15 unique foodie experiences to try in Auckland

If food is your love language, prepare to fall head over heels for Auckland’s culinary scene. Influenced by its rich cultural diversity, the city offers a delicious mix of experiences to fill your cup (and your belly). 

Here are 15 must-try foodie experiences in Auckland to leave your taste buds satisfied.

1. Northern Explorer Scenic Plus Dining Experience with Great Journeys New Zealand

Take your senses on a journey aboard the Northern Explorer Scenic Plus. This premium, all-inclusive train experience offers a carefully curated menu showcasing fresh ingredients from the fields and farms you pass along the way, all while you soak in breathtaking landscapes from Auckland to Wellington.

While the menu shifts with the seasons, you can expect to start your day with fresh fruit, or a frittata packed with locally-grown veggies. As you pass through farmland, enjoy some of the country’s best lamb, perfectly cooked and paired with quinoa and tzatziki. And later, as the Kāpiti Coast appears before you, enjoy Kapiti cheeses and a glass of Wairarapa’s finest Pinot Noir.

If you’re looking for a comfortable way to explore the North Island, this is it.

2. Taste Auckland Food Tour with Aucky Walky Tours

Eat your way through Auckland’s culinary hotspots with Aucky Walky’s Taste Auckland tour. This guided experience takes you through some of the city's best-kept foodie secrets, from artisan delis to buzzing food markets.

The tour route and eateries vary between tours to keep the experience fresh, but you can be assured that you’ll have a chance to taste local favourites like fresh seafood, lamb and Pacific-inspired dishes.

It’s the perfect way to sample Auckland’s diverse flavours while learning the stories and histories behind locations and landmarks.

3. The Big Foody Food Tours

Designed for serious food lovers, The Big Foody Food Tours offer immersive tastings with local producers and restaurateurs, while showcasing city highlights along the way. They have three Auckland tours to choose from: The Tastebud Tour, which takes you on a four-hour urban food safari, A Place at Our Table, where you can indulge in local wine and a classic Kiwi barbecue with a group of locals, and the Flavours of Our City tour, tasking some of the city’s most mouthwatering artisan dishes.

A Place at Our Table is a popular choice, offering a homely experience at Vineyard Cottages. Chat over cheeses and homemade chutneys. Then, after a classic Kiwi dinner with flame-grilled meats and salad, you’ll have the chance to see for yourself while Vineyard Cottages’ pavlova is considered one of the best!

4. Ananda Tours Half-Day Scenic Wine and Lunch

Did you know Auckland has a whole island which is basically a foodie paradise? Catch the Fullers360 ferry from downtown Auckland ferry terminal and head over to Waiheke Island, home to over 30 premium wineries and cellar doors.

With Ananda Tours’ half day tour, you’ll visit two boutique vineyards for tastings and a platter-style lunch, taking in stunning scenery of the island while you indulge in beautiful fresh breads, cheeses, spreads and more.

5. Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise with Explore Group

Want to earn some brownie points for adding a bit of romance to your Auckland escape? Combine fine dining with spectacular waterfront views on the Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise. Set sail at sunset and indulge in a three-course meal while gliding past the city skyline.

Start with drinks and canapes, which include their exceptional 16-hour braised brisket with Māori fry bread and iconic Kiwi Bruschetta with Marmite caramelised onions, before settling in for your main course. 

6. SkyCity dining experiences

SkyCity is home to some of Auckland’s most iconic restaurants and bars, offering everything from fine dining to casual bites. For those seeking fresh and exciting flavours, MASU by Nic Watt serves up an unforgettable Japanese robata dining experience.

Depot Eatery, led by the celebrated Al Brown, delivers rustic yet refined dishes that highlight New Zealand’s finest seafood and local produce. Their snapper sliders are a popular go-to, alongside a few oysters from the raw bar.

Meanwhile, Cassia, the acclaimed modern Indian restaurant by chef Sid Sahrawat, puts an innovative twist on traditional Indian cuisine, offering bold flavours in exquisite dishes. The roasted cauliflower korma and stirfry paneer are two to add to your order.

If modern Chinese cuisine is what you’re after, Huami presents a menu rich in handcrafted dim sum, succulent Peking duck, and specialty dishes made with premium ingredients.

Metita, one of SkyCity’s newest offerings, showcases a vibrant fusion of Pacific and European flavours, celebrating Auckland’s cultural diversity through its beautifully crafted dishes.

And for lovers of quality steak and seafood, The Grill provides a premium dining experience with an extensive wine list to match.

Of special note is Orbit 360, New Zealand’s only rotating restaurant, offering 360-degree views of Auckland, the stunning Waitematā Harbour and surrounding islands from the top of the Sky Tower for a truly unique dining experience. There's a local flavour to the menu, with Akaroa salmon, Hawke’s Bay lamb and pasture-fed Angus beef fillet, all paired with delicious locally sourced sides. It’ll be hard to make a choice!

7. Dans le Noir?

Step outside your comfort zone with a unique sensory dining experience at Dans le Noir? within Grand Millennium Auckland. You’ll enjoy a surprise menu in complete darkness, which will heighten your other senses and transform a gourmet dinner into an unforgettable meal.

We can’t share too much about the menu as figuring it out is half the fun, but the dishes are designed with different textures, temperatures and flavours to inspire curiosity about taste and aromas.

What’s more, you’ll be guided by blind or visually impaired waitstaff as you explore and appreciate food from a completely new perspective.

8. Giapo

If you love to finish off a meal on a sweet note, head to Giapo, where ice cream is reimagined and served up like you’ve never seen it before.

Think towering cones, unexpected flavour combinations, and Instagram-worthy creations - often topped with chocolate adornments or freshly baked treats - that redefine the possibilities of your favourite frozen dessert.

Their World Famous Hokey Pokey is a scoop you can’t go past, or try Cher’s dark chocolate, the famous singer’s pick when she visited the most popular ice cream parlour in town. 

9. Caluzzi Bar & Cabaret

Enjoy dinner with a generous side of glitter and sass. This legendary drag cabaret show on Karangahape Road delivers an evening of outrageous performances, hilarious banter and high-energy fun, all while you enjoy a delicious set menu served by the fabulous performers themselves.

Take your pick of succulent roast chicken breast, slow cooked lamb or a gently spiced vegan green curry, followed by a fabulous Caluzzi cupcake.

Don’t be surprised if you are serenaded or pulled up for a dance, but even if you’re simply a spectator, you’re guaranteed to be dazzled and leave with sore cheeks from an evening of laughter.

10. 269 Parnell

A lively culinary hub in the heart of Parnell, 269 Parnell brings together a variety of Latin-inspired food vendors for a Saturday market, serving up everything from authentic street tacos to sizzling paella.

The smell of Mayu’s Peruvian roasted chicken will draw you in or try the perfectly fluffy falafel in fresh pita bread from Aula’s Kitchen.

With a spirited atmosphere, live music, and a welcoming communal vibe, 269 Parnell is the perfect place to gather with friends and soak up the festive energy of Auckland’s diverse food scene.

11. Main Course cooking class

Half the fun of great food is making it! Main Course offers hands-on cooking classes led by expert chefs, perfect for honing your culinary skills while having a laugh alongside friends or family.

With interactive classes catering to all skill levels, it’s a great idea for beginners looking to master the basics, or equally ideal for experienced home cooks wanting to refine their technique.

From pasta-making to artisan bread and specialty international cuisine, every class is engaging, entertaining and, most importantly, delicious.

12. ‘Chef’s Table’ Dining Experiences

For the ultimate behind-the-scenes dining adventure, book a ‘Chef’s Table’ experience at one of Auckland’s top restaurants.

Sidart in Ponsonby offers an intimate multi-course experience. You’ll begin with a glass of bubbles on arrival, then be treated to a closer view of the kitchen in a private area of the restaurant as you’re guided by the chefs through seven exquisite dishes from their popular set menu. Work your way through exquisite dishes like steamed market fish, lamb rump with coconut, and perfectly cooked Wagyu beef with wild mushroom.

For another special meal, make a reservation to experience Samoan fine dining at Tala in Parnell. Awarded Two Hats and named New Restaurant of the Year at the Cuisine Good Food Awards 2024, Tala is redefining Pacific cuisine with a contemporary take on traditional Samoan dishes and The Chef’s Journey will give you a taste of all the menu’s highlights.

Using traditional flavours and ingredients of chef Henry Onesemo’s homeland, combined with modern techniques, this restaurant delivers an elevated yet deeply authentic dining experience. Experience his take on Palusami (sweet corned beef), Sapasui (Samoan chop suey), sticky pork and many more mouthwatering bites that will transport you straight to the Pacific.

13. Matakana Village Mystery Picnic

Add some mystery to your self-drive trip to Matakana with a foodie scavenger hunt; it’s a fun way to discover local eateries and makers.

You’ll start your adventure in Warkworth where you’ll receive a map and clues, as well as the basics for your picnic. You’ll then follow the clues to explore the Matakana Village and coast while collecting the rest of the items along the way, before finishing up with a picture-perfect picnic surrounded by nature!

It wouldn’t be much of a mystery if we gave away the contents of your basket, but you can trust that you’ll be enjoying some of the Matakana Coast’s most popular artisan treats, harvested, roasted, pressed, fermented, distilled or baked right here in the region.

14. Tūāpae Vineyard

Nestled on the sunny slopes of Waiheke Island, Tūāpae Vineyard is a special place to experience the spirit of manaakitanga (hospitality).

As one of Auckland’s Treasured Māori experiences, this boutique vineyard offers more than just a tasting, it’s an experience that immerses you in the beauty, flavours, and craftsmanship of one of Auckland’s finest wine regions.

Visits are by booking only, where you can enjoy tastings of exquisite handcrafted wines, including their Bordeaux Blend and beautiful rose, and a light sharing platter in a breathtaking setting. 

15. Bracu Restaurant

Escape to the countryside at picturesque Bracu Restaurant, nestled within Bracu Estate’s olive groves in the sunlit Bombay hills. Enjoy a seasonal Mediterranean-inspired menu that embraces locally sourced produce and estate-grown ingredients while dining among the olive trees.

While you’re perusing the menu for your main dish, enjoy fresh and warm housemade sourdough paired with their award-winning olive oil and olives to kick things off.

Take a taste of the Med home with you with a bottle of Bracu’s own olive oil, harvested and pressed fresh from the estate.

Take your foodie adventures further

For more must-try bites, check out Auckland’s Iconic Eats, a collection of the city's most beloved dishes and dining spots. Nominated by locals, you can’t go wrong with these highly recommended picks!