Best Restaurants in Auckland
Looking for a restaurants in Auckland to celebrate a birthday or a once a year get together with your girl friends? Auckland city has a range of beautiful dining options from tasty pizza to mouth watering fresh seafood. Throughout Auckland’s wider city limits you can find some of the best restaurants serving up some of the tastiest food, from Auckland’s viaduct to Parnell, these dining options are all within walking distance or a short taxi ride to great bars to continue your dining experience.
Choose a setting that suits your needs; gardens bars offering beautiful floral displays or viaduct views allowing incredible backdrops spreading across the harbour.
Whether you’re planning a hens do or your own birthday, check out this list of restaurants in Auckland to get some inspiration for an unforgettable day.
Dress Code for Restaurants in Auckland
There is no fixed dress code for dining in Auckland, however if you are planning on going to any of the restaurants listed below then expect to feel out of place if you’re showing up in shorts and a t-shirt.
The great thing about these Auckland restaurants is that you will almost never feel over dressed, which makes any of these restaurants a great excuse to get dressed up like you’re attending a royal gala. But you won’t be feeling out of place by wearing closed shoes and a tidy shirt.
Milford Motel
Milford Motel in the heart of Milford town centre is the newest restaurant to hit Auckland’s Eastern Bays. The Florida styled bar and restaurant emits a welcoming vibe of cool greens and warm pink décor bordered by well manicured native plants.
Milford Motel boasts an array of sharing platters and delicious cocktails, perfect for an afternoon with the girls or a summers evening date. The outdoor seating is perfect for those summer days cruising into the late evening, allowing you to enjoy the sunset across the Eastern suburbs.
Close to Auckland City, Milford Motel is a cheap Uber back across the Harbour Bridge to continue your evening of delicious cocktails or an endless night of dancing.
WakuWaku
Wakuwaku in Remuera serves traditional Japanese dishes with a modern twist, partnered with a menu of delicious cocktails that will suit everyone’s palates. Choose from the set menu or pick your own dishes from a la carte, and the cocktails will marry up nicely.
The set menu is perfect for first time diners or those who just can’t decide. Serving everything from Salmon roe, fresh sashimi to deep fried prawn. All you have to do is pick your own main the the chefs will do the rest. The fresh ingredients will have you leaving Wakuwaku satisfied but not over indulged.
The indoor only restaurant allows for an intimate setting and perfect date night, booking is essential.
Gerome
Gerome is a exquisite Greek Restaurant in the heart of Parnell. Serving delicious Greek meals with a modern twist, the dishes are made to be shared, so grab a few small plates or a couple of larger dishes and share an incredible dining experience with your loved ones.
Whether you’re dining in for nibbles and a drink or a 3 course meal, Gerome can offer booking options for an intimate date or private group celebrations. The downstairs dining room offers an intimate setting with booth seating for the perfect date, or casual people watching from the front courtyard facing the main strip through Parnell.
Gerome is one of the best high end Greek restaurants in Auckland, serving up incredible flavours paired with beautiful décor that makes any group photo pop no matter where you stand.
Non Solo Pizza
Almost directly next door to Gerome is Non-Solo Pizza, an authentic Italian restaurant serving some of the most delicious pizza and pasta in the heart of Parnell since 1997, making it one of the most well known and loved restaurants in Auckland.
Choose between dining in the garden bar, or seek cover in the spacious dining room, Non-Solo Pizza has dining options for all weather events. Pizza and pasta may be typical of an Italian restaurant, however Non-Solo does a fantastic range of seafood, beef and vegetarian options. Making Non-Solo Pizza a great restaurant options for those groups who have picky eaters.
Soul Bar and Bistro
Soul Bar and Bistro on Auckland cities waterfront is a well known and popular choice when it comes to beautiful dining experiences. The floral canopy draping from the ceiling create a simple yet beautiful outdoor dining experience which compliments the waterfront views across the harbour.
Serving a range of seafood which fits perfectly in line with their harbour side location, Soul Bar and Bistro offer a range of exquisite meal options that are all served with the best condiments and the flavours are always a hit.
Soul Bar and Bistro is one of the best restaurants in Auckland to treat yourself to a night out; hosting a range of events every year, from 3 course Ladies Lunch deals for the month of September to deals on a range of ‘Pornstar’ martinis in October.
Amano
Amano blends Italian food with their rustic atmosphere in a waterfront facing building with some of the most beautiful fit outs in Auckland city.
Unlike other restaurants in Auckland, Amano is open from 7am; begin your day by surprising your date with an impeccable breakfast experience at Amano. From classic granola to smoked fish pate you’ll be sure to start the day with an unforgettable experience at one of the most favoured restaurants in Auckland.
Amano Bakery
If you’re strapped for time or want to explore the city during the early morning light, then Amano bakery is where you can pick up delicious bread or coffees while on the road. Situated directly next door to Amano restaurant and less than a third of the size but the quality is just as grand. Amano bakery may not be a restaurant in Auckland but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to mention this delectable bakery in the heart of Auckland city.
Ebisu
Some of the finest Japanese food in Auckland city, Ebisu offers a fantastic range of fresh seafood served in a range of contemporary Japanese and European techniques. Serving fresh sashimi with traditional Japanese dishes, or European twists for those who aren’t yet ready to test their taste buds.
Based on the ground floor of a historic building in Britomart, this Auckland restaurant serves sake and cocktails suitable for everyone’s palates.
Cassia
Cassia is a high end Indian Restaurant with a modern twist, It’s easy to leave Cassia with a full belly feeling completely satisfied. Enjoy an intimate dining experience with some of the most interesting serving platters you have ever seen; from beef croquettes served on a beef rib to crab cones decoratively spaced in a bowl of hops.
The dishes can either be ordered as sharing platters or main meals, everything is worth a try so don’t be afraid to order several dishes and share amongst friends.
First opening in 2014 in Fort Lane, the family owned restaurant has made their mark on Auckland after winning several awards, finally making their home in the prime location of Sky City.
Sugar Club
It would be a crime to not mention the famous Sugar Club, overlooking all of Auckland based high up in the Sky Tower. Sugar Club is one of the best Restaurants in Auckland where you can wow your friends with incredible views across the city.
Once you are done enjoy the incredible dishes, move over to the bar where you can indulge in several cocktails before moving downstairs for entertainment at the casino or a show at the Sky City Theatre.
