Most Authentic Spanish cuisine in Auckland. Great service,wine and Food…read more Muy Bien!!!

A cool little bar and eatery..it used to be Ruby and El Toro from memory. We stopped in for a…read morecouple of drinks. We were greeted with smiles and even though the kitchen was closing they were more than happy to open for us. Nice. We ended up just drinking and were very pleased with the friendly table side service. All staff seemed to be Spanish, happy and welcoming. We drank Spanish beer and wine. Good reasonable prices. Although we didn't eat, we definitely plan to next time and I can recommend the cold drinks and excellent service. I'm sure the food would follow suit. Seating options are tables and leaners and outside there is a courtyard with seating. Decor is pleasing and I'm looking forward to heading back in to see those smiling faces.

Just checked in the hotel and came here before it got too late. The Depot had good reviews on Yelp…read moreso I tried it. It's about 15-20 min walk from the warf. It was busy so I was seated outside. They had overhead heat lamps so I was comfortable without a jacket one (this is in June). The menu is geared for sharing dishes so ordering for one is a challenge. I had the local Lagar on tap, 1 of each of the 2 oysters offered, and the NZ green-lipped mussels with chiriso. They also gave me a complementary pita triangles with hummus. Overall, everything was delicious. I could have gone for more oysters, but didn't want to overdo it. The mussel dish had 7 good size mussels so I was satisfied without feeling stuffed. Glad I came to the Depot.

My friends and I went there for my last day in Auckland. We went around lunch time and we were able…read moreto get seated very quick. The ambiance was still so chill and not as packed because it was early afternoon, which was nice. The staff again were super friendly and answered any questions we had. Sadly, we didn't get the fish sliders because they were sold out! But we did get some of the same dishes I had ordered before but got oysters as well. The oysters were fresh and tasty, especially with their vinegar sauce. My friends also loved the charred eggplant and a couple of them don't really eat eggplant. The crispy potatoes were so good! The truffle wasn't too overpowering and they were perfectly crisp. The steak was super tender and juicy and the wedge salad helps cut the fat and compliments the steak as well. Can't wait to come back to Depot. Already miss it so much!

You can't beat a little tucked away neighbourhood wine bar especially if they have good food. Lots…read moreof locals and little chance of tourists. There's a boutique cinema - Bridgeway and the Engine room just down the road. I know someone who frequents this local as its just doors from her house. The wine menu is extensive and includes Chianti's, Rioja's and Montepulciano. The waitstaff know the drinks list well enough to make recommendations. They've also made the Top 10 bars in Auckland. Ed Verner (ex-Meredith's and Sidart) has a great tapas type menu. The meatballs were average but the foie gras was delish and the Confit potatoes scrummy. Apparently the Chili beef buns were great too. Desserts were interesting - one being the Chocolate Moelleux with cigar ice cream. I'd come here any night of the week, and in Winter there is a fire with some chairs you expect in some old hip library nook. Small and excellent, I wish there was a Stafford Rd wine bar in my Suburb.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Stafford Rd wine bar full at 6.30pm. This place must be a…read morefavourite place for locals. Fortunately I was able to find a seat at the little corner which was the last table. I tried waving at a waitress to order a glass of wine and when she didn't see me, a waiter on the bar kindly came out and served me which was very nice. I was too hungry to wait for my late companion, so I ordered the beer-battered fish buns ($12) first. It wasn't exactly what I had imagined as I have such high expectations for Stafford Rd Wine Bar - the food was always fabulous and out of square accompanied by flawless service. However this bun was more like a pub dish. Bun was cold and everything was just average. With a little disappointment, we ordered more hoping for something delicious. Organic pork belly ($23) was so tiny that we couldn't really share it between three of us. Quail egg and black pudding didn't have much spark to it either. Steamed pork buns ($14) were slightly better but it almost tasted like a Peking duck. We didn't give up and moved on to the dessert. Chocolate Moelleax ($14), like a chocolate fondant was quite simple with the fondant and raspberry sorbet displayed on top of cookie crumble crackles and freeze dried raspberry pieces. I have been praising this place to my friends and I was a bit shamed, especially when my previous experiences at Stafford were spectacular. We had to ask twice to be filled with water and it was hard to get attention from the waitress - what I wasn't expecting from a good start.

What a GREAT discovery! So good, we came here on both…read moretrips/visits to Auckland. Quality/Quantity - 102 types of beers! Got a flight (okay 2 flights...) for $30 each, see picture. Urbanant Handpull - Cask Ale style, a stronger flavored beer. Eddyline - New Zealand Hefeweizen, crisp and refreshing. They also have it in an apricot wheat ale, interesting. Parrot Dog - Okay. Panhead APA - American Pale Ale, good flavors, medium to light beer. Sawmill Hefeweizen - Good and refreshing. Also the beer of the week. Many specials, see pictures. Food, full bar, and wine are also available. Atmosphere - Super convenient, to the cruise ship, dock, shopping for my wife, etc! Indoor, outdoor seating. Interesting and cool decor throughout. Got really busy as it got later. Of course I was here for a few hours while my wife shopped, lol. Events available. Open 7 days a week from 11am till 10pm or 1am. Service - Bar service. They table service, but by then, I already got my flights. Yes, that was plural. :) Price - $30AUD a flight, $19.60US + tip. Expensive, but for me it was worth it! Great way to end the day. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success. You will be our regular go to place when visiting/docking in Auckland.

I had passed this pub for a few days, looked at a few yelp reviews and decided to stop by. I wasn't…read moredisappointed we had some great food for a good price. Service was very very quick. I tasted several different beers which are awesome. The only issue we had was trying to get a table during happy hour. atmosphere is very laid-back and easy-going. You're looking for a place to grab a bite or a drink I suggest stopping by here

FUN FACT: This adorable wine bar used to be the local butchery…read more Now it's owned by a charismatic local who doesn't mind a yarn and if you're lucky will even play you a tune on the piano! Man of many talents. We came here recently for Book Club and sat on their long table outside. It was chilly but they have heaters and wind down awnings so it was bearable. Considering it was only a Tuesday, it was pretty busy. Obviously Grey Lynn locals don't mind a drink and to be honest, I don't blame them. If I had a cool wine bar down the road I'd be doing exactly the same. The wine list here isn't huge but it does features some interesting options, including a number of European reds. We settled on an Italian red that was full bodied and only $9 - absolute steal! They also have a short menu featuring easy to share crowd pleasers. Think sliders, cheese & charcuterie platters and the like. All in all a great spot for an after-work drink tipple - fun & friendly atmosphere without the rowdy drunks.

For whatever reason, this place has chosen to occupy the premises of what was once a local…read moreinstitution, rename themselves and run an entirely different sort of business, but confusingly and inexplicably allow for the previous business' signage to remain stationed above the store front. So it is with Frieda Margolis and their quizzical "West Lynn Organic Meats" sign. Luckily for Frieda, they do a good job, and once you've been there for a drink once, you'll likely want to return. Great selection of craft beers from Wellington and a charming little eats menu. Four stars.

This foodstore is not to be taken for granted! For a long time it was one of the only places in…read morethis area that you could access delicatessen style food. Of course now with the new renovation of Victoria Park Market's there are new options arriving regularly, but Dida's still remain's a favourite of mine. The food they offer is just how I like to eat on weekends, it's fresh, tasty and full of variety. For example their pancetta and gruyere rosti that they serve with a poached egg on top is one of my favourites! Sometimes if my boyfriend and I don't feel like going out for a big night on the weekend, we will come here and enjoy a wine and some of their tapas for example their meat selection which is only $19, really good value in my mind. It comes with a selection of cured meats like salami etc and some cheese and some chutney. It's perfect to sit outside with on a sunny evening and not too expensive! Ugh and their churro's for dessert are soooo good! Can't go wrong with cinnamon, deep friedness and chocolate...yum!

Orphan's Kitchen was really good and a great way to see Ponsonby during our time in Auckland…read more Thanks to our friend, Mark, that recommended that place to us. There were interesting options on the menu that I've never tried before. I ordered fried eggs with kumara tortilla, sauerkraut and chili. My husband ordered soft boiled eggs with meyer lemon, anchovies and a side of hash browns. He was equally pleased. The service was prompt. I highly recommend making an advanced booking if you can. Even though we booked in advance, the restaurant was already full with a Saturday 8:30am resy. The ambiance was also very cozy. There was a back patio and upstairs that were closed off, I believe due to the rain but I could only imagine how much more enjoyable it would be on a sunny day. Thankful for our friend's recommendation. Must stop in for brekkie or lunch when in Ponsenby.

A tiny little spot for breakfast or coffee, serving delightful toasts topped with everything from…read moresautéed mixed greens (my fav) to bolognese to peanut butters and jams. The coffees are top notch, but note there is whole milk or non-dairy options (but no trim milk). Ambiance is casual and mostly high top seating.

Food was pretty good here but prices a little steep for what you get. We're from Hawaii, where…read moreAsian based food is the norm so our standards are high. I really enjoyed the salads/sides that came on each plate. It was nice to have some freshness with each bite. I really liked the Thai beef salad. We had been eating pretty heavy, so this was nice to have something with bright and light flavors. My Mom thought the duck had a mushy texture. Located around the corner from Giapo so good location to get dinner and dessert. Miann is also across the street but unfortunately I didn't get to try it.

Adding to the rise of Asian fusion restaurants around the Auckland CBD, Lucky Buddha adds its own…read moreflavour to the expanding Fort Street scene. With Korean owners and a Filipino chef, the Asian fusion tag is well and alive as East meets East. This makes things interesting on the menu: there's beef tatare, lamb ribs, 'halo-halo' (a Filipino dessert), sake, buns. You don't quite know what to settle for. Inside, a shared long table dominates one side but most diners prefer to be seated at separate tables. Going there at 6pm on a Friday night, we were asked whether we had reservations to be seated at one of those separate tables. I got nothing against the shared table philosophy but typically on a weeknight, I had my bag full of things collected from a week of teaching, and an end of the week desire to lean back and ooze. That night though, it was considered too busy so we didn't have a choice but to sit at the bar stools at the long communal table. The drunken chicken first caught my eye but it was nothing like what I had expected! I had imagined juicy and tender whole slices of chicken soaked in rice wine as a traditional Chinese dish. I guess this is where the fusion fact comes in. My friend did like it though, the bean sprouts and fresh coriander in the salad made it refreshing and moorish. My favourites were the beef tatare and the spicy chicken. The chicken was juicy and not soaked in oils, accompanied with rice balls lightly dusted with crispy seasoning. Even though it was listed as a shared plate, I could have easily settled on this as a main for myself. The beef tatare was one of the best I've had - it was kept light with nashi pear and crisps, a good balance of sweet and savoury flavours. There's so much on the dessert menu that I wanted to try - the durian ice cream, halo-halo...but the combination of chocolate, coconut and pandan cream was a winner. Have a bit of everything on your spoon and you'll be transported to a waffley soft chocolate heaven. Food is a bit of a hit or miss at The Lucky Buddha. From what I had, I was seduced enough to want to go back and try more - just as we were leaving I saw the dish of lamb ribs that made me want to reach over and snag one. As with most newly opened eateries, the atmosphere is young and bright with waiters attentive to every eye catch. I just wished the dishes came out all at once but I guess that's something you can add while doing the orders. The shared plates were a winner so go along with friends who like to try a bit of everything!

A typical local bar, with a very comfortable atmosphere. Rock up in your shorts and jandals, or…read moreyour jeans and T-shirt to have a relaxed low key drink or a couple of games of pool. The staff are friendly and the locals are plenty. There is also a gaming room if that's what you're in to. Be warned the place is very "rustic", which gives it that authentic pub feel but may not be what you are looking for in a watering hole.

If Harley Davidson and the Marlboro man were ever to enjoy a beer in New Zealand, then Mavericks in…read moreGlenfield would be their bar of choice. Situated at the top entrance of the Glenfield Mall, Mavericks is an old school tough guy bar. The kind of bar where you play pool, drink beer and waste away the morning. Okay, it is not as rough as I make it out to be, and it is quite enjoyable to visit. I often catch a few frames, an ale or two and converse with great company. The great thing about Mavericks is location, location and location, as I can walk home after a long night. Not that I do this often...