Mark Wahlberg's family restaurant chain is bringing its first New Zealand restaurant to the waterfront later this year!
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, especially over the school holidays. 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 in the Viaduct, Britomart or even City Works Depot, plan your trip in with ease by taking a bus, train, or ferry. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, children 5-15 years of age travel free on AT buses, trains and participating ferries with an AT Hop Card. Read more, here.
Family Favourites
Beast & Butterflies is a casual all-day dining destination at M Social complete with an outdoor terrace.
Bringing the best street food from LA to the Baja Coast all the way to Auckland's waterfront.
Al Brown has put his spin on Jewish deli food - go here for the best Reuben sandwiches in town, and New York cheesecake.
As the sushi train rotates along the conveyor belt pick up the dish you want as it passes your table and enjoy! You won't be...
Burger Burger | Level 2/1 Queen Street, Commercial Bay
Serving delicious, honest burgers & really cold beers for mom & dad using quality ingredients at an affordable price. Kids burgers, fries & more come with shakes! Great seating area for family, in a relaxed setting.
Tony's Steakhouse | 27 Wellesley Street
Tony's steakhouse renowned for their excellent steaks using only the best of NZ beef & lamb to achieve their exquisite and mouthwatering dishes. The menu is not limited to just steak either, the team of long-standing chefs are masters in the kitchen and create a range of delicious dishes that remain consistently magnificent. Their kid's menu ranges from steak & chips, bolognese & fish n chips.
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.
Outdoor Eats
Good George craft beer and cider brewery has extended its offering with a brand new bar and eatery on Wynyard Quarter's North...
The iconic Auckland Fish Market has recently been refurbished with eight new eateries, courtyard bar and a world class...
Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen | 7 Sale Street
Flaunting a sun-bathed deck full of picnic tables and games, Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen is the ideal spot for kids who love a run around!
Americana meets New Zealand on this menu, with their eats offering up American style bites conjured up with fresh local produce. Pride on the menu is the meat offering from Sweat Shop’s in-house grill and smokehouse. Their kids menu even features a junior smash burger patty that is a guaranteed crowd pleaser, alongside kiddie classics like chicken nuggets and cheesy pizza.
Good Dog Bad Dog | Commercial Bay
Looking for a real treat yourself eat? Good Dog Bad Dog is the fast paced, American-inspired hotdog shop, serving up the classics along with new favourites. This is deliciously junky food to get naughty with, offering up ludicrous combos like Mac and cheese hoagies, fried oreos, crinkle fries, tots and so much more.
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.
Reign & Pour | Ground Floor, 7 Queen Street Commercial Bay
Reign and Pour is a seaside tavern serving quality beer, wine and spirits daily. Situated on the corner of Quay St and Little Queen Lane, this is your welcome to Commercial Bay. With an elevated pub feel menu, it's a great spot to sit and stay on the doorstep of Auckland’s revitalised seafront. Their kid's menu ranges from mini burgers to fish n chips.
Cafes for Kiddos
We are the perfect cosy spot to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a study break, lunchtime munch or a catch...
Ideal for breakfast lunch or dinner – or even just a quick stop off for a snack while exploring the city – their menu caters...
Daily Bread's new Britomart store is now open with a new 300sqm flagship store set to open alongside it soon.
Elliott Stables | 39-41 Elliott Street,
The ultimate spot for a family day out, Elliott Stables truly caters for everyone's taste - meaning no battling over who gets to pick the restaurant!
Located on Elliott Street in Auckland City, Elliott Stables is an epicurean village waiting for you to explore. Wander in and choose a table in the village common and browse the menus of the many international eateries this city centre dining hotspot. Whether it's pasta from Deniro Ristorante, soft serve from Miguelito's or mouthwatering bao buns at Bao Baby Bao (and that's just the beginning!) there's something for everyone, making it a great place to come when you're with a big group.
Bivacco | 115 Customs Street
Serving Italian food in Auckland's Harbour, it's the perfect place to gather with loved ones and enjoy fresh cuisine. Great spot for slow lunches, memorable dinners, after work drinks and weekend feasts. With a great kid's menu serving pasta, pizza, small plates & dessert options.
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.
Sweet Tooth Spots
If you are in search of a sweet treat there is no better place than Giapo. Made fresh daily from 100% natural products, Giapo...
Adding extra sweetness to your day, Oh My Croffle specialises in a fusion dessert which marries a croissant and a waffle iron...
Using only the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients, Doe Donuts whip up seriously delicious donuts, sweet, fluffy...