Arabic cuisine restaurant in Auckland

“Hidden little gem, in a quite corner of a small shopping centre. The banjan borani was absolutely amazing, with the kebabs platter & biryani to go on the side, was a delicious meal. Service was almost non existent but the authentic chefs in the background stole the show for us.”

“This restaurant is highly recommended. First, the owner was very enthusiastic and patient when I was ordering. Second, the food in this restaurant is very delicious. It is generous in portion and good in taste. The drinks here are also highly recommended. Plus，What makes it particularly warm is that before meals, hand sanitizing gel is provided on each table. This allows customers to disinfect their hands before eating, which is very hygienic and aligns well with the restaurant's halal philosophy. Overall, it is a restaurant that makes people want to go again after the first visit.”

“They offer good shisha, delicious food, and drinks. They both have indoor and outdoor dining. The shisha is outdoors with heater and they provide blankets if you wish to have one. The place gets really busy no matter which day - that’s how good they are. The food I enjoy the most is their cheesy mayo fries. It’s crispy and the amount of cheese and mayo is not too overwhelming. I also enjoy their Iraqi tea. I never would have thought I’d enjoy a cardamom taste on my tea. It soothes my throat and warms me on winter nights. Their shisha is 50/50 and I guess it depends on who makes it. But it is definitely a place to catch up with friends over food and shisha. Especially when you’re stressed and just want to relax. The staff are very lovely. They try their best to be attentive to everyone, even when busy. They always greet us with a smile. The owner is such a lovely lady and will welcome you like a family. They do have a good selection of meals and desserts. They also have RTDs, beer, cocktails, mocktails, etc. Suitable for all group size. I highly recommend.”

“Such a local gem. Food is just delicious. The beef cheeks and the lamb mains just melt in your mouth. Wonderful flavours and good portions. Highly recommend”

“Easily the best kebab I’ve had in a fair good while. Absolutely perfect. Great prices for an AWESOME kebab. I’m not quite sure what kind of seasoning you guys do for your chips (chicken salt??), but holy damn they were so on point. Perfect amount of seasoning and perfectly crispy, Chips really can make or break a meat on chips. Chicken was beautiful, again the seasoning was incredible. Fresh salad and yummy sauces. Good amount of extra cheese. I will be coming back as much as possible. Thank you for a great after work meal”

“@theaucklandbuzz We went to East recently and absolutely loved it. The flavors were amazing—fresh, bold, and creative. Service was top-notch too, super friendly and attentive. Definitely worth a visit! My rating 4.9/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What we had? Starters: -Mushroom & truffle dumplings -Gochujang cauliflower -Ginger caramelised bang bang shiitake mushrooms Mains: -Malaysian nyonya vegetable curey -Char kway teow noodles, shiitake mushroom, egg, garlic chives Cocktails: -Golden Glow -Red Rum It's a must try place and you will never forgets.”

“I had a wonderful experience at Akdeniz. The food was delicious, especially the kebabs, so tender and tasty! The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere was really nice and relaxing. I’ll definitely come back again!”

“Went there for the side groceries several times Levant middle eastern groceries. Pickles, Tahini, canned halal foods & frozen Molokhia & Bamia ( Okra) as well as fresh Lebanese kmaj bread & yoghurt. White cheese & halloumi in small & large blocks as well as boiled white sheep cheese. The staff are very friendly & helpful”

“Excellent food. Nice quirky place. The young lady who served the table was very gentle and kind. We ordered eggplant puree with naan bread for entrée and it was delicious. The lamb shank with mashed potato and rib beef and both meals were superb. It's a shame they don’t have beers but it goes with their tradition. Recommended!”

“Everything about our visit was genuinely impressive. The service was some of the best I’ve experienced in a long time - attentive without being overbearing, and the staff made us feel welcomed from the moment we arrived. The atmosphere was also a standout. It had a great vibe, plenty of space, and a comfortable layout with good distance between tables, which is something we really value when choosing where to dine. The only downside for me was the braised pork. It was a bit on the chewy side and didn’t fall apart the way I’ve had it at other places, so it didn’t quite meet the standard of the rest of the meal. Other than that small issue, everything else was excellent. The overall experience was great, and I’ll definitely be returning.”

“This is one of the finest restaurants in Auckland city. I seldom write reviews about restaurants. My brother was a chef and you have to be pretty good to impress me. It is a popular Middle-Eastern and South-West Asian restaurant with authentic and traditional dishes. It is the "chef that makes the restaurant", not the other way round. The dishes were outstanding! I have just come back from Melbourne city and they blow away the competition over there. They win hands down, nobody comes even close to them. I had Tabouleh which comes from modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. It is a staple in Lebanese cuisine and has been a part of Middle Eastern culinary traditions for centuries. Greek salad, snapper and lamb. Every dish was fantastic!”

“Lovely Xinjiang style food in Dominion Rd. Stopped in for lunch and it didn't disappoint. Had me thinking of my time working in China with lovely homemade yoghurt drink and tasty lamb kebabs. Definitely recommend this place, great food and service in a cosy little shop. Decor is simple, but it's the food that counts.”

“A Cozy Experience at Ima Cuisine… Ima Cuisine is an absolute gem! From the moment we walked in, the warm, cozy vibe and lovely lighting set the perfect mood for dinner. We started with the mezze platter…The pillowy, fresh pita paired beautifully with the creamy hummus, smoky baba ganoush, and smooth labneh. The pickled veggies added the perfect punch, and the falafel was crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside—some of the best falafels I’ve had in a while. For mains, we shared the halloumi and chicken along with a variety of sides. I’m already planning my next visit—especially during the day so I can have their famous hot cross buns! If you're looking for comforting, authentic Middle Eastern flavours in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, Ima Cuisine is a must-visit. Highly recommend :)”

“Fantastic service from Junil and Deepat. Food very well prepared and presented. Nice open space, atmosphere and decor and the food was amazing. Well done to the staff and chefs.”

“This Mediterranean spot in town is top-notch! Customers love it for its great service, upbeat atmosphere, yummy food, and excellent customer care. Plus, they keep the toilets clean! We tried the Mediterranean chicken, bread, and dips, especially recommending Love in Sam's special dip. Give it a go!”

“Ali is amazing and cooks with his heart and soul. All I can say is these are the BEST Kebabs and Shish Kebabs I've had in Auckland, made with so much love and served with a smile always. The quantity of meat in the kebabs is great too, true value for money, not like the ones with the sauces you normally get. Worth a try if you haven't already and you will be surprised :D Thanks again Ali :)”

“The Lebanese Grocer is home to the best chicken shawarma I have ever tried, outstanding! Not just the shawarma but the hummus and labneh that we got to take home is unbelievable. Pro tip, they give you $2 back each time you drop in your jars for a refill of hummus or labneh, hold onto your jars. 10/10 - Highly recommend to all. James Ashwin Kakapo Business Sales”

“Food was incredible. Came here for my partners birthday at lunch time very quiet and Food was delicious had kufta and lamb kebab with bread and wow the garlic sauce that came with the kebab was amazing never had anything like it! Bread was great meat was so succulent. The kufta sauce was delicious and the meatballs were succulent and I wish I could have eaten it all but I was so full! Thank you for this amazing food”

“One of our favourite go to spots. Great food and customer service. I ordered their mix on salad 10/10”

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Now I understand why Gemmayze Street was voted No.1 — this place is outstanding! The chicken shish is hands down the best I’ve ever had: juicy, full of flavour, and perfectly cooked. The saffron rice with raisin, walnut, and a touch of sour creamy sauce is absolutely delicious — a perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and creamy. The hummus is also a standout. It has a flavour that reminds me of Sichuan chili, but without the heat — super unique and addictive. The lamb was decent, pretty standard compared to everything else. I also tried their new dessert — it was okay, just not quite my taste. Overall, a fantastic experience and a must-try if you’re in the area!”

“One of the absolute best restaurants in Auckland serving kebabs. Owners obviously very passionate about hospitality & make the establishment a very nice place to visit to enjoy a meal. Their food is delicious, presented beautifully, made from beautiful fresh ingredients. A asset to the surrounding area. Highly recommended!:)”

“Khanz Panmure is analyzing, very good and clean kitchen - the food is absolutely a delicacy.”

“Cannot fault anything!! Food was amazing , beautiful! Big call , but the Pork ribs and Moroccan Lamb chops and the best I've eaten! If your passing through Orewa , this place is a must visit ✨️”

“Best turkish food in Auckland, if not the country I would say. The lamb in particular is succulent. The cocktails were amazing too. Highly recommend!!”

“5 stars for Clare and her beautiful team. She arranged a room in the back for my birthday celebration and everything was perfect. Thank you guys! By the way...food is delicious and not expensive. Recommended!”

“Loved the chef's special! The food was fresh and tasty. The Turkish coffee is quite intense, so if you're into strong expressos, you'll enjoy it.”

“I visited the restaurant midweek for dinner with my friend. An Arab friend had recommended it. The atmosphere and decor are lovely. The staff are very friendly. We had chicken mandi and lamb tikka, which were truly delicious. The tea was also wonderfully made. If you enjoy Middle Eastern food, I highly recommend it.”

“Absolutely delicious dinner and a dedicated gluten free menu!! 10/10 must visit. (A little bit more whipped feta dip with the polenta chips would be A1!)”

“This place has a very nice aura and relax feel. Meat was fresh and delicious, will definitely be back again. The skewers were yummy and large portions, enough for two!”

“My wife and I celebrated our 25th (Silver) Wedding Anniversary with a meal here. The food, service, and atmosphere were great. The view out over the Waitākere Ranges was beautiful, despite the overcast evening. It was unfortunate that we were unable to have our preferred and reserved outdoor seating, due to the verandah being inaccessible for wheelchairs.”