Bistro in Auckland

“Had a fantastic dining experience at Daphne. The highlight of the night was definitely the woodfired market fish dish — a beautiful combination of clams, mussels, prawns, and fresh fish that captured the essence of the sea. Every bite was a burst of oceanic flavour, delicately balanced with herbs and seasoning. It felt like a celebration of fresh seafood done right. Also really enjoyed the pork belly skewers — crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside, paired perfectly with the pickled rhubarb and fennel. A great contrast of textures and flavours.”

“We had a really good experience at Bossi. I had the steak for my main and it was AMAZING. We also ordered a couple of desserts, which were the perfect end to dinner. We will definitely be back. Our waiter was fantastic, very knowledgeable and genuinely lovely.”

“I enjoy fine dining, but cannot say I am a "foodie" with a fully calibrated palate. That said, I was taken back by how masterful each dish was - aesthetically pleasing, full of flavor, and unique. This was an experience, one of the best meals I've had in all of my travels. I did not have a reservation, dined solo, and had a seat at the bar with no wait. Despite the bar setting, the atmosphere felt private and the service was exemplary. I highly recommend the Crudo. I followed the servers suggestion here, and was thankful I did so.”

“For my husband and I, as NZ Born South East Asians, it wasnt just a meal, it was like experiencing our heritage and identity thru food. My husband is a huge chatty foodie, plus he's only in recent years started to embrace his South East asian identity... He enjoyed speaking with Carlo about food, history and flavours. We could tell Carlo is extremely passionate about what he does and we found it very inspiring. My self too, I'm not much of a foodie, but I can attest every dish we had that night felt like familiarity... it was a really eye opening experience to 2 people who grew up in NZ without that connection to our parents' countries. I know for some it was just a restaurant, but for us, the ingredients, history and passion touched us personally. We will be sure to come back often and bring friends and family to experience Bar Magda and Carlo's wonderful food and hospitality again!”

“I called into this lovely little restaurant for lunch when I was biking around Waiheke I had a pie, and a carrot cake and THE BEST coffee. Very sweet (I mean the cafe not the coffee).”

“Awesome spot, top notch food and at a great price. Everything we ordered exceeded my expectation. The mussels were cooked to perfection in a tasty sauce and the sautéed prawns had a great kick to it that complimented the toasted baguette. These were only the starters! The main dish though was divine. We ordered the pork belly and the steak and ribs combo! The pork belly had the tastiest sauce which pairs with the crispy skin and tender meat perfectly, to top it of the kumara shavings added some crunch and extra flavouring. The mouth watering ribs were soft and succulent, falling off the bone. You think it cant get any better right? But this was paired with a cut of sirloin that was seared on the grill cooked to perfection. The tasty layer of crust holding in those medium rare flavours. Drizzle this in the mushroom sauce mixed with the coleslaw on the side. Taasty! Now hear me out, all this sounds like perfection but to top it off its BYO with the liquorland a minute walk away! Grab that bottle of wine and dine in for great evening you wont regret”

“A very good kitchen for friends to catch up with drinks in Devonport. The atmosphere is warm and cozy. Staff are busy but friendly!”

“Decided to take my lunch at this lovely place when I visited Davenport, and I think I made the right choice. The Salmon on the toast I had was lovely, but a bit pricey tho. The great thing is that they also have gluten free and dairy free options available for those who have dietary restrictions. The staffs and the owner (a guy with that lovely dog?) were also nice and friendly. It was a lovely afternoon surely.”

“We've been here twice in the last month, and had a great meal each time. The new owners are really friendly and nice, and the bar has a nice coast atmoshere. On the Halloween night they had a dress up session with prizes, and Nelly was perfect as an Angel. The food is all great. I highly recommend the pizzas and the steak. Both are excellent. If I had to make one improvement suggestion, it would be to perhaps get a a wider range of craft beers. But generally this is a great place that I highly recommend.”

“We had a family Christmas lunch today at the Archer, the food was fantastic as was the service. Extensive menu has something for everyone, including the youngest member of our group (Mr Nearly Two). I happily recommend The Archer to anyone who is looking for a nice, quiet place for lunch during the week.”

“I can't believe I haven't been here before as I live just down the road. Last time I was in here it was still Conch Records... Ate there for the first time with a friend who works in hospo and we were both super impressed with the tacos. Good craft beer, lots of options and (for Ponsonby) not too devastatingly expensive. Will definitely be back.”

“Very busy restaurant, we went around 7:30 and it’s nearly full house on a Wednesday night. Food was great and authentic as usual. You have a lot to choose from on their menu. Portion size is great, I won’t say it’s pricey.”

“Le Paris is a hidden gem!!! Tried Crepe Mademoiselle this morning and absolutely loved it! Will definitely come back again!”

“We lovd it. Excellent experience. Remember us a travel in Edinburgh! Why the scottish people always eat nachos? We like it!”

“Cute small japanese restaurant. The restaurant is clean and has a comfortable athmosphere. The staff is very nice and helpful. They seem to like working there and do a lot for the positive vibe. What I've ordered so far: Takoyaki - new favourite dish at Coo's, I just had it today and it was so creamy and delicious! Gyoza - absolutely amazing, especially with some soy sauce. Can 100% recommend this as a starter or to have with a drink. Katsu don (Pork) - was amazing, it could do with some extra tonkatsu sauce for the rice but was still very (!) good. Ikageso - delish little calamaries. Nothing more, nothing less. Karaage don - the karaage was nice and juicy. I am not yet sure how it compares to the chicken katsu don but can recommend. Eel don - beautifully presented and I loved it, but I like eel in general, so if you are not big on fish, I would not recommend this. Umeshu - nicely presented and tasty, reminded me of some dried plums I've had back in europe”

“Traveled from South Auckland to bring our son here for his birthday based off the great reviews and his love for crepes. Specifically only came for that one dish, the crepes, and man they didn't disappoint! The crepes were flavorful! Very tasty! Price is reasonable I spose. Service was great, She always had a smile, kept water topped up, greeted and farewells us. Made us feel comfortable being Hori's in a boujee environment lol Atmosphere is calm and relaxing. Beautiful view. Going back to try the meals on the menu. Highly recommended the crepes!!”

“Stopped yesterday for a Dirty Martini and really enjoyed the vibes here. Decided to get another drink. The other cocktails on the menu looked so good. Got their twist on french 75 which they put seasonal fruits in. The fruit used in my cocktail was Tamarillo, so yum. I also ordered the pull apart bread, was nice. Definitely keen to come back for dinner service one day. ❤️”

“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.”

“We recently went to Goodie Brothers in Botany and had such a great time that it deserves a proper shout-out. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt welcoming and lively, with a nice mix of modern décor and a relaxed, casual vibe that makes you want to stay a while. We started with the margarita pizza, which came out with a beautiful golden crust that had the perfect crunch on the outside and a soft, chewy bite inside. The tomato sauce tasted fresh and vibrant, and the mozzarella was melted evenly across the base with just the right balance of cheese and herbs so it wasn’t too heavy but still full of flavor. The fettuccine pasta followed and was just as impressive, with perfectly cooked al dente noodles coated in a creamy, well-seasoned sauce that felt indulgent without being overly rich, and the portion size was generous enough to share or enjoy on its own as a main. For dessert, we couldn’t resist the tiramisu, which ended up being one of the highlights of the night — light, airy layers of sponge soaked with just enough coffee, topped with creamy mascarpone and a dusting of cocoa that tied everything together beautifully. Alongside all this, we had a few drinks that were made well and complemented the food nicely, and throughout the evening the staff were attentive, friendly, and genuinely seemed to care that everyone was enjoying themselves. It’s clear the team takes pride in both their food and service, which really makes a difference. Goodie Brothers feels like the kind of place where you can go for a casual catch-up with friends, a relaxed date night, or even just to treat yourself to a good meal, and leave satisfied every time. We’ll definitely be back and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a spot in Botany with great food, good drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere.”

“We had the most fantastic experience at Mudbrick - I highly recommend visiting! Brooke did our tasting, she was so friendly and knowledgeable and made us feel very comfortable. The wine was absolutely delicious (we went for the “Waiheke Tasting” and we loved all four of the wines). We sat outside, the views were incredible across the island and Auckland in the background. The waiting staff were friendly and the food was absolutely delicious and so aesthetically pleasing. The foccacia was the best I’ve ever tasted!”

“Six years on, and nothing else compares to this place. The ambiance remains exceptional, and the food is even better. With an extensive selection of wines and drinks to perfectly complement the meals, and authentic flavours that transport you straight to their roots, this spot truly stands out. Hats off to Sunil and the team for building such an outstanding experience.”

“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.”

“From the moment we stepped through the doors we were warmly welcomed! The customer service is exceptional. Food was excellent. Overall an amazing experience and would definitely return!!!”

“My wife and I dined here for our wedding anniversary. We opted for the late lunch and went with the 9 course Winter Feast menu. I can only say that the food was fantastic and would be hard pressed to pick which was my favourite. I am not really a desert fan, but the chocolate mousse and the souffle were next level. Staff were exceptional and gave a good briefing on each course. I will definitely be visiting here again.”

“We had the Rumi special. It came with chicken, lamb mince and beef kebabs. The meats were super tender and flavourful. Would come again!”

“A group of 4 of us had a wonderful long lunch with Natalia and Karl and the Engine Room team. I think we shared just about everything on the menu and it was all superb, as was the service and wines”

“Super nice steak if you want to treat yourself. I found the service was a bit slow but the food was top notch. They show you the cuts before you order which is really handy as if you are not an officialdo then it is not clear what you are going to get. Order you mains, sauce and then side. You are talking about $100-$150 per person by the time you include drinks and sides. The meat was super tender and glad we came. We went on a Thursday and it was busy, with people sitting outside. Well worth a visit and the food quality of food is excellent.”

“Absolutely one of the best food experiences in Auckland. Highly recommend. The Herbed Scramble is delicious. Look and feel of the restaurant is amazing, the food is top notch and the staff… They’re all friendly, helpful and professional. Thanks for the experience, team. Great job.”

“When I want chicken I come here. Hot, Tasty and crispy. The service here is great Guan and Ayan went above and beyond for my family and I, even got given a few extras for the kids.”

At Mighty Hotdog Royal Oak, the menu stays simple, bistro‑style with tidy execution. Portions are generous yet well judged. Front‑of‑house runs with calm, helpful energy. Wait times are contained even when busy.