Staff Picks — Auckland's Hidden Gems

Beyond the ratings and review counts, these are the Auckland places we personally love. Each one comes with the quote that convinced us.

7 places

$$$ Staff Pick

Amano

4.8(6,110)

restaurant · Tyler Street

Hip, bohemian, wood-&-brick restaurant & bakery serving locally sourced Italian cuisine.

artisan bakery italian-inspired local produce

6,110 reviews

$ Staff Pick

Try It Out Restaurant

4.6(1,634)

vietnamese restaurant · Ōtāhuhu

Try It Out Restaurant offers a taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine, featuring rich flavours and fresh ingredients.

fresh herbs rice noodles southeast asian flavours

1,634 reviews

$ Staff Pick

Uncle Man's K'road

4.7(1,415)

malaysian restaurant · Auckland CBD

Reviewers consistently praise the authentic Malaysian cuisine and friendly service, highlighting dishes like Nasi Goreng and Roti bread.

1,415 reviews

$ Staff Pick

Eden Noodles Cafe

4.7(1,123)

chinese restaurant · Mount Eden

Reviewers consistently praise the incredible, flavorful soups and the cozy, authentic atmosphere of Eden Noodles Cafe.

1,123 reviews

$$ Staff Pick

The Cave Yakitori Bar

4.8(1,027)

yakitori restaurant · Auckland CBD

The Cave is Auckland’s Japanese yakitori and kushiage bar, offering a wide variety of meats, seafood, and vegetable dishes grilled on bamboo skewers.

grilled chicken japanese sake japanese yakitori

1,027 reviews

Staff Pick

Thai E-Sarn

5.0(430)

thai restaurant · Auckland CBD

At Thai E-Sarn we offer meals of excellent quality and invite you to try our delicious food. The key to our success is simple: providing quality consistent food that tastes great every single time.

asian authentic thai coconut milk

430 reviews

Staff Pick

PHỞ YẾN

4.8(255)

vietnamese restaurant · Mount Eden

Welcome to Phở Yến. Authentic Vietnamese Beef Phở made with love and tradition. Our family recipe has been perfected over 35 years and now lives on in Mt Eden, Auckland.

authentic vietnamese beef phở vietnamese cuisine

255 reviews