The Best of Auckland: Where to Eat, Drink, and Explore

Chef Ben Bayly's Ahi is a masterclass in modern New Zealand gastronomy, translating to 'fire' in Te Reo Māori. The tasting menu is a sophisticated journey through native ingredients, featuring sustainably sourced game, wild herbs, and pristine local seafood.

Begin your day beneath the spectacular kauri wood canopies of Auckland’s primary art institution. The heritage building seamlessly blends with award-winning modern architecture, housing an exceptional collection of Māori and Pacific art.

Take your seats in the Great Hall, a world-class Edwardian concert chamber renowned for its acoustic brilliance. Tonight, Chamber Music NZ presents The John Psathas Group, delivering an intense, rhythmically complex performance that fuses contemporary classical with cinematic soundscapes.

Board the passenger ferry to Waiheke Island and head straight for Cable Bay's sprawling hillside lawn. Sprawl out on a beanbag with a glass of estate-grown Syrah while looking back at the distant Auckland skyline glittering across the water.

Skip the crowded city beaches for this residential slice of paradise in historic Devonport. It’s got soft golden sand, calm waters perfect for floating, and a spectacular, frame-worthy view of Rangitoto Island rising out of the gulf.

Start your morning like a local at this suburban favorite, housed in a beautifully repurposed brick bank. Grab a cardamom bun and an iced filter coffee, then take them down to the quiet waters of Point Chevalier beach for an early dip.

Located in the historic Campbell's Building, this minimalist boutique is a design lover's dream. It stocks an incredibly well-curated selection of international fashion labels, emphasizing clean lines, high-quality textiles, and thoughtful craftsmanship.

Josh Emett’s chic inner-city brasserie feels like a slice of Paris via New York, but with a distinctly relaxed Kiwi warmth. Nab a leather booth and order the steak frites or the exceptional crab linguine alongside a glass of Otago Pinot Noir.

Conclude your evening at this intimate, minimalist cocktail lounge hidden away on O'Connell Street. The bartenders here approach drinks with culinary precision, serving hyper-tailored, clarified concoctions in a quiet, design-forward setting that's perfect for debriefing after the concert.

End your day ten floors up at this stylish, mid-century-inspired rooftop oasis. As the name suggests, it’s the absolute best spot in the city center to watch the sun drop behind the Waitākere Ranges with a cold, seasonal cocktail in hand.

Tucked into the sunlit laneway of the heritage Masonic House in Britomart, kingi celebrates wild, sustainably caught local seafood. Order the pan-roasted snapper or the wood-fired clams, paired with a crisp glass of Northland Chardonnay.