Auckland Central, New Zealand, boasts a vibrant food and drink scene that reflects its multicultural character. The city is renowned for its waterfront restaurants, fine dining establishments, and bustling food hubs. One notable location is Federal Street, dubbed "the fairy lights of Federal Street," offering a range of exquisite dining options including Huami for Chinese dim sum, live crayfish, and dumplings, and MASU for Japanese-inspired dishes cooked on an open charcoal grill. For those seeking high altitude dining experiences, The Sugar Club atop the Skytower provides three elegantly prepared courses or tasting menus.
Waiheke Island, known as New Zealand's tastiest island, is another must-visit destination for food lovers, offering gourmet cheese, bread, and wine tastings at various olive oil farms and wineries. The Viaduct area is a food and drink hub with excellent restaurants such as Baduzzi for traditional Italian dishes and Oyster and Chop for grass-fed meats and freshly shucked oysters. Social cooking schools also offer unique experiences where you can learn new culinary skills or engage in team building activities while enjoying homemade mojitos and Asian cuisine.
Auckland Central is home to some of the best restaurants hidden beyond hotel lobbies, such as Esther restaurant at QT Hotel Auckland offering Mediterranean flavors and Orbit 360° Dining at Skycity with panoramic views of Aotearoa's largest city. Local markets like the Matakana Farmers’ Market focus on sustainability and zero waste while showcasing regional produce and artisan goods.