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(4,999)

restaurant · Tyler Street

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

artisan bakery italian-inspired rustic fare

4,999 reviews

$ Staff Pick

Try It Out Restaurant

4.6(1,650)

vietnamese restaurant · Ōtāhuhu

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

fresh herbs noodle soup rice dishes

1,650 reviews

$ Staff Pick

Uncle Man's K'Road

4.7(1,422)

malaysian restaurant · Auckland CBD

Reviewers consistently praise the generous portions and authentic Malaysian flavours, particularly the Nasi Goreng and Beef Rendang.

1,422 reviews

$ Staff Pick

Eden Noodles Cafe

4.7(1,092)

chinese restaurant · Mount Eden

Reviewers consistently praise the incredible flavours and authentic dishes, particularly the soups and Szechuan cuisine.

1,092 reviews

$$ Staff Pick

The Cave Yakitori Bar

4.8(1,041)

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

1,041 reviews

Staff Pick

Thai E-Sarn

4.9(453)

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 food curries curry

448 reviews

Staff Pick

PHỞ YẾN

4.8(316)

vietnamese restaurant · Mount Eden

Ten years in the making, Pho Yen brings the authentic taste of Hanoi's traditional Pho — a cherished family tradition passed down through generations.

authentic vietnamese pho beef pho beef phở

316 reviews