North Island

Our Favorite Places to Eat in Auckland New Zealand With and Without Kids

Our Favorite Places to Eat in Auckland New Zealand With and Without Kids

Last updated: October 27, 2026. This update checks current restaurant and dietary details and distinguishes the family’s Auckland favorites from a separate Nelson outing. Date information added October 28, 2026.

Eating is basically a necessity, but it can also be a passion.  For us who travel with kids a lot, we’ve planned whole trips around restaurants we wanted to try! Check out our foodie IG here.

Our experience in New Zealand overall didn’t wow us with amazing eats, but there are still gems to be found.  Auckland, however, had some really amazing food! 

Our original New Zealand family video: Exploring Wellington Before We Take A Ferry To The South Island.

*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are my own, and I only endorse products I support. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a small commission if you purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support.*

First published April 29, 2022. These notes collect our past Auckland experiences and recommendations; they are not a current directory. Restaurant names, menus, hours, and locations can change, so check directly with venues before you go.

Breakfast in Auckland

• Beach Bistro: We spent three months in Long Bay, Auckland, and loved our breakfasts here in Brown’s Bay. The food was superb and service wonderful for us, but the views were what kept us coming back. Eating breakfast, watching the ocean, and then taking a stroll along the beach made a perfect morning date.

• Odettes Eatery: We loved its French toast and omelets; breakfast was our favorite. Auckland’s official destination listing identifies the venue as Odettes Eatery at City Works Depot.

Family Dinner in Auckland

• The Grounds at Whoa Studios: This was, hands-down, our favorite place for dinner with kids. We loved the food and service. The outdoor playground was a big plus for us. We understood that the studio shows we remembered were no longer running at the time; check the Whoa! Studios website before planning a visit.

• Mexico Britomart: We craved Mexican food around the world, and this restaurant did not disappoint us. Its food and ambiance made us feel like we were in Mexico.

• Pizza at Al Volo: Delish comfort food can be wonderful with kids and fit your diet, too. We described Al Volo’s pizzas as crafty and healthy, with vegan and gluten-free crusts in our guide.

Date Night Dinner in Auckland

If you can get a sitter, which we often try to do when we travel, you might enjoy a date-night meal. These are the places we considered:

• Soul Bar and Bistro: Chris and I chose a romantic date night on the waterfront and loved the cuisine. Everything we ordered delighted us.

• White + Wong’s: After spending seven months in Asia, we often craved Asian food. This restaurant reminded me of a nicer PF Chang’s, and we’d love to go back. Our guide described its take on Asian street food.

• Depot: We described this as a contemporary-menu gem for foodies and noted that many dishes were cooked over charcoal or hardwood in our guide.

• Apero: We hadn’t eaten here personally, but a food expert recommended it as a great choice. Wonderful for wine as well!

Snacks in Auckland

Need a quick snack for the kids? We loved this shop. Best Ugly Bagels, offered bagels with Nutella, butter, sandwiches, and more on our visit, and we thought its gluten-free bagels were incredible. Auckland’s official destination listing currently describes a gluten-free option.

Dessert in Auckland

Giapo: I’m only listing one place because this is the only dessert you need. I’m not even a huge fan of ice cream (although the rest of my family is), but I’d go here any day and be super excited. We LOVED Giapo. Its ice cream creations were truly mind-blowing, and we loved its gluten-free kitchen. GIAPO’s current site confirms its dedicated gluten-free kitchen; other allergens vary, so see its allergen guidance and ask the team about your needs.

Must have’s:

The Broken Cone: If you love ice cream at the bottom of a cone like I do, this one is worth a look. It was described as already broken and gluten-free in the menu we wrote about.

Colossal Squid Cone: The shop’s “mascot” was a chocolate squid on an ice cream cone. This is how our guide described it.

Donut Cone: I’m a sucker for gluten-free doughnuts, because they can be hard to find. Our guide described the donut cone as delicious whether or not you eat gluten-free.

Selfie Cone: Our guide described a chocolate frame covered in corn flakes. It looked like a fun selfie prop.

Where to Stay in Auckland as a Family

Two Auckland stays mentioned in our 2022 guide:

SkyCity Hotel Auckland was one of the stays we listed beside Sky Tower and SkyCity. Compare the hotel’s current room information when choosing where to stay.

Heartland Hotel Auckland Airport: The hotel operator currently advertises a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle to both terminals. It asks guests to pre-book transfers from the hotel to the airport; timing and pickup availability vary. Check the current shuttle and parking instructions.

The Grand by SkyCity: Our old note mentioned harbour and city views. Views depend on the room; check the current description for the room you book.

Family Outings From Auckland and Elsewhere in New Zealand

Our original Instagram post, which is marked sponsored and hosted: Our original Hobbiton family post.

Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch: This linked listing describes a Hobbiton and Waitomo day trip from Auckland. Confirm current transport, schedule, lunch, and entry inclusions on the provider page.

A linked Auckland-area zipline and native-forest outing is another option to compare; review the provider’s current route, pickup area, and inclusions.

A separate Nelson outing, away from Auckland: Nelson Skywire Experience. Review the provider’s current location, schedule, and requirements.

The photo shows a family walking beneath chairlift cables beside a bay and hills. Its original caption is retained.

Enjoy Auckland and eat your way through your next trip!

Xoxo,

Leslie

Additional Reading

Best Things To Do with Kids in North of Auckland

What To Know Before Visiting Hobbiton with Kids

Visiting Hot Water Beach in New Zealand with Kids