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Princes Wharf and adjoining Viaduct Quay, an easy stroll from the city's major thoroughfare, Queen Street, offer dozens of eateries in every style from cheap-and-cheerful to superposh. High Street, running parallel to Queen Street on the Albert Park side of town, is a busy café and restaurant strip. Vulcan Lane, between Queen and High streets, has some pleasant bars. Asian immigrants have created a market for a slew of cheap noodle and sushi bars throughout the inner city; the more crowded, the better.
Outside the city center, the top restaurant areas are a 10-minute bus or cab ride away on Ponsonby and Parnell roads. Dominion and Mt. Eden roads in the city, as well as Hurstmere Road in the seaside suburb of Takapuna (just over the Harbour Bridge) are also worth exploring with the creation of a dining precinct called The Commons. The mix is eclectic—Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and Thai eateries sit alongside casual taverns, pizzerias, and high-end restaurants.
One of High Street's best kept-secrets is this tiny café with a courtyard hidden down a corridor. Swing by for coffee or an herbal tea, a sweet treat, or other fare from small items to more substantial; you can start your day with eggs on toast or a croissant packed with ham and cheese. If you want more, go for the chicken burger or pappardelle. Also on offer are boutique soft drinks.
Remedy is just that—the perfect answer for a fast pick-me-up. Good coffee and quick, made-to-order sandwiches are the ticket at this cozy spot with wooden tables and floors and art on the walls. It's crowded between 11:30 and 1:30, and you will likely share a table with central city office workers, students, and arty types. It also offers a range of artisan soft drinks.
