu is made for grazing, with smoky, snacky bites cooked over flame. Settle under the shade of native pōhutukawa trees with an aperitif and a gilda (a classic Basque pinxto of olive, anchovy and chilli peppers), or pull up a stool at the marble bar for rounds of toastadas, empanadas and pinchitos (juicy skewered meat). 

Order the: Beef tongue with green olives and lemon 

Address: 130 Quay St, Auckland Central

Price: Mid-range

What is it? A beloved, decade-old Lebanese eatery in a fantastic heritage arcade, with expansive windows overlooking Myers Park and the Sky Tower.

Why go? This vibrant K' Road eatery is for anyone who loves sharing dishes packed with bold Middle Eastern flavours. As good for a fun date as it is for a group feast, each dish here is full of character, with recipes dating back 130 years. Fill the table with share plates, obviously including their legendary hummus, crispy falafel and braised lamb shoulder. Gemmayze's smoky babaganouj was named one of Auckland's 100 iconic Eats in 2025, so make sure to add it to the party.

Order the: Hummus with roasted garlic and paprika

Address: Shop 16, St Kevin's Arcade, 183 Karangahape Rd, Auckland Central

Price: Mid-range

What is it? Apéro is as perfect for an after-work drink and small bites as it is for a feast with friends. Chef Leslie Hottiaux's rustic goat’s cheese croquettes with Kamahi honey and pork sausage with pickles and mustard are crowd favourites.

Why go? Going to Apéro is like catching up with those food-obsessed friends who also have a great wine cellar at their place. Run by a couple who’ve worked for years in Auckland’s best restaurants, this small casual spot with wooden tables and exposed brick serves first-rate European sharing food. Chef Leslie is a French kitchen genius and co-owner Mo is like a wine clairvoyant, knowing exactly the right drop for anyone who walks through the door.

Order the: Goat's cheese croquettes with Kamahi honey

Address: 280 Karangahape Rd, Auckland

Price: Mid-range

What is it? The place where Japanese and Peruvian foods meet in sweet, sweet harmony.

Why go? Ever had tuna sashimi tostadas? Or a volcano sushi roll stuffed with tiger prawn tempura? Now's your chance at Azabu. This buzzing Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant – found in both Ponsonby and Mission Bay – quietly draws crowds with its 'new-style' sashimi, flaming sushi rolls, classic karaage and golden gyoza. Pair your omakase, bento box and selection of small plates with Azabu's signature Pisco Sour, made with Peruvian pisco.

Order the: Volcano sushi roll

Address: Ponsonby & Mission Bay

Price: Mid-range

What is it? A mod-Asian eatery that just happens to be fully vegetarian – with around 70 per cent of the menu also gluten-free. On Sundays for lunch, this jade-toned gem serves Auckland’s first-ever vegan yum cha. While it’s a dream for those with dietaries, you don’t have to be plant-based to love it here. Sharing is encouraged.

Why go? As lifelong vegetarians with Hong Kong roots, the owners of East Restaurant know their stuff. Their philosophy is to “deliver high impact on taste and low impact on the environment”. Expect a riot of tastes – salty, sweet, sour, spicy and sometimes even bitter – drawn from across Japan, China, Thailand and India. Must-tries include the signature Malaysian nyonya vegetable curry with tofu puffs, caramelised black pepper tofu and water chestnut wontons swimming in chilli broth. To top it off, East also pours one of New Zealand’s only fully organic, biodynamic and vegan wine lists.

Order the: Char kway teow noodles with shiitake mushroom, egg and garlic chives

Address: Ground floor, Sudima Hotel, 63-67 Nelson St, Auckland Central

Price: Mid-range

What is it? A hip loft space serving seasonal set menus, with thoughtful options for vegos, vegans and pescatarians.

Why go? Whether you’re rolling in with a rowdy crew or settling in for a date night, Culprit shakes up the dining experience in all the right ways. Chef-owner Kyle Street is a champion of local New Zealand produce and producers, and gives his dishes a nostalgic, Kiwi twist. Expect things like smoked fish croquettes with burger sauce, smoked brisket corn dogs in polenta batter and shiitake milk buns dusted with marmite magic. Feeling extra? Add on oysters or offal. The cheeky 'Jelly Jet Planes' is a playful finish. 

Order the: Pork stuffed roast duck for two with confit leg salad and condiments

Address: Level 1/12 Wyndham St, Auckland Central

Price: Mid-range

What is it? With arguably one of the best tasting menus in town, this high-end fine diner is where art, science and gastronomy collide. But don’t fear, taste hasn’t been sacrificed for aesthetics – it’s the whole gorgeous package, making it a very special date spot.

Why go? If you want the finest food Auckland has to offer paired with the finest views of the city skyline, book a window seat at Sidart. Executive chef Lesley Chandra took over the reins in 2021, continuing the 12-year legacy built by previous owners and hospo legend, Sid Sahrawat. Chef Chandra draws on his Fijian-Indian roots to craft fine dining menus that showcase South Pacific flavours. Enjoy a five- or seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings, or dip into à la carte for a smaller but equally dazzling experience.

Order the: Seasonal fish curry

Address: 283 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby

Price: Blowout