The 9 Best Restaurants in Auckland

Sid at the French Cafe

In-the-know Aucklanders claim that a meal at Sid at the French Cafe might be the best they've ever had. The style can best be described as contemporary New Zealand fare which combines plenty of seafood with Asian-inspired condiments and fresh seasonal vegetables.

Dishes are works of art, so take some time to feast with your eyes before you dig in. Four and seven-course tasting menus are good options if you want to sample many dishes rather than committing to just one. Prices are high but if you're looking to splurge in Auckland, this is the place to do it. Just make sure to book a table well in advance because seats fill up quickly.

Mr. Morris

Located in downtown Auckland's Britomart Transport Centre, Mr. Morris is much more than somewhere to grab a bite before or after catching a train. The intimate restaurant aims to create a modern Pacific and New Zealand experience through its food. The lunch and dinner menus include New Zealand classics like paua (related to abalone), Cloudy Bay clams, snapper, and lamb.

Mr. Morris receives perfect scores from some of New Zealand's top food writers and restaurant magazines, so be sure to check it out when you're in the central city.

Bunga Raya

Touted as the place to get the most authentic Malaysian food in Auckland, you could almost miss Bunga Raya, which is located inside a shopping mall in the New Lynn neighborhood of western-central Auckland. The service and setting are no frills but the food is exceptional.

Diners love the generously sized dishes and great value for money. The fish curry, XO chicken, satay chicken, egg tofu, and oatmeal prawns all get rave reviews. Bunga Raya is very popular and quite small, so reserve a table if you plan to dine here on the weekend.

Baduzzi

If you feel like Italian food while checking out the Wynyard Quarter of downtown Auckland's waterfront area, check out Baduzzi. The award-winning restaurant combines traditional Italian favorites with a touch of New York-style Italian inspiration. Baduzzi's meatballs are famous and they run a meatball truck that serves them up at events around the city. If you're not a fan of "regular" meatballs, try the innovative crayfish meatballs instead.

Huami

Huami Chinese restaurant is heavily patronized by Chinese diners, giving a great indication of the food's quality and authenticity. Located at the foot of the landmark Sky Tower in the central city, Huami serves contemporary Chinese cuisine from across the regions (including Canton, Sichuan, Huaiyang, and Beijing) made with fresh New Zealand produce. It also has the first commercial wood-fired duck-cooking oven in a New Zealand restaurant, so splurge on the whole roasted duck if you're after a treat.

Blue Rose Catering

Auckland is home to a large population of Pacific Islanders (people originating from Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Fiji, and other small Pacific Island nations). However, it can be tricky to find authentic Pasifika food if you don't know where to look. Enter, Blue Rose Cafe.

The pies are highly recommended and include innovative takes including Palusami pie (corned beef, taro leaves, and coconut), Fijian chicken curry pie, hangi pie (pork, potatoes, and sweet potatoes), Lu'au pie (taro leaves, coconut, and cream cheese), and boil up pie (bacon bones and watercress).

Ceviche Bar by Besos Latinos

Another great pick in the downtown Wynyard Quarter, Ceviche Bar at Besos Latinos brings authentic Latin American cuisine to the country. It serves traditional dishes (particularly ceviche) from Argentina, Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela, plus a variety of cocktails. The head chef is Luis Cabrera, a Mexican man who was inspired by his travels around Latin America.

The Hunting Lodge Winery

If you want to leave the big city without actually traveling far from central Auckland, a day trip out to the wineries of West Auckland is an easy option. To enjoy a full meal with your wine, check out The Hunting Lodge in Waimauku.

The menu changes with the seasons and features meat, fish, and vegetarian options. Diners can select from the a la carte menu or choose the "Trust the Chef" option, which includes smaller samples of various items on the menu. A Trust the Chef experience with local wine pairings is also available.

Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant

Just an hour's ferry ride from downtown Auckland, Waiheke Island is a favorite island getaway famous for its wines as well as its beaches. As such, there are several places to sample wine and take a vineyard tour. Mudbrick Restaurant at the Mudbrick winery is a top-rated place for excellent food and stunning views over the Hauraki Gulf back toward Auckland city. Much of their food is grown in their own garden, and you can choose between the a la carte menu or the chef's degustation menus.