A bold restaurant serving simple unfussy Italian food built from locally sourced ingredients.
The new CRL makes it easier than ever to discover more of the city centre, with stations at Waitematā, Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape, your next city centre adventure is just a train ride away. From waterfront dining and world-class entertainment to hidden bars and shopping every stop unlocks a new side of the city centre.
Your dream city centre day out, on us!
There’s never been a better time to meet in the city.
From family adventures and foodie finds to date nights, girls' days out and live music experiences, we’re giving away five curated city experiences designed to help you discover more of Auckland’s city centre.
Each prize includes $1,200 in vouchers; $1,000 to spend across Commercial Bay, SkyCity, Britomart, Viaduct Harbour and Karangahape Road, and 4 x $50 AT HOP cards to make getting around a breeze.
So, where will your city adventure take you?
ENTER HERE and be in with the chance to win one of five days out in the city centre. New ways to enter will be on the Heart of the City Instagram fortnightly. Instagram giveaways will run for one week past their post date. Click here for all T&Cs.
Date Night
Looking for date night inspiration? Start with pre-show drinks and bites at Bivacco, soaking up the Viaduct views before heading to ASB Waterfront Theatre for Cabaret. Afterwards, enjoy an unforgettable dinner at Michelin-starred Ahi, then treat yourselves to dessert from Duck Island in Britomart.
From there, hop on the CRL to Te Waihorotiu Station and take a short walk to SkyCity's Flare Bar for Nights Like This, a lively monthly night of music and entertainment. If you're still not ready to call it a night, jump back on the CRL to Karanga-a-Hape Station and finish the evening at The Frog, sipping on a rosé late into the night.
Click here to discover more date night ideas!
A sophisticated New Zealand restaurant and a concept straight from the heart, award winning New Zealand Chef Ben Bayly and...
Hand crafting small batch ice cream in the Waikato since 2015
Girls Day Out
Grab your besties and make a day of it. Start with brunch at Bestie Café on K' Road, where retro vibes, stacked hotcakes and hearty café favourites make the perfect start to the day. From there, hop on the CRL at Karanga-a-Hape Station and travel to Te Waihorotiu Station, then take the short walk to SkyCity for the Taylor Tribute Show and sing along to all your favourite hits.
After the show, jump back on the CRL to Waitematā Station and treat yourself to a fresh manicure at The Art of Nails in Commercial Bay before browsing the latest collections at Karen Walker in Britomart. Finish the day with dinner and drinks at Rosie's Red-Hot Cantina.
Looking for more ways to spend time with the girls? Click here for more inspiration.
Karen Walker is a New Zealand fashion designer with a reputation for original, effortless and stylish fashion.
Bringing the best street food from LA to the Baja Coast all the way to Auckland's waterfront.
Foodie : Eat your way through the day
Treat yourself to a foodie-filled day in the city centre, starting with a fresh pastry and coffee from Amano Bakery before picking up a box of colourful macarons from J'aime’s at Commercial Bay. For lunch, head to Hello Beasty for bold Asian-fusion flavours, then take the CRL to Te Waihorotiu Station and spend the afternoon exploring the inspiring exhibitions at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
Refuel with Depot Eatery’s famous warm Cookie Skillet, before hopping back on the CRL to K' Road to round out the day with sake and Japanese-inspired bites at Acho's, the perfect way to end your city adventure.
Discover more foodie spots, here!
Visit Amano Bakery for incredible breads, filled sandwiches, decadent doughnuts, golden pastries, lemon tarts and all sorts...
Exquisite French Macarons & irresistible Sweet Treats.
Serving up contemporary cuisine inspired by regions of Japan, Korea and China, Hello Beasty is a cult eatery on Auckland's...
History, heritage and culture are brought to life at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, home to a series of permanent...
Depot is a fast paced eatery and oyster bar by award winning NZ chef Al Brown. The focus is on seasonal produce and simple...
Family Day Out
Make a day of it with the family, starting at F.A.M. on K' Road, packed with family-friendly activities, art tours, live music and tasty bites. Then hop on the CRL to Te Waihorotiu Station and head up the Sky Tower for spectacular city views and plenty of fun for the kids.
Continue on to Waitematā Station for a relaxed lunch at The Brit in Britomart, serving crowd-pleasing pizzas, wagyu burgers, loaded sandwiches and share plates. Keep the fun going with mini golf, darts and karaoke at Holey Moley, which offers family-friendly deals, before wrapping up the day with a well-earned scoop from Ben & Jerry's at Commercial Bay.
Click here for more Family outing ideas!
The Sky Tower offers a truly captivating experience. At 328 metres, it is the tallest man-made structure in New Zealand and...
A gastro-pub in Britomart, whether you are looking to grab a cold one with your mates or sip on cocktails with the girls, the...
Holey Moley is perfect for a unique, hilarious night out with friends.
Head to this iconic ice cream shop and dig into its huge selection of euphoric ice cream flavours. Discover a new favourite –...
Step into a fantastical film effects workshop and explore the worlds of horror, sci-fi and fantasy in-the-making.
Music/ Entertainment
Let the CRL be your ticket to a night of live music and entertainment. Start at Nights Like This at Flare Bar, then descend to Kemuri Hi-Fi for cocktails, bites and a soundtrack worth staying for. Sing along at Danny Doolan's, dance the night away at The Brit, or catch local indie, punk and alternative acts at Whammy Bar. Whatever your vibe, there's a soundtrack waiting in the city centre.
Kemuri Hi-Fi is a sultry underground bar inspired by Japanese jazz cafes, where whisky, vinyl, and high-end audio systems...
Located at the heart of the Viaduct Basin, Danny Doolans is the quintessential Irish Bar, with live music 7 nights a week.
A gastro-pub in Britomart, whether you are looking to grab a cold one with your mates or sip on cocktails with the girls, the...
