With no shortage of fun activities, things to explore and places to eat, the city centre is a great place to come to spend quality time with your tamariki. We know that choosing a spot to eat can often be the hardest decision of the day, so to make that just a little bit easier, we've rounded up all the best family friendly restaurants Auckland city centre has to offer - as well as any great offers available now too.
With a huge range of family friendly restaurants Auckland city centre wide, whether it's on the Viaduct, in Britomart or even City Works Depot, plan your trip in with ease by taking a bus, train, or ferry. On Saturdays and Sundays, children 5-15 years of age travel free on AT buses, trains and participating ferries with an AT Hop Card. Read more, here.
Auckland Fish Market | 22-32 Jellicoe Street
Just like Harbour Eats in Commercial Bay, the Auckland Fish Market is great for when you've got a group who all want something different. There are plenty of great eateries to choose from here; Billypot for fresh seafood; Market Galley for fish & chips and burgers; Mar and Tierra for Latin delights; The Wreck for all the classics; Bang Bang Kitchen and Chào for modern Asian fusion; The Store for sandwiches and salads; Lobster & Tap for Canadian lobster rolls; Oji Sushi for all the best in Japanese cuisine.
Andy's Burgers & Bar | SkyCity
With robot waiters whizzing around the restaurant, Andy's Burgers and Bar is a great place to take the kids! In close proximity to attractions including Wēta Workshop Unleashed, the All Blacks Experience and the Sky Tower, it's a great place to stop for a bite post-activity. Grab the kids a burger, fried chicken or cheesy bacon fries from the 'lil one's' menu and top it off with something sweet - we love the sound of their chocolate chip cookie and chocolate ice cream sandwich. See the menu here.
Coops Corner Pub | 204 Quay Street
Located right on the waters edge, Coops Corner Pub is perfect for little diners. Hand over the $15 Lil' Coops menu to the kids and let them make their pick. The best part is, every kids meal comes with an ice cream sundae - all for just $15! See the menu here.
Image credit: Ebisu Facebook page
Ebisu | 116-118 Quay Street
On the hunt for a restaurant where you can enjoy a nice meal and still keep the kiddos happy? Ebisu has got your back! This place loves families, and their special kids menu is a real crowd-pleaser. For just $20, your little ones can choose from some seriously yummy options like karaage chicken, tempura fish, or seared sirloin steak – all served up in a cute bento box. And don't worry, we didn't forget dessert – a scoop of ice cream doused in chocolate sauce is the perfect sweet treat to finish off the meal. So why not bring the whole gang down to Ebisu and enjoy some delicious Japanese cuisine? Trust us, your taste buds – and your kids – will thank you for it! See the full menu here.
Baduzzi | 10-26 Jellicoe Street
This Wynyard Quarter gem is a favorite spot amongst many in the city center, and it's not hard to see why. Serving up some of the most mouth-watering modern Italian cuisine in town, you'll be hard-pressed to find a dish that disappoints. And if you're worried about the kids? Don't be! With a menu specifically designed for those little tummies, featuring meatball pasta and chicken schnitzel dishes that are sure to please even the pickiest eaters, you can rest assured that you won't be hearing any complaints. And let's not forget about dessert – two tasty options that will have both kids and adults drooling: fresh churned gelato or Italian chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. See the menu here.
Harbour Eats | Commercial Bay
When you find yourself with a bunch of kids that all want something different to eat, try out Harbour Eats in Commercial Bay. Whether it be hot dogs from Good Dog Bad Dog, burgers from Wise Boys, pad thai from Aroy Thai, dumplings from Foo Du, pitas from Fatimas or sushi from Oji Sushi, there's bound to be something to suit everyone's tastes. Plus, Commercial Bay has a great parents room for feeding and changing the littlies. Inside, cartoons are screening and there's a little play area to entertain the kids while you’re in there.
Grand Harbour | Corner Pakenham St & Custom St W
Hey, parents – are you ready to treat your little ones to a dining experience they won't forget? Look no further than Grand Harbour for some seriously scrumptious yum cha! We all know that dumplings and pork buns are high up on every kid's list of favorite foods, so why not indulge them with some mouth-watering options? And let's be real – it's not just the food that makes this place special. From the live crayfish in the tank to the trolleys piled high with delicious dishes wheeling around the restaurant, there's never a dull moment at Grand Harbour. So why not bring your curious little humans down and let them experience the excitement firsthand? Trust us, they'll love it – and you'll love seeing the smiles on their faces!
Bao & Noodle | 10-14 Lorne StreetSatisfy your craving for authentic Chinese cuisine at Bao & Noodle on Lorne Street, a unique eatery with a mission to bring the taste of mainland China to Auckland city centre. Your little ones will be fascinated watching chefs handcraft dumplings in the front window, and once seated, the whole family can embark on a culinary journey. Bao & Noodle takes pride in offering a family-friendly menu of dumplings, DanDan noodles, and sauced pork buns, ensuring a delectable culinary adventure for all.