Overview
Not quite breakfast, not quite lunch; brunch is the hybrid meal when drinking before noon becomes totally acceptable. It's also the irresistible sponge soaking up that first home deposit (here's looking at you, smashed avo). The most popular meal of the day has now been enhanced with a swarm of bottomless dining sessions across Auckland. Here's where to have your fill, and seconds, and thirds, and so on.
THE LULA INN, VIADUCT HARBOUR
South Pacific eatery The Lula Inn is the unofficial birthplace of bottomless brunch in Auckland, kicking off the trend in 2018 with endless pours of bubbly and cocktails. Every Saturday and Sunday, brunch-goers at the waterfront establishment are given a two-hour window to enjoy unlimited prosecco, mimosas, bloody marys and pineapple mocktails while they inhale the likes of beans on toast, corn hash and banana bread. The deal will set you back $55 and is limited to groups of 12 people.
WU & YOU, MOUNT EDEN
Mount Eden eatery Wu & You's bottomless deal is available from Friday–Sunday. The sessions begin at either 11am, 1:30pm or 4pm and have a 90-minute maximum stay. From the $65 menu you can choose one item from the restaurant's Asian-inspired menu, including two types of rolls, karaage chicken, four kinds of burgers, green papaya salad, and five-spice pork belly. To wash it all down, the bar serves up bottomless mimosas, Hawke's Bay lager, peach bombs and virgin cocktails.
EAT DRINK LAUGH, GREY LYNN
Grey Lynn neighbourhood spot Eat Drink Laugh is perfect for larger groups thanks to its open dining room and cushy booths. The bottomless deal is only available every Saturday and will set you back $65 per person. For that you'll get your choice of meal from the special menu — from your full farmer's brekkie to salad bowls and brioche burgers — and a generous selection of drinks, including cocktail jugs. Mimosas, prosecco and red and white wine sangria will freshen up your first meal of the day.
31 BAR & EATERY, PONSONBY
How about some Indian-inspired fare to kick off your morning? Every Saturday from 11.30am, Ponsonby's 31 Bar & Eatery runs its dedicated bottomless service. For $59 per person you can have your pick of two meals from the food menu as well as bottomless beverages. That means the likes of channa chaat, tandoori nibbles, loaded fries and fried chicken wings. And throw out preconceived notions of early morning drops — here, your mimosas and prosecco are joined by tap beer and a cocktail of the day.
ELMO'S, PONSONBY
This charming Italian restaurant is dishing out bruschetta, woodfired pizzas and classic pastas every weekend, accompanied by free-flowing mimosas, sparkling, pilsner and Aperol spritzes. If you're really ready to commit to day drinking, there's even a breakfast martini with orange marmalade or three types of bloody marys with gin, vodka or tequila.
SWEAT SHOP BREW KITCHEN, FREEMANS BAY
If you want unlimited food as well as unlimited drinks, head to this laidback pub for its Bottomless Fried Chicken and Waffles event on select Saturdays. For $55, you'll be able to inhale as much fried chicken and waffles as you can stomach for two hours, washed down with beer and bubbles. Book in for either a 2pm or 3pm sitting and you'll be well placed to keep kicking into the evening.
In compliance with the Alcohol Act 2012, each venue reserves the right to stop serving diners if intoxicated. Guests will not be served more than one beverage at a time and all table members must take part in the bottomless package.