Where
Auckland is my new adopted city. After living in the capital, Wellington, for most of my life, I have spent the past 18 months commuting up and down, and I have fallen for the 'Big A’, so much so we are all moving up – the Brown family and entire Al Brown team.
Why go?
Over the past 10 years, Auckland has come of age. It’s a city big enough that it feels "international", but small enough that it still feels like a "neighbourhood". As a multicultural melting pot, it offers "foodiphiles" eating experiences that cross the whole gambit. The influx of Asian immigrants over the past 30-odd years ensures the ethnic "cheap eats" offer up outstanding food experiences. This, coupled with a plethora of contemporary New Zealand restaurants from high-end to mid-range cafes and eateries, means the choices and opportunities to eat in this great city are simply off the dial!
What seems to have occurred with that coming of age is a new confidence, and what links most hospitality offerings is a desire to champion the local, the artisan, and the 'good practice’ producers out there.
Where once upon a time we could have been accused of coveting (and copying) the rest of the world’s trends and cuisines, we are now much more comfortable in our skin serving food that has been cooked simply, where what counts most is our connection to the raw product, its freshness, its seasonality and, last but not least, the fact that it is served with generosity.
Must eats
Sydney chef Warren Turnbull turns out tasty tacos at his aptly named taqueria. Sample chef chef Michael Meredith’s high-end molecular plates at . Fill up on yum cha at . Simon Wright’s is considered by most locals as the best restaurant in Auckland. My favourite restaurant is . gets my vote for best bistro, and, ahem, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The "scene and be seen" place is , but for something more relaxed, great food and super fun, try . do doughnuts, and Barilla Dumplings (571 Dominion Rd, Balmoral, +64 9 638 8032) do, um, dumplings. And for libations, , and (10 Federal St, +64 9 359 9113) for the best coffee.
Must visits
For fantastic wineries and good-quality restaurants, beautiful walks and beaches, only a 20-minute ferry ride away, go to Waiheke Island. offer a wicked South Pacific vibe, great down-and-dirty street food, and tropical treats every Saturday morning from 6 am to noon. is a French(ish) market in Parnell every Saturday and Sunday mornings. , 40 minutes’ north of Auckland, is on every Saturday morning.
Best food souvenir
For lovers of bivalves and molluscs, head to Depot where you can sit at the bar, drink fabulous sauvignon blanc on tap, served in tumblers, while our counterman shucks a selection of local oysters and clams to order, served on shaved salt ice on silver trays!
Best time to visit
Auckland is a year-round city. Its weather is relatively mild in the winter, and experiences a terrifically hot summer; however, bring a raincoat as it can be one of those "four seasons in one day" sort of places.
