Don't-Miss Dishes in Auckland

Auckland has a flourishing culinary scene as diverse as its population, and foodies will find everything from Asian-inspired street food and traditional Maori dishes to gourmet cuisine and artisan delicacies. Whether you want to sample New Zealand’s most famous exports or indulge your sweet tooth, here’s our list of must-try dishes in Auckland.

Roast Lamb

New Zealand is world famous for its lamb, and roast lamb is a restaurant menu staple. Head to one of the city’s bistro-pubs for a traditional roast lamb dinner, served with mint sauce, root veggies, and roast potatoes.

Kiwi Burger

Every country puts its own twist on the humble hamburger, and New Zealand’s version is the Kiwi burger—a classic beef patty served up with a fried egg, a slice of beetroot, and all the trimmings. One of the most popular places in Auckland to try it is Burger Burger, but it’s so popular that even McDonald's does its own version.

Asian Cuisine

With restaurants serving everything from Japanese sushi to Korean noodles and Indian curries, Auckland is an excellent place to enjoy Asian cuisine. Head to the Food Alley food court on Albert Street to taste exotic dishes and street foods from around the globe.

Seafood

As an island nation, it’s hardly a surprise that New Zealand’s fish and seafood is top-notch. Visit Auckland’s Fish Market to find local delicacies such as paua (sea snail), kina (sea urchin), and Bluff oysters; splurge on a delicious crayfish at one of the harborside seafood restaurants; or tuck into classic fish-and-chips.

Pavlova

Summer in New Zealand means pavlova, and the sweet dessert springs up on menus all around the city. Comprised of crunchy meringue topped with thick whipped cream, strawberries, and kiwifruit, it’s the perfect sugar rush (and the traditional Christmas dessert).

Hokey Pokey Ice Cream

Another must for dessert lovers is New Zealand’s ubiquitous ice-cream flavor: hokey pokey, a vanilla ice cream with chunks of honeycomb and swirls of toffee. You’ll find hokey pokey ice cream everywhere, but the Giapo Ice Cream Parlour in Auckland reputedly makes the best in the country.