The best family-friendly restaurants in Auckland

When there are a few bellies to feed, do you find it tricky to find a place that satisfies all tastes? Well, not on our watch. We’ve hand-picked some family faves that we know will have something for everyone.

Masu

MASU is a Japanese robata restaurant from well-known Kiwi chef, Nic Watt. Located in the heart of central Auckland's Federal dining precinct, at MASU you get dinner and a show, as you watch food being prepared before your eyes. MASU’s dishes are designed for sharing, which is ideal for family-style dining. You can select dishes from across the sushi bar, the kitchen and the robata grill. Back by popular demand, are the recently reintroduced bento boxes for young diners, which gives them a delicious selection of popular options, including karaage chicken, teriyaki salmon and vegetable tempura.

 

East

While East is best known for its plant-based menu, you don’t have to be vegetarian to enjoy their incredible range of dishes made with modern Asian flavours. East’s food philosophy is based around making better choices in how we eat, live and impact the environment. On the menu you’ll find inspiration from the near and far east, with vegetarian and vegan options so tasty that you won’t even miss meat. With large tables and a relaxed atmosphere, East is a family-friendly space to enjoy a lunch or dinner. Their yum cha option is also a fun way to try out different dishes and flavours in smaller servings.

 

Boda at Mövenpick Hotel

With a name like Mövenpick you might want to jump straight to the sweet stuff, but hear us out. Whether for lunch or dinner, Boda, the Mövenpick Hotel’s top-floor restaurant, will offer a main course that you won’t want to skip. Boda serves up a culinary feast which pays homage to traditional Korean flavours, enjoyed alongside stunning city and harbour views and a relaxed atmosphere. Kids will love some of the Korean-inspired snacks, including prawn crackers, prawn sausage roll and kimchi toastie. And that sweet treat you’re waiting for? Experience Boda’s iconic chocolate fondue with a view, served with an array of fruits and sweets to dip.

 

Lilyworld at Go Media Stadiums

Parents might be more familiar with this spot - the site of the iconic Lilyworld stage - from their Big Day Out days. Regale the kids with tales about how you were once young and hip, and show them you’ve still got the moves to prove it once the live entertainment kicks off at Lilyworld’s sun-drenched garden bar and eatery. They can avoid the cringe by disappearing to the playground or sandpit, play outdoor games or challenge each other to the 9-hole mini putt or a spin on the go karts. Enjoy a family meal (a kids’ menu is available, too) on a picnic table under the pohutukawa trees, where even the family pooch is welcome.

 

Sushi Train + Archie Brothers

Within Westfield Newmarket you’ll find a range of dining options to suit everyone’s cravings. K10 Sushi Train is a family favourite where fresh, artistic dishes and the dynamic movement of the sushi train make for an entertaining and interactive meal. Once you’re fueled up, head to Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq for some friendly family competition, from childhood classics to modern-day VR experiences, dodgem cars, carousels, tricky ticket games and more. Once you’re feeling peckish again, try a freakish Archie’s freakshake, or maybe one of the famously fun cocktails for the adults in charge.

 

The Heke

Take the Fullers360 ferry to Waiheke Island, just a 40-minute trip from Auckland, and head to The Heke for a laid-back family meal in a picturesque setting. Set on four acres, there is so much space to keep the kids entertained - including a giant inflatable jumping pillow, a fleet of Tonka trucks and beautiful gardens to explore - while you enjoy one of The Heke’s iconic tasting flights. Little bellies will find something to their liking on the kids’ menu, or The Heke’s wood-fired pizzas are also a popular choice for family lunch.

 

Sugar Café

Not surprisingly, Sugar Cafe at Chelsea Sugar Factory in Birkenhead on Auckland’s North Shore has an impressive cabinet of delectable sweet treats to choose from. But if you’re looking for something more substantial, their all-day dining menu will also hit the spot. An idyllic spot with views across the harbour to the city, there is space to play and explore outside, including picnic tables for customers and a playground for the young ones to burn off some energy. For extra entertainment (and inspiration) watch the patisserie chefs in action, or jump on the factory tour train, which will take you on a journey of discovery into how sugar is made with a visit to Chelsea Sugar’s sugar mountain.

 

Hallertau

Hallertau has really done parents a solid by fitting a pretty impressive playground into their Riverhead beer garden. Enjoy a few moments of peace in the sunshine while the kids play, or get cosy around the fire pit as you savour your pick from their selection of craft beers. Feast on fresh, local fare from the sharing or mains menu, or feed the crew with a couple of Hallertau’s renowned wood-fired pizzas. There is a kids’ menu with popular tummy fillers, which can be chased down by a build-your-own super sundae. On Saturdays and Sundays you’ll catch live music, so it’s a great place to gather and settle in with a few friends and their families, too.

 

Azabu Mission Bay

Located in the iconic stone building on Mission Bay’s beachfront, Azabu is a special spot with a menu to match. A surprising blend of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine comes together in fresh, inventive dishes. The set menu is a great way to taste a bit of everything, including sushi, sashimi and robata and kamado-style dishes. Conveniently just a stone’s throw from the Mission Bay playground, kids can work up an appetite before they chow down on their own bento box, sushi or kids’ hot plate, followed by a scoop of complimentary ice cream.

 

Prego

Iconic Ponsonby restaurant, Prego, is a popular spot for a hearty pasta dish or gourmet pizza. There is even a vegan menu on request offering impressive plant-based options. The outdoor courtyard is heated and a great space for a family meal; large umbrellas offer much-needed shade for sunny long-lunches. The kids’ appetites are well taken care of too with their own impressive menu to choose from and bonus scoop of ice cream with chocolate sauce for dessert.