Auckland Restaurants Where You Can Dine at the Bar
Take a seat up front, whether you're dining solo or finally having that long-delayed catch-up.
Perching at the bar with a robust negroni, not sharing a parmesan-laden bowl of fresh cacio e pepe is a largely unpretentious dining experience that cuts to the core of hospitality. Perfect for solo dining or a delayed catch-up with your long-lost friend, this type of dining had been lacking in Auckland until recent years. Nowadays, Aucklanders aren't so intimidated with dining solo, sitting right in front of the chef, and foregoing a strong-backed seat for a humble stool. These restaurants and bars will let you pull up a pew in front of the action, and won't judge you on a table for one.
Image: Anna Kidman, Giraffe.
-
Restaurant
Cassia
90 Federal Street, Auckland
After sustaining significant flood damage earlier this year, Cassia reopened with a brand new menu but the same unbelievably high standard of contemporary Indian cuisine.
-
Bar
Liquid Butter - CLOSED
166 Jervois Road, Auckland
This boundary-pushing cocktail bar is an extension of Herne Bay's popular fine dining restaurant.
-
Restaurant
Hello Beasty
95-97 Customs Street West
This Asian-inspired newcomer is the debut solo effort from award-winning chef Stuart Rogan.
-
Restaurant
Dr Rudi's Rooftop Brewing Co.
Hobson Street, Auckland
If a sun-drenched rooftop bar and two lane bowling alley is what the doctor ordered.
-
Restaurant
The Culpeper - CLOSED
22 Princes Wharf
Globe-trotting comfort food in a holiday environment.
-
Restaurant
Woodpecker Hill - CLOSED
196 Parnell Rd, Parnell
An oriental smokehouse from the city's bastions of east-meets-west.
-
Restaurant
Odette's Eatery
Shed 5, City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley Street
Between the lively chat, the excellent dishes and plotting how to run away with all the tableware, we had a wonderful time.
-
Restaurant
Gusto at the Grand - CLOSED
90 Federal Street, Auckland
Gusto is a place to enjoy the finer things in life – good food, wine and company – with vigour.
-
Bar
Galbraith’s Alehouse
2 Mt Eden Road, Auckland
A pub’s pub with forward facing pub food and proper pints of frosty bliss.
-
Restaurant
The Blue Breeze Inn
Corner Of Ponsonby And Richmond Roads, Ponsonby
This is one restaurant that could really change your perception of Chinese cuisine.
-
Restaurant
Masu
90 Federal Street, Auckland
Contemporary Japanese restaurant Masu proves a culinary force to be reckoned with.
-
Restaurant
Mekong Baby
262 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
Just as the Mekong River traverses the borders of Southeast Asia, so does the menu of Ponsonby’s newest restaurant, Mekong Baby.
-
Bar
Bellota - CLOSED
91 Federal Street, Auckland
It seems to me Bellota is best enjoyed slowly, with good company and plenty of time to digest to make room for the churros.