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A guide to good eats
 
 

Dedicated to finding the places worth eating at, and then writing about it.

 
 

Most recent Eat

Trocadero

Set in the historic 1950s Trocadero dance hall, this restaurant is telling the New Zealand food story through simple but perfectly executed dishes.

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Trocadero
Trocadero

A restaurant on Queen Street that tells the story of New Zealand food, very well.

Omni
Omni

A simply magnificent modern take on izakaya-style dining with a Japanese twist

Barbarino's Spaghetteria
Barbarino's Spaghetteria

A fun and fancy-free Italian eatery in Avondale.

Lilian
Lilian

Don’t expect it to get any easier to get a table at this Grey Lynn osteria

My post-lockdown bucket list: 10 Must-Eat Auckland Restaurants
My post-lockdown bucket list: 10 Must-Eat Auckland Restaurants

After a month in lockdown, I’m ready to eat ditch the kitchen and get stuck into my post-lockdown bucket list.

Pandemic Kitchen #2 Macaroni and Cheese
Pandemic Kitchen #2 Macaroni and Cheese

What to do with all that milk (or milk powder)? Why, macaroni and cheese of course!

Pandemic Kitchen #1 Nasu Dengaku
Pandemic Kitchen #1 Nasu Dengaku

Dry your eyes and get cooking this lockdown. First up is soft and gooey miso-glazed eggplant.

Bar Celeste
Bar Celeste

A new neo-bistro bringing a touch of French class to K’Rd

Khu Khu Eatery
Khu Khu Eatery

You will go Khu Khu for this new plant-based Thai eatery.

Peach's Hot Chicken
Peach's Hot Chicken

Move over Colonel Sanders, here comes Nashville hot chicken from Peach’s.

Kind
Kind

My search to be kind to myself and the planet leads me to this Morningside eatery.

Cheese on Toast
Cheese on Toast

Holy cheezus these toasties are delicious!

Tama Eatery
Tama Eatery

Repeat after me: we want more momo!

Cafe Hanoi partie un: the vegan set-menu
Cafe Hanoi partie un: the vegan set-menu

This is partie un of a two-part series on Café Hanoi. In this part I sampled their vegan set-menu.

Good Good
Good Good

They’re slinging some Good Good burgers down Dunedin way.

Simon & Lee
Simon & Lee

Modern Korean riffs, now open for dinner.

Venosa
Venosa

A blink and you’ll miss it neighbourhood Italian in Kingsland that oozes charm

Ipoh Malaysian Cuisine
Ipoh Malaysian Cuisine

Venture into the heart of Remuera for an authentic taste of Malaysia

Ozone Coffee Roasters
Ozone Coffee Roasters

An exquisite all-day eatery under the guise of a coffee roastery

Gerome
Gerome

Where to find actual (and good) Greek food in Auckland

Han
Han

A modern Korean restaurant pushing the boundaries of this eastern cuisine

Mr T's Baked Goods and Eatery
Mr T's Baked Goods and Eatery

A new cafe in Onehunga serving up thoughtful brunch dishes alongside Vietnamese classics.

Satya Chai Bazaar
Satya Chai Bazaar

Pop in before this Indian street food pop-up is gone

Japanese Sashimi Bar Ajimi
Japanese Sashimi Bar Ajimi

A neighbourhood izakaya turning out well executed Japanese classics with humility and finesse

Møller Kaffe and Køkken
Møller Kaffe and Køkken

A cafe in Copenhagen serving up a ‘choose your own adventure’ style breakfast.

Dumplings with Wings
Dumplings with Wings

A suburban dumpling joint with a line up as international as a Miss World contest

Melting Pot
Melting Pot

A Filipino-fusion restaurant proving that Filipino food is in fact good.

Fort Greene
Fort Greene

It’s time you all took sandwiches seriously, now

Farina
Farina

Guest contributor Alice Taylor gets up close and personal with our favourite Italian on the Ponsonby strip

Hello Beasty
Hello Beasty

Their Asian fusion brings all the cats to the yard

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After a full day in the operating theatre (including nearly 6 hours of non-stop pelvic floor galore) this was just what my tired bones needed. @shakeoutnz double cheese burger with cheesy fries. The contrast of pickles and secret sauce makes this a burger for the ages. Also dig the cashless ordering system and all compostable packaging. @goodsideakl #eatitauckland #shakeout #shakeoutnz #smashburger #burgers #doublecheeseburger #goodsideakl #aburgeraday #fries #friesnotguys
@cotto_krd will always be my favourite. Please never change. PS. The focaccia was the MVP/best thing I’ve eaten but forgot to take a photo of. My Lord it is a religious experience. 1. Aperol spritz (hit up their happy hour from 5-6pm) and zucchini fritti (crispy shoe string zucchini, yes please) 2. Crispy lamb ribs with balsamic and honey. 3. Goats cheese and spinach dumplings with crispy sage and butter, lots of butter. 4. Crispy eggplant with ricotta, basil and cherry tomatoes. 5. Watercress and spinach tortelloni, mozzarella and walnut. The most violently green filling my eyes have ever seen. 6. Maltagliati beef cheek pancetta ragu. Gorgeously slow cooked with the freshness of red chilli. Order extras for the next day. Trust me on this, the ragu gets better with age. #eatitauckland #cotto #cottokrd #italianfood #pasta #italianinspired #krd #karangahaperoad #aucklandrestaurant #aucklandfood #aucklandfoodies
I had a thoroughly excellent Korean-themed evening last Saturday night. The theme was unintentional yet unavoidable when you venture into the mega-store precinct of Wairau Valley, the heart of Auckland’s K-Town. Thanks @maybe.jean for recommending one of her favourite Korean restaurants for me to try north of the bridge. Jami is certainly swisher albeit a little more expensive than the Korean I’m used to eating but that’s probably because they have a more discerning captive audience. The boy and I ordered the barbecued pork scotch in yuzu and the spicy pork belly set meals which arrived with an array of excellent banchan, seaweed soup, salad and rice. I particularly liked the cold noodles and the stirfried sesame spiked cabbage banchan. People froth over American-style barbecue all the time, but they really should be paying more attention to their Korean counterparts. The yuzu pork scotch was glorious; so wonderfully smoky and charred in just the right places with a the unique fragrance of that ugly delicious citrus we call yuzu. The spicy pork belly was similarly excellent and it took all my will power not to order more. Because I was saving room for a supper of 🌶 2x extra spicy hot chicken ramen 🌶 that I found (along with Mala flavoured Doritos and more Korean instant noodle delicacies) at Wang Korea Food Market (which of you’re as food curious as I am, is amazing!) They’re f*cking hot, but also delicious, but also real f*cking hot. As I panted like a rabid dog the boy passed me a 2x spicy antidote: focaccia dunked in olive oil. Instant fire extinguisher. Total cop out I know, but we finished the entire bowl, and I paid for it the next day. 💩 #eatitauckland #jami #jamikoreanrestaurant #koreanfoodauckland #aucklandkoreanfood #2xspicychickenramen #2xspicy #wangkoreafoodmarket #koreanfood #koreannoodles #koreanbarbecue #koreanbbq #aucklandfoodie
Picarones. The Peruvian fried dough sensation you didn’t know you needed until now. Pumpkin doughnuts that are light and almost a little savoury, drizzled in a molassesy caramel and served with a tangy kiwifruit sauce. Find them at @madamegeorgenz #eatitauckland #madamegeorge #picarones #doughnuts #peruvian #krd #karangahaperoad #lovekrd #aucklandfood#aucklandfoodie #aucklandbar
I was down in Hamilton for the @lugtonsroundthebridges last Sunday and was mighty impressed with the ole ‘Tron. We treated ourselves to a post-run brunch at @greystkitchen which I’m happy to report was fantastic. My iced Americano was just what I needed; it had bright caramel notes and came from their own roastery. I had their panfried mixed mushrooms with macadamia purée, crispy kale, buckwheat clusters on five grain toast, with a side of bacon of course. I couldn’t get enough the sweet and salty buckwheat clusters, offset but the delicious bitterness of kale and the mellow sweetness of the macadamia purée. Easily one of the best brunch dishes I’ve had all year. Eager to set a new record for most burgers eaten in one weekend, the boy ordered the fried chicken burger served on a Volare bun with kewpie mayo, cos lettuce, red onion and house made chilli jam. The burger was an unexpected East-meets-West affair with notes of lemongrass. They’d make me a happy girl if Grey Street Kitchen opened up in Auckland. Until then, I guess I’ll just have to drive down for the real deal instead. #eatitauckland #greystkitchen #greystreetkitchen #hamilton #hamiltonbrunch #hamiltonfood #hamiltonfoodie #hamiltoncafe #hamiltoneast #hamiltoneastfood #brunch #coffee #hamiltoncoffee
Yep, the food at @lilian.akl is still excellent. I recently visited with @rebeccabow and @jimjam_x and ordered the epically puffy wood fired pizza bread which was blissfully blistered and toothsome, perfect as is simply dunked in EVOO. We followed with the grape and prosciutto pizza, the ultimate expression of salty and sweet, it was absolutely delicious. We dredged our pizza crusts through the rich orange coloured juices of the tua tua clams with nduja and leek. The wood fired octopus was a highlight: the octopus had a lovely charred flavour with tender yet gutsy meatiness accompanied by the sweet and sour notes of blood orange, grilled radicchio and golden raisins. We also got in on the short asparagus season which was chargrilled with lemon, creamy fromage blanc, pine nuts and parmesan. We finished with the white chocolate mousse, sweet and velvety contrasted with nutty brown butter crumble, strawberry coulis and fresh strawbs. #eatitauckland #lilian #greylynn #grelynnfood #greylynnrestaurant #aucklandfoodie #aucklandeats #aucklandfood #foodporn #yummy #italianinspired #woodfired #pizza
The best thing about night shifts is the post-night shift brunch @ozonecoffeenz in Grey Lynn☀️ I had the sourdough crumpet with Ora’s farm mushrooms, smoked tofu (the voluptuous creamy stuff underneath), pickled chilli with a generous dusting of dukkah. A surprisingly rich dish for a vegan friendly one, the mushrooms and chilli were tangy and poppin’ and the edges of the crumpet were lovely and crisp. It was the boy’s first introduction to kedgeree, with smatterings of smoked fish, creamy labneh and zingy salsa verde, with a finishing crunch of fried kumara crispies. And it was scrumptious! #eatitauckland #ozonecoffee #ozonecoffeeroasters #ozonecoffeenz #greylynn #auckland #aucklandeats #aucklandcafe #aucklandfoodie #aucklandbrunch #vegan #veganfriendly #vegetarian
My kind of afternoon tea: a mug of teh tarik halia (pulled tea) so big it was hard to pick up and hot and crispy chicken and vege karipap (curry puffs). The teh tarik had been spiked with fresh ginger add an extra layer of spicy warm that hits the back of your throat. @uncleman.kroad #eatitauckland #unclemankrd #unclemans #malaysianfood #krd #karangahaperoad #krdfood #aucklandfood #aucklandfoodie #afternoontea #cheapeats #cheapeatsauckland
My new favourite brunch dish at the moment is the merguez sausage from @honeybones.akl . A beautiful grilled coil of merguez sausage with aromatic baharat eggplant smooshed into its nooks on a bed of thick and luscious Tzatziki yoghurt. Throw in some paprika-y dukkah, crispy fenugreek potatoes and a bunch of soft herbs, this is my kind of breakfast. And a crispy fried egg on top for good measure.
New restaurant review: I was kindly invited as a guest to visit @trocaderonz situated in what was once the Trocadero dance hall in 1950s Auckland. The art deco inspired restaurant showcases the best of New Zealand produce through its simple, multicourse format and excellent execution of each dish. You won’t be baffled by what you’re eating. Read my full write up by clicking the link in my profile. #trocadero #trocaderonz #trocaderorestaurantandbar #trocaderorestaurant #eatitauckland #bistro #aucklandrestaurant #aucklandcbd #heartofauckland #aucklandeats #aucklandfoodie #aucklandfood #nzproduce #nzfood #gifted @heartofaklcity @scenichotelgroup
New restaurant review: 🍷 @omni_akl 🍢 is up now on www.eatitauckland.co.nz (link also in my bio). @omni_akl is easily one of the best new restaurants to open in Auckland this year. In this tricky climate of yo-yoing lockdown levels and socially distanced dining, I’d happy part with my money at Omni for their natural and biodynamic wines and incredibly thoughtful small plates. Highlights include the raw kingfish with yuzu and white soy, and their brown butter sake cake to end. #omni #omniakl #omniauckland #eatitauckland #dominionroad #dominionroadeats #dominionrd #aucklandfood #aucklandrestaurant #aucklandbar #aucklandfoodie #restaurantreview #review #izakaya #japanese #modernjapanese #naturalwine #biodynamicwine #hibachi #yakitori #yakitorigrill #sando #katsusando
There’s still some weekend left to get your brunch game on at @federaldelicatessen. I’ve tried making potato latkes myself and they were a disaster, so I like to leave it up to @albrownchef and the team to get my latke fix. For years I’ve wondered “what are these blueberry buttermilk griddle cakes like?” I wonder no longer. If you can’t choose, you don’t have to. You can order a single griddle cake on the side with all the trappings (blueberries, whipped cinnamon butter and strudel nut crunch). A little sweet, a little savoury, between the two of them I was in pancake heaven. Plus I love the bottomless filter coffee they’re serving up. My current record for most cups of coffee in one sitting is 2.5; the significant other’s is sitting at 4*. *Correction: he says it’s actually 5 cups. #federaldelicatessen #thefed #feddeli #jewishfood #diner #americandiner #eatitauckland #aucklandfood #aucklandbrunch #brunchtime #latkes #pancakes #griddlecakes #breakfast #aucklandfoodie #aucklandeats
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recent Eat

omni

A new modern restaurant and bar that channels the Japanese ethos of simplicity, perfection and restraint. The result? Magical.

recent Eat

Barbarino’s spaghetteria

It’s pretty simple: pick your pasta, pick your sauce. Pick your wine. Decide if you need chicken schnitzel (you do). Barbarino’s has all the makings for a good time.

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Food

Blog
Trocadero
Trocadero

A restaurant on Queen Street that tells the story of New Zealand food, very well.

Omni
Omni

A simply magnificent modern take on izakaya-style dining with a Japanese twist

Barbarino's Spaghetteria
Barbarino's Spaghetteria

A fun and fancy-free Italian eatery in Avondale.

Lilian
Lilian

Don’t expect it to get any easier to get a table at this Grey Lynn osteria

My post-lockdown bucket list: 10 Must-Eat Auckland Restaurants
My post-lockdown bucket list: 10 Must-Eat Auckland Restaurants

After a month in lockdown, I’m ready to eat ditch the kitchen and get stuck into my post-lockdown bucket list.

Bar Celeste
Bar Celeste

A new neo-bistro bringing a touch of French class to K’Rd

Khu Khu Eatery
Khu Khu Eatery

You will go Khu Khu for this new plant-based Thai eatery.

Peach's Hot Chicken
Peach's Hot Chicken

Move over Colonel Sanders, here comes Nashville hot chicken from Peach’s.

Kind
Kind

My search to be kind to myself and the planet leads me to this Morningside eatery.

Cheese on Toast
Cheese on Toast

Holy cheezus these toasties are delicious!

 

Travel

Blog
Good Good
Good Good

They’re slinging some Good Good burgers down Dunedin way.

Møller Kaffe and Køkken
Møller Kaffe and Køkken

A cafe in Copenhagen serving up a ‘choose your own adventure’ style breakfast.

Fætter Fætter Toast Bar
Fætter Fætter Toast Bar

The owners would like you to know that this is a toast bar and not a restaurant.

 

Kitchen

Blog
Pandemic Kitchen #1 Nasu Dengaku
Pandemic Kitchen #1 Nasu Dengaku

Dry your eyes and get cooking this lockdown. First up is soft and gooey miso-glazed eggplant.

Knækbrød
Knækbrød

Make your own Scandinavian seeded crispbread this Christmas

Mexican salsa roja
Mexican salsa roja

Stop stealing salsa and make your own

 
 
 
 
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