Five New Auckland Openings to Check Out This Week

It's been a busy week for the Auckland hospitality biz with openings popping up left, right and centre — though mostly along the Viaduct Harbour. Just as The Lion's and the red and white army descend on the city, the popular tourist waterfront location welcomes three new eateries, spanning Pacific-inspired cuisine, wood-fired everything and craft beer. Elsewhere, you'll find a sandwich shop offering Italian-style sangas in Kingsland and a contemporary Indian eatery on Federal Street.

THE NIGHTINGALE

The Viaduct's new waterfront opening The Nighingale is here to satiate our cravings for beer, melted cheese and live entertainment. From the former owners of Cassette Nine and Queenstown's World Bar comes new pop-up. The will only be around for a limited run while The Original is rebranded. There are nine craft and mainstream beers on tap and a menu rounded up as "gourmet comfort food". Drinking accompaniments include: two kinds of charcuterie platters, a fried chicken burger and Tabasco brined oyster po boy, chicken and waffles, truffle mac 'n' cheese, and bone marrow brulee.

Find The Nightingale at 204 Quay St, Viaduct Harbour.

THE LULA INN

The Lula Inn arrives at 149 Quay Street following the closure of The Crew Club. The new opening from the Barworks crowd intends to celebrate New Zealand's Pacific heritage with 'playful Kiwi cuisine' like Fijian fish kokoda, tuna confit, six kinds of pizza, lamb shoulder, ricotta dumplings, and a nostalgic chicken snitty. Also serving as something of a gin sanctuary, Lula's offers 40 boutique and mainstream varieties from Australasia, Britain, and the US. The venue also moonlights as an entertainment venue from Thursday to Saturday, with soul and funk night Live at Lula's filling the space.

Find The Lula Inn at 149 Quay Street, Viaduct Harbour.

1947 EATERY

1947 is the new Indian joint in town, offering delicate yet delicious vendor snacks from the bustling streets of Mumbai and dum biriyanis from the palaces of Nizam. The new eatery is not only a lesson for your tastebuds but also for your mind. Pull up a pew and learn all about the year of India's independence — from the quirky newspaper printed menus to the golden water chalices, the distinctive diner will transport you back to 1947. Celebrate the birth of India's freedom by ordering a six-hour lamb shank or traditional tandoori chicken.

Find 1947 Eatery at 60 Federal Street, CBD.

HEADQUARTERS

The Viaduct's HeadQuarters tips its hat to simpler times when cooking was executed with a roaring flame. The chefs here go as far as chucking produce straight on the coals and using the heat of alcohol-assisted flames to finish off dishes, creating beautiful smoky flavours. While enjoying the harbour views, sit back and sample things like a wood roasted pulled pork sandwich with burnt apple purée, and wood roasted pineapple with a white chocolate brownie.

Find HeadQuarters at 115 Customs Street West, Viaduct Harbour.

HERO SANDWICH HOUSE

Eden Terrace sandwich house Hero has one simple goal: to make the perfect sambo. Owners Huri Neill and Matt Stewart intend to reach that destination with their take on New York/Italian-style hero sandwiches. There are currently seven menu items on offer, including The Dick: a combination of pork larb, pickled cabbage, peanuts, sprouts and siracha mayo, The Don: the simple yet comforting marriage of grilled cheese and truffle, and The Barry: a breakfast brioche with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheddar, and basil mayo.

Find Hero Sandwich House at 66 New North Road, Eden Terrace.