Food Scene
Incredible gourmet open sandwiches, and the cinnamon buns are a must try.
6 locals recommend
Hare and the turtle
63 New Windsor RdIncredible gourmet open sandwiches, and the cinnamon buns are a must try.
Woodworks
Parking at the side or above from Henry St
Great breakfast, brunch and lunches. Excellent coffee. Big space, very family friendly.
1790 Great North Rd
1790 Great North RoadWoodworks
Parking at the side or above from Henry St
Great breakfast, brunch and lunches. Excellent coffee. Big space, very family friendly.
Pick up any natural, organic and gluten free foods needed.
They also have a cafe with breakfast and brunches as well as a great selection of salads and 'healthy' sweet treats.
Huckleberry New Lynn with Refill Hub
34D Portage RdPick up any natural, organic and gluten free foods needed.
They also have a cafe with breakfast and brunches as well as a great selection of salads and 'healthy' sweet treats.
The Tannery
44b Portage RdVery yummy bagels and an interior caravan for kids to play in
Turkish and Greek-inspired breakfast, lunch or dinners. Delicious lunch menu featuring Turkish mince, Fasulye beans and their twist on a classic eggs bene, fresh dips (think tzatziki, taramasalata and hummus), nibbly mezze bits, souvlaki and kebabs. Finish your meal with baklava.
6 locals recommend
Bodrum Kitchen
3058 Great N RdTurkish and Greek-inspired breakfast, lunch or dinners. Delicious lunch menu featuring Turkish mince, Fasulye beans and their twist on a classic eggs bene, fresh dips (think tzatziki, taramasalata and hummus), nibbly mezze bits, souvlaki and kebabs. Finish your meal with baklava.
Hearty, wholesome meals, refreshing beverages and a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Italian classics a modern Kiwi twist.
Goode Brothers New Lynn
Hearty, wholesome meals, refreshing beverages and a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Italian classics a modern Kiwi twist.
Slow cooked BBQ Meat, and a good selection of tap beer, wine and handcrafted cocktails. Enjoy platters, something from the grill, or one of the epic burgers.
Cleaver & Co
3058 Great N RdSlow cooked BBQ Meat, and a good selection of tap beer, wine and handcrafted cocktails. Enjoy platters, something from the grill, or one of the epic burgers.
Spot for brunch or something from the delicious and abundant cabinet food, with amazing baking, pies, sandwiches and salads.
Shaky Isles Coffee Co.
4 Veronica StreetSpot for brunch or something from the delicious and abundant cabinet food, with amazing baking, pies, sandwiches and salads.
Absolutely beautiful breakfast and lunch. Head early on a Saturday as it gets busy. Week days (apart from Monday) are best for visiting this spot.
27 locals recommend
L'Oeuf
4A Owairaka AveAbsolutely beautiful breakfast and lunch. Head early on a Saturday as it gets busy. Week days (apart from Monday) are best for visiting this spot.
One of our favourite spots is Mt Albert’s Chinoiserie, a lively little haven of Taiwanese street food, namely Gau Bao—pillow-like steamed milk buns jam packed with goodies such as braised pork belly, fried squid, and the newest member of Chinoiserie’s Bao family, chicken karaage.
38 locals recommend
Chinoiserie Bar and Eatery
4 Owairaka AveOne of our favourite spots is Mt Albert’s Chinoiserie, a lively little haven of Taiwanese street food, namely Gau Bao—pillow-like steamed milk buns jam packed with goodies such as braised pork belly, fried squid, and the newest member of Chinoiserie’s Bao family, chicken karaage.
Burger Queen
151 Mount Albert RdThe humble takeaway shop serves up an impressive 35 different burgers!
The best dumplings alongside plates of tofu and cucumber salad, veges and great fried aubergine.
18 locals recommend
Mr Zhou’s Dumplings
3130 Great N RdThe best dumplings alongside plates of tofu and cucumber salad, veges and great fried aubergine.
Well known for the best char kway teow in Auckland. Bring cash: they don’t have Eftpos or bankcard.
Malaysian Noodles & Rice House
57D Wolverton StWell known for the best char kway teow in Auckland. Bring cash: they don’t have Eftpos or bankcard.
Paasha Turkish Takeaway
3120 Great N RdThis little takeaway has the BEST kebabs in town
Great place to stop for wonderful Fish and Chips after a day trip to the west coast beaches.
Fish and Friends
414 Titirangi RdGreat place to stop for wonderful Fish and Chips after a day trip to the west coast beaches.
Parks & Nature
Our favourite west coast beach.
The picturesque black sand beach was famously featured in Jane Campion's The Piano.
Bring shoes - the sand get very hot and its a walk to the water. Swimmers are advised to only swim between the flags. We only recommend swimming here if you are a confidant swimmer. Be sure to look out for a map to Karekare waterfall, known by the Kawerau people as ‘Te Ahoaho' or ‘pendulous white thread', is nestled a short walk from the main beach arrival area.
12 locals recommend
Karekare Falls
Our favourite west coast beach.
The picturesque black sand beach was famously featured in Jane Campion's The Piano.
Bring shoes - the sand get very hot and its a walk to the water. Swimmers are advised to only swim between the flags. We only recommend swimming here if you are a confidant swimmer. Be sure to look out for a map to Karekare waterfall, known by the Kawerau people as ‘Te Ahoaho' or ‘pendulous white thread', is nestled a short walk from the main beach arrival area.
Another beautiful beach. Great walks, especially to see the Gannet Colony. About 1,200 pairs of gannets nest here from August to March each year. Next to the car park, a short walking track leads to a viewing platform right above the main colony area. Out to sea, the colony continues on two vertical-sided islands.
Horse riding - https://muriwaibeachhorsetreks.co.nz/
115 locals recommend
Muriwai
Another beautiful beach. Great walks, especially to see the Gannet Colony. About 1,200 pairs of gannets nest here from August to March each year. Next to the car park, a short walking track leads to a viewing platform right above the main colony area. Out to sea, the colony continues on two vertical-sided islands.
Horse riding - https://muriwaibeachhorsetreks.co.nz/
This scenic drive takes you past bush scenery, to observation points for spectacular views and to gorgeous beaches.
Lots of hikes throughout the trees, but please please please clean your shoes at the stations in and out of the forests to protect the incredible Kauri trees.
114 locals recommend
Waitākere Ranges Regional Park
This scenic drive takes you past bush scenery, to observation points for spectacular views and to gorgeous beaches.
Lots of hikes throughout the trees, but please please please clean your shoes at the stations in and out of the forests to protect the incredible Kauri trees.
This volcanic island, which last erupted 600 years ago, offers bird-watching, swimming, fishing, walking trails, colorful flora and spectacular views from the summit of its cone-shaped mountain.
280 locals recommend
Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve
This volcanic island, which last erupted 600 years ago, offers bird-watching, swimming, fishing, walking trails, colorful flora and spectacular views from the summit of its cone-shaped mountain.
Drinks & Nightlife
Ponsonby Road
Ponsonby RoadYou can walk from where the ferry comes in - although some is uphill. Waiheke is well worth a day visit.
55 locals recommend
Cable Bay Vineyards
12 Nick Johnstone DrYou can walk from where the ferry comes in - although some is uphill. Waiheke is well worth a day visit.
Sightseeing
This is a beautiful spot in the city, definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. Filled with beautiful, interesting plants and flowers; great for a wander and perfect for taking photos. It's not very big though, so you don't need much time to see it all.
69 locals recommend
Domain Wintergardens
Wintergarden RoadThis is a beautiful spot in the city, definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. Filled with beautiful, interesting plants and flowers; great for a wander and perfect for taking photos. It's not very big though, so you don't need much time to see it all.
Entertainment & Activities
There is something for all ages at Auckland's MOTAT inside/outside museum. Ride on an old steam train or catch the historic tram to the vintage air planes' hangar. Wander through the beautifully restored little pioneer village or explore the many scientific hands-on displays in the converted water pumping station buildings.
197 locals recommend
Museum of Transport and Technology
805 Great N RdThere is something for all ages at Auckland's MOTAT inside/outside museum. Ride on an old steam train or catch the historic tram to the vintage air planes' hangar. Wander through the beautifully restored little pioneer village or explore the many scientific hands-on displays in the converted water pumping station buildings.
This supersized trampoline park has more than 50 interconnected trampolines—some of which are angled so you can literally bounce off the walls. You’ll also find a trampoline dodgeball area, Olympic trampolines, rock climbing wall and a battle beam where the loser falls into a foam pit.
Uptown Bounce - Trampoline Park - Avondale
52 Fremlin PlaceThis supersized trampoline park has more than 50 interconnected trampolines—some of which are angled so you can literally bounce off the walls. You’ll also find a trampoline dodgeball area, Olympic trampolines, rock climbing wall and a battle beam where the loser falls into a foam pit.
Arts & Culture
Perfect for rainy days and perfect for children.
Entry is free unless there is a special exhibition in selected hall or you wanted a walk around tour. There is a Creative Learning Centre, located on the mezzanine level. This hands-on, family-friendly space is open daily 10am–5pm and is free to visit.
The historic building has been added to in a sensitive and beautiful manner, with huge glass walls overlooking the Albert Park. This gallery is smaller than many international Art Galleries but it is a must visit if you are into gallery visits.
606 locals recommend
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki
Wellesley Street EastPerfect for rainy days and perfect for children.
Entry is free unless there is a special exhibition in selected hall or you wanted a walk around tour. There is a Creative Learning Centre, located on the mezzanine level. This hands-on, family-friendly space is open daily 10am–5pm and is free to visit.
The historic building has been added to in a sensitive and beautiful manner, with huge glass walls overlooking the Albert Park. This gallery is smaller than many international Art Galleries but it is a must visit if you are into gallery visits.
Essentials
New World New Lynn
6 Crown Lynn Pl