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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.
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.
Part of the Ponsonby Road old guard, this café has been serving its loyal customers since 1996. The menu offers breakfast staples like eggs and bacon, but you can also mix it up with coconut yogurt, muesli, and superb salads at lunchtime. A big central table brings together its diverse patrons, and separate tables are also available for those wanting a more private dining experience. The outside tables are busy in the morning when the gym and bicycle set are grazing post exercise.
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.
A corner on Devonport's main street is a good place to people-watch and rest after exploring, and iconic Manuka is a consistently good and relaxed spot with outdoor and indoor seating, wooden tables, and stacks of newspapers and magazines. Delicious wood-fired pizzas are available all day, with toppings ranging from classic pepperoni to smoked chicken, Brie, and roasted cashews, and the menu also offers pasta, fish, and meat options. Weekend brunch is hectic when the locals turn out, but tables turn over quickly.
If you've had a busy day and want to roll on and be surrounded by animated diners, this casual place is for you. The food—the name means "Not Only Pizza"—can be ordered individually or with bowls to be shared by the table. Lunchtimes are busy when people head for a table in the Italian-style courtyard. There's always pizza with traditional toppings, and the green salad is excellent. Many people treat this as their local when they want more than takeout and less than fine dining..
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.
