Food scene
A long time go-to favourite of ours, great coffee and food. Try the Prosciutto smashed potato. They also have a great bakery with loads of delicious treats both savoury and sweet.
87 locals recommend
Amano
Britomart PlaceA long time go-to favourite of ours, great coffee and food. Try the Prosciutto smashed potato. They also have a great bakery with loads of delicious treats both savoury and sweet.
Depot
86 Federal StAnother go-to fav, great casual dinner and drinks sitting.
For the foodie, designed for sharing and one of my top fav restaurants ever. The food is simply divine.
10 locals recommend
Cotto Restaurant
375 Karangahape RdFor the foodie, designed for sharing and one of my top fav restaurants ever. The food is simply divine.
Since moving uptown this is now our local. The coffee is great and the food is delicious. Grab a seat out front or check out the upstairs minimalist modern seating area and courtyard.
Must try favs - Cinimon cruffin. The raspberry and white colocate muffin is also amazing.
Benedict's
30 Saint Benedicts StreetSince moving uptown this is now our local. The coffee is great and the food is delicious. Grab a seat out front or check out the upstairs minimalist modern seating area and courtyard.
Must try favs - Cinimon cruffin. The raspberry and white colocate muffin is also amazing.
Cassia
90 Fort LnAmazingly good food, great atmosphere - you will likely need to book.
Delicious food, great setting and and great staff - one of our favorites for a night out with friends
alma
Delicious food, great setting and and great staff - one of our favorites for a night out with friends
Daily Bread — Britomart
great food and coffee, good for casual sitting and take outs.
Good food and good wine on Auckland's colourful Karagahape Road. Cosy, intimate restaurant run by a husband and wife team. Great for sharing.
Apero Food and Wine
Good food and good wine on Auckland's colourful Karagahape Road. Cosy, intimate restaurant run by a husband and wife team. Great for sharing.
Little further away, right around the corner from where we live is the cult following Carmel. Everything is good only open Thursday, Friday & Saturday.
Carmel - Israeli Street Food
Little further away, right around the corner from where we live is the cult following Carmel. Everything is good only open Thursday, Friday & Saturday.
Neighbourhoods
Great spot for ocean views, checking out the super yachts and grabbing a drink.
220 locals recommend
Wynyard Quarter
Great spot for ocean views, checking out the super yachts and grabbing a drink.
So much personality, whats not to love about the famous "K'rd". Great bars, eateries, shopping and coffee.
14 locals recommend
Karangahape Road
Karangahape RoadSo much personality, whats not to love about the famous "K'rd". Great bars, eateries, shopping and coffee.
Food, fashion, art and shopping to the mashup of historic charm and poptastic re-invention. Ponsonby is Auckland’s always-on mixing pot of cheap eats, posh nosh, in-your-face art, world-class shopping and innovative business.
Ponsonby Road
Food, fashion, art and shopping to the mashup of historic charm and poptastic re-invention. Ponsonby is Auckland’s always-on mixing pot of cheap eats, posh nosh, in-your-face art, world-class shopping and innovative business.
A short ferry ride away is the cute village of Devonport. Take a walk along the waterfront, stop at a cafe, shop at the boutique stores or climb Mount Victoria.
Victoria Road
A short ferry ride away is the cute village of Devonport. Take a walk along the waterfront, stop at a cafe, shop at the boutique stores or climb Mount Victoria.
Eat, Drink, Shop
Eat, drink, shop! The new shopping precinct is not like your normal shopping mall, it's got so much more character and great views.
Check out the harbour eats food court or try out the many great restaurants. Some of our favs, are Fatimas, Ghost donkey and Burger Burger.
The shopping is also great, good selection of mid to high-end stores.
34 locals recommend
Commercial Bay
7 Queen StEat, drink, shop! The new shopping precinct is not like your normal shopping mall, it's got so much more character and great views.
Check out the harbour eats food court or try out the many great restaurants. Some of our favs, are Fatimas, Ghost donkey and Burger Burger.
The shopping is also great, good selection of mid to high-end stores.
Jump on the train to Newmarket and enjoy shopping, movies, arcade games, food court on rooftop dinning. Open late Thursday & Friday nights.
Westfield Newmarket
Jump on the train to Newmarket and enjoy shopping, movies, arcade games, food court on rooftop dinning. Open late Thursday & Friday nights.
Cute little city centre market, grab a coffee, street eats, fresh produce, flowers and sometimes local crafts.
17 locals recommend
City Farmers' Market at Britomart
Britomart PlaceCute little city centre market, grab a coffee, street eats, fresh produce, flowers and sometimes local crafts.
Sylvia Park is Aotearoa/New Zealand's largest shopping centre. Located in Mt Wellington, there is nothing this mall doesn't have.
236 locals recommend
Sylvia Park Shopping Centre
286 Mount Wellington HwySylvia Park is Aotearoa/New Zealand's largest shopping centre. Located in Mt Wellington, there is nothing this mall doesn't have.
Located in Onehunga, Dressmart has a large range of NZ and International outlet stores and a few eateries to keep you going.
There are also a few outlet stores located on the main road close by.
66 locals recommend
Dress Smart Outlet Shopping
151 Arthur StLocated in Onehunga, Dressmart has a large range of NZ and International outlet stores and a few eateries to keep you going.
There are also a few outlet stores located on the main road close by.
For the Tamariki / Children
Perfect all-day or half-day trip for all the whānau/family. We regularly visit The Zoo with our little one, it is always different and a great experience.
Auckland Zoo has been around for more than 100 years. The newly opened South East Asia track with Orungtans, Tigers and a tropical greenhouse is amazing! This is a must-do and highly recommended visit from us.
382 locals recommend
Auckland Zoo
Perfect all-day or half-day trip for all the whānau/family. We regularly visit The Zoo with our little one, it is always different and a great experience.
Auckland Zoo has been around for more than 100 years. The newly opened South East Asia track with Orungtans, Tigers and a tropical greenhouse is amazing! This is a must-do and highly recommended visit from us.
Another favourite of ours. Check out the King and Gentoo penguins, turtles, sharks, sting rays and lots of colourful fish. There is a fun playground and interactive sections. Perfect for a half-day trip, the cafe inside is basic but makes good coffee.
We recommend booking online during busy times.
228 locals recommend
SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium
23 Tamaki DrAnother favourite of ours. Check out the King and Gentoo penguins, turtles, sharks, sting rays and lots of colourful fish. There is a fun playground and interactive sections. Perfect for a half-day trip, the cafe inside is basic but makes good coffee.
We recommend booking online during busy times.
New Zealand Maritime Museum
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Sightseeing
One of the many dormant volcanoes in Auckland with spectacular views over the city and Waitematā Harbour.
Mount Eden
One of the many dormant volcanoes in Auckland with spectacular views over the city and Waitematā Harbour.
Take a stroll down queens wharf at dusk, maybe grab an ice cream from Island Gelato first. Enjoy the ocean views and The Lighthouse artwork by Michael Parekowhia - a 1:1 scale 1950s family home and its interior features an installation of light as well as a sculpture of Captain Cook.
The Lighthouse
Take a stroll down queens wharf at dusk, maybe grab an ice cream from Island Gelato first. Enjoy the ocean views and The Lighthouse artwork by Michael Parekowhia - a 1:1 scale 1950s family home and its interior features an installation of light as well as a sculpture of Captain Cook.
Traveler advice
Book before you go
Heart of the city
Heart of the City is your one-stop shop for Auckland events, dining, bars & nightlife, shopping, parking & transport and special offers.
Getting around
Honest tips to getting around AKL
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
We're not going to lie, our transport needs some work but is still a good option. Post covid driver shortages result in bus cancellations. Trains are a great way to get around but note there are some train station closers due to upgrades.
Download the AT (Auckland transport) mobile app to help plan journeys and live bus tracking.
SCOOTER & E-BIKE:
Electrike scooters and E-Bikes can be found all over the city centre They are not the cheapest option but can be a quick, fun way to get around. Download the apps first, companies available are Lime/Uber and Beam.
Book before you go
Swim Safe
We highly recommend checking the safeswim nz website before you plan on going for a swim anywhere in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.
Safeswim gives you up to the minute information on water quality and swimming conditions around Auckland.