Mecca on the Viaduct

Mecca on the Viaduct Review

This restaurant in the center of the Viaduct is the flagship for the Mecca Group of five restaurants. It offers New Zealand cuisine with a Middle Eastern twist. It's open all day and is designed to cope with anything—from tables for two to larger groups—in a relaxed environment. The food is always fresh; the two signature dishes are lamb shanks slow cooked in a fragrant tomato gravy and in-season fish baked with fresh vegetables, garlic, and chilies. People have been trying to get the shank recipe out of the owner for years. Like many of the Viaduct places it can get busy—they do take bookings, but a limited number, and the menu changes at least four times a year. The restaurant is also a popular place for blind dates. The wine list has something for everyone, offering a great selection of the bigger and and a few smaller New Zealand producers.