My Favorite Feeds in Auckland

Vietnamese — Britomart (27 Galway Street)

My absolute favourite restaurant in Auckland, hands down. I lived a block away and had never noticed the entrance on Galway Street until a vendor took my team there for an end of year lunch. I’ve been hooked ever since. Order family style and ask your server for help — the seasonings and sauces will blow you away. Don’t miss the prawns with green rice, the pork skewers with lettuce wraps, and the pork and seafood pancake. Dessert is great too — the traditional Vietnamese warm dumplings were something different and really good.

Has moved to a larger space at 27 Galway Street since I first went. Still in Britomart, still brilliant.

Multi-cuisine dining village — CBD (39 Elliott Street)

The building dates to 1910 and the concept is unlike anything I’d seen before — an “epicurean village” where you pick a table in the shared central space and order from whichever of the surrounding restaurants you like. Each has its own counter. Give them your table number and they bring the food to you. Perfect when you’re with a group and everyone wants something different — the selection covers Cajun, German, Spanish, Indian, Japanese, Mexican, French crepes, and more.

Has evolved into more of a street food hall with an Asian-inspired side and a European café side. The core “come in and eat from everywhere” concept is very much intact.

Mediterranean tapas — Freeman’s Bay (33 Drake Street)

Easy walking distance from the CBD, housed in an industrial warehouse behind Victoria Park Market. Mostly tapas with great variety for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. A cosy fireplace in winter, and a large deck for summer. My favourite is the polenta sticks but we’ve never been disappointed on anything here. If you’re with a group, ask about the boards — a varied mix from the tapas menu and well worth it for sharing.

Had a 2024 refurb and now has a rooftop sundeck. Sounds even better than when I was there.

New Zealand cuisine — Sky Tower, Level 52

Yes it’s the touristy thing to do. I don’t care — I like it. The revolving restaurant inside the Sky Tower, similar to the Space Needle in Seattle. Not cheap, but you get complimentary Sky Tower admission when you dine here. We went for my step-daughter’s birthday and the food was genuinely good. Go for lunch if you want to save some money. And order the chocolate ball for dessert. I won’t ruin the surprise but it is absolutely worth it.

Now called Orbit 360° Dining. Still revolves. Still worth it.

Mexican — CBD (67 Victoria Street, across from Sky Tower)

I’m from Texas and I love Mexican food, so be warned — this is not what I would call real Mexican food. It is the best I’ve found in Auckland though. Good margaritas (not cheap), great chimichangas, and solid guacamole when they have it. If you want a refill on chips and salsa, it will cost you. I was genuinely shocked. A Texan should not have to pay for chip refills. They have a nice covered outdoor veranda too.

Korean — CBD (Commerce Street, near Britomart)

A great little eatery close to Britomart. Good food and genuinely good service despite a language barrier. We almost always ordered the kimchi pancake — theirs is really good — and usually got the steamboat for two with homemade dumplings and tofu. The dumplings are pork and chive and I could eat them all day. The steamboat for two easily feeds three.

I haven’t been able to verify current status — check before you go.

French crêpes — CBD / also inside Elliott Stables

I stumbled in on a Saturday afternoon looking for something different. Ordered the Popeye — a crêpe with mushrooms, onion, bacon, spinach, and cream sauce. It was really, really good. The cream sauce was just about perfect. Worth the wait. Also available inside Elliott Stables if you’re already there.

I haven’t been able to verify current status — check before you go.

Vegetarian / Hare Krishna — was on Karangahape Road

I’m including this one as a memorial to a place I loved. Different, simple, unrefined, cheap, and the food was great. A Hare Krishna restaurant — all vegetarian, no garlic or onion in anything. Minimal decor, counter service, rotating daily curries, and a mystery plate that came with two curries, dal, rice, poppadum, and a sweet for dessert. You never knew which two curries you’d get. My family loved it every time.

Permanently closed in August 2022. There is a different restaurant called Govinda in Panmure — not the same place.