Auckland, New Zealand + Add a trip

Cheap, tasty Hong Kong style noodles. Eat in or takeaway

Japanese: Donburi and noodles

My favourite shop in Auckland, this place has a loyal local following! It has a small gallery space downstairs, and a myriad of Maori and early NZ themed goodies for sale upstairs...think homewares such as natural fibre cushions embriodered with native birds, Maori words etc...hand crafted jewellery referencing Maori themes, individual one off designer clothes, local music CD's, furniture etc...irresistable!

Sri Penang is a Chinese-Malaysian restaurant that most people would probably walk past without a second glance. But closer inspection you'll notice that it's probably packed to capacity with regular diners. This will probably be the cheapest restaurant that you'll ever make a booking for (and bookings are recommended for most nights).

Start with the Roti Curry - at about $6 it's an amazing starter with a small (but HOT) chicken curry with a roti canai - a fried flat bread which are made daily on site and have been known in the past to sell out. I've searched for a better roti, and none have come close to how light, fluffy and buttery they are at Sri Penang. Not great for a diet, but great for satisfaction! I want one now right now...

The owners are a husband and wife pair, with Angie running fount of house and the husband cooking out back.

No alcohol sold, but there is a bottle store across the road and BYO. Enjoy your meal!

There are a bunch of gourmet burger chains around Auckland, but for the best freshness, taste, and value, I don't think you can go past Pomme Frittes in Grey Lynn.

As well as amazing burgers (my mouth is watering just thinking about them now) they do amazing fish and chips - you never have to worry about old or unclean oil used for the chips - everything is always kept so fresh!

This has never been my local takeaway shop, but there have been some very fortunate times when I've been house sitting in Pt Chev and I've gone the extra distance to come here for the best takeaways :)

The last time I was at Vivace I shared a bunch of starters with friends, we had pork belly and amazing mini pizzas with a great selection of wine. In the past I've had the best tuna steak I've ever had, and as part of my culinary history, years back this was the first place I ever ate Gnocchi. The food, service, and wine knowledge are all excellent here!

Love love love the BBQ Pork Noodles here :)

Amazing food here. Not your standard 'butter chicken' Indian house. If you're not feeling confident with the menu I'd recommend letting the staff help you with your ordering - they've made great suggestions in the past. There are heaps of vegetarian options here too if you're vege inclined.

Avoid!

Auckland is great because it has a very diverse geography. In a very short time you can be out of the city confines and in the countryside to experience what Auckland is all about. West of Auckland is where you will find the Waitakere Ranges (the equivalent of a rainforest!). Views from 450m above sea-level are enjoyed in the clean-crisp air of the Native 'bush' (forest). Right out on the West Coast beach of Muriwai is the world-famous Takapu (gannet, sea-bird) colony, which gets 1.3 million visitors a year! There are Eco-tours that take you to these areas on day trips. Overall, get out of the city if you want to experience 'reality'.

Auckland's ECO-tour & FARM visit will take you on outings to enjoy the West Auckland sights and attractions. Visit Arataki Information Centre in the Waitakere Rainforest. Go craft-shopping for 100% New Zealand products at Westgate shopping centre, Massey. Head along Highway 16 to Kumeu for wine-tasting at award winning wineries, continue onto Waimauku to BeesOnline Organic Honey centre to taste New Zealand honey varieties. Continue along Muriwai Road out to Muriwai Beach that has black iron-sands and is home to the Takapu (gannet) colony. Track back into the Muriwai Valley and visit Motutara Farm & historic Homestead (not open to the public, only open if on the Coast to Coast Tour). Here, feed & touch sheep, visit a working woolshed, have afternoon tea, and get the opportunity to purchase and plant your own Native tree to offset your carbon emissions.

Very handy to everywhere downtown incl SkyTower, Aotea centre & Water front