Auckland Wining & Dining
Auckland offers a host of dining options, from ethnic cafés and chic waterfront eateries to innovative Pacific Rim cuisine.
Dining Etiquette It's a good idea to book in advance, particularly on a Friday or Saturday night, when Aucklanders eat out in force. Leaving a tip is not a standard practice but, if you enjoy excellent service (or food), it's perfectly in order to tip. Restaurants can be licensed (to sell beer, wine and spirits), BYO (bring your own liquor - some restaurants stipulate wine only) or unlicensed (alcohol is not available). Check first.
CBD At the heart of the city, Auckland's Central Business District offers a great selection of cafés, pubs and restaurants for eating out - all handy to the city's entertainment venues and clubs. Popular dining strips include High Street, with its lively eateries and music venues, and Victoria and Wellesley Streets. Upper Queen Street offers good value with a strip of budget Asian cafes, while Karangahape Road - the city's nightclub strip – also has some great budget eateries and ethnic fare.
The Waterfront If you fancy a view as you dine, downtown Auckland is the place to go. Prince's Wharf, with its 'ship' design, is home to some of the city's top eateries and watering holes, and has tables overlooking the harbour. Nearby, the American Express Viaduct Harbour is one of Auckland's most popular dining spots. There are alfresco tables overlooking the harbour, and after dinner you can take a tour of the harbour and marina.
Ponsonby Aucklanders are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out and there's no end to the choices on offer in Ponsonby. This smart inner city suburb is perhaps Auckland's most fashionable dining precinct. Both sides of Ponsonby Road are lined with a vast array of eateries offering everything from pavement cafés and gourmet pizzas to Pacific Rim and ethnic cuisine. Most places stay open until late and the area is particularly lively at the weekend, when Aucklanders enjoy a leisurely brunch.
Parnell A short bus-ride from the central city, this charming colonial-style village is known for its designer shops, art galleries and stylish cafés. One of Auckland's more elegant dining precincts, Parnell's many cafés and restaurants offer plenty of dining options from gourmet kebabs to upmarket Italian and Pacific Rim fare. There are several restaurants with outdoor courtyards for those who want to dine al fresco.
Mission Bay Heading east of the city around Tamaki Drive, this seaside village is a popular brunch spot at the weekends, when its bustling cafés are packed. A sandy swimming beach lies just across the road, and some of the upstairs eateries offer seaviews across to Rangitoto. You can walk off dinner along the scenic waterfront promenade, and there is a small park which is ideal for a picnic.
Devonport A short ferry ride across the harbour, the historic village of Devonport is known for its arts and antique outlets. There are several cafes at the Wharf Complex (where the ferry docks) with good seaviews, while on Victoria Street, you'll find a strip of cafes and eateries including a pub and ethnic cafes and restaurants.