Loved it!!! Had our first meal at Depot after arriving in…read moreAuckland, New zealand. The food was absolutely delicious. Every bite is unexpectedly delicious. We had falafels and the roasted eggplant. The sauces are amazing. We ended up ordering more of the same dishes as they were so good. We are going back for dinner tonight with friends as we have to try more of their dishes. The service was warm and friendly. The atmosphere was relaxed and dining al fresco was great at lunch time.

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!

Very busy at 6.30 on a Wednesday, we tried to book but they told us they only had one table free…read moreand 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.

On our second-to-last day of roaming around Auckland and discussing the costs of owning a home in…read morehistorical 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

Delicious, fresh oysters. Fun, fast service for take away (near or far). Lovely place that is easy…read moreto miss, so drive slow and enter carefully-they're busy! Lovely place on your way to and from the lovely beaches nearby.

A very easy to miss spot if you aren't actively looking for it while heading into or out of the…read moreTawharanui Marine Reserve for tourists. We were lucky our snorkelling instructor whispered into our ears about this place because it was so worth it. The small shop sells fresh shucked oysters out of their oyster farm. They were so fresh and tasted of that clean and pristine NZD waters. We decided on a dozen oysters as a snack for the two of us before heading into Matakana proper to find a more substantial lunch. They have bigger plates should you be more greedy. Hehe. They have more than enough different garnishes for your oysters from spicy, sweet, salty, and other. We settled into the little table underneath a few of the trees on the lot and just delighted in slurping up each oyster. The oysters were medium sized and really sweet. We really recommend stopping by here in you are in the area. It's a gem.

This restaurant has been around for ages and it still draws in the crowds, day and night. If you've…read moreever eaten here you will know why, the food is amazing and the atmosphere is laid back. Totally suitable to the laid back Westie lifestyle. We booked in recently for a family get-together and everyone from grandma to the five year old loved the experience. Surf and turf menu with plenty of kiddy meals to keep the littlies happy. The steaks are really great, the majority in our group placed such an order. I like the fire pit in the waiting area with the comfy couches, a nice place to have a drink if you are still waiting on your table.

Was at Tony's restaurant in Henderson just last night and had the worst experience ever! We waited…read morefor more then two hours for the whole Special Set Menu to be served and ended up having to take the dessert home (not normally allowed) because we couldn't wait any longer. To wait that long just for the food to taste like it had been zapped in a microwave is ridiculous. Entrees: Spare ribs were crispy burnt and black/dry on the corners then drowned in sauce, what was supposed to be Cheese and bacon wedges turned out to be just Wedges with the sour cream & salsa on side bowls to fill up the plate, Seafood Chowder was full of chopped up celery more then any seafood and not very creamy at all. Mains: Lamb shanks fell away easy off the bone but again drowned in yuck sauce that killed it, the spinach and mash again zapped in a microwave. Chicken supreme was dry and plonked on the plate with the sides looking like they were recycled from a previous meal, Eye fillet Mignon was probably the only best looking meal but failed as a 'well done request'. Children's Menu: Bangers 'n Mash was disgusting the sausages tasted off! peas looked and tasted like they were still frozen, mash had some kind recycled soy sauce spread over it, Ice-cream Sundae looked like mock cream with a line of chocolate syrup. The Manager on duty at the time came over and demanded we pay for drinks on top of the Special Set Menu because this was part of the conditions, this was addressed after we were half way through our meal!! Very unprofessional in front of our whole family blaming and cursing the waiter and scared our kids that she stood over, she apologized after but doesn't excuse us having to put up with the whole ordeal for more then 2 hours!! Disappointed. Especially after we found out the Owner is also the Head Chef.

After our first day of bicycle touring in New Zealand from Auckland to Huntly, we arrived on Main…read moreStreet tired, thirsty and VERY HUNGRY! After walking up and down Main Street, eyeing the restaurants and deli shops as if they were prey to a pack of wolves, there was only one shop which stood out from the rest of the crowd. The fresh seafood on ice, fish & chips, and smoked fish of the day drew me in. There's seating indoors and outside. This is a fish market, don't come here for ambiance or a romantic dinner for 2... or 3... or 4. The decor is the meal, laid out fresh on the counters by the purveyors of this fine seafood establishment. The owner and staff are very helpful, answering questions from customers who are either ordering to eat in or to be freshly packed for home. Taking a seat on the curbside table, we started on the smoked fish of the day. The white flesh of the smoked fish has a firm texture, stronger flavors and medium to high oil content. The anticipation was over when the family size platter of Fish and Chips arrived. The no-frills little chippy shop serves up chunky pieces of moist white fish against a crispy batter. The batter here is better than most chippy shops we've had in New Zealand, generally underwhelming and greasy. The mountainful of chips are crisp and firm. The fried battered oysters and scallops are a good complement to the fish and chips. The family size fish and chips platter was affordably priced. The standout of the meal was the Kina. If you're always on the lookout for the ultimate uni/sea urchin experience on your travels, don't pass up a chance to try the New Zealand version of the spiny shelled creature. Kina has been a part of the local Maori diet for hundreds of years. Having ordered one from the counter as my "dessert" and brought out to our table, an elderly Maori passing by gave a recommendation to eat the dark seedy liquid around the roe. The owner had recommended against the idea, explaining most Kiwis find the taste of the dark liquid too bitter. After separately a few pieces of the roe from the dark liquid inside the half opened Kina shell, the roe was fresh, had a soft texture, and slightly bitter compared to Japanese sea urchins. I tried a small taste of the dark liquid with a roe, and as warned it was indeed very bitter, enough to scrunch up your face. Try the Kina roe on its own. The five star rating for this shop was mainly due to our hungry stomachs after a day of cycling, the affordable and generous portions, the friendly staff, and the Kina experience.

What a delight to enjoy fresh local oysters and mussels with a nice local white wine. AJ is so…read morewelcoming and professional, please say Aloha to him from me . After a full day in the hop-on hop-off bus then a ferry to Devenport, I really enjoyed chill-axing here and the food...wow. See pics and enjoy the eye candy.

Expensive. Fish and chips were ample but too greasy to finish. Had better for less. Nice…read moreatmosphere

I was walking to the Urban Sanctuary along the bay so I looked for good restaurants in the area…read more This restaurant had great reviews and a high overall ranking. The dining tables were filthy and the whole time I was there they were not cleaned. I had the grilled snapper which wasn't bad but didn't overcome being served on disgusting, dirty tables and the topper was there are no bathrooms since the upstairs dining area is closed.

good fish and chips, quick service. a little divey but ive found those to be the best bang for your…read morebuck! pleased with my meal

Three out of four of the ladies toilets were blocked, one with faeces floating. Bar staff said they…read morewere aware of it and that it would be cleaned out over night! Why were the doors not closed & 'Out of Order' signs put on them?! This is disgusting! Would have left immediately but we had already ordered & paid for our Margaritas. At $19 each we were totally disappointed. Served in 2 different types of small cocktail glasses, rather than the usual Margarita tumblers, three ladies had larger drinks than the other three. Worse than that - the drinks tasted watery!!! We discussed this with the waitress who said they had started using a Margarita 'mix' over the last week & there had been other complaints. So why hadn't this been fixed already? Won't be going back. Shocking end to a great night where we had dined at the restaurant next door Mae Nam Khong - which has great food!

Black Salt is the westie local for youngens and the more mature patrons. Its snazzy and showy and…read morelikes to be noticed. The service is okay-ish although pretty laid back. I don't really go here to eat (vegetarian options are near nill) so usually its a drink and some bread and dips or fries sort of scenario. It fun sitting outside - though it is right by the ligths so there are always cars which makes it kind of gross. I think the best part of this place is the bathrooms. there worth a marvel or two. Not a place i'd visit often though.

Great place to visit. Some great looking fish stalls and some just ok looking stalls. We stopped…read moreand looked at everyone and looked to see what they were cooking and selling most of. We did manage to pick a great one. Loved the aspect of picking out your fish at a Fishmonger and taking it over to a cooking stall that works with the Fishmonger. Saw lots of tables with huge grilled fish...we were jealous! We picked Sanford's and were not disappointed. We shared a grilled lobster tail and some grilled prawns. The lobster was served with a small tasty salad and perfectly cooked chips. Wish we had more time to spend in Auckland because this would be on our list to get back to. Highly recommend.

Had a great lunch at the Auckland fish market recently - my husband and I stopped by on a whim and…read moregrabbed a variety of items. Luckily, it was an off peak time so we were able to grab a seat, but I can see it being chaotic during the main lunch rush. There aren't too many stalls, a couple where you can get fish prepared fresh, one that seemed a bit more grab-and-go. And then one to get raw fish to go and cook at home. We both really liked the skate and fries dish. It was delicious and we had never had skate prepared like that!