Guidebook for our local area and wider Auckland
Food Scene
Our recommendations for food, coffee, drink and restaurants in the local area.
Best Cafe food in the area - ideal for Lunch and Breakfast. Awesome coffee & overall service.
12 locals recommend
Urban Soul Cafe
652 Great South RdBest Cafe food in the area - ideal for Lunch and Breakfast. Awesome coffee & overall service.
Mehfil Indian Restaurant Botany
302 Te Irirangi DrAwesome Indian food with $12 Meals - Mon / Tues /Wed nights.
The best hidden gem in the area. Not very big but the best Indian food around at great prices
The Indian Kitchen Restaurant and Takeaways
The best hidden gem in the area. Not very big but the best Indian food around at great prices
One of two best Thai Restaurants in the local area to go to with great service. Awesome service and authentic.
Thai Flame
333 Ti Rakau DrOne of two best Thai Restaurants in the local area to go to with great service. Awesome service and authentic.
This is a magic place to have dinner in the summer! Right by the harbour and marina it has views out to Auckland Harbour. It is situated next to the ferry terminal which goes direct to downtown Auckland. Fantastic seafood dishes and great bar area.
16 locals recommend
Grangers
1 Ara-Tai RdThis is a magic place to have dinner in the summer! Right by the harbour and marina it has views out to Auckland Harbour. It is situated next to the ferry terminal which goes direct to downtown Auckland. Fantastic seafood dishes and great bar area.
Close and one of two best Thai restaurants in the local area. Healthy and delicious and they do take out.
Spices Thai Restaurant
123 Ormiston RdClose and one of two best Thai restaurants in the local area. Healthy and delicious and they do take out.
A good local cafe with good coffee. Eat in or take out. Very popular NZ chain of coffee shops.
9 locals recommend
The Coffee Club
277 Te Irirangi DrA good local cafe with good coffee. Eat in or take out. Very popular NZ chain of coffee shops.
Hell Pizza Ormiston
142 Stancombe RdThe best Pizza around no question
Shopping
These are the best places to go for general shopping in Auckland.
PAK'nSAVE Ormiston
1 Bellingham RdBest local supermarket and cheapest
A good large general shopping centre with all the conveniences - banks, supermarket, and general fashion. Next to the Manukau Bus Station and the Manukau Train Station.
66 locals recommend
Westfield Manukau City
1 Leyton WayA good large general shopping centre with all the conveniences - banks, supermarket, and general fashion. Next to the Manukau Bus Station and the Manukau Train Station.
One of the best Malls in Auckland /NZ with international brands and over 1km long
236 locals recommend
Sylvia Park Shopping Centre
286 Mount Wellington HwyOne of the best Malls in Auckland /NZ with international brands and over 1km long
The best local shopping centre close by with over 150 stores including H&M and a number of discount big box retailers and international clothing brands
43 locals recommend
Botany Town Centre
588 Chapel RdThe best local shopping centre close by with over 150 stores including H&M and a number of discount big box retailers and international clothing brands
Drinks & Nightlife
These are the best local places to drink and relax for a nice time out and great atmosphere.
Goode Brothers
588 Chapel RdBest local restaurant and bar
Pay homage to one of the original Monteith's bars in Auckland at Basalt, the gem of Howick Village. Plant yourself on a sun-drenched corner at the rooftop bar, overlooking the water with your favourite people, beers, and bites. A 15-20min drive from our accommodation
16 locals recommend
Basalt
127 Picton StPay homage to one of the original Monteith's bars in Auckland at Basalt, the gem of Howick Village. Plant yourself on a sun-drenched corner at the rooftop bar, overlooking the water with your favourite people, beers, and bites. A 15-20min drive from our accommodation
The Botany Commons
29 Town Centre DrGreat local pub with great wines, beer and food
For that Something Special
Here is where to go for that special night in Auckland
Awarded Two Hats in the 2018 Cuisine Good Food Awards, The Sugar Club kitchen focuses on flavours and texture, whilst the dining room and bar are an experiential destination with breath-taking views of Auckland City and the Hauraki Gulf.
The Sugar Club, sits 53 floors above Auckland City at the top of the Sky Tower.
The menu champions seasonality, combining the best in local sustainably sourced produce with the boldest flavours from around the world. We call it 'Fusion Cuisine'
24 locals recommend
The Sugar Club
Victoria Street WestAwarded Two Hats in the 2018 Cuisine Good Food Awards, The Sugar Club kitchen focuses on flavours and texture, whilst the dining room and bar are an experiential destination with breath-taking views of Auckland City and the Hauraki Gulf.
The Sugar Club, sits 53 floors above Auckland City at the top of the Sky Tower.
The menu champions seasonality, combining the best in local sustainably sourced produce with the boldest flavours from around the world. We call it 'Fusion Cuisine'
This is right in the heart of the city on the Viaduct Harbour - Beef, Lamb and Seafood at its best. Amazing location and great service.
11 locals recommend
Oyster and Chop
Market PlaceThis is right in the heart of the city on the Viaduct Harbour - Beef, Lamb and Seafood at its best. Amazing location and great service.
The place for Lunch on Waiheke Island. Spectacular views of Auckland across the harbour. 35 mins on the ferry from downtown Auckland. Great foods and wine.
86 locals recommend
Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard
126 Church Bay RdThe place for Lunch on Waiheke Island. Spectacular views of Auckland across the harbour. 35 mins on the ferry from downtown Auckland. Great foods and wine.
Welcome to modern Chinese with an island breeze. The Blue Breeze Inn serves up the sensational flavours of regional China in the lush, laid-back surrounds of a Pacific Island paradise. They are also home to NZ’s premiere rum and cocktail bar: The Rum Jungle. Enjoy an island holiday with a cutting-edge chef, right in the heart of Auckland’s Ponsonby Road.
73 locals recommend
The Blue Breeze Inn
Welcome to modern Chinese with an island breeze. The Blue Breeze Inn serves up the sensational flavours of regional China in the lush, laid-back surrounds of a Pacific Island paradise. They are also home to NZ’s premiere rum and cocktail bar: The Rum Jungle. Enjoy an island holiday with a cutting-edge chef, right in the heart of Auckland’s Ponsonby Road.
Mekong Baby
262 Ponsonby RdAmazing Asian Fusion restaurant with outstanding food and service
NZ Souvenir Stores
The best place to buy those really nice NZ gifts
Quality giftware, kiwiana homeware, clothing, local art, souvenirs & NZ Made products you will cherish and remember for years to come. The store caters for travellers from overseas looking for mementos to take home that are a reminder of their stay in Aotearoa, or gifts for friends and family with a particular New Zealand flavour. Their gift and souvenirs range is diverse and promotes New Zealand and our way of life. It is good quality.
New Zealand The Gift - Sylvia Park
286 Mount Wellington HwyQuality giftware, kiwiana homeware, clothing, local art, souvenirs & NZ Made products you will cherish and remember for years to come. The store caters for travellers from overseas looking for mementos to take home that are a reminder of their stay in Aotearoa, or gifts for friends and family with a particular New Zealand flavour. Their gift and souvenirs range is diverse and promotes New Zealand and our way of life. It is good quality.
I am a little intrigued by this souvenir shop - it's off the beaten track down one of the lanes in Parnell but it's a gem. Its a really good gift shop. It's pretty big inside, so big that I am surprised they didn't call it 'The Tardis' instead of the Elephant. In fact, what does elephants have to do with Kiwi gifts? Anyway, confusion aside it's well worth paying a visit to this place as they have great selection of gifts. Not just the usual cliched paua shells, they have a whole raft of other stuff as well. I reckon this place is probably the best souvenir shop in Auckland.
The Fantail House (formerly The Elephant House)
237 Parnell RdI am a little intrigued by this souvenir shop - it's off the beaten track down one of the lanes in Parnell but it's a gem. Its a really good gift shop. It's pretty big inside, so big that I am surprised they didn't call it 'The Tardis' instead of the Elephant. In fact, what does elephants have to do with Kiwi gifts? Anyway, confusion aside it's well worth paying a visit to this place as they have great selection of gifts. Not just the usual cliched paua shells, they have a whole raft of other stuff as well. I reckon this place is probably the best souvenir shop in Auckland.
Sightseeing
Only a 10 minute drive from us. It is worth time to visit if you are wanting a relaxing hour or two. Great Cafe on site
Botanical Gardens Off Leash Area
Auckland Southern MotorwayOnly a 10 minute drive from us. It is worth time to visit if you are wanting a relaxing hour or two. Great Cafe on site
Best views of Auckland and the city. You can drive half way to the top. View the volcanic crater.
154 locals recommend
Mount Eden
Best views of Auckland and the city. You can drive half way to the top. View the volcanic crater.
The must visit in Auckland - Outstanding views and in a great location.
597 locals recommend
Sky Tower
Victoria Street WestThe must visit in Auckland - Outstanding views and in a great location.
One of the key art and cultural centres in Auckland and where there is some amazing Vineyards. ( the lunches are delicious - see Mudbrick Vineyard recommendation) Worth the ferry ride and good pics for your Instagram.
407 locals recommend
Waiheke Island
25 Karaka RdOne of the key art and cultural centres in Auckland and where there is some amazing Vineyards. ( the lunches are delicious - see Mudbrick Vineyard recommendation) Worth the ferry ride and good pics for your Instagram.
pine harbour FRESH MARKET - mini market
242 Jack Lachlan DrGreat local market place for fresh produce