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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.
When you're in the mood for superb, innovative food with flavors from around the globe, head to Cibo, whose name means "good food" in Italian; it's apt for this restaurant, which has been around since 1994. It's the one of the places visiting stars go to, in part for its superb and discreet service. This is a popular venue for weddings and important parties, so book well in advance.
This light-filled restaurant with floor-to-ceiling glass looks across the harbor to trendy Devonport and the Bayswater boat marina. The menu is based on high-quality, fresh local produce, particularly fish and meat cooked to perfection. Salads are made the minute before they are served. The windows are so big you might need your sunglasses on a bright day, and reservations are advised.
Located in the buzzy heart of the Viaduct, Giraffe uses the best local foods with flair and fun. This modern space is open from breakfast until late, and whether you are a meat eater or a vegan, the hearty menu will leave you satisfied. The wine list is fantastic, and the atmosphere cosmopolitan and often very noisy.
Overlooking the water from the upper level of the restored Ferry Building, this seafood restaurant is an Auckland institution that draws foodies and families alike. It serves seasonal New Zealand seafood on a menu that references a number of cuisine styles, and the raw bar serves line-caught fish. Meat eaters can choose lamb, eye fillet (beef tenderloin), and perhaps Cervena (farmed venison). On warm nights, reserve a table outside on the balcony, where you can watch the ferries come and go.
This well-known vineyard produces a small portfolio of whites and reds, many of which never make it off the island, and the restaurant's menu emphasizes seasonal, sophisticated, high-quality food with global influences on two- or three-course fixed-price menus. The front terrace is the best spot to take in the harbor views. Many people like to arrive by helicopter. It's a popular spot for weddings, so it pays to reserve a table before heading there. Overnight accommodations are available both at the winery and nearby.
At this slightly renamed place that's not really a café and not strictly French, the new owners offer only an elegant five-course tasting menu that includes a vegetarian version. But don't be concerned: Sid and Chand Saharawat bring international flair to create superb dishes using the best seasonal produce. Bookings are essential as it is only open Thursday to Saturday for dinner and on Saturday for lunch. For the adventurous foodie, select Tuesdays are open for a "test kitchen" experience in partnership with an appliance company, though it's not cheap at $190 and extra for matched wine.
The à la carte and tasting menus at Sidart bring modern cooking to a whole new level. The chef, who has roots in Fiji, takes the finest local, seasonal ingredients and combines them in contemporary ways that will delight and astound the most jaded palate. Sweet and savory flavors are combined on beautiful plates with foam, or the finest jus.
There's always something to see at the Soul Bar & Bistro, which fronts the Viaduct Basin on the harbor. The menu is modern with a traditional twist and changes to match the season, but you will always find something appealing, whether your interest is in fresh fish, meat, or something from the plant family. On the terrace, you're close enough to the moorings to study the paintwork on the yachts, and at night, the bar and outside tables are packed with a polished and often noisy and high-spending crowd.
One of the best places on Ponsonby Road for people-watching is the outdoor tables at this former motorcycle shop with a minimalist concrete interior. The excellent food is largely Italian, and it's known for its thin-crust pizzas. With the eclectic clientele, the people-watching is just as good inside. The bar cranks up as the sun goes down. On weekend mornings, aspiring celebrities and the "love your work" set can be seen having a late breakfast in public.
This attractive, airy establishment with exposed brick walls, modern art, a beamed ceiling, and an open kitchen is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its Mediterranean-influenced menu covers breakfast basics like eggs and granola as well as salads, and the relatively short but interesting dinner menu includes skewers and flatbreads. A fixed-price dinner option is available. Cocktails and a comprehensive wine list round out the offerings.
Waiheke's longest-running restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, perches on Oneroa's main street, with large windows and an all-weather deck that take in the gorgeous bay views. The platters—Mediterranean, grilled (with Italian sausages and calamari), or seafood—are perennial favorites. It's popular in the busy summer months, so it pays to book ahead.
