Please mention MarksTravelNotes.com when dining / drinking at these fine establishments. I have visited all these establishments.
Restaurants - Recommended
-
Orbit Revolving Restaurant
(Sky Tower, Cnr Victoria and Federal Streets, Auckland, New Zealand)
- Not my usual selection of restaurant as it's obviously
geared for tourists. The Orbit Revolving Restaurant is
192 meters up the
Sky Tower
and affords excellent views
across
Auckland
and region. For what is obviously geared
to tourists and visitors - the food is actually pretty
good, certainly better than many non-touristic places.
Outstanding wine list which, bar a couple of Ozzie wines,
is drawn exclusivly from
New Zealand
. Service on my visits
was excellent. Touristy? Yes - but all the other boxes
are very firmly ticked for a great evening out. -
O'Connell Street Bistro - One of the finest restaurants in Auckland in a much improved area of town. Intimate setting with a limited number of tables and an emphasis on quality both in food and wine. Excellent kitchen with a respectable selection of seafood. Does an excellent line of New Zealand wines - which is always a good place to start.
-
Gusto at the Grand
- Over many years visiting
Auckland
I've always struggled to get hold a properly decent Italian meal.
Gusto at the Grand
has seriously raised the bar in Italian dining in
Auckland
and is a hugely welcome addition to the
Auckland
dining scene.
Unusually for
Auckland
-
Gusto at the Grand
does an pretty good line of Italian wines. Alfie, under
Sean Connolly,
has done an excellent job of bringing high-quality Italian dining to
Auckland
Chefs table (pictured right) between the deli and kitchen is right in the heart of the action.
Open pasta station ensure customers see the pasta being made.
Good charcuterie.
Recommended pubs & bars
-
The Occidental Belgian Beer Cafe
(6-8 Vulcan Lane, Auckland)
- on repeated visits to
Auckland
the Occidental Belgian
Bar has been a must visit place for good Belgian beer served
in appropriate glassware. Leffe Blond, Leffe Bruin and
Hoegardeen are all on tap with many other classic Belgian
beers available bottled. While the Occidental is well known
for its mussels, it also does an excellent Lamb Shank.
While much food is otherwise nuked - the excellent beer
list makes up. -
Northern Steamship (122 Quay Street, Auckland) - Handily located close to the Quay, the Northern Steamship boasts an excellent array of Mac's beers, a good selection of meals and, handily for a gadgeted traveller, free wifi. Good place for a light evening meal, pint of beer and checking that all important email.
