A Diverse Lineup of Eateries Has Been Announced for Queen Street's New Dining Precinct

Its opening date was initially tipped for the start of 2017. Now, more than a year later, the arrival of elevated dining precinct Queen's Rise is finally inching closer with a handful of tenants coming to light. The development will eventually be found above New World Metro at 125 Queen Street — a building which was once the headquarters of the Sultan of Brunei.

Nazar Group restauranteur Alex Isik, who now runs ten establishments across Auckland (Feriza's, Miss Istanbul, Bodrum Kitchen), will bring laidback luxury to the hero tenancy in the new luxe food court. The Ottoman Mezze Lounge is a Turkish-inspired concept that takes influence from the region with traditional dishes and an emphasis on shared dining.

From the folks behind contemporary yum cha restaurant, Culprit, comes Lowbrow. Via an approach they call "DzGood Fooddz", Kyle Street and Jordan Macdonald will serve fresh and seasonal fast food. Expect natural wine, smoked brisket, sandwiches and more. This year's Auckland City Limits offered festival-goers an early taste of the new eatery, which served spiced fried chicken, skin-on fries with MacD sauce and a honeynut sundae.

Also confirmed to feature in the space is Potato & Me, an intriguing hybrid of breakfast bar, potato joint and watering hole. Owner Ruairi Hatrick says the establishment will sit mostly on the vegetarian side, with the main contender being oven roasted potatoes enhanced by different salts and a selection of sides. It will also offer quality beer, wine and cocktails.

Elsewhere, there will be the third outpost of Napoletana pizzeria and pasta restaurant, Dante's; an opening called Dolly Bird from the owners of North Wharf's Marvel Grill; the second Auckland opening for California-owned Poké Bar; cheap and cheerful Japanese doburi eatery Tokyo Loco Bowl; superfood and acai bowl eatery Nourish Pod by way of Hamilton; salad, soup and juice bar, Jar Story, and several others.

Developer Duncan Elley said in September 2016 that Queen's Rise "has been inspired by the best international café courts and laneway concepts found abroad." The interior will emit a European laneway feel courtesy of Sydney architects Jeremy Bull and Charlene Cong, with exposed structure and raw materials used to create an "edgy, intriguing environment."

The 900sqm dining precinct will be accessed through the heritage façade on Queen Street and at street level from Swanson Street. Stay tuned for more information about the official opening.