The best spots to eat with a view in Auckland

There’s something special about dining with a view, whether it’s overlooking the sparkling Waitematā Harbour, soaking in the lush greenery, or gazing out over the city skyline.

Auckland’s diverse landscapes offer an impressive selection of eateries where you can savour great food while taking in breathtaking surroundings.

So, grab a seat with a view and savour the best of what the city has to offer.

Seaside & harbour views

FISH Restaurant

Perched on Princes Wharf, this upscale eatery within Hilton Auckland offers sweeping views of the harbour, best enjoyed with their fresh seafood selection. The refined menu is inspired by local ingredients, featuring sustainably sourced fish and seasonal produce. With floor-to-ceiling windows and a stylish interior, FISH delivers a premium dining experience that perfectly complements its stunning waterfront location.

Rooftop at QT

Sitting above the city skyline on QT Auckland’s top floor, you’ll take in panoramic views of the Waitematā Harbour, while sharing a mezze platter with friends or indulging in oysters, kingfish crudo, crispy pork belly skewers and more from their menu. With its sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for watching the city lights come alive at dusk.

Harbour Society

Atop the luxurious SO/ Auckland, Harbour Society offers incredible views of the water, alongside a menu designed for sharing. With a focus on premium, locally sourced ingredients, this contemporary restaurant delivers a grill-centric experience with a distinct New Zealand twist. Indulge in expertly prepared dishes like Japanese Wagyu or ribeye on the bone, or start with fire-grilled tua tua clams for a uniquely Kiwi flavour. 

Riverhead Tavern

One of New Zealand’s oldest riverside taverns, this bar and eatery blends history and hospitality with beautiful water views. On the banks of the upper Waitematā Harbour, this venue boasts three-in-one, with The Landing, an a la carte restaurant, The Portage Bar, a classic Kiwi neighbourhood bar, and The Boat House wedding and function centre. Enjoy your meal on The Landing Restaurant ‘s spacious outdoor deck, offering a relaxed and scenic setting to enjoy premium pub fare.

Cityscape views

Bestie Café

Nestled within St Kevin's Arcade on Auckland’s eclectic Karangahape Road, and overlooking Myers Park, this trendy café is perfect for brunch lovers seeking a unique city view. Myers Park provides a picturesque pedestrian connection between Aotea Square and Karangahape Road, and features huge Morton Bay Fig trees and an avenue of palms. With a focus on quality coffee and delicious bites for breakfast, Bestie offers a laid-back yet stylish spot to start the day while admiring this green urban oasis.

Orbit 360

For perhaps the best views of the city, you can’t top Orbit 360 at SkyCity, which offers a revolving perspective of Auckland’s breathtaking cityscape from 186 metres above street level. As you enjoy a meal from their contemporary New Zealand-inspired menu, the restaurant slowly rotates 360°, once per hour, giving you uninterrupted panoramic views of the city, harbour and beyond.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki Cafe

Set above picturesque Albert Park and overlooking Kitchener Street, the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki cafe is an underrated inner-city retreat. It’s a bright, relaxed spot to enjoy a coffee, contemplate and gaze out across the park, where the leafy surrounds shift between the seasons, depending on the time of year you visit.

Nature & park views

Cornwall Park Bistro

Cornwall Park, a 425-acre urban park in the heart of Epsom, is an Auckland institution for exercising, leisurely strolls, picnics and connecting with nature. Plus, once you’ve explored the farmland, tree-lined avenues and climbed the impressive Maungakiekie One Tree Hill, it’ll be time for a post-walk treat.

Autumn and spring are particularly pretty times to visit when the park’s eatery offers a cosy refuge. Try their high tea and enjoy a cuppa and baked treats while gazing out at the colourful view, or admire the park’s beauty with a glass of wine on the patio.

Wintergarden Café

Located near Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum within the Pukekawa Auckland Domain, this charming café is surrounded by lush greenery, a picturesque duck pond and is adjacent to the historic Wintergarden glasshouses filled with seasonal blooms. It’s beautiful all year round, with each season bringing changing colours and shifting views, making it a peaceful place to sip a coffee, enjoy fresh scones or a light lunch.

Cafe Miko

This sunny cafe is a lesser-known gem in South Auckland’s Botanic Gardens, with outdoor seating overlooking vibrant flower beds and expansive lawns. Offering simple yet delicious fare, it’s a great stop after wandering through the garden’s themed collections. You can even order one of Cafe Miko’s picnic boxes to take out and enjoy among the gardens.

Hill House Café

Located at Pah Homestead in Hillsborough, Hill House Café offers a charming blend of history, art, and scenic beauty. Overlooking the picturesque Monte Cecilia Park, this café serves up its renowned delicious and gooey cinnabuns and other delightful baked treats. Pro tip: you can purchase cinnabundles, because one is never enough! Enjoy a leisurely brunch or an afternoon coffee, take in the surrounding heritage gardens and visit the collections at neighbouring Arts House Trust. 

Vineyard views

Brick Bay Glass House Restaurant

With an inviting cantilevered glasshouse overlooking a serene pond, this restaurant has you feeling fully immersed in nature. There’s also a chance to dine among the vines in the garden beneath a canopy of grapes. The chefs draw inspiration from the land, using ingredients sourced from Brick Bay’s own gardens, so the menu shifts with the seasons. After indulging in a leisurely meal, explore the Brick Bay Sculpture Trail, where contemporary artworks are dotted through the native bush, wetlands and serene landscapes.

Waiheke Island vineyards

Waiheke Island is renowned for its world-class vineyards, offering not just exceptional wines but also stunning coastal and vineyard views with great restaurants from which to enjoy the outlook. The Archive Bar & Bistro at Mudbrick Vineyard offers panoramic sea views looking back to the city while you enjoy European-inspired fare. 

In Onetangi, situated on 20 acres of vineyards, olive and macadamia groves, Tantalus Estate blends a rustic yet refined atmosphere with a menu crafted from seasonal ingredients. Or try, Man O’ War, the largest vineyard on Waiheke Island, which offers a laid-back beachfront setting where visitors can enjoy a tasting of their renowned wines alongside hearty, locally inspired dishes.

Batch Winery’s elevated location provides spectacular ocean views and a vibe that could easily be mistaken for the Tuscan countryside. Their menu features a mix of classic and innovative sharing dishes, designed to pair perfectly with their wines. Another island standout is Stonyridge, known for its premium Bordeaux Blend and beautiful dining terrace, where guests can enjoy long lunches surrounded by rolling vine-covered hills.

Countryside views

The Heke Kitchen, Brewery & Distillery

Nestled amongst native bush, The Heke is the perfect place for a leisurely meal with a relaxed countryside feel. As the cooler months approach, this venue becomes a cosy retreat, offering locally crafted beer and whisky, complemented by a menu featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients.

The expansive outdoor lawn and seating area has been designed to be enjoyed year-round; pick a spot to relax in the shade under the trees, soak in the autumnal sunshine or warm up by the cosy fireplace when the weather gets cooler.