Metro magazine's Top 50 list of the best restaurants in Auckland for 2024 features an amazing 17 restaurants from the city centre!
Metro has put together a panel of experienced food writers, critics, and hospitality experts to navigate their way around the city, dining at restaurants anonymously. These restaurants represent the best of Auckland's dining scene, from the casual joints that you can pop into on a weekday and be greeted like locals, to the special occasion fine diners that deliver technically excellent food with equally excellent service.
Check out these 17 outstanding places in the heart of the city that have been listed in the top 50 for 2024:
Advieh
Advieh is where a tapestry of Middle Eastern flavours seamlessly weaves into New Zealand's rich landscapes, inviting you into a world of vibrant tastes and captivating aromas.
Ahi
A sophisticated New Zealand restaurant and a concept straight from the heart, award-winning New Zealand Chef Ben Bayly and team bringing the very best of New Zealand hospitality to Commercial Bay.
alma
Designed to bring joy, comfort and pleasure with flamed, charred and smouldering from fire, alma’s food style travels through seasons, produce and localities from our own neighbourhood whilst nodding to a few from afar. Metro's favourites were the Beef tongue with olive and preserved lemon, Cos, jamón and egg.
Bossi
Inspired by owner Jenna Carter’s rich Italian heritage and helmed by esteemed Executive Chef Shaun Dowling, Bossi promises to transport diners to the heart of Italia – serving up contemporary Italian dishes using fresh and locally sourced ingredients alongside a premium wine list.
Cassia
With plush interiors and a mouth-watering menu, Cassia is a welcome addition to SkyCity's vibrant dining scene. The menu boasts a delicious range of dishes, including old favourites like the roasted carrot with vindaloo and cashews, as well as exciting new additions - think tandoori chicken tacos, a decadent chocolate, coffee and miso dessert and so much more. With an extensive drinks list to match, Cassia is an experience not to be missed.
Gilt
Celebrated restaurateurs Josh and Helen Emett have opened the doors to Gilt Brasserie at Chancery Chambers, an all-day brasserie channelling timeless, contemporary European dining in one of the city's most storied neighbourhoods. Combining decades of global culinary experience and a love for cosmopolitan life, Gilt is an ode to contemporary brasserie dining famous in the world's most vibrant, energetic cities from New York to Paris.
Gochu
Fresh, flavour-filled Korean Cuisine, modern wines, cocktails and good times, Gochu draws on authentic Korean cuisines and flavours to bring you a New Zealand Korean experience like no other.
Hello Beasty
Serving up contemporary cuisine inspired by regions of Japan, Korea and China, Hello Beasty is a cult eatery on Auckland's waterfront. Hello Beasty’s kitchen offers a tasty and approachable sharing menu, providing an experience that delivers clean, bold flavour profiles with a touch of heat, from shucked oysters served with fresh wasabi, to spicy buns, slow cooked Sichuan lamb, and their own creative take on KFC (Korean Fried Cauliflower).
Huami
Huami, a contemporary, yet authentic Chinese restaurant on Federal Street. The restaurant and bar feature world-class design, unique ambience and traditional cuisine with a modern twist.
Hugo's Bistro
This all-day bistro is bringing a sophisticated European vibe to the heart of the city. Positioned amidst Auckland’s bustling cityscape, Hugo’s Bistro offers all day dining - a place to perch at the bar & grab a morning coffee, meet friends for an afternoon Aperitivo, grab something from their takaway menu or eat in the welcoming dining room and bar.
Metita
Drawing inspiration from Chef Michael's upbringing in Samoa, the menu showcases traditional flavours reimagined for contemporary tastes and will highlight sustainably caught seafood and fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Mr Morris
Nestled in the old Cafe Hanoi site in Auckland’s Britomart precinct, Mr. Morris is a warm, welcoming restaurant whose name pays homage to a close family member who passed away.
Onemata
From Coromandel to Bluff, Onemata’s menu is a celebration of New Zealand ingredients sourced from local suppliers, showcasing the finest of what Aotearoa has to offer. A beautifully crafted menu doesn’t have to be complicated, which is why Onemata’s Head Chef Rob Hope-Ede has sculpted a homegrown menu, which simply brings the best of New Zealand to your plate.
Onslow
Onslow is the culmination of Josh Emett's culinary journey from London to New York and back to Aotearoa. The menu is dedicated to quality and provenance, refined but not fine-dining, where a la carte and table d’hôte options return a celebration of dining enjoyment course by course. The kitchen celebrates the very best ingredients from New Zealand farmers and producers.
Origine
Origine's menu is designed to represent the best of French regional cuisine, inspired by the great dishes of France, with these dishes curated with the freshest and best ingredients from New Zealand.
The Grove
The Grove is Auckland fine dining at its best. Marrying exquisite modern New Zealand cuisine with a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere. Located in the heart of Auckland next to historic St Patrick's Cathedral the décor is warm and intimate and the service professional and friendly.
The Lodge
Building on Rodd & Gunn's ethos of sourcing only the finest materials, The Lodge Bar presents a carefully curated offering of New Zealand's finest wines to be enjoyed with our intricately prepared food menu.
