Central(ish) Auckland Dinner Spots

The opportunities to go out for dinner in 2020 have been relatively limited. I tend to venture out of East Auckland for dinner. The pricing is much the same, the quality is way better, the food is more interesting and in general the dining experience feels a lot nicer. Your local bar will charge $25 for an average meal; while there are places central that charge around this for an experience that is a hell of a lot better.

Here are some dinner spots I’ve dined at this year in order from favourite, to least impressive. They would make for the perfect catch up spot with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or for a date night!

MUST TRY

Lilian

Grey Lynn

Beautiful interior, professional staff and absolutely everything I tried was delicious, original and well presented. Well known for their grape and prosciutto pizza, I would also jump on the bandwagon and recommend. However, the crispy brussel sprouts were truly something else!

Poni Room

Commercial Bay

This newbie does seriously divine food. All the Asian flavours you know and love with a twist, amazing views out over the Harbour too. A bit on the pricey side, and quite small portions. The polenta chips with big mac sauce were so good; we ended up ordering two!

Elmo’s

Ponsonby

There is just something about a creamy pasta and a good pizza that just can’t be beaten. While most Italian places are quite honestly underwhelming, Elmo’s fulfils the cravings. Pretty decent value for money and lovely staff too! Get the pizzas that have a cream base; divine!

Gochu

Commercial Bay

When you find a place with a cool vibe, lovely staff and that has reasonably priced food with some unique flavour combos you have yourself a winner. Gochu is delicious, the food is spicy, sweet and smokey and it is seriously good value for money I highly recommend. The fried chicken would be my recommendation!

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ALSO GREAT…

White and Wong’s

Viaduct Harbour

I’m going to set the record straight. White and Wongs is not authentic Asian food. It’s the Asian food that you eat and pretend it’s real Asian food but really it’s dumbed down and turned into something that your average Joe can recognise and appreciate. In saying that, they seriously impress. The red beef curry and chicken green curry are particularly noteworthy because they are thick and creamy, not dry and watery like most local Thai spots. Go to the Viaduct Harbour one instead of the Newmarket one; better service and ambience.

Café Hanoi

Britomart

This is definitely more legitimate Asian food. Spicy, sweet and all the flavours you want from a Vietnamese place. Get a range of things to share, the plates are quite small given the pricing but the food is seriously good quality.

Ghost Donkey Commercial Bay

Ghost Donkey is great, the atmosphere is cool and the food is yummy, but in terms of my favourite dinner spots it wouldn’t make the top of my list. If you do go I highly recommend the tacos. I think the fact that the meat on the nachos was lukewarm really threw me off!