Auckland Restaurant Tips by kiwi

Restaurant Name: Euro Bar

This place comes highly rated, and highly priced so we did have high expectations. The ambience was a little flat with an empty restaurant but it sure warmed up when people began to arrive.
Waiting staff were friendly and nice, however the Maitré de was very disappointing. No eye contact, it took an age to notice we were there, and no personal touch. I'd sack him!
He was not friendly, nor was he alert to what was happening, and for a restaurant of this quality, that was just not good enough.
The food was well presented, a nice selection. My meat wasn't mouth watering, but the sauce was very tasty and interesting.
I found good and bad points here, and I'd return to give it another go for sure. Special occassion place, we were surrounded though by business groups, I guess on expense accounts.

Favorite Dish: The icecream and sorbet dessert was to die for!!! So scrumptious I could have eaten three of these and not bothered with a meat and vegetable dish!!

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Theme: Local
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 09 - 309 9866
Address: Shed 22, Princes Wharf, Quay St, Auckland Central.
Directions: Downtown Auckland, bottom of Queen St, turn left, along to Princes Wharf and it's on the right. Walking distance. Euro is not very far along the wharf.

Restaurant Name: George Restaurant & Bar.

Fine dining with exquisite food and outstanding service. The friendly staff see to it that you are extremely well looked after.
They can cater for almost all your needs, even having some reading glasses for one of my group who had left his in the car.

Favorite Dish: The Whitebait was superb! Really everything on the menu is an experience. Pick something you usually eat and enjoy, and here at George it will be presented to you in a gorgeous manner, and it will taste better than you have ever had before.
Everything at our table was cooked to perfection, so tender and juicy, and tasty!! They serve a selection of choices, ranging from white to red meat.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 09 - 358 2600
Address: 144 Parnell Road, Parnell.
Directions: Half way up the hill on the left, opposite the National Bank.
(Previously known as Gaults at George).

Restaurant Name: Starbucks Coffee

I don’t plan to include every Starbucks Café on my pages, but every now and then a special one is worth a mention. This Starbucks is situated in the popular Parnell Village shops. Not too far from central Auckland, easy to get to.
Parnell is on the LINK bus route, so that makes things easy.
I just like sitting on the outdoor tables, watching the interesting people walk in and past. The atmosphere is of happy, interesting people.


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Theme: American
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 09 - 336 1599
Address: 305 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland.
Directions: Heading up the hill, it's on the right side.

Restaurant Name: Pasta Italia

This is a very cute little place, set among a residential area not so far from Parnell Village.
The atmosphere is fun and friendly as you sit among some of the more "successful" members of the community. There just seemed to be an excessive amount of continental cars parked outside.

Favorite Dish: The salads are interesting and delicious, all very fresh and lovely.
Some really nice tarts and sweets to have with really nice coffee.
I did the lunch thing here, and can thoroughly recommend this experience.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 09 - 373 3735
Address: 58 Brighton Road, Parnell, Auckland.

Restaurant Name: Orbit Restaurant

Spectacular views from this very nice revolving restaurant, situated 190 metres up the Skytower.
Great service and lovely food, even a little bit of excitement to get up here on the lift.
I really enjoyed being up here to watch the sun go down, so we got to see the city by daylight , then by night. The night lights were gorgeous too!
Park in the Skycity underground carpark, and you get charged minimum rate if you produce your restaurant receipt. One tip here is to be sure to take the little tag from the Lift lobby, so you remember where your car is, as there are several levels and believe me, searching for your car is no fun!!

Favorite Dish: I would recommend anything off the menu.

The entrees (starters) were all under $20 and the main courses were around $30.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 09 - 363 6000
Address: Cnr Victoria & Federal Streets, Auckland.
Directions: Central city, the tallest structure, the SkyTower. On most bus routes as well. The city free bus runs right bye.
Website: www.skycity.co.nz

Restaurant Name: Limon Café & Bar

The ambience was a winner all round here at Limon!
Inside, the indoor tables and the bar, is very tastefully decorated with interesting "stuff". Outdoors, sitting in the sun on the wharf was just so very enjoyable. Plenty to watch while you enjoy your meal and chat with friends.

Favorite Dish: I really enjoyed the Weekend Special Menu.

Eggs Benedict, with salmon, spinich and hollandaise. $13-50

French Toast with grilled bacon & banana.
$12-50

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 09 - 309 6870
Address: Shop 6, Shed 23, Princes Wharf, Quay St, Auckland.
Directions: Just walk down Princes wharf till you come to Limon.

Restaurant Name: Breadwinner Bakery & Café, ST HELIERS.

This place is a real gem!! Extremely well priced within anyone's budget, and good wholesome food with excellent Vittoria coffee.
I really was excited to find this little place. This is for coffees and lunch, we are not talking an evening meal here. But in the area where waterside cafés and restaurants can really cost the "earth" to dine at, this little gem is a bargain. Not right on the waterfront, but just a few feet back, you don't exactly have a view unless you sit outside. But it's a lovely little bakery with cute little tables. There was a constant flow of construction workers and office workers, all mixed together. I guess word gets out when there is a value for money café in the area.

Favorite Dish: The freshly brewed Vittoria coffee is to die for!! I love it!!
All sorts of bakery items, Danish pastries, sandwiches etc.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 09 - 575 6753
Address: 8 St Heliers Bay Road, St Heliers, Auckland.
Directions: Main shopping area of St Heliers Bay.
Drive along Tamaki Drive to the end and find St Heliers Bay.

Restaurant Name: Kahve

Set in an old 1920's wooden building on the corner overlooking the harbour, Kahve is a really pleasing place to have brunch or dinner.

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Brunch Menu

Some items only.
$4NZ Warm Croissant
$4 Toasted English Muffin
$8.50 Cereal and Fresh Fruit
$12 Pancakes with maple syrup and fresh fruit.
$13 French Toast with bacon and fresh fruit.
$13 Spanish Omelette with roast tomato and karengo salsa

Kahve Breakfast grilled bacon, sausage, tomato, hash browns, mushrooms with eggs any style.........$NZD16.00

Favorite Dish: From the Brunch menu, French Toast with bacon and fresh fruit was my absolute favourite. Just as well I don't live close by!
They serve the most delicious coffee and real fast service too. The staff are incredibly friendly and the whole atmosphere is warm and buzzing. I love the place!

I have to also mention that the balcony is covered in clear plastic walls, that are able to be rolled up, to ensure all year dining protected from the weather. It's simply marvellous!!

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 09 - 575 2919
Address: Cnr Tamaki Drive adn St Heliers Bay Rd, St Heliers
Directions: Along Tamaki Drive all the way to the end you find St Heliers Beach. Kahve is right beside the road overlooking the harbour.

Restaurant Name: Portside Bar & Brasserie

Portside was a breath of fresh air. We had driven around the city and other popular eating areas only to find the place overcrowded and too busy for us to get a meal.
Stumbled across Portside, to find everything we needed and wanted. Parked right outside the restaurant. Wonderful view over the Viaduct Basin and some nice yachts! Amazingly friendly manager who's aim was to please, without being over patronizing.
Rudy you were great!! And we will always remember therefore we will return!!

Favorite Dish: Had to be the local fish on the Daily special menu. The day I was there they served Hapuka and it was divine sitting on a bed of kumara mash.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 09 - 3584577
Address: 132 Halsey Street, Viaduct, Auckland.
Directions: By Victoria Park, at the corner of Halsey And Fanshaw Streets, head down Halsey towards the water. Just down there on the left before you hit the Team New Zealand building.
Website: www.portsideviaduct.co.nz

Restaurant Name: Waterfront Café

Open 7 days, 8.00am till late. Breakfast Lunch and Dinner.
Most people head for the Viaduct Basin and it's array of eateries. However it is rather expensive there, albeit nice and modern. I have known a while now about this place. Just a few steps from the Basin, and I think the best kept secret, is Waterfront Café. The food is superb, the service great, and the prices slightly cheaper.
You look over water, which is always a plus. And you can sit inside or on the verandah, which is mostly very protected from the wind. Even when it's not nice to sit outside elsewhere, it's sometimes still possible here.
Sometimes a little hard to locate from the street, look for the Maritime Museum and just go into the building and ask for the café, I'm sure you'll be happy you made the effort.
Even Bill Clinton dined here !!

Favorite Dish: Well I love an old favourite, fish and chips. This translated is fish with fries. Chose the Schnapper if they have it, it's simply the best! You get plenty of food and don't leave hungry. I had this during the day, it cost $18.50.
There are several seafood dishes for less than $NZ20.
Lots of salad meals for around $NZ15.
A nice selection of meat mains for less than $NZ20.
Mexican and Pasta dishes, around $NZ18.
All very nice meals of a nice size and all very affordable.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 09 - 359 9914
Address: 14 Quay St, Downtown Auckland.
Directions: Downtown Auckland, bottom of Hobson St. The café is situated in the Museum building, over looking Princes Wharf and lots of boats too!
Website: www.thewaterfrontcafe