Dominion Road

Welcome to Auckland’s melting pot of cafés, restaurants and hidden culinary gems, all crammed along a long, historic street. Dominion Road is a major thoroughfare, cutting across the city from Mt Roskill to Eden Terrace, leaving a trail best experienced by sipping, slurping and savouring.  

In the early 1900s, Dominion Road was one of the few streets with an electric tram running along it. The surrounding population rapidly increased; meanwhile, clever entrepreneurs set up storefronts around tram stops to attract passersby.  

Let spontaneity and smells lead the way just south of the intersection of Balmoral and Dominion Roads, where you’ll find a dense cluster of restaurants. Heat things up with spicy Sichuan dishes, build-your-own hot pots or a generous portion of Chinese-style dumplings. Dominion Road is famed for its diverse selection of Asian cuisine, ranging from Japanese yakitori to Shanghai fare.  

Towards Eden Terrace, don't miss one of Auckland’s iconic outposts for authentic Sichuan cuisine – Mt Eden Noodles. You can also sink into an American-inspired burger at Ralph’s Bar & Eatery, another time-tested classic. Fancy a cocktail or beer? Duck into one of the cosy wine bars and lively pubs along Dominion Road, like The Bridgman or Churly’s Brewpub & Eatery.  

Catch a flick at The Capitol, a single-screen arthouse cinema that has preserved its old-school charm since it first opened in 1922.  

Burn off some energy at Potter’s Park on the corner of Balmoral and Dominion Roads. It boasts an epic playground, basketball courts and even a splash pad. Keen for some cycling? Pedal through the streets, along reserves and in surrounding suburbs on the easy 60-minute Dominion Road Loop Path.  

For those who love a treasure hunt, sift through pre-loved collections of crystal, artwork and furniture at several antique and consignment shops. Among them, Antique Alley has been trading for more than 40 years.