Very busy at 6.30 on a Wednesday, we tried to book but they told us they only had one table free and they kept that for walk-ins - so we moved out asses pronto and got over there to claim it! Really good choice of seafood dishes; we had the market fish (red snapper) in a ginger and garlic sauce, just delicious, melt in the mouth stuff. They were a bit short on dairy-free desserts, but we had the sticky toffee and date without the ice cream, which managed to fill in those few small holes that remained. We're booking again for the weekend! Three times we've eaten here. Definitely our favourite place in Auckland. read more

Swashbucklers - Snapper in ginger and garlic sauce. - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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On our second-to-last day of roaming around Auckland and discussing the costs of owning a home in historical or modern redeveloped areas with our New Zealand friends, Geoffrey and Margaret, they brought us to stroll around Wynyard Quarter, a waterfront area located on Auckland's Waitematā Harbor. They showed us the modern architecture, focused on sustainability, public spaces, restaurants and bars, and vibrant marina living in this redeveloped harbor area, which had quickly become a destination for tourists and locals. From the Jellicoe Harbor Breakwater built in 2020 to calm the waters for race boats and supporting yachts since Auckland's Waitematā Harbor hosted the 36th America's Cup, we could clearly see the cruise port from where we disembarked and the city center. Geoffrey and Margaret insisted on showing us the waterfront and promised to take us to a seafood restaurant. We mentioned that we love eating seafood, but were "preserving" our stomachs for casual, comfort, or unfussy food because we had been eating gourmet cuisines over the past 17 days while in Australia and during our cruise. We were thankful that they understood our request and dropped us off at our hotel to freshen up for dinner while Margaret made the reservation for an early dinner. We returned to the Wynyard Quarter's waterfront to Swashbucklers seafood restaurant, where we immediately felt comfortable with the vivaciousness of the hostess and server. We started our meal with icy-cold Peroni beers while sharing the tasty steamed mussels and garlic bread. Our server mentioned their fresh catch of the day was a snapper, which I adore, so I ordered it while my husband, Geoff, and Marg ordered the Fish & Chips, which we were told was a signature dish to Swashbucklers. All the food was flavorful and well-prepared. We were mostly impressed with the quality, quantity, and flavor of the steamed mussels. My husband gushed about the crispy, light-battered fish and the excellently textured chips. I enjoyed the tender pan-fried snapper with garlic butter, and complemented the fish with a slice of garlic bread. We'd love to return for the camaraderie, flavors, and flavors at Swashbucklers. 4.4 stars read more

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The menu has plenty of options, but pick a seafood entree for a more local and delicious experience. Portions are generous so you don't leave hungry. Service was quick and efficient. There are plenty of tables indoors, but the outside seating is ideal for nice views of the water. read more

Swashbucklers - Fish and chips - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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I was in the area and searched out a place with good fish n chips and I settled here. The fish was pretty good with that white flakey meat and light batter. The chips were nice and crisp with a good amount. The tartar sauce enhanced the fish and chips. I had a relaxing view of the harbor on a nice and sunny day with cool vibes. I would have like to stay there for another hour or so just to relax and soak in the weather but i had a long walk back to my AirBnB I was staying at and other sites I wanted to see. The place is big and can accommodate large groups. There is plenty of seating inside and many tables outside that overlook the water. read more

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Incredible location and fun interiors. There was a bar side and a large restaurant side. Food is available in the bar, ordered at the bar and it's brought to you. Huge selection of beer and wine. I had to try noted Seafood Chowder. The chowder is a huge lunch and it's chockablock full of fish, 2 huge mussels and a head on shrimp! Three slices of crispy baguette served on the side. As beautiful as the seafood was, the soup was just above inedible. The chowder is basically flower and water. read more

Swashbucklers - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

We had tried to go to this place on Tuesday because Yelp said they were open..WRONG1 They are CLOSED on Mondays and Tuesdays. Then we tried again on Wednesday, but didn't have a reservation. Finally got in on our last night in Auckland, Thursday. The wait staff were very efficient concerning how busy they were at 6pm. Service was good, but not over the top Food came out quickly and HOT. Our waitress did stop by to ask if everything was good. My prawns were very garlicky, which I love and the partically peeled them for me yum. My friend loved his scallops mornay, I thought it was a little too saucy. I had to flag down the waitress to order coffee and ask for a dessert menu. My friend says the sticky toffee pudding was very good. read more

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This review will be pretty easy, look at the pic, drool, then visit the restaurant. Also, the restaurant is right by the water and offers a nice view, this was easily my highlight meal in Auckland. The food: Pirate's Platter- A medley of oysters, shrimp, rolled smoked salmon, bread scallops, king prawns, steamed mussels and battered with fish with added calamari. This was pretty awesome, it was basically a dish with an assortment of fresh seafood, every thing tasted from good to really good. I thought the two best items were the scallops and prawns, I thought both tasted like they were just plucked right out of the ocean. Then the oysters, rolled salmon, battered white fish and mussels came next, I thought the flavors were great but the thing for me was how awesome the texture was, the only thing I was just so so with were the tiny boiled shrimp. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=1oX49hM0cMzTD8s-qtNq4Q&userid=Y_iTTjKvV5hLy-880SZzlA read more

Swashbucklers - Pirate's Platter - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Fabulous restaurant with great food and service. Would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves seafood.

Top place. Love the mussels. Lovely view of the boats in West Haven outside. One of my favorite places to go.

A place for the whole family to enjoy! My boyfriend was craving seafood and Yelp lead us to this restaurant. We walked in without a reservation and luckily they had a table for 2 available. While we were waiting for our food, loads of people with parties of plus 8-10 came in. A lot of kids and families dined in while we were there. SERVICE: They greeted us right away, they sat us quickly... they were prompt and friendly. I enjoyed my experience with their staff. ATMOSPHERE: Their decor and setting made it feel like a fun seafood restaurant. A nice feel for the adults as well as the children. PARKING: we were lucky we came in a little early because as we were leaving, cars were waiting for stalls to open up. Yes this place does get busy, even though they have their own small parking lot out front. RESERVATIONS: I'm assuming if you have a large party, reservations are recommended. We were lucky it wasn't as busy when we walked in, however, it started to pick up when we were leaving. FOOD: I really enjoyed their food. Their salmon was cooked perfectly.... melt in your mouth with the right amount of Cajun. The spices did not overbear the flavor of the delicious salmon. My boyfriend had another fish dish (I can't remember the name but I posted a pic of it) he enjoyed his dish as well. The fresh oysters were delicious..... I would definitely eat at this place again. I enjoyed every bite :) read more

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If you like seafood come here and indulge yourself in a very beautiful platter of sea deliciousness. Start with the chowder first enjoy every mouthful as it's one of the best I had for a long time. The seafood platter is amazing . We had a platter for two and found it very overwhelming with large amounts of portions fit for a King. Oysters are fresh The place has very easy going friendly staff and the interior matches the mood read more

You can't say this name without using a pirate voice or Mr. Krabs voice. Food in New Zealand is expensive and we didn't want anything fancy, just simple seafood. We didn't know what to expect. We left our (nice) hotel and the cab driver kind of was snooty when we said where we were going. Oh well! The cabbie was still nice but I think just surprised. This is NOT a fancy place. It's quirky and laid back. The food is good enough but not amazing like I had read on other review sites. This place is ok. I would give it 3 stars for food but they got an extra one for having such great wait staff. I would have opted for a more expensive place for better quality but all the reviews from other sites kept saying how awesome the food at this place was so we took a chance. The food wasn't bad but it didn't live up to the online hype. It's just basic, normal moderately priced food. It would be a good place to go with kids! read more

Always busy, so best to make a booking. Good seafood chowder and excellent steaks. My friend had the seafood pasta and she enjoyed it.

If you love seafood, this is the place! Out here from California and heard about Swashbucklers and their legendary clam chowder. It beats all expectations! It comes in a large bowl surrounded by bread slices and butter. But it is the three giant mussels topped with a large shrimp that catches your eye. The chowder is unlike any I have had anywhere before. It has a great, rich consistency with an absolutely delicious flavor! The mussels are delicious and did not disappoint while the shrimp was delectable. What a grand combination of flavors, textures and enjoyment. I did also order the fish and chips. While it was good, the clam chowder blew it away. The servers were friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is kitschy but engaging. Check out the vintage outboard motors...for a gear head like me it was a treat to see them! It is hands down the best tasting, visually appealing, interesting pairing of ingredients I have ever had! read more

Swashbucklers - Ultimate clam chowder! - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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Seafood is so good here. If you are into 'décor and ambiance, this might not be the place. It's a little dated and tacky. What they lose in style they make up for in the quality of the food.. Go and have a Pirate's Platter (with the Calamari) you'll not regret it. the natural oysters are so fresh and taste like the sea. the famous NZ Green Lipped Mussels are a delight, as are the prawns, shimp, fish and calamari. If you aren't a seafood lover, they do a good range of 'real' meat as well and that is also expertly cooked. read more

Swashbucklers - Pirate platter and some veg - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

An oldie but a goodie, Swashies reminds me of the old RNZYS before it became all flash - full of salty sea dogs sharing beers and stories, smelling of durries or cigars or both. I can't ever remember eating here (bar the usual fried bar snacks) or even venturing into the dining area but the bar remains the same - decked out with sailing and boating memorabilia and offering a basic range of liquor, soft drinks, wine and beer. They even have a flat screen, perfect for watching the weekend footy. For me though, it's all about their large outdoor tables. They are right by the water but unlike other waterside venues, there's no foot traffic so it's more private and less pretentious. My friends and I have often debated whether Swashies is the best place to soak up the last of the afternoon sun and I think it just might be. It's definitely no frills but that means no fuss, just you and your mates enjoying a coupley beers on a Sunny arvo.....bliss. read more

Swashbucklers - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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Old school marina Resturant. Murals on ceiling were beautiful, fun theme but not hokey. We shared the Pirates platter for two. Excellent fried fish, generous amount of mussels ( a fav), hon liked oysters. Head on shrimp and sweet small ones peeled. Cold smoked salmon didn't seem to fit. Saved for our picnic basket the following day. We added garlic bread, must do. Great choice wines for me and beers for him. Very attentive happy staff. read more

Swashbucklers - Ceiling murals, wall murals, boat motors, old new print art. - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

We wanted to have seafood here in our last night in Auckland and they did not disappoint! First of all, they have really fair prices and good portions as well. The food was yummy and the seafood was pretty fresh. The mussels we ordered was big and juicy. The oysters were nice too. And the Long John Dory & scallops mornay tasted nice as well. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for seafood! read more

This place is a surprising gem. The oysters are huge, inexpensive, and shucked well with minimal grit. And most importantly, they are tasty. We ended up getting an extra dozen. The fish and chips is also great: a light crispy batter around perfectly cooked flakey fish. We showed up early and had the place to ourselves, but it was packed by the time we left. We will definitely be coming back on our next trip to Auckland and will recommend it strongly to anyone visiting the city for any length of time. read more

Nothing better than Swashies Sunday feed! The best local down to earth spot for seafood in Auckland. The food is always fresh and cooked to perfection - you can get your usual Fried food or fresh seafood with a more natural spin if you want to stay away from the fried stuff. My fav is the calamari, scallops mornay and the Pirates Platter is not to be missed I also like the real cross section of people that come here- it's no fancy 'hot right now' spot it's been hot for years! So if your looking for a great spot (ideally outside on the deck) that is away from the 'scene' then try it out - keep the hipsters and pretentious dicks in ponsonby. They also do the old HQ breakfasts now!!! Yum! read more

Swashbucklers - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Pirate Platter for two was delicious. Thanks for the lunch today. My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A lil pricyfor students but we managed it. Overall, great food... Good customer service and quick to prepare our lunch after ordering. read more

Swashbucklers - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

My partner and I enjoyed the seafood, views and service....parking and quality plus price four stars read more

Swashbucklers - Snack menu :) - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

My favorite seafood place in Auckland. Money is worth it if you are a seafood person. read more

Swashbucklers - Seafood platter for 4 people - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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If you've ever wanted to be a pirate, or imagine yourself a bit of a Johnny Depp, then take yourself down to Swashies for ale and wenches aplenty. Ok, I'm exaggerating a little, but if you're a boatie and looking for somewhere close by Westhaven for a cold one and some decent, inexpensive grub, Swashies is your place. The Boathouse Bar is a tiny space filled with nautical themed bits of flotsam and jetsam adorning the walls, and fronts onto a huge deck with heaps of seating overlooking the marina. Never actually eaten in the restaurant, just ha the bar platters, which are great value, but it's always lively, so that's got to be a good sign, right? read more

Swashies is always great for an afternoon drink and eat. The food is basic pub-style but always tasty and there are plenty of shaded tables down the dock that look out over the water. The restaurant can also be hired for private function read more

Step right in to the mother ship! Don't be fooled by the cheesy decor. This pirate haven actually has some pretty good food and fast, friendly service. We ordered the mussels in wine sauce and it was excellent. We also got a side of garlic bread to sop up the delicious juices, but unfortunately, they only gave you just a few pieces. Might want to double up on the order next time. We also got the fettuccine pasta, which was really good and full of salmon. Good food with great portions (on most items). read more

They had delicious seafood there and some nice decoration and some fun activities for kids to do. Very sea-like themed there is decorations that suit the type of theme, especially with the sea outside. If you're lucky enough you get all of the scraps from food and feed it to the stingrays that are in the sea next to them! Overall, a very good restaurant I would recommend going there again. read more

It doesn't get much better than this. Sitting in the sun looking right out over Westhaven - Swashies is an oldie but a goodie. The decor leaves a lot to be desired but what it lacks in fit out, it more than makes up for in location and friendliness. A hotch potch of patrons, from businessmen to bikies and everyone in between, this is a great spot to have a few quiet drinks. If you fancy a romantic walk along the newly built walkway, this is a great place to stop in to quench your thirst! read more

Kitchy place, difficult to get to on a weekday evening because of traffic downtown. Great service and loved the ocean scampi.

I went there yesterday because it was pouring down outside and the whole waterfront area was parked to its max capacity. And I didn't fancy getting wet. The swashbuckler has a carpark in front of it. But due to the roadworks it can park less cars than it used to be. Anyways, let's start on the food. The place was pack at 1:30 in the afternoon. The decor is what you d expect a restaurant to be when they have pirate written on their menu. So I ordered the pirates platter for two plus calamari. A French bread starter and some fries. The amount of seafood that was piled on my plate was impressive at first. It had half shell oysters, shrimps, prawns, rolled smoked salmon, battered fish, mussels, scallops and calamari. See, sounds impressive right? Even the price isn't so bad, all that for 80 dollars. So I placed a bit of everything on my own plate. And started on the shrimp, it tasted like oyster juice. Then i ate a prawn, it was cooked with coconut milk and it was tough like show leather. So obviously it was over cooked. The battered fish was also over cooked and dry. I couldn't figure out why the batter was overly yellow. Calamari was nicely cooked but it lacked any sort of flavour and seasoning. So by the end of the meal I was vastly disappointed. I am not sure what was wrong with the place yesterday. Because I can see some good reviews on yelp. There is one tip I d give the swashbuckler. Please don't just pile all the food on the platter as all the juices from different items will all mix in together and cause things to go soggy. read more

Swashbucklers - Good amount of food but the quality leaves much much to be desired. - Pubs Near Me - Auckland, AUK

The service there was just appalling and despicable. There was a waitress, which was very rude. As I proceeded to assist her, by helping the waitress take the food off the tray, she said "don't do that ever again" in a very rude tone. It made me feel immensely unwelcome and really put a toll on my family and I dining experience. However the food is enjoyable and affordable, with a spectacular view. In conclusion the service is horrendous but the food is enjoyable. read more

We went here after a full day of walking, and didn't want to travel too far from our hotel. We ordered the fish and chips and each had a drink. The fish was cooked perfectly and generous portions. The chips were lovely as well. I ordered a Greek salad and it had the unusual but delightful addition of sun dried tomatoes. All in all, a lovely place with nice servers. read more

Yes yes yes. You will not be disappointed here. Try the garlic calamari and Cajun salmon. To die for. The crazy décor just makes the experience all the better. Service is always superb. read more

It's a great location with lots of parking and the fish dishes are lovely. The restaurant is the same as it was many years ago with a good population of locals dining there regularly. read more

Great cheap seafood! If you're looking for fine dining this place isn't for you but the food here was very good. The mussels were especially tasty and the atmosphere, while a little cheesy, was pretty fun. read more

Came here for lunch on my birthday and man the seafood was good! So fresh! The staff were pretty friendly. I was sick as with the flu so I wasn't a very happy person and hadn't had any solid food all week but I actually got my appetite back after dining here. Have since recommended this place to a number of friends read more