Eating in Auckland

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• The Viaduct Harbour provides upmarket dining, starting at $30 for mains.
• Deve Bar & Brasserie, 460 New North Road, Kingsland, www.menus.co.nz/deve/index.php?RID=213. Has top-notch beef & lamb amongst others. A relaxed place, and the neighbourhood has other good restaurants, cafes and a couple of bars.
• Saika Japanese Takeaway, Elliott St, www.menumania.co.nz/restaurants/saika-japanese-restaurant. 10AM-9PM (closed on national holidays). Common Japanese food. Gyudon, Katsudon, Chicken-don etc. Japanese-speaking staff available. Meals from $8.
• Japanese Cuisine Bien, 55-65 Shortland St. Lunch M-F 11AM-3PM; dinner Tu-Sa 6-10PM. Sushi, teriyaki chicken rice bowl, eel, etc.

Meat pies are a popular New Zealand dish

• South Vietnam Restaurant, 39 Elliott St. Lunch: M-F 11AM-3PM, Su 11AM-10PM, closed on Saturdays. Dinner: Tu-Sa 5:30-10PM, closed on Mondays and national holidays. Lunch from $6.50, dinner from $12.
• Valentine's Restaurant. Traditional buffet restaurants in many locations around Auckland.
• New Orient Restaurant, Strand Arcade, Queen St. Chinese restaurant. A la carte or buffet options.
• Hare Krishna Food For Life, 286 Karangahape Rd. $5 vegetarian dinner.
• Korean Pancakes, High St opposite the New Gallery. $2.
• Finale Restaurant and Cabaret, 350 Karangahape Road, +64 (09) 377 4820. Buffet meal and drag cabaret shows.
• Ariake Japanese Restaurant, corner Albert & Quay Streets, +64 (09) 379 2377. Lunch: M-Sa noon-2PM; dinner: M-Sa 6-10PM (9:30PM last order); closed on Su & public holidays. Cheap ($12) lunch specials. Serving most Japanese dishes, but no teppanyaki.
• Sushi Bento, Parnell Village, Parnell Rd.
• Burger Fuel, Parnell Rd and Dominion Rd (Mt Eden). Delicious gourmet burgers.
• Mezze Bar, Little High St Arcade. Serves tapas and other dishes. Often busy but worth the wait.
• Al Volo Pizzeria, 27 Mt Eden Road, ☎ +64 (09) 302 2500, www.alvolo.co.nz. 5-9:30PM, til 10:30 Fri and Sat, Closed Mondays. Limited seating, but you can order from the Corner Bar across the street. No delivery. $15-25.
• Mexicali Fresh, Prince's Wharf, ☎ +64 09 307-2419, www.mexicalifresh.co.nz. 11AM-10PM. Fast, fresh & healthy Mexican food on Auckland's waterfront $13.50.
• The SKYCITY entertainment complex, cr Federal & Victoria Streets, has a dozen restaurants for all tastes and budgets, www.skycityauckland.co.nz/Restaurants/Welcome.html including the authentic Spanish Tapas bar Bellota, wwww.bellota.co.nz, the fine dining dine by Peter Gordon, www.skycityauckland.co.nz/Restaurants/dine.html and the revolving restaurant Orbit, www.skycityauckland.co.nz/Restaurants/Orbit.html.

For kosher food, the Auckland Jewish Community Centre, which includes the Auckland Hebrew Congregation, has a kosher shop located on Greys Avenue, Auckland CBD (right next door to the Duxton Hotel) and is open every day except Mondays, Saturdays and Jewish festivals. It includes a large range of kosher products.

There are some good cheap food courts (food halls) offering a variety of usually Asian foods. For downtown food halls, try next to the Queens' Arcade at the bottom of Queen St (slightly hidden entrance), or the Metro award winning one at the bottom of Albert St. The Ponsonby International food court www.ponsonbyfoodcourt.co.nz has the cheapest eats in this somewhat pricey neighbourhood with the Mexican stall a standout among the Asian stalls.

• Nishiki, Robata-Yaki Bar, 100 Wellington Street, ☎ +64 (0)9 376 7104, www.nishiki.co.nz. 6p-11p, closed on Mondays. Great Japanese restaurant. Requires reservation for all days of the week. Great value for money! $10-25. (36°51'8.48S,174°45'5.19E)
• The Dominion, 234 Dominion Rd, (corner of Dominion and Valley Roads), Mt Eden, ☎ +64 9 623 2121, www.dominionbar.co.nz. Bar, restaurant, and cocktail bar. Handy to Eden Park. (-36.875789,174.751489)
• Blue Bird Vegetarian Cafe, 299 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, ☎ +64 9 6234900, www.thebluebird.co.nz. Vegetarian cafe located in the Valley Rd shops. Along with the usual cakes and coffees, they serve tasty bowls with a either rice, potato or kumara, and a selection of toppings. www.thebluebird.co.nz/menu $7 - $15.