Overview
Despite the ever-changing weather making staying at home with a packet of chips more appealing that going out for a three-course meal with matched wine, Auckland's still opening plenty of new restaurants, cafes and bars — and getting people into them, too. Seems every week we're ranting and raving about the next newbie, bringing its own proposed offering/theming/novelty viral food item to this fine city of ours. Here's a little list for you to get excited about, in case you're despondent over having eaten at Every Auckland Venue Ever. Take heart, there's plenty more where that came from.
WANDER, WYNYARD QUARTER
The folks behind Point Chevalier's much-loved Ambler cafe have opened another classy outpost in the central city. Wander is an all-day eatery that moves between cafe, bistro and wine bar. From dawn you can start your day with gingerbread granola, buttermilk waffles and Middle Eastern spiced lentils, or simply pick up a coffee to go. As the bistro menu kicks in from 11am it opens up classic dishes like steak and frites, chicken liver parfait and lamb loin by way of Hawke's Bay. The afternoon is reserved for sharing platters, with kai moana, charcuterie and cheese options all on offer. To match, there's beer from local breweries Sawmill, Heke and Hallertau, and a long list of wine spanning Waipara, Central Otago and Bannockburn. It's open seven days.
YOUNG GEORGE, MOUNT ALBERT
Josh Young and George Bristow are the owners of this new kid on the block in Owairaka. Josh is the former head chef of Chinoiserie and creator of ghost restaurant Young Sandos, while George is a barista with 17 years of hospo experience. With Young George the pair wanted to build a small community-focused coffee shop/cafe slinging affordable food for the surrounding Mt Roskill development. They says the menu is a work in progress, but is predominantly street food inspired and designed around their personal take on Japanese-style grilled sandos. Previous creations have been stacked with everything from homemade mozzarella and hash browns to grilled beef and fried egg. Atomic Coffee Roasters provide the beans for takeaway coffee. Find them in the Hendon Ave shops.
ZIGGLE, KARANGAHAPE ROAD
This North Shore food truck has put down permanent roots on the other side of the bridge — and just like its pint-sized kiosk, the menu is compact. Ziggle elevates fried chicken with a Korean spin, making it the perfect grab-and-go destination when hopping between Karangahape Road bars. The chook is available both crispy and glazed with flavour bomb coatings like Korean sweet chilli and hot and sweet soy. Your street food fix is covered further with a range of burgers, from the bulgogi beef creation that comes with butter garlic mushrooms, to a pork burger stacked with kimchi pesto and bulgogi sauce. There's a deep-fried chicken thigh option, too. Find the hole-in-the-wall at 97 K' Road.
THE FRY GUYS, GLEN INNES
Chris Von Batenburg and Mustafa Ali, the owners of popular burger bar The Chosen Bun, have launched another opening in east Auckland. This time the lads present their take on both Kiwi and international fast-food classics in Glen Innes. Just like its Stonefields sibling, The Fry Guys is big on layering good stuff between sliced bread. The signature breakfast creation is filled with a lamb merguez sausage pattie, cheddar cheese, a hash brown and hickory brown sauce. The chicken hero features buttermilk fried chicken tenders, Swiss cheese, slaw, buffalo sauce and ranch dressing. And the 'Hot Doggity' sees a beef krainer or chorizo sausage paired with sauerkraut, ketchup, mustard and cheese sauce. While most of the burgers come on brioche, the entire menu is available gluten-free. There's also a dedicated fryer for gluten-free sides like hand-cut fries, fried chicken tenders and crumbed brie bites.
CHURLY'S, MOUNT EDEN
Following a successful crowd-investment campaign, award-winning Auckland brewery Behemoth Brewing Company has finally opened its new brewpub and restaurant in Mount Eden. Found on the corner of Dominion Road and Charles Street, the operation features a 3000-litre brewery for brewmaster Andrew Childs to pump out commercial brews and keg-only releases, while national butchery champion Hannah Miller whips up nose-to-tail cuisine for the onsite restaurant. Alongside her A Lady Butcher charcuterie and biltong, there's dry-aged wagyu burgers, pork shoulder cubano sandwiches, seasonal hot dogs and devilled eggs. You can also down all of your favourite 'chur' brews in one spot. 'Murica APA', 'Dump the Trump IPA' and 'Hopped Up On Pils' — they're all flowing on tap.
Top image: The Fry Guys.