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Restaurants in Auckland

Many of Auckland's restaurants operate as cafes, bars, music venues and nightclubs, as well as serving food. They do not generally have a pre-book service, although when they do, they rarely book far in advance.

GST (Goods and Services Tax) will be mentioned on the menu, indicating whether it is included in the price or not. In the vast majority of cases, it will be included as a percentage of the total bill, currently 12.5%. Tipping is rarely included in the bill and until recently was not expected, in fact it was even frowned upon. Globalisation has, however, led to a more 'American' attitude and it is now advisable for diners to tip 10 to 15% - but only if the service is good.

The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

The prices quoted below are for a three-course meal and for a bottle of house wine or the equivalent.
$$$$ (over $90)
$$$ ($60 to $90)
$$ ($35 to $60)
$ (up to $35)

Baci Lounge

Price: Cheap

Nourish your head and your stomach with a visit to this excellent bookstore-cafe. In their own words it’s ‘where the coffee has body, the books have minds and the business has a soul’. Padded booths are tucked amongst the bookshelves and salads, wraps, sandwiches paninis and gluten-free pies accompany the coffee.

Address: Level One, Rialto Centre, Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 529 4360.
www.bacilounge.com

SPQR

Price: Moderate

Thin crust pizzas and Italian-influenced mains, such as fish stew dominate the menu at this trendy Ponsonby Road hotspot. A usually packed house means there’s a steady hum from the constant chatter of diners, who sit amid a chic-industrial design. From stylish to intimate, be warned, the lights are very low - leave the newspaper at home.

Address: 150 Ponsonby Road, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 360 1710.
www.spqrnz.co.nz

Kamo

Price: Cheap

This stripped-down-to-keep-the-prices-down restaurant has functional furniture and a rowdy atmosphere. Pacific Rim is mixed with Mediterranean flavours, to come up with menu items bursting with fresh flavours and a hearty warmth. Eat well without breaking the budget.

Address: 382 Karangahape Road, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 377 2313.

Zarbo

Price: Cheap

Zarbo, a deli-cafe, is renowned for its fabulous range of products from all over the world, which are used to forge delicious breakfasts and lunches. The décor in this 120-seat eaterie is simple but stylish. The food takes pride of place in a long glass-covered deli counter, stuffed to overflowing with fresh cheeses, meats, dips, spreads and breads from which diners will be hard pushed to make a quick selection.

Address: 24 Morrow Street, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 520 2721.
http://www.zarbo.co.nz

Tanuki’s Cave

Price: Cheap

This Japanese sake bar makes a great pitstop, especially before a evening entertainment in the city. It’s underneath a more formal restaurant and offers grilled skewers and other inexpensive Japanese snacks. Prop yourself at the bar in this stylish place, grab a bite and wash it down with some cleansing sake.

Address: 319 Queen Street , Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 379 5353.

Dizengoff

Price: Cheap

This stalwart cafe attracts a mixed crowd, including tourists, and specialises in fantastic breakfasts. People come from all over Auckland for the coffee alone. Service staff glide around effortlessly and there’s a stack of reading material - a great excuse for that second coffee.

Address: 256 Ponsonby Road, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 360 0108.

Iguaçu

Price: Moderate

Often the haunt of young corporate wannabes and their hangers-on, Iguaçu is a flash brasserie. It has large glass windows through which patrons look out and passers-by look in at lucky folk indulging in the latest flavours of the Pacific-rim blended with European cuisine. If you have youngsters tagging along there is an extensive kids menu.

Address: 269 Parnell Road, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 358 4804
http://www.iguacu.co.nz

Euro

Price: Expensive

Glammed-up Euro is a slick operation dishing out mod-NZ cuisine to beautiful people. It has superb service, bare wood and tastefully refined décor, as well as a fantastically imaginative and varied menu, including rotisserie Razor Back wild boar with eggplant and date jus.

Address: Shed 22, Princes Wharf, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 309 9866.
www.eurobar.co.nz

Toto Restaurant

Price: Moderate

Possibly the city's finest Italian restaurant, this open and airy opera-filled room (with live opera on Saturday night) leads to a sunny terrace where it is good to be seen eating at the white-clad tables. Duck prosciutto on ciabatta with truffles and parmesan makes a mouthwatering appetiser, while the market fish cooked tangine.

Address: 53 Nelson Street, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 302 2665.
http://www.totorestaurant.co.nz

Sake Bar Rikka

Price: Moderate

This is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Auckland, done up with wall hangings and gleaming clean surfaces. Dishes include chicken teriyaki, a dazzling variety of sushi, miso and a never-ending tempura platter with hot sauce and pickled ginger, all washed down by authentic sake.

Address: Victoria Park Market, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 377 8239.

Hammerheads Seafood Restaurant & Bar

Price: Moderate

This is a very popular waterfront restaurant in Auckland with a balcony, where it pays to be seen. White awning and views of the Auckland skyline and harbour supplement the restaurant's effortless style. It has a reputation for slow service, although the cocktails are dynamite and the food is well worth the wait. Specialities include very fresh fish and shellfish, with some lamb, poultry and beef dishes, although diners are well advised to go with the fish.

Address: 19 Tamaki Drive, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 521 4400.
http://www.hammerheads.co.nz

Cibo

Price: Expensive

Situated in a converted chocolate factory, this established dining room, and its illustrious chef, is one of Auckland’s top restaurants. The menu is eclectic and offers fish and chips alongside confit of duck or fillet steak. There is a splendid selection of cheeses available and the wine list is well chosen. Service is exemplary and the setting superb - try to secure a table in the courtyard during the summer for the best seats.

Address: 91 St George's Bay Road, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 303 9660.
http://www.cibo.co.nz

Antoine's Restaurant

Price: Expensive

Despite its conservative tone and décor, this sophisticated silver service restaurant is a favourite, of some 37 years standing, among Auckland's gastronomes and widely held to be one of the best French restaurants in the country. Situated just 10 minutes from the city centre, the restaurant offers some splendid dishes cooked with Gallic flair. Favourites are grouped together in the Nostalgia menu. All mains are accompanied with fresh seasonal New Zealand vegetables.

Address: 333 Parnell Road, Auckland, New Zealand
Telephone: (09) 379 8756.
http://www.antoinesrestaurant.co.nz
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