Family dining in Auckland

“Absolutely awesome. My egg cheeseburger was great and Dad got the snapper... He says it's tastier than the Loch Ness monster”

“Great food, can get very busy. Good vegan options.”

“We visited on a sunny Sunday afternoon and the vibe was great. A live band was playing good tunes, not so loud that you couldn't enjoy a good yarn with your mates, and the staff were courteous and friendly. We arrived when it was very busy so the wait time for a cooked meal from the menu was an hour so keep that in mind if visiting when busy. Thoroughly enjoyed our time here and look forward to stopping in again over summer.”

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

“Auckland Zoo is an easy standout. The staff and volunteers are genuinely friendly and make the whole place feel welcoming. The animals look well cared for and the habitats are clean and well maintained. Plenty to keep the kids entertained with lots of space to explore and learn. Also, the coffee at the front cafe is surprisingly good which is always a win. A smooth, enjoyable visit from start to finish. Great place for families. Parking was closed due to renovations, so we had to park near MOTAT. Nice walk through the park though.”

“This sushi train spot in Westgate is always busy, especially with families and groups - it’s clearly a local favourite. I came here today with my parents, who love this place and already know all the best things to order. We started with the fried chicken nuggets, they were super crispy and a great way to kick things off. Ordering was easy with the QR code on the table. We got a good mix: some fresh salads, a sushi set, a sashimi set, and a big bowl of udon to share. The sashimi was probably the highlight - really fresh, nicely presented, and the pieces were surprisingly generous. We enjoyed every bite. The udon was also a perfect way to wrap up the meal - warm, hearty, and satisfying. The vibe here is really friendly and relaxed. It’s a bit pricier than some other sushi train places, but the quality makes it totally worth it. Definitely recommend if you're looking for solid sushi in West Auckland. + visited again and had a fabulous dinner (added more photos)”

“We love this spot! Very fresh, clean and delicious flavours. The menu is extensive and offers a bit of everything in terms of variety and price. Haven’t had a bad dish here so far. The team are very friendly and warm. The interior is full of Japanese theme with a homely feel. Yaruki for life!”

“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”

“One of the best restaurants in Auckland for Mediterranean cuisine. Made fresh, the meat dishes actually taste fresh. Don’t expect some fancy interior or fine dine but defenitely some of the best tasting meal you can have. It’s best to go as a group as the serving portions are very generous. Also the best naan (bread) is done here. Been there twice (lunch and dinner) and will surely revisit again”

“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.”

“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!”

“The taste of foods was just amazing. Stunningly balanced flavours. Perfectly cooked. Descent sized portions. We had to wait a bit longer than what we were expecting to get our order ready in a busy Saturday night but it was worth it. Music playback was not a perfect match with the ambient but still okay. Friendly staff. Definitely will come back.”

“We had the most beautiful dinner. We had pizza and seafood crepe for starters. Eye fillet for main and creme brulee and Tiramisu for dessert. Everything was on the spot, fast service and lovely Melanija serving us. True Italian experience with authentic food, wood fire . Big recommendation”

“Went to Gusto Italiano not knowing what to expect which ended up being a great decision last night. Our dinner the seafood spaghetti, chicken breast with vegetables & chicken fettuccine all amazing. The service from Milan & Armando was equally great. Definitely will return and thinking about ordering pizza & lasagne for tonight.”

“This is probably one of my go-to Italian spots in NewMarket. The staff are incredibly friendly and super helpful at recommending dishes to try. The food is always super fresh and flavoursome, and the great atmosphere really adds to the overall experience. The price point is average for the city, but with the quality of the ingredients I would definately say it's good value for money.”

“Spur of the moment restaurant choice before a show......and excellent choice! Lovely food, friendly & helpful staff. Would recommend to everyone for central CBD restaurant. Reasonably priced & great service.”

“We went for lunch & it was a delicious experience! The restaurant was light & inviting- the new renovations looked very good. I ordered the mango lassi & the spices in the drink was great! I really enjoyed the theatrics of the mix platter starter too, it came out on a sizzling plate & tasted delish. The stand out dish for me was the chicken korma, the nutty cashew sauce was amazing! Highly recommend. The naan were also very fresh. Will definitely be back again to try other dishes!!! ☺️”

“Great pad thai at Ruang Thong probably my favourite in Auckland”

“This is a nice and delicious Thai restaurant. I tried the slow cook beef cheeks and it was fantastic. A bit spicy but nothing I could handle (I’m Mexican). The side of Jazmin rice was very good and helped with the spiciness. They have Tuatara and Tiger beer on tap.”

“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.”

“Had lunch here and it was very nice to sit in at a restaurant with exceptional service and great food! The portions were also generous, will definitely be back again.”

“Wow, just Wow! Food was absolutely amazing. The ambiance and service was amazing too. We celebrated my daughter’s birthday and they even turned down the lights to sing happy birthday. We will definitely be back to try some of the other dishes. Thank you for a beautiful night out. Highly recommend.”

“I love this place! Really good food and service. Prices are reasonable, too. There's not really a downside, but if you're seated in the separate booths in the hallway, you lose some of the atmosphere, but if you're looking for some privacy, that's the spot. 5 stars!!”

“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!)”

“Surprised how good the food was. Great chef, friendly vibes, and great views. We went during the day but will most definitely come back to for the evening menu!”

“Authentic Yakitori bar in Auckland, you must try the prawn with pork, it was juicy and delicious!”

“Favourite omurice spot in the city! Yoshizawa is a quaint restaurant located on the side of a busy street. Everytime I walk in the warm smell of curry, beef, rice and chicken makes me salivate. Friendly and quiet staff, perfect if you're an introvert like me. Highly recommend getting one of their omurices, super fluffy and slurpy eggs over hot fried rice (be careful!) And wow oh wow, the curry. It is so rich and strong, well seasoned and creamy that when you pair it with the egg and rice... Absolute banger. Chef's kiss. 10/10, peak restaurant.”

“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.”

“Owner of the restaurant is very friendly and customer service oriented. We had a booking on Sat night, restaurant somehow messed up our booking. Instead of turning us away, the owner apologies and worked out a plan to have us seated at the back. Even gone to a step further and shouted dinner for our birthday boy. Very much enjoyed our experience here, and will be back. Thank you.”

“Really great pool hall, extremely well priced to play pool, the food is a bit on the pricier side, but it is really high quality and tasty. Had the $31 burger which was never going to be the best value, but it was very nice. Had the ribs last time and the pizza too, all very nice. Some of the best thick cut fries I’ve had. Really great place, a local favourite.”