Auckland · New Zealand
The Auckland food cheat sheet
One page from Chef Amazing · November 2026
The dish to eat
A hand-sized pastry pie of rich beef mince in gravy topped with melted cheese, New Zealand's favorite snack.
Best at Muzza's Pies, Auckland. Get: Mince and cheese pie, hot
Five places, and what to order
- Ulutoa and Sonsfamily-run · Avondale and ŌtāhuhuGet: Chop suey, keke pua'a (pork bun), fried chicken
- Hala Hihifofamily-run · ŌtāhuhuGet: Lu sipi (lamb in taro leaves), ota ika, mango 'otai
- Tasi Pasefika Cafécafe · Glen InnesGet: Kale mamoe, fai'ai eleni, fa'alifu manioka
- FishSmithfor fish and chips · Herne BayGet: Fish of the day with potato fritters
- Onslowfor bluff oysters · Auckland CBDGet: Bluff oysters while in season
The market
Open-air market. Panipopo, panikeke, taro, fish dishes, hāngī, Cook Island doughnuts, fresh produce
The line worth it
GiapoBritomart
Get: An ice cream sculpture
Expect: Waits in the evening. Beat it: Go in the afternoon.
In season this November
Whitebait
How it works here
Tip: Not expected; leave 10% for great service.
Book: Book dinner a week out on weekends; cafes and markets are walk-in.
When locals eat: Breakfast and brunch are big; dinner 6:30-9pm.