From pho to focaccia, Uptown\u2019s eateries, bars, cafes, and food stores show the city at its tastiest.<\/p>\n
\n Taking in parts of Newton, Grafton, and Eden Terrace, the Uptown precinct is a pleasing mix of old and new. Nestling into the top of the city and the foot of Maungawhau (Mt
\n Eden), its many different pockets cosset hidden gems aplenty, and it\u2019s a great area for exploring with an appetite in tow. I have a particular connection to the area as I write the food pages for the twice-yearly Uptown magazine \u2013 here\u2019s my collection of the best places to eat and drink from several years spent digging.\n <\/p>\n
Where to find the best coffee in Uptown Auckland <\/p>\n
Parable House <\/p>\n
This recent opening comes with a fine pedigree: owners Danny Lee and Dianne Cho previously ran Rumours Coffee in the CBD. It specialises in contracted roasted single origin coffee in espresso or pour-over options and lineup of light meals. 45 New North Rd, Eden Terrace <\/p>\n
Holiday serves up perfect brews in a minimalist but cosy space in Mt Eden. Photo \/ @blinkboys<\/p>\n
Holiday <\/p>\n
This is the roaster Parable House calls upon, and it too serves up perfect brews from thoughtfully sourced beans in minimalist but cosy surrounds. Unit 4\/66 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden <\/p>\n
Altezano Brothers <\/p>\n
A legend on the bean scene, Altezano\u2019s Edwin St roastery serves fresh brews Monday to Friday. 6 Edwin St, Mt Eden <\/p>\n
Uptown Auckland\u2019s best cafes<\/p>\n
Fumi and Yas Hisai from Coffee Pen. Photo \/ @blinkboys<\/p>\n
Coffee Pen <\/p>\n
Cute urban outlook, Earl Grey cheesecake and the occasional \u2018pocket market\u2019. 6 Basque Rd, Eden Terrace <\/p>\n
Twenty Three <\/p>\n
Peaceful covered courtyard and loaded cabinet. 23 Mount Eden Rd, Grafton <\/p>\n
Delissimo <\/p>\n
Epic scone and scroll selection and vibrant Macedonian lunch plates. 48 New North Rd, Eden Terrace <\/p>\n
Fluff <\/p>\n
Cafe and Vietnamese classics washed down with zingy kumquat iced tea. Unit 7G\/38 Khyber Pass Rd, Grafton <\/p>\n
Bloc Cafe <\/p>\n
Creative cookies and interior inspo from top design stores at Bloc Collective. 20 Normanby Rd, Mt Eden <\/p>\n
Goodness Gracious <\/p>\n
Bagels, brews and banter with friendly staff and fellow customers. 2A New North Rd, Eden Terrace <\/p>\n
Carmel <\/p>\n
Life-changing fluffy pita stuffed with generous fillings (my vote is for the falafel) and decadent babkas. 67b France St South, Eden Terrace <\/p>\n
The best places in Uptown Auckland for grab and go food <\/p>\n
HanBite. Photo \/ @blinkboys<\/p>\n
HanBite <\/p>\n
Build your dream takeaway set, with Korean classics like bulgogi and spicy pork, wholegrain rice, and banchan (sides) like kimchi. 61 Mt Eden Rd, Grafton <\/p>\n
Rosalia\u2019s <\/p>\n
Find the most beautiful focaccia at Rosalia\u2019s, baked like pizza and piled with fresh toppings. 65 Mt Eden Rd, Grafton <\/p>\n
Mibo <\/p>\n
Be spoilt for choice with superbly stuffed focaccia sandwiches and glorious baked goods. Innovative seasonal flavours keep things exciting \u2013 like the recent hojicha danish with hojicha paste, mochi, hojicha custard, hojicha whipped cream and white chocolate. G11\/30 Enfield St, Mt Eden <\/p>\n
Okome <\/p>\n
Onigiri (stuffed rice triangles) make a perfect no-cutlery-needed lunch. Play it safe with karaage chicken or tuna mayo, or try a classic taste of Japan with kinpira (marinated sauteed burdock root) or mentaiko (spicy cod roe). 30 Enfield St, Mt Eden <\/p>\n
Ziggle <\/p>\n
Head here to find some of the most consistently great fried chicken in the city. 15 Mt Eden Rd, Grafton <\/p>\n
Small Mercies. Photo \/ @blinkboys<\/p>\n
Small Mercies <\/p>\n
This spot has put kkwaebagi (Korean donut twists) and korokke (Japanese croquettes) on the map with takes that are classic or adventurous; the treats are fried throughout the day for ultimate freshness. 7 Mt Eden Rd, Grafton <\/p>\n
Wok N Noodle <\/p>\n
Forget Asian takeaways that promise it all but deliver just carbs and a few pickings of meat and veg \u2013 the dishes leaping out of the wok here are packed with fresh veggies and protein, and come in paper boxes so you can live your US sitcom dreams. Thai takeout from Ruang Thong Thai Canteen is similarly generous, with recipes tracing back to Mercury Plaza (RIP) days. 61 Normanby Rd, Mt Eden <\/p>\n
Casual dine-in restaurants in Uptown Auckland <\/p>\n
Puen. Photo \/ @thehospoguynz<\/p>\n
Puen <\/p>\n
Explore the best of Thai and Lao cuisines at Puen (and check socials for live music nights \u2013 there\u2019s quite the stage setup!). 3 Mt Eden Rd, Grafton <\/p>\n
Needo <\/p>\n
The area\u2019s newest opening, this is the place to go for generous portions of fresh pasta with various toppings, pizzas, and the largest serving of tiramisu you could hope for. 45 Mt Eden Rd, Eden Terrace <\/p>\n
Sen <\/p>\n
In digs of handsome old stone and wooden beams, Sen serves aromatic Vietnamese fare including a very good beef pho. 26 Normanby Rd, Mt Eden <\/p>\n
Chef Ricardo Al-Rikabi from R-Toscanis. Photo \/ @blinkboys<\/p>\n
R-Toscanis <\/p>\n
Flavours from the Mediterranean and Middle East come together at R-Toscanis \u2013 don\u2019t miss the generously topped pizzas and slow-booked lamb shoulder cooked in the woodfired oven. 30 Enfield St, Mt Eden <\/p>\n
Ramen Do <\/p>\n
The city\u2019s best Hokkaido ramen (my friend from that northern Japanese prefecture agrees) is found at humble-looking Ramen Do, where the husband and wife team work tirelessly to keep scratch broth ready to ladle over scratch noodles \u2013 in summer, give refreshing hiyashi chuka (cold ramen salad) a whirl. 167 Symonds St, Eden Terrace <\/p>\n
Fine dining in Uptown Auckland <\/p>\n
The French Caf\u00e9. Photo \/ @thehospoguynz<\/p>\n
The French Cafe <\/p>\n
Uptown boasts a lion\u2019s share of the city\u2019s finest dining establishments within a minute or two walk of one another. The French Cafe has been a bastion on the scene for decades; choose from Sid Sahrawat\u2019s a la carte or tasting menus (Tuesday test kitchen is a great way to taste the culinary horizon) or make Sunday special with the $75 prix-fix\u00e9 menu. 210 Symonds St, Eden Terrace <\/p>\n
Lillius <\/p>\n
This is one of the loveliest dining rooms in all the city and the fare by Fraser McCarthy is equally pleasing to the eye and palate. 19 Khyber Pass Rd, Grafton <\/p>\n
Kazuya. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Kazuya <\/p>\n
Chef and owner Kazuya Yamauchi\u2019s exacting approach is built on his ethos that each ingredient has an optimum cooking technique and serving temperature \u2013 his signature \u2018Textures\u2019 plate is a great way to experience it. 193 Symonds St, Eden Terrace <\/p>\n
Where to meet for a drink in Uptown Auckland <\/p>\n
Normanby Fine Wines & Spirits. Photo \/ Lucko Prawito<\/p>\n
Normanby Fine Wines and Spirits <\/p>\n
You\u2019ll find it all here – sake, spirits and craft beer and a plethora of wine to suit all price points, which you can buy the bottle or enjoy in the relaxing surrounds decked out in handsome pieces of furniture from neighbouring Webb\u2019s Estate, with plates of charcuterie, cheese and bread to nibble away at. Special mention to the choice picks of grower\u2019s Champagne. 31a Normanby Rd, Mt Eden <\/p>\n
Schapiro\u2019s <\/p>\n
Big screens broadcast live sports, including basketball and American football, as well as other codes, alongside very good burgers, loaded fries and wings. 224 Symonds St, Eden Terrace<\/p>\n
Galbraith\u2019s beer garden. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Galbraith\u2019s <\/p>\n
You\u2019ll find the best beer garden at this pub, which offers hearty food and ales brewed onsite to enjoy in it. 2 Mount Eden Rd, Eden Terrace <\/p>\n
Small Gods Taproom. Photo \/ @blinkboys<\/p>\n
Small Gods Taproom <\/p>\n
A must for anyone wanting to expand their repertoire, Small Gods Taproom is home to an ever-changing lineup of interesting beers on tap and chillers, it also hosts an eclectic lineup of gigs and events like a Monday run club and a pub quiz written fresh each week by the proprietor. 2\/2 Shaddock St, Eden Terrace <\/p>\n
Horse & Trap <\/p>\n
The sun-soaked deck makes this the best spot for a proper pint in the sunshine. Enjoy a legit-sized pint and the food\u2019s great, too; make it a Friday and there\u2019s live music to boot. 3 Enfield St, Mt Eden <\/p>\n
Corner Store <\/p>\n
Come here for a pre-dinner cocktail \u2013 the brick-walled heritage charm, coupled with a cosy fairy-lit courtyard, makes it a great date night warm up spot. 25 Mt Eden Rd, Eden Terrace <\/p>\n
Where to shop for ingredients in Uptown Auckland <\/p>\n
Sabato is the place to go when you need ingredients and goods that will impress guests. Photo \/ @thehospoguynz<\/p>\n
Sabato <\/p>\n
This gourmet goods store has been supplying (and introducing) Auckland to the very best artisan ingredients from Italy, Spain, France and beyond for more than 30 years \u2013 from cheese and charcuterie to chocolate, pasta, olive oil, vinegars, and so much more. This is the place to go when you want to impress guests or yourself. 57 Normanby Rd, Mt Eden <\/p>\n
Bok Mart <\/p>\n
This is where to come when you fancy trying your hand at any Korean recipe, from fresh perilla leaves and stacks of seasoned seaweed, to rich gochujang paste and frozen rice cakes to whip up tteokbokki. 75 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden <\/p>\n
Uptown Bites Food Festival <\/p>\n
Lillius is one of the venues taking part in the Uptown Bites festival, starting on November 3 and running for two weeks.<\/p>\n
Uptown Bites \u2013 Auckland\u2019s newest food festival \u2013 kicks off today and runs for two weeks. Dozens of Uptown food and drink establishments are putting on special menus, coffee combos, happy hours, demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Check out uptown.co.nz\/bites for the full list and get in quick for events that need booking as spaces are limited. A few highlights include: <\/p>\n
Learn how to prepare then stay on to enjoy Thai chicken larb and a Lao papaya salad at Puen Ring in summer with an intimate one-off 4-course dinner celebrating the sunshine season at The French Cafe Get a true Taste of Dalmatia at the Dalmatian Cultural Society across two Friday nights Be invited into Normanby\u2019s private cellar La Cave for a guided Champagne tasting Roll your sleeves up for a fun clay workshop at Eden Ceramics where you\u2019ll sculpt, glaze, paint and fire your own plate to take home Treat yourself to a sumptuous crayfish experience at Lillius \u2013 whole or half Southland grilled crayfish with champagne and seaweed butter and herbs from the OMG garden Check out the newly opened Needo and enjoy any pasta or signature pizza, homemade basil lemonade, and tiramisu for $28 Sip on $9 wines and a $15 weekly cocktail at The Corner Store during happy hours Pop into lots of the area\u2019s cafes for special \u201ccoffee +\u201d offers \u2013 your fave coffee plus a bite to eat at a tidy price <\/p>\n
More on food & drink in Auckland<\/p>\n
From cocktails to cuisine, Auckland\u2019s food scene keeps reinventing itself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"From pho to focaccia, Uptown\u2019s eateries, bars, cafes, and food stores show the city at its tastiest. Taking…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":114946,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[51,6128,3390,138,48706,2199,36979,15416,81902,81900,564,71,78,111,139,69,22399,1326,1305,653,81903,223,61,81899,81901],"class_list":{"0":"post-114945","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"tag-auckland","9":"tag-bars","10":"tag-best","11":"tag-business","12":"tag-cafes","13":"tag-city","14":"tag-drink","15":"tag-eat","16":"tag-eateries","17":"tag-focaccia","18":"tag-food","19":"tag-from","20":"tag-in","21":"tag-new-zealand","22":"tag-newzealand","23":"tag-nz","24":"tag-places","25":"tag-shop","26":"tag-show","27":"tag-stores","28":"tag-tastiest","29":"tag-the","30":"tag-to","31":"tag-uptown","32":"tag-uptowns"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114945","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114945"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114945\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/114946"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=114945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}