Restaurant
Sid at The French Café
Long-established Symonds Street fine-dining restaurant run since 2018 by Sid and Chand Sahrawat, serving seasonal tasting menus with an award-winning wine team.
Ahi
Ben Bayly's contemporary New Zealand restaurant on the second level of Commercial Bay, awarded a Michelin star in 2026 and cooking with produce from its own garden.
At a glance
- Type
- Contemporary New Zealand
- Area
- Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- ahirestaurant.co.nz
Good to know
- Harbour views
- Lunch and dinner daily
- Online booking
Why we recommend it
Ahi is chef Ben Bayly's flagship restaurant, set on level 2 of the Commercial Bay development at the foot of Queen Street, with views across the Waitematā Harbour. Its name is the te reo Māori word for fire, and the cooking is a refined take on contemporary New Zealand food built around seasonal ingredients that Bayly selects himself.
The restaurant has become one of the most decorated in the country. It received one star in the first Michelin Guide to New Zealand in 2026, and it is also rated in the Cuisine Good Food Guide, where it holds the top rating of three hats. For visitors who want a single meal that sums up modern New Zealand cooking, Ahi is one of the strongest choices in the city.
A distinctive part of the operation is the Ahi Garden in South Auckland, where many of the vegetables served in the restaurant are grown using organic and sustainable methods. That connection between grower and kitchen shapes the menu, which changes with the seasons. The drinks list covers wines, spirits and craft beers, so it is worth asking the staff for pairing suggestions.
Ahi opens for lunch and dinner every day, which makes it easier to fit into a short stay than many fine-dining restaurants. Reservations are taken online through the restaurant's website, and booking ahead is strongly advised, particularly for dinner. A long lunch is a good alternative if evening tables are full.
The restaurant suits special occasions, couples and food-focused travellers, and the central location means it pairs easily with an afternoon on the waterfront. If you want something more casual from the same team, Origine, a modern bistro run by the same group, is just steps away within Commercial Bay and also looks out over the harbour.
Commercial Bay is in downtown Auckland, close to the shops of the city centre, the business district and the waterfront, so Ahi is easy to reach from central hotels. Gift vouchers are available through the website, and the restaurant also runs special events from time to time, which are announced to its email subscribers.
Ahi FAQs
Does Ahi have a Michelin star?
Yes. Ahi was awarded one Michelin star in the 2026 Michelin Guide New Zealand.
Who is the chef at Ahi?
Chef Ben Bayly.
Where is Ahi?
On level 2 of Commercial Bay, 7 Queen Street, in downtown Auckland.
When is Ahi open?
It opens for lunch and dinner every day.
Do you need to book?
Booking ahead is strongly advised; reservations are made online through the restaurant's website.
What does Ahi mean?
Ahi is the te reo Māori word for fire.
Where do the vegetables come from?
Many are grown at the Ahi Garden in South Auckland using organic and sustainable methods.
Is there a more casual option nearby?
Yes. Origine, a bistro run by the same group, is a few steps away in Commercial Bay.