Lord Kitchener

Overview

Sandringham Road is one of the more distinct suburbs of Auckland. It's blessed with some of the best Indian eateries in the city, as well an eclectic collection of pubs and bars that serve its locals well. The brand new classic English pub, Lord Kitchener, is yet another excellent and unique offering, combining a slightly raucous atmosphere with friendly service, comfort food and a distinctly local feel.

Upon entry the first thing you'll notice is how busy it is — on any given night LK packs out, and sports a lively pub atmosphere. There's a generous deck area out front, complete with lush hanging plants and a couple long benches set up on the curb. The bright red front door provides an inviting first impression and resembles that of a neighbourhood pub in a charming English small town.

Inside is much the same with exposed brick across the entire back wall, several framed portraits of stately old English fellows and a generously sized bar along the room's left side. If you're just here for a couple drops of something cold, you won't go thirsty — there's a long list of beers, wines, cocktails, gins and whiskeys that are sure to tickle your fancy. My personal favourite was the Garage Project Hapi Daze, a refreshing pale ale, or perhaps the impeccably mixed Scottish Command a banana-infused whiskey sour. Yes you read that right.

The food sits firmly in the English pub grub category, but it's prepared with care and skill and stands out from your average bar food as a result. Highlights include a traditional Yorkshire pudding ($26) and the Lord Kitchener beef burger ($24) with onion rings, Heineken pickles, relish and house mustard. This bad boy is full of flavour and rates as one of the better beef burgers going round in Auckland right now. It's not fine dining, but it's got classic English character and goes down beautifully with a cold pint.

A haven for the peckish, thirsty or British in the heart of Sandringham, Lord Kitchener is a bloody delightful local pub with plenty of charm and a unique English twist. Cheerio.