Guidebook for Auckland
Food Scene
We love Malt! They have chic, bar-type food and a pleasant indoor and outdoor back patio area, and friendly service. We especially enthusiastic about their fish and chips.
23 locals recommend
Malt Public House
442 Richmond RdWe love Malt! They have chic, bar-type food and a pleasant indoor and outdoor back patio area, and friendly service. We especially enthusiastic about their fish and chips.
This little hidden gem is just off the beaten track. Relatively recently opened, it features fantastic Turkish breakfast food and treats, as well as teas and coffees. Yum!
Coffee and Dürüm
2A Hakanoa StThis little hidden gem is just off the beaten track. Relatively recently opened, it features fantastic Turkish breakfast food and treats, as well as teas and coffees. Yum!
Big Sur
432 Richmond RdGreat little coffee shop on the main thoroughfare.
siostra
472 Richmond RdVery nice local restaurant; also good for drinks!
Restaurant focusing on providing the experience of Bangkok street food in a lively atmosphere. Best to go with a group to share more plates of food! The portions are very generous. Good cocktails.
28 locals recommend
MooChowChow
23 Ponsonby RdRestaurant focusing on providing the experience of Bangkok street food in a lively atmosphere. Best to go with a group to share more plates of food! The portions are very generous. Good cocktails.
Fantastic little ramen shop. Delicious and fresh, great service.
13 locals recommend
Ramen Takara Ponsonby
272 Ponsonby RdFantastic little ramen shop. Delicious and fresh, great service.
Great, authentic Japanese restaurant. You can go in a group to try more dishes but also be just as happy solo or with a special someone - the food suits all.
Check out Tanuki's Cave downstairs for more of a bar vibe, an excellent selection of sake and a different food menu.
Tanuki Japanese Restaurant
319 Queen StGreat, authentic Japanese restaurant. You can go in a group to try more dishes but also be just as happy solo or with a special someone - the food suits all.
Check out Tanuki's Cave downstairs for more of a bar vibe, an excellent selection of sake and a different food menu.
MELBA Vulcan
33 Vulcan LaneGreat chai, delicious food: good for brunch and lunch.
Amazing little brunch/lunch spot. Closes mid afternoon, so blink and you'll miss it! Secretly has a delightfully secluded little back patio. Beware popular times, it's a favourite - make a reservation!
38 locals recommend
Chuffed
43 High StAmazing little brunch/lunch spot. Closes mid afternoon, so blink and you'll miss it! Secretly has a delightfully secluded little back patio. Beware popular times, it's a favourite - make a reservation!
If you love ice cream, and I mean LOVE, this place is for you. Custom cones, classic flavours like you've never tasted them before, and new ones that blow your mind. Almost always busy, but worth the wait: they let you try all the flavours and pick your favourite! Can you say ice cream gastronomie extravaganza?
Note: all this fabulousness does come at a higher price than your run-of-the-mill cone.
41 locals recommend
Giapo
12 Gore StIf you love ice cream, and I mean LOVE, this place is for you. Custom cones, classic flavours like you've never tasted them before, and new ones that blow your mind. Almost always busy, but worth the wait: they let you try all the flavours and pick your favourite! Can you say ice cream gastronomie extravaganza?
Note: all this fabulousness does come at a higher price than your run-of-the-mill cone.
An eye-catching restaurant that features a lush display of hanging flowers on their outside terrace as well as fantastic fish dishes. Make sure to make a reservation here, especially later in the week or evening as it's a popular place.
68 locals recommend
Soul Bar & Bistro
Customs Street WestAn eye-catching restaurant that features a lush display of hanging flowers on their outside terrace as well as fantastic fish dishes. Make sure to make a reservation here, especially later in the week or evening as it's a popular place.
Fun stop for lunch, we were pleasantly surprised at the quality and tastiness of the dishes of which there is a big variety.
7 locals recommend
Sushi Train
89 Customs St WFun stop for lunch, we were pleasantly surprised at the quality and tastiness of the dishes of which there is a big variety.
Parks & Nature
Great park that connects to a few others on the way to Cox's Bay (pretty views). You can jog, pick up ultimate frisbee (Sundays 3pm), watch people play rugby, cricket, and so on or just enjoy a beautiful walk. Entrance right by the Countdown.
Hukanui Reserve
Great park that connects to a few others on the way to Cox's Bay (pretty views). You can jog, pick up ultimate frisbee (Sundays 3pm), watch people play rugby, cricket, and so on or just enjoy a beautiful walk. Entrance right by the Countdown.
Continue through Hukanui Reserve into Cox's Bay Reserve to get a pretty view of the water.
33 locals recommend
Cox's Bay Reserve
44-66 W End RdContinue through Hukanui Reserve into Cox's Bay Reserve to get a pretty view of the water.
Another great park in the area. A bit further away but great for a jog. There are some neat birds here, including Canada geese and local Pukeko waterfowl. Keep your eyes peeled in the spring for cute babies everywhere! You're also right next to the Auckland Zoo.
88 locals recommend
Western Springs
Another great park in the area. A bit further away but great for a jog. There are some neat birds here, including Canada geese and local Pukeko waterfowl. Keep your eyes peeled in the spring for cute babies everywhere! You're also right next to the Auckland Zoo.
From Mission Bay to St. Heliers, the coastline here is fantastic for a little jaunt to the beach right in Auckland. There are a few places to rent bikes (and kayaks) nearby to take full advantage of the flat boardwalk that goes for miles. The beach right in Mission Bay is lovely, and you can make a day of it by checking out the little strip of restaurants and bars in town.
250 locals recommend
Mission Bay
From Mission Bay to St. Heliers, the coastline here is fantastic for a little jaunt to the beach right in Auckland. There are a few places to rent bikes (and kayaks) nearby to take full advantage of the flat boardwalk that goes for miles. The beach right in Mission Bay is lovely, and you can make a day of it by checking out the little strip of restaurants and bars in town.
Part of a massive park that features cherry blossoms in the spring, various gardens and paths to peruse. Extensive, good for jogging as well. The Auckland War Memorial Museum is here too.
250 locals recommend
Auckland Domain
Park RoadPart of a massive park that features cherry blossoms in the spring, various gardens and paths to peruse. Extensive, good for jogging as well. The Auckland War Memorial Museum is here too.
Piha
A nice green space in Auckland, lots of people get together here to play sports.
60 locals recommend
Victoria Park
203-271 Victoria St WA nice green space in Auckland, lots of people get together here to play sports.
Herne Bay Beach
Herne Bay RoadCremorne Reserve
Cremorne StreetHome Bay Beach
Wallace StreetBethells Beach
Hiking, beautiful rugged beaches. Iconic West Coast swells.
Essentials
Countdown Grey Lynn
271 Richmond RdBasic large grocery store.
Grocery store which offers organic and other kinds of alternative foods and goods.
34 locals recommend
Harvest by Huckleberry with Refill Hub
403-407 Richmond RdGrocery store which offers organic and other kinds of alternative foods and goods.
Grey Lynn Library
474 Great N RdVery small local library in a cute building.
Auckland Airport
Sightseeing
Ponsonby is an iconic and lively neighbourhood in Auckland. It features a lot of cool bars, restaurants (great for foodies!), and shops. You don't even have to buy anything, just going for a walk is fun too!
Note that in Auckland, stores generally close around 5pm (some a bit later) and earlier on Sundays.
114 locals recommend
Ponsonby
Ponsonby is an iconic and lively neighbourhood in Auckland. It features a lot of cool bars, restaurants (great for foodies!), and shops. You don't even have to buy anything, just going for a walk is fun too!
Note that in Auckland, stores generally close around 5pm (some a bit later) and earlier on Sundays.
Sky Tower
Victoria Street WestClassic.
Especially in the summer there are lots of things going on here that are well worth checking out. For example, live music, bean bag chairs to chill in, urban micro gardens, artwork, and so on. It's also right next to theatres and concert venues.
31 locals recommend
Aotea Square
291-297 Queen StEspecially in the summer there are lots of things going on here that are well worth checking out. For example, live music, bean bag chairs to chill in, urban micro gardens, artwork, and so on. It's also right next to theatres and concert venues.
K Road: we have been told it is notorious for it's after-hours nightlife. It seems to be an iconic neighbourhood/road now, and interesting to have a walk through. There are some fun bars, restaurants, kebab shops, and so on, and of course strip clubs (they stand out).
76 locals recommend
Karangahape Road
Karangahape RoadK Road: we have been told it is notorious for it's after-hours nightlife. It seems to be an iconic neighbourhood/road now, and interesting to have a walk through. There are some fun bars, restaurants, kebab shops, and so on, and of course strip clubs (they stand out).
Fun neighbourhood to check out, some cute shops, good restaurants and bars. Most are not open late but are good for the after-work vibe.
9 locals recommend
Parnell Road
Parnell RoadFun neighbourhood to check out, some cute shops, good restaurants and bars. Most are not open late but are good for the after-work vibe.
Bustling neighbourhood with lots of great shopping both down the main road but also in its offshoots. Ideal for a day of shopping.
167 locals recommend
Newmarket
Bustling neighbourhood with lots of great shopping both down the main road but also in its offshoots. Ideal for a day of shopping.
Well worth spending a day or half day here. Shops, cute town, etc. Take the bus across the bridge or enjoy a ride on the ferry. While there, you can also check out Takapuna.
224 locals recommend
Devonport
Well worth spending a day or half day here. Shops, cute town, etc. Take the bus across the bridge or enjoy a ride on the ferry. While there, you can also check out Takapuna.
Pleasant 'town centre' to walk around and check out the shops, restaurants and bars. There's also a nice beach.
101 locals recommend
Takapuna
Pleasant 'town centre' to walk around and check out the shops, restaurants and bars. There's also a nice beach.
Take a day or weekend trip to Waiheke to taste the local wines and immerse yourself in this pretty island. Chock full of walks, hikes, and lovely views, this is not a destination to miss!
Getting there: 45 minutes on the ferry from the downtown Quay. Note: it is possible to buy open-ended tickets.
Getting around while there: word on the street is taxis are notoriously expensive. Try the local bus (day pass ~$10) or rent an electric bike or scooter to make the most of the scenery.
407 locals recommend
Waiheke Island
25 Karaka RdTake a day or weekend trip to Waiheke to taste the local wines and immerse yourself in this pretty island. Chock full of walks, hikes, and lovely views, this is not a destination to miss!
Getting there: 45 minutes on the ferry from the downtown Quay. Note: it is possible to buy open-ended tickets.
Getting around while there: word on the street is taxis are notoriously expensive. Try the local bus (day pass ~$10) or rent an electric bike or scooter to make the most of the scenery.
Trendy little neighbourhood on the waterfront where you can find a whole bunch of cool restaurants and bars ranging from high to lower end options. Check out nearby Sushi Train if you haven't had sushi on a conveyer belt yet! Or for fancier fare, make a reservation at Soul.
220 locals recommend
Wynyard Quarter
Trendy little neighbourhood on the waterfront where you can find a whole bunch of cool restaurants and bars ranging from high to lower end options. Check out nearby Sushi Train if you haven't had sushi on a conveyer belt yet! Or for fancier fare, make a reservation at Soul.
Entertainment & Activities
Rent bikes, kayaks and other fun equipment here to enjoy this part of Auckland.
28 locals recommend
Mission Bay Watersports
Rent bikes, kayaks and other fun equipment here to enjoy this part of Auckland.
Great yoga studio nearby that offers very reasonable introductory rates, great for the short term visitor who likes to keep up with their stretches!
The Yoga Ground
56 Surrey CresGreat yoga studio nearby that offers very reasonable introductory rates, great for the short term visitor who likes to keep up with their stretches!
Auckland Zoo
Free shuttle in the form of a shark bus (you'll know it when you see it) from downtown right to the aquarium.
228 locals recommend
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
23 Tamaki DrFree shuttle in the form of a shark bus (you'll know it when you see it) from downtown right to the aquarium.
Drinks & Nightlife
Gypsy Tea Room
455 Richmond RdCozy local bar and restaurant
Getting Around
One of the many car rental agencies in this area. Well worth shopping around different places in Auckland (mostly downtown) for deals. Pro tip: if you go in person, you will get more expensive rates than booking online.
11 locals recommend
Apex Car Rentals Auckland City
206 Victoria St WOne of the many car rental agencies in this area. Well worth shopping around different places in Auckland (mostly downtown) for deals. Pro tip: if you go in person, you will get more expensive rates than booking online.