Food & wine
Auckland eats like the diverse, multicultural city it is. As the world's largest Polynesian city, with big Asian communities and a coastline full of seafood, it serves everything from Pacific flavours and yum cha to fine dining and fresh oysters — best explored around Ponsonby, K' Road, Britomart and the waterfront. And just offshore, Waiheke pours some of the country's finest wine. Here's how to taste the best of it.
Ponsonby, K' Road & the waterfront
Auckland's dining hubs each have their own flavour. Ponsonby (and Ponsonby Central) and bohemian Karangahape (K') Road lead for hip, diverse eating and nightlife; Britomart and Commercial Bay deliver polished restaurants; and the Wynyard Quarter and Viaduct serve waterfront dining and seafood. Add the Auckland Fish Market and weekend markets, and you can graze the world in one city. See our New Zealand food & wine guide.
Waiheke, Kumeū & Matakana
Auckland's wine star is Waiheke Island — a 40-minute ferry to 30-plus cellar doors famous for Bordeaux-style reds, syrah and rosé, with long lunches and gulf views. West of the city, historic Kumeū makes acclaimed chardonnay, and Matakana (an hour north) adds boutique wineries and a lively farmers' market. A guided wine tour is the easy way to enjoy them. See our Waiheke & the gulf guide.
Seafood, Pacific & markets
Eat local: fresh seafood (green-lipped mussels, snapper, oysters), Pacific dishes and, if you can, a Māori hāngī, plus the city's superb Asian eateries and great coffee. Browse a farmers' market for Kiwi cheese and produce, and finish with hokey pokey ice cream. Auckland's multicultural larder is a highlight in itself. See our New Zealand food & wine guide.
Auckland food & wine: your questions
Big, diverse and delicious. As New Zealand's largest and most multicultural city — and the world's largest Polynesian city, with big Asian communities too — Auckland offers everything from Pacific and Māori flavours to superb yum cha, ramen and street food, alongside fine dining and fresh seafood. The hubs are Ponsonby, Karangahape (K') Road, Britomart, Commercial Bay and the Wynyard Quarter. See our New Zealand food & wine guide.
For dining and bars, head to Ponsonby (and Ponsonby Central) and K' Road for hip, eclectic eating; Britomart and Commercial Bay for polished restaurants; and the Wynyard Quarter and Viaduct for waterfront dining. Don't miss the Auckland Fish Market and the city's weekend food markets. There's something for every taste and budget. See our Sky Tower & waterfront guide.
The star is Waiheke Island — a 40-minute ferry to over 30 cellar doors known for Bordeaux-style reds, syrah and rosé. Closer to the airport, the historic Kumeū region west of the city makes excellent chardonnay, and Matakana (about an hour north) adds boutique wineries and a farmers' market. A wine tour is the relaxed way to enjoy them. See our food & wine tours.
Yes — the classic is a Waiheke Island wine tour, an easy ferry-and-tour day taking in several cellar doors with tastings and a long lunch, no car needed. Tours also run to the Kumeū and Matakana wine areas. It's a wonderful way to enjoy the region's wine while someone else drives. See our Waiheke & the gulf guide.
Seek out fresh seafood (green-lipped mussels, snapper, oysters), Pacific dishes and a traditional Māori hāngī if you can, plus the city's excellent Asian eateries. Grab coffee from a local roaster, browse a farmers' market for Kiwi produce and cheese, and finish with hokey pokey ice cream. Auckland's multicultural larder is one of its great pleasures. See our New Zealand food & wine guide.