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    The Cav

    3.4 (14 reviews)
    ModerateGastropubs
    Closed 11:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

    The Cav Photos

    THE CAV ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Good for groups
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - The Cav

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    Reviews With Photos - The Cav

    Seriously good Reuben sandwich... Tangy pickles and layers of meet, gooey cheese and perfectly toasted.
    Simon D.

    Firstly, kudos to the team who've done a good job of the makeover to a far less tavern-esque finish of the new Cav. The decor is almost quirky but still tasteful and bright. The space is great with raised bar seating, dining tables, casual areas, large sheltered space for outdoor seating on a super deck. It caters particularly well for sport fans with an abundance of TVs and certainly attracts a lively crowd for live games. The environment is casual and the Cav proved a good choice for a cosy Sunday catch-up in front of the faux fireplace which kept us toasty and warm. Expect lots of deep fried and greasy options alongside a number of "winter warmers". The menu is a little confusing and doesn't have an overwhelming "pub" theme. The Rueben was excellent - pastrami, ham, beef, grilled cheese, pickles, sauerkraut on toasted brioche. My fellow diners enjoyed their meals. Service, unfortunately, was only so-so. Orders were taken and delivered promptly and table service was provided.

    Courtney E.

    The newly opened Freeman's Bay eatery has a very comfortable atmosphere, with plenty of seating inside and out. The outside is great for winter with clear roll down windows with plenty of heaters. The high tables are done right with hooks for bags - Big Tick! If your a foodie like myself I would recommend this place as more of drinking hole, then somewhere to opt to eat. The menu is extensive with a southern american theme however is wonders off with offering a jap dish, a chinese dish, a bit of french, etc. It needs to pick one theme and cuisine and do it really well. Just a couple of fix ups needed -- on the menu its titled "Sandwiches" however a sandwich is not a taco or a burger - if they are going to do sandwiches then offer sandwiches or maybe just remove the word sandwiches to avoid misleading information. I was really pleased with the portion size, for $18-$19 its good for value. However its sad to say the pics I have taken portray the food maybe too well. Everything was really lacking in seasoning and had no real flavour. I also go for healthier options but these days most places deep fried food is less greasy tasty, again this was not the case. The slaw also was also not very fresh tasting and the taco which is suppose to be soft was either toasted or not fresh, because it was quite hard which was a real shame. The best thing on both dishes were the hand cut chips - really crisp on the outside and deliciously soft on the inside! Just one more tip Cav - We were asked 4x in 2mins from 4 diff waiters whether we wanted another drink which was a bit frustrating - so I think being a new place some kinks are still there and need wrinkling out. Other than that - Quick food and service but def a place to visit for a chilled afternoon or evening drink and a great atmosphere. Rating Food: 4.5/10 Service: 6/10 Value for Money: Good

    Newly renovated!
    Alex D.

    The highest concentration of good-looking men in Auckland, hands down. I'll concede, I haven't eaten at the new Cav but it's a fun environment for an after-work drink. There's a great deck with plenty of bar leaners and more comfortable bench seats. My only wish is that there were less TV's. I know it's a sports bar but they just seem out of place now that it's had a fancy reno. The wine list and beer list also leave a lot to be desired with all your usual mainstream options - clearly these guys have a contract with the one of the big guys (DB, Lion or Pernod is my guess).

    Delish free treat thankful
    Glenys T.

    A very buzzy atmosphere with genuinely generous service and a free savory seafood waffle smothered in lime juice.... great way to catch up with sport news and a good place to socialize with colleges or friends...corners for serious conversations. .views of sky tower and the city lights. Plenty of parking also. Outdoor seating and dining.

    Interior - bright lighting & nice plant decor

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    9 years ago

    Very poor service - won't be honorable when something goes wrong. Will choose to go elsewhere from now on.

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    Brew On Quay - Nachos

    Brew On Quay

    4.2(38 reviews)
    2.2 kmViaduct
    $$

    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

    Photos
    Brew On Quay
    Brew On Quay - Chicken sandwich and fries

    Chicken sandwich and fries

    Brew On Quay - 10/17/23 FYI

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    10/17/23 FYI

    Portland Public House - Lamb and Hummus. YUM!

    Portland Public House

    4.3(15 reviews)
    2.6 kmKingsland
    $$

    Alright so this bar really surprised me with their food. Yeah, yeah drinks are important, should be…read moregood price/value and service should be great. All that I'm kind of expecting. What I don't expect is getting served an awesome steak on (what appeared to be self-made) mashed potatoes with a side of salad for 20 (!!!)$. Blown away. They also had a nice weekly schedule and we were able to come see the open mic night. Great way to entertain your guests. Check it out everybody!

    This weekend I spent my Saturday on Portland's sunny back porch, drinking Governers and stuffing…read moremyself silly with their tasty offerings...bliss, I tell you! I'll admit, I had never heard of Portland Public House before this weekend (I've just moved back from overseas....gimme a break!) but now that I have I imagine I will be back here on the reg. It has this hard-to-beat, carefree atmosphere, which makes it ideal for chewing the fat with friends on a lazy afternoon. Not to mention, the staff seem genuinely chuffed when you tell them you love the place, and the food is fresh and delicious. When we went we sampled the crumbed prawns, the fish sliders served with a liberal smothering of tartare sauce, wedges with lashings of sour cream and chives and fall-of-the-bone ribs served with a rustic slaw. Whilst the dishes weren't overly complicated they were packed full of flavour and had been prepared with care. Apparently they have a lot of gigs here too - the details of which can be found on their FB page - but personally, I am just hanging out for another sunny weekend so I can while away the hours on that back deck of theirs!

    Photos
    Portland Public House - Self written weekly schedule

    Self written weekly schedule

    Portland Public House
    Portland Public House - Beer check

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    Beer check

    16 Tun - Jalapeño poppers

    16 Tun

    3.9(29 reviews)
    1.2 kmWynnard Quarter
    $$

    A fun experience! You order from the bar and sit at a table. When they opened at 11:30am we ordered…read morefish sandwiches and they said they didn't get their delivery yet, so they walked down to the fish market and bought the fish for our sandwiches! We didn't realize they would be tried, but the pieces were huge and tasty!

    Hands down, 16Tun is one of the best beers in Auckland. Located in the new Wynyard area (similar to…read moreKaka'ako in Honolulu), it's filled with apartment buildings, offices, restaurants, bars, and great food. 16Tun is just a block from the waterfront and easy to get to driving or walk around the quay. The bar looks welcoming and cozy from the outside with soft lighting, wood features, big picnic style tables, and exposed metal. Inside is also well planned with tables of various sizes, bar seating, and an open kitchen. On my last visit I got to come here twice and had excellent service with bartender/manager Nick. Cheers to owner Ewen as well, great to meet the team! On my first visit on a sleepy weekday afternoon, I got a flight (choose 8 beers) and a few singles. They have a great selection that focuses on independent New Zealand breweries. They even have nitro and cask hand pull selections, plus a great selection of cans and bottles either to-go or if there's something you really want to enjoy there. Clean restrooms are at the back. On my first visit I had a hearty lunch of fish and chips, which went great with the beer. Light and heavy at the same time. The kitchen was closed on my second visit, but if that happens while you're here there are tons of other great options nearby for food. On the weekend, this place gets busy, loud, and happy. Both experiences were worth the trip. For people that haven't visited lately, it's new ownership and staff so it's worth your time to try it again. If you're a fan of beer, this is a must-stop in Auckland.

    Photos
    16 Tun - Tap handles and great pour

    Tap handles and great pour

    16 Tun - After - Yum!

    After - Yum!

    16 Tun

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    The Zookeeper's Son - Bar

    The Zookeeper's Son

    3.3(14 reviews)
    7.5 kmRoyal Oak
    $$

    Quick back story and fun fact: In 1911 there was a Zoo in Royal Oak! Of course, everyone complained…read moreabout the smell and the sound and never really embraced the beauty of the whole operation until the animals escaped and everything was eventually shut up and sold off. So now we have this voluminous pub with a fun, purple branding that doubles as a throw back to Auckland's past. There is plenty of seating (including the small cluster of outdoor couches everyone is vying for) and plenty of beers on tap. Inexplicably you are only allowed to smoke on one half of the outdoor seats. Staff seem to stay behind the bar unless they are trying to top up your barely finished drinks, which they do with hunter-like efficiency and a portable EFTPOS unit. Slightly too overpriced to be your local-after-work.

    We kind of happened upon The Zookeeper's Son. We needed a place to take a bunch of out-of-towners…read moreafter a sports event in Onehunga, and Onehunga had nothing in the way of relaxed beer garden bars to chill at. A quick google search came back with The Zookeeper's Son, and off we went. The beer was cold, the sides were quickly served and the mid-afternoon sun was sitting just right for us to have a bit of a winter sunbathe. My next trip to The Zookeeper's Son was with a couple of Americans who had been foolishly trying to figure out the best New Zealand beers on their own. They bought Tui because it said it was an IPA. Woof. The Zookeeper bartender was extremely helpful with the yanks - told them what he liked, ascertained what they liked, and then came up with a beer they would enjoy drinking. It was a hit! As for the decor, this place is a bit like all of the other bars owned by The New Zealand Pub Company (like the Elephant Wrestler on the Shore, which is decked out similarly to this place). The cheesiness of a themed bar often elicits a groan out of me, but the New Zealand Pub Company does it with enough camp that I'll let them get away with it.

    Photos
    The Zookeeper's Son - Restaurant

    Restaurant

    The Zookeeper's Son - Outside

    Outside

    The Zookeeper's Son - Rhubarb Tart

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    Rhubarb Tart

    The Cav - gastropubs - Updated August 2026

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