Great Atmosphere! and other Auckland, New Zealand Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Canton

The Canton Cafe is found in the Kingsland area of Auckland and judging by the crowd when a group of us VTers ate there recently its very popular!

Judged as the best Chinese Restaurant in Auckland by Metro Magazine in 2003, Canton is a fun, noisy restaurant where you can bring your own wine and have a great meal for a fantastic price. $15~20 NZD will buy you plenty.

If you decide to give this unassuming little place a try, aim for a later time, as if you get there early, you are likely to be rushed so your table can seat later diners. However, 8.30pm should ensure you are left to pick over the remains of your feast for as long as you fancy.

Favorite Dish: The chilli prawns were as good as I had been promised!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: 477 New North Road, Kingsland

Restaurant Name: Orbit Restaurant

The Orbit Restauarant has great views....over all of Auckland and beyond, in fact, as it is situated at the top of Aucklands Sky Tower, and the restaurant itself slowly revolves.
The evening starts with the elevator ride, zooming up from the basement of the tower past glass panels. Spend some time at the observation deck and work up an appetite by daring each other to walk across the glass panels in the floor!
I would recommend you book your table before sunset, so that you can enjoy the colours in the sky, and watch the cities lights come alive as the light fades.

Favorite Dish: I had a starter of smoked Akaroa salmon with preserved lemons, and a main course of crisp roasted pork with garlic and rosemary potatoes. The restaurant offers lots of New Zealand produce, but the menu is very international, which is an accurate reflection of NZ cuisine.
Orbit Restaurant is a little pricey, but the food is very good, and the location is very special, so I would say the price is worth it. Expect to pay $60/$70 NZD upwards for 3 courses with wine.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
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 by.
Website: http://www.skycity.co.nz

Restaurant Name: Iguacu Restaurant and Bar

Iguacu is a nice restaurant and bar in trendy Parnell, one of Aucklands more fashionable areas. The restaurant is quite big, with an outside dining area at the front.
We stuck with the bar, which was very indoor/outdoor all at the same time, and very relaxed. Ordering a couple of bar meals to go with our drinks, we expected a bowl of wedges and a couple of spring rolls. Which is what we did get, except these were probably the best presented bar meals I have ever seen! And they weren't any more expensive either. And they tasted every bit as good as they looked.

Favorite Dish: The spring rolls with char siu dip....fresh, light and absolutely delicious!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: 269 Parnell Road, Parnell