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Best Restaurants in Auckland (2026)

Auckland's dining scene was recognised in the first Michelin Guide to New Zealand in 2026, and the city now has some of the country's most decorated restaurants. Ahi, Ben Bayly's restaurant in Commercial Bay, holds a Michelin star and cooks with produce from its own garden, while Sid at The French Café on Symonds Street serves seasonal tasting menus with an award-winning wine team. Cocoro, just off Ponsonby Road, is the place for contemporary Japanese degustation.

For less formal meals, Cazador on Dominion Road and Gemmayze Street in St Kevins Arcade both received Bib Gourmands for good cooking at moderate prices, the first built around game and the second around Lebanese sharing plates. Sri Pinang on Karangahape Road is a long-running Malaysian favourite that still allows BYO, and Prego has served classic Italian food on Ponsonby Road since 1986. In the city centre, Al Brown's Depot and The Fed are both walk-in only, and Cafe Hanoi in Britomart is a reliable choice on Sundays and Mondays, when some kitchens close. Book ahead for dinner at the end of the week, especially at the smaller and more celebrated restaurants.

10 places · Updated November 12, 2026

Our top 3 restaurants in Auckland

  1. Ahi Contemporary New Zealand, Auckland CBDBen 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.
  2. Sid at The French Café Fine dining tasting menus, Eden TerraceLong-established Symonds Street fine-dining restaurant run since 2018 by Sid and Chand Sahrawat, serving seasonal tasting menus with an award-winning wine team.
  3. Cocoro Contemporary Japanese, PonsonbyContemporary Japanese restaurant in an old brick building off Ponsonby Road, led by chef and co-owner Makoto Tokuyama and known for its degustation menus.

Restaurant

1. Ahi

Contemporary New Zealand$$$$Auckland CBD

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.

View details — Ahi

Restaurant

3. Cocoro

Contemporary Japanese$$$$Ponsonby

Contemporary Japanese restaurant in an old brick building off Ponsonby Road, led by chef and co-owner Makoto Tokuyama and known for its degustation menus.

View details — Cocoro

Restaurant

4. Cazador

Game and wild food restaurant$$$Mount Eden

Family-run Dominion Road restaurant built around wild and sustainably sourced game, with Middle Eastern and Italian influences and a daily delicatessen.

View details — Cazador

Restaurant

6. Depot

Shared plates and raw bar$$$Auckland CBD

Chef Al Brown's walk-in eatery on Federal Street, cooking small plates over charcoal and hardwood, with an oyster and raw bar and breakfast on weekdays.

View details — Depot

Restaurant

7. Sri Pinang

Malaysian and Nyonya$$Karangahape Road

Long-running family Malaysian restaurant on Karangahape Road serving Malay and Nyonya home-style dishes, with fresh roti, rendang and a rare BYO policy.

View details — Sri Pinang

Restaurant

8. Prego

Classic Italian$$$Ponsonby

Classic Italian restaurant on Ponsonby Road since 1986, open seven days with an all-day menu of pizza and pasta and options for halal, vegan and gluten-free diets.

View details — Prego

Restaurant

9. Cafe Hanoi

Vietnamese$$$Britomart

Vietnamese eating house in Britomart, set halfway along Tuawhiti Lane off Galway Street, serving lunch on weekdays and dinner every night.

View details — Cafe Hanoi