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AUCKLAND [NZ] 🌟
19
items I lived and worked in Auckland in my early 20s, and these spots were my ride or dies đź’… From comfort eats to cute cafes and go-to restaurants, this list is full of places that made that particular chapter of life feel a little more magical (and a lot...
Map
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Food & Bev
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Health
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Shopping
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Walks
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OUT Out
Food & Bev
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Milenta is one of Auckland’s hidden gems tucked away in the lush greenery of Victoria Park. It brings a cool, earthy vibe with open-fire cooking, natural wines, and a menu that feels both elevated and relaxed.Â
Perfect for a date night, catch-up with friends, or a slow Sunday afternoon. I flew in from Melbourne for a date night here early on in our relationship so it will always hold a special place in my heart!
✨ Think Bonfire chic meets farm-to-tableÂ
✨ A bit fancy, but in a cool, unpretentious wayÂ
✨ Fab for wine lovers and foodies who love a slow, moody dinner
Perfect for a date night, catch-up with friends, or a slow Sunday afternoon. I flew in from Melbourne for a date night here early on in our relationship so it will always hold a special place in my heart!
✨ Think Bonfire chic meets farm-to-tableÂ
✨ A bit fancy, but in a cool, unpretentious wayÂ
✨ Fab for wine lovers and foodies who love a slow, moody dinner
Milenta
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I used to live down the road from Carmel but didn't discover it until I moved to Australia! It serves up authentic Israeli street food that’s full of flavor, color, and heart - it delivers on both taste and vibe! The owners are soooo lovely and alway... The falafel pita is my personal fav here.
✨ Laid-back but warm and welcoming ✨ Cute Mediterranean street food vibes, perfect for a casual hang or solo bite ✨ Staff are lovely and passionate about the food – they’re happy to explain the menu if you’re new to Israeli cuisine
✨ Laid-back but warm and welcoming ✨ Cute Mediterranean street food vibes, perfect for a casual hang or solo bite ✨ Staff are lovely and passionate about the food – they’re happy to explain the menu if you’re new to Israeli cuisine
Carmel - Israeli Street Food
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If you're after warm, cozy vibes and the best cakes in town, Mezze Bar is that girl. Tucked just off Queen Street, it’s a long-standing fave for locals who love a bit of Euro-Med charm with their wine and sweets.
Tash, Iven, Paul & would always meet up here for a wholesome family night or to debrief before we hit Chancery on a Saturday night…
THE CAKES are the absolute stars of the show! Moist, decadent, and always rotating. From orange almond to chocolate hazelnut, they consistently satisfy my sweet tooth!
 ✨ Feels like a cozy European wine bar – warm lighting, eclectic decor, rustic charm ✨ Perfect for a late-night dessert stop, a solo chill sesh with cake + tea, or a relaxed dinner with friendsÂ
✨ Open late - rare for central Auckland!
Tash, Iven, Paul & would always meet up here for a wholesome family night or to debrief before we hit Chancery on a Saturday night…
THE CAKES are the absolute stars of the show! Moist, decadent, and always rotating. From orange almond to chocolate hazelnut, they consistently satisfy my sweet tooth!
 ✨ Feels like a cozy European wine bar – warm lighting, eclectic decor, rustic charm ✨ Perfect for a late-night dessert stop, a solo chill sesh with cake + tea, or a relaxed dinner with friendsÂ
✨ Open late - rare for central Auckland!
Mezze Bar
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Amano is Auckland’s golden girl when it comes to Italian-inspired dining. Located in the Britomart precinct, it’s effortlessly stylish, always buzzing, and honestly? It never misses.
Whether you want to stop by the bakery, drop in for brunch or plan a beautiful celebratory dinner - this is THE spot!
 ✨ Light-filled, airy, and aesthetic – think rustic-chic meets modern farmhouse
✨ Always busy but still cozy – perfect for a date night, special brunch, or dinner with the girls ✨ Service is friendly, polished, but not too formal.
Whether you want to stop by the bakery, drop in for brunch or plan a beautiful celebratory dinner - this is THE spot!
 ✨ Light-filled, airy, and aesthetic – think rustic-chic meets modern farmhouse
✨ Always busy but still cozy – perfect for a date night, special brunch, or dinner with the girls ✨ Service is friendly, polished, but not too formal.
Amano
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If I could only eat one noodle dish for the rest of my life... it’s this one. The dan dan noodles at Basu Lounge are hands down my #1 favourite noodles in the world – and I don’t say that lightly! Even in Australia, I am yet to find anywhere that hit...
Here's the deal:
🥜 Nutty, creamy, spicy magic – the sauce is thick, rich, and clings to the noodles like a dreamÂ
🌶️ Just the right amount of Sichuan heat + tingle without burning your face offÂ
🧄 Savory, garlicky depth that builds as you eatÂ
🍜 Bouncy, chewy noodles that soak it all up perfectly
✨ Super chill and casual – low-key hidden gem energyÂ
✨ Great for a quick solo meal or laid-back catch-upÂ
✨ Nothing fancy – just really good food that hits
Here's the deal:
🥜 Nutty, creamy, spicy magic – the sauce is thick, rich, and clings to the noodles like a dreamÂ
🌶️ Just the right amount of Sichuan heat + tingle without burning your face offÂ
🧄 Savory, garlicky depth that builds as you eatÂ
🍜 Bouncy, chewy noodles that soak it all up perfectly
✨ Super chill and casual – low-key hidden gem energyÂ
✨ Great for a quick solo meal or laid-back catch-upÂ
✨ Nothing fancy – just really good food that hits
Basu Lounge
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If you’re craving classic, no-fuss, absolutely delicious yum cha, Pearl Garden in Newmarket is the spot. It’s been a local fave for generations amongst my friends and family! It would always be THE spot you'd find me on a dusty Sunday morning.
It has an authentic yum cha vibe – feels like a childhood throwback but still keeps up with 2025?
 ✨ Super classic Chinese restaurant energy – white tablecloths, big round tables, buzzing atmosphereÂ
✨ Great for family lunches or group hangs
✨ Staff are quick, efficient, and keep the yummy food flowing
It has an authentic yum cha vibe – feels like a childhood throwback but still keeps up with 2025?
 ✨ Super classic Chinese restaurant energy – white tablecloths, big round tables, buzzing atmosphereÂ
✨ Great for family lunches or group hangs
✨ Staff are quick, efficient, and keep the yummy food flowing
Pearl Garden Restaurant
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Okay, I have to say it: I LOVE this place so much. Like comfort food, warm hug, take-my-money kind of love. Thai Village in Remuera is an absolute gem — lowkey, cozy, and consistently delicious.
The Gai Ob is spectacular, it's a roasted whole chicken marinated with Thai herbs… the best part is they bring the whole thing out on a spit so the girlies can get the gram too.
✨ Unpretentious, welcoming, and super homeyÂ
✨ Staff are so sweet – they remember your face and your fave orderÂ
✨ The kind of spot you keep coming back to – after work, rainy nights, or random Tuesdays when you want to feel fed and loved
The Gai Ob is spectacular, it's a roasted whole chicken marinated with Thai herbs… the best part is they bring the whole thing out on a spit so the girlies can get the gram too.
✨ Unpretentious, welcoming, and super homeyÂ
✨ Staff are so sweet – they remember your face and your fave orderÂ
✨ The kind of spot you keep coming back to – after work, rainy nights, or random Tuesdays when you want to feel fed and loved
Thai Village Restaurant
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If I have friends visiting me in Auckland, this is where I would take them on a Friday night. Everyone I have taken to Caretaker has always buzzed about it for weeks afterwards and that in itself is so satisfying hehe! This hidden gem is tucked away ...Â
PSA: my friend proposed to his girlfriend here… it's a sentimental spot I tell you!
✨ Intimate and cozy – the dim lighting, comfy booths, and eclectic decor make it feel like you're in on a secret spotÂ
🍸 Perfect for date nights, after-work drinks, or catching up with friendsÂ
🎶 The music? Chill, yet vibey – the kind of background tunes that don’t overpower your conversation, but still set the mood
PSA: my friend proposed to his girlfriend here… it's a sentimental spot I tell you!
✨ Intimate and cozy – the dim lighting, comfy booths, and eclectic decor make it feel like you're in on a secret spotÂ
🍸 Perfect for date nights, after-work drinks, or catching up with friendsÂ
🎶 The music? Chill, yet vibey – the kind of background tunes that don’t overpower your conversation, but still set the mood
Caretaker
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If you're a fan of authentic, mouth-watering laksa, Selera in Auckland is the place to be! It’s my go-to spot whenever I need a VERY LARGE bowl of spicy, creamy goodness. It's conveniently located in Newmarket as well, so you can stroll down to refue...
✨ It's a local family restaurant. Super cosy and casual - perfect for a relaxed meal with friends or even to grab takeawaysÂ
✨ The service is efficient and the atmosphere is always welcoming and down-to-earth
✨ It's a local family restaurant. Super cosy and casual - perfect for a relaxed meal with friends or even to grab takeawaysÂ
✨ The service is efficient and the atmosphere is always welcoming and down-to-earth
Selera Cafe Limited
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The most reliable brunch spot when I want brunch food but also crave that Korean flair. Their eggs benny with Korean style chilly pork belly and the Creamy Mushrooms were always my go to… oh as well as the Korean Fried Chicken with rice cakes - soooo...
✨ Cozy, vibrant, and stylish – it’s the perfect balance of chic and casual, making it a great place for brunch dates, solo cafe days, or catching up with friends.Â
✨ Friendly, chill vibe – The staff are always welcoming, and you’re greeted with good energy every time.Â
✨ Great for people-watching – Newmarket’s hustle and bustle makes for the perfect backdrop while you sip your latte.
✨ Cozy, vibrant, and stylish – it’s the perfect balance of chic and casual, making it a great place for brunch dates, solo cafe days, or catching up with friends.Â
✨ Friendly, chill vibe – The staff are always welcoming, and you’re greeted with good energy every time.Â
✨ Great for people-watching – Newmarket’s hustle and bustle makes for the perfect backdrop while you sip your latte.
The Candy Shop
Health
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I used to work here and when I moved back to Christchurch, it broke my heart. Everyone here is genuine and very good at what they do. I have extremely fond memories of this practice and the people that I got to know and spend time with on a daily bas...
Royal Oak Dental Centre
Shopping
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I've picked up so many cool items here and always love popping in when I'm in the area!
Tatty's
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I used to stop by here on the way home from work everyday and buy myself a little treat for being brave xÂ
YES. I am guilty of having gone here every single day while living in Auckland. YES. I am also guilty of driving my car into the same pole in the parking lot 3 times.
YES. I am guilty of having gone here every single day while living in Auckland. YES. I am also guilty of driving my car into the same pole in the parking lot 3 times.
Westfield Newmarket
Walks
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Calm, Pretty, and Kinda Therapeutic ✨Â
The Auckland Domain is one of those places that always made me feel grounded when life felt chaotic in my early 20s. Whether I was walking off a bad day at work, clearing my head with a podcast, or just chasing the cherry blossoms in spring — this pa...
The loop around the Domain is super chill, with wide paths, cute dogs everywhere, and little moments of beauty (hello duck pond, hello greenhouses). The Wintergardens are such a sweet bonus – tropical plants, koi fish, and a little stone fountain mom...
The Auckland Domain is one of those places that always made me feel grounded when life felt chaotic in my early 20s. Whether I was walking off a bad day at work, clearing my head with a podcast, or just chasing the cherry blossoms in spring — this pa...
The loop around the Domain is super chill, with wide paths, cute dogs everywhere, and little moments of beauty (hello duck pond, hello greenhouses). The Wintergardens are such a sweet bonus – tropical plants, koi fish, and a little stone fountain mom...
Auckland Domain
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Point Chev Beach is so much more than just a beach – it was my lifeline during lockdown and some of my toughest days. The calm waves, the wide open sky, and the feeling of sand between your toes… it’s one of those places that made everything feel a l...
It’s a quiet, slightly underrated spot, making it perfect for anyone who needs space to breathe. Plug in your airpods and catch the golden hour light as you ponder life on the rocks. If you’re looking for a place to clear your head and reset, this is...
It’s a quiet, slightly underrated spot, making it perfect for anyone who needs space to breathe. Plug in your airpods and catch the golden hour light as you ponder life on the rocks. If you’re looking for a place to clear your head and reset, this is...
Point Chevalier Beach - Auckland Council
OUT Out
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Smallest dance floor so be careful before you pash your boy toy because everyone will see you x
The Shy Guy
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I'm sorry but I have never had so much fun in my life. Family Bar will always have a very special place in my heart… even though I got COVID here… TWICE
Family Bar
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Ok but why was I here every single weekend, maybe even 2 nights in a row when lockdown ended… what a time to be alive?! The birthplace of our VIP trio group chat, the anchor of our sanity in 2020 and even going into 2021. We have since retired from t...<3
Face Club
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Low key love going here when I'm pissed even though I've been kicked out like 23 times x
Also, I saw Sean Kingston here and it was ICONIC
Also, I saw Sean Kingston here and it was ICONIC
Bar 101 Auckland