Where to eat in Auckland, New Zealand

Isabeau Brimeau

Former digital producer for delicious. Izzy is a resident Kiwi and lover of all things cheese and pasta

From London, I am 11,000 miles away from my hometown of Auckland. Despite the 30-something hours travel from the UK I recommend the city, situated towards the top of the North Island of New Zealand, to anyone willing to travel the distance.

The Land of the Long White Cloud may be small in size but it sure is mighty in options for great food. I may be biased about the place that I have spent many years living in but I do believe we make some good kai – that’s what we call food.

Here are four of my favourite places I visited on my recent return.

The Sawmill Cafe Restaurant
Leigh is technically in the greater Auckland region, even so, it is still worth the 1.5 hour road trip. The brewery is one of the main attractions in the small costal community and often has live music playing. We weren’t so lucky on the music front but we were blessed that the kitchen was open. My friend took me here as she vowed the pizzas are delicious and the beer refreshing. She was not wrong.

Overwhelmed by the pizza selection we chose half tandoori chicken and half Mediterranean with all the trimmings to match. We washed down the pizza, and a side of kumara (sweet potato) fries, with pale ale – citrusy and smooth.

Mercury Bay Estate
A few hours outside of Auckland awaits the beautiful beaches of the Coromandel and it wouldn’t be a New Zealand summer without spending a few days somewhere along this peninsula. Some friends and I spent a few days along the shoreline of Cook’s Beach. During our stay, a friend and I went to the local winery.

Perched on a hill, the view alone is reason enough to pay a visit (see main image at the top). The wine and brunch menu only helps its cause. We ordered the crepes and a coffee to start and, of course, a flight of wines to finish. Great food, great scenery and great wine – what more could you want on a holiday?

Geeks on Sainsbury
A new arrival to Auckland, this café has taken the St Luke’s area by storm. Recommended to me by most people, my boyfriend and I couldn’t resist.

Squished in the middle of a block of assorted shops, Geeks glows with its spacious design – modern and chic, it is simple yet effective. I ordered the eggs benedict served on a potato rosti with a vibrant beetroot purée. My boyfriend ordered the BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato) bagel, and did not complain at the generosity of the serving. The coffees topped off the morning with a much-needed caffeine hit.