Guidebook for our local area and wider Auckland

Lyle
Guidebook for our local area and wider Auckland

Food Scene

Our recommendations for food, coffee, drink and restaurants in the local area.
Best Cafe food in the area - ideal for Lunch and Breakfast. Awesome coffee & overall service.
12 locals raden deze aan
Urban Soul Cafe
652 Great South Rd
12 locals raden deze aan
Best Cafe food in the area - ideal for Lunch and Breakfast. Awesome coffee & overall service.
Awesome Indian food with $12 Meals - Mon / Tues /Wed nights.
Mehfil Indian Restaurant Botany
302 Te Irirangi Dr
Awesome Indian food with $12 Meals - Mon / Tues /Wed nights.
The best hidden gem in the area. Not very big but the best Indian food around at great prices
The Indian Kitchen Restaurant and Takeaways
The best hidden gem in the area. Not very big but the best Indian food around at great prices
One of two best Thai Restaurants in the local area to go to with great service. Awesome service and authentic.
Thai Flame
333 Ti Rakau Dr
One of two best Thai Restaurants in the local area to go to with great service. Awesome service and authentic.
This is a magic place to have dinner in the summer! Right by the harbour and marina it has views out to Auckland Harbour. It is situated next to the ferry terminal which goes direct to downtown Auckland. Fantastic seafood dishes and great bar area.
16 locals raden deze aan
Grangers
1 Ara-Tai Rd
16 locals raden deze aan
This is a magic place to have dinner in the summer! Right by the harbour and marina it has views out to Auckland Harbour. It is situated next to the ferry terminal which goes direct to downtown Auckland. Fantastic seafood dishes and great bar area.
Close and one of two best Thai restaurants in the local area. Healthy and delicious and they do take out.
Spices Thai Restaurant
123 Ormiston Rd
Close and one of two best Thai restaurants in the local area. Healthy and delicious and they do take out.
A good local cafe with good coffee. Eat in or take out. Very popular NZ chain of coffee shops.
9 locals raden deze aan
The Coffee Club
277 Te Irirangi Dr
9 locals raden deze aan
A good local cafe with good coffee. Eat in or take out. Very popular NZ chain of coffee shops.
The best Pizza around no question
Hell Pizza Ormiston
142 Stancombe Rd
The best Pizza around no question

Shopping

These are the best places to go for general shopping in Auckland.
Best local supermarket and cheapest
18 locals raden deze aan
PAK'nSAVE Ormiston
1 Bellingham Rd
18 locals raden deze aan
Best local supermarket and cheapest
A good large general shopping centre with all the conveniences - banks, supermarket, and general fashion. Next to the Manukau Bus Station and the Manukau Train Station.
66 locals raden deze aan
Westfield Manukau City
1 Leyton Way
66 locals raden deze aan
A good large general shopping centre with all the conveniences - banks, supermarket, and general fashion. Next to the Manukau Bus Station and the Manukau Train Station.
One of the best Malls in Auckland /NZ with international brands and over 1km long
236 locals raden deze aan
Winkelcentrum Sylvia Park
286 Mount Wellington Hwy
236 locals raden deze aan
One of the best Malls in Auckland /NZ with international brands and over 1km long
The best local shopping centre close by with over 150 stores including H&M and a number of discount big box retailers and international clothing brands
43 locals raden deze aan
Botany Town Centre
588 Chapel Rd
43 locals raden deze aan
The best local shopping centre close by with over 150 stores including H&M and a number of discount big box retailers and international clothing brands

Drinks & Nightlife

These are the best local places to drink and relax for a nice time out and great atmosphere.
Best local restaurant and bar
18 locals raden deze aan
Goode Brothers
588 Chapel Rd
18 locals raden deze aan
Best local restaurant and bar
Pay homage to one of the original Monteith's bars in Auckland at Basalt, the gem of Howick Village. Plant yourself on a sun-drenched corner at the rooftop bar, overlooking the water with your favourite people, beers, and bites. A 15-20min drive from our accommodation
16 locals raden deze aan
Basalt
127 Picton St
16 locals raden deze aan
Pay homage to one of the original Monteith's bars in Auckland at Basalt, the gem of Howick Village. Plant yourself on a sun-drenched corner at the rooftop bar, overlooking the water with your favourite people, beers, and bites. A 15-20min drive from our accommodation
Great local pub with great wines, beer and food
The Botany Commons
29 Town Centre Dr
Great local pub with great wines, beer and food

For that Something Special

Here is where to go for that special night in Auckland
Awarded Two Hats in the 2018 Cuisine Good Food Awards, The Sugar Club kitchen focuses on flavours and texture, whilst the dining room and bar are an experiential destination with breath-taking views of Auckland City and the Hauraki Gulf. The Sugar Club, sits 53 floors above Auckland City at the top of the Sky Tower. The menu champions seasonality, combining the best in local sustainably sourced produce with the boldest flavours from around the world. We call it 'Fusion Cuisine'
24 locals raden deze aan
The Sugar Club
Victoria Street West
24 locals raden deze aan
Awarded Two Hats in the 2018 Cuisine Good Food Awards, The Sugar Club kitchen focuses on flavours and texture, whilst the dining room and bar are an experiential destination with breath-taking views of Auckland City and the Hauraki Gulf. The Sugar Club, sits 53 floors above Auckland City at the top of the Sky Tower. The menu champions seasonality, combining the best in local sustainably sourced produce with the boldest flavours from around the world. We call it 'Fusion Cuisine'
This is right in the heart of the city on the Viaduct Harbour - Beef, Lamb and Seafood at its best. Amazing location and great service.
11 locals raden deze aan
Oyster and Chop
Market Place
11 locals raden deze aan
This is right in the heart of the city on the Viaduct Harbour - Beef, Lamb and Seafood at its best. Amazing location and great service.
The place for Lunch on Waiheke Island. Spectacular views of Auckland across the harbour. 35 mins on the ferry from downtown Auckland. Great foods and wine.
86 locals raden deze aan
Mudbrick Restaurant en Wijngaard
126 Church Bay Rd
86 locals raden deze aan
The place for Lunch on Waiheke Island. Spectacular views of Auckland across the harbour. 35 mins on the ferry from downtown Auckland. Great foods and wine.
Welcome to modern Chinese with an island breeze. The Blue Breeze Inn serves up the sensational flavours of regional China in the lush, laid-back surrounds of a Pacific Island paradise. They are also home to NZ’s premiere rum and cocktail bar: The Rum Jungle. Enjoy an island holiday with a cutting-edge chef, right in the heart of Auckland’s Ponsonby Road.
73 locals raden deze aan
The Blue Breeze Inn
73 locals raden deze aan
Welcome to modern Chinese with an island breeze. The Blue Breeze Inn serves up the sensational flavours of regional China in the lush, laid-back surrounds of a Pacific Island paradise. They are also home to NZ’s premiere rum and cocktail bar: The Rum Jungle. Enjoy an island holiday with a cutting-edge chef, right in the heart of Auckland’s Ponsonby Road.
Amazing Asian Fusion restaurant with outstanding food and service
50 locals raden deze aan
Mekong Baby
262 Ponsonby Rd
50 locals raden deze aan
Amazing Asian Fusion restaurant with outstanding food and service

NZ Souvenir Stores

The best place to buy those really nice NZ gifts
Quality giftware, kiwiana homeware, clothing, local art, souvenirs & NZ Made products you will cherish and remember for years to come. The store caters for travellers from overseas looking for mementos to take home that are a reminder of their stay in Aotearoa, or gifts for friends and family with a particular New Zealand flavour. Their gift and souvenirs range is diverse and promotes New Zealand and our way of life. It is good quality.
New Zealand The Gift - Sylvia Park
286 Mount Wellington Hwy
Quality giftware, kiwiana homeware, clothing, local art, souvenirs & NZ Made products you will cherish and remember for years to come. The store caters for travellers from overseas looking for mementos to take home that are a reminder of their stay in Aotearoa, or gifts for friends and family with a particular New Zealand flavour. Their gift and souvenirs range is diverse and promotes New Zealand and our way of life. It is good quality.
I am a little intrigued by this souvenir shop - it's off the beaten track down one of the lanes in Parnell but it's a gem. Its a really good gift shop. It's pretty big inside, so big that I am surprised they didn't call it 'The Tardis' instead of the Elephant. In fact, what does elephants have to do with Kiwi gifts? Anyway, confusion aside it's well worth paying a visit to this place as they have great selection of gifts. Not just the usual cliched paua shells, they have a whole raft of other stuff as well. I reckon this place is probably the best souvenir shop in Auckland.
The Fantail House (formerly The Elephant House)
237 Parnell Rd
I am a little intrigued by this souvenir shop - it's off the beaten track down one of the lanes in Parnell but it's a gem. Its a really good gift shop. It's pretty big inside, so big that I am surprised they didn't call it 'The Tardis' instead of the Elephant. In fact, what does elephants have to do with Kiwi gifts? Anyway, confusion aside it's well worth paying a visit to this place as they have great selection of gifts. Not just the usual cliched paua shells, they have a whole raft of other stuff as well. I reckon this place is probably the best souvenir shop in Auckland.

Sightseeing

Only a 10 minute drive from us. It is worth time to visit if you are wanting a relaxing hour or two. Great Cafe on site
Botanical Gardens Off Leash Area
Auckland Southern Motorway
Only a 10 minute drive from us. It is worth time to visit if you are wanting a relaxing hour or two. Great Cafe on site
Best views of Auckland and the city. You can drive half way to the top. View the volcanic crater.
154 locals raden deze aan
Mount Eden
154 locals raden deze aan
Best views of Auckland and the city. You can drive half way to the top. View the volcanic crater.
The must visit in Auckland - Outstanding views and in a great location.
597 locals raden deze aan
Sky Tower
Victoria Street West
597 locals raden deze aan
The must visit in Auckland - Outstanding views and in a great location.
One of the key art and cultural centres in Auckland and where there is some amazing Vineyards. ( the lunches are delicious - see Mudbrick Vineyard recommendation) Worth the ferry ride and good pics for your Instagram.
407 locals raden deze aan
Waiheke-eiland
25 Karaka Rd
407 locals raden deze aan
One of the key art and cultural centres in Auckland and where there is some amazing Vineyards. ( the lunches are delicious - see Mudbrick Vineyard recommendation) Worth the ferry ride and good pics for your Instagram.
Great local market place for fresh produce
pine harbour FRESH MARKET - mini market
242 Jack Lachlan Dr
Great local market place for fresh produce