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.
HERO SANDWICH HOUSE, AUCKLAND CBD
Much-loved sandwich shop Hero has opened another outpost in the central city to sling its New York/Italian-style sandwiches and melts. You'll find the new sammie spot at 42 Airedale Street inside the shared work/gallery space The Tuesday Club. Hero's trusty lineup — from the balsamic-glazed mushroom to Philly cheese and tuna melt — can all be found on the menu, as well as newly created additions like the beef brisket sausage roll and cheeseburger pie. Those looking to pick up a new skill can also sign up for knife making or welding as part of the onsite workshops. It's open Monday to Friday from 7.30am until sold out.
ROBINSON'S DELI AND FOOD STORE, GREY LYNN
Grey Lynn is slowly becoming the vegan capital of the inner suburbs. First came the pies and doughnuts of Tart Bakery, then the plant-based burgers of Wise Boys, and now, an all-vegan delicatessen has opened for business in the same block. Robinson's Deli and Food Store rounds up the best local vegan producers and gourmet imported goods and serves as a location where dedicated herbivores no longer have to read product labels like a hawk. Beyond the bulk foods you'll find fresh vegan deli meats, a selection of plant-based cheeses, vegan popcorn, kombucha, fair trade chocolate, hemp smoothies and organic aquafaba meringues.
SUMTHIN DUMPLIN X THE MIDNIGHT GARDENER, PONSONBY
Sumthin Dumplin first popped up in the heart of the city on O'Connell Street. A dumpling hut on Wellesley Street soon followed, and now the eatery has landed in Ponsonby with its own beer garden. Found on the former site of Ponsonby Road Garden Centre beside the Nood retail store at 252 Ponsonby Road, the new opening serves up all of Sumthin Dumplin's Shanghai-style morsels — pick up the failsafe combo of pork and cabbage or the delicious beef and cheese dumplings. From Auckland hospo veterans Phil Clark and Luke Dallow comes the Midnight Gardener, an accompanying garden bar serving up ice-cold Asahi and intercontinental wines to wash it all down.
OCKHEE, PONSONBY
This newcomer can be found at 171 Ponsonby Road next to The Gyoyza Bar. Two years in the making, Ockhee is a small 30-seat restaurant serving up Korean soul food. The lunch menu features one-bowl rice dishes like bibimbap and dubbap, while dinner serves up modern takes on jeon gol Korean-style hot pot, japchae noodles and slow-cooked bo-ssam pork. No matter the time of day, you can round off your meal with sweet and spicy fried chicken and pickled radish wraps. The drinks list is concise, offering a Korean take on the negroni, plus two variations of house-blend soju, plum wine and beer.