Al's Deli

I am in love with the cronuts here!! The bagels are also soo good and I like that you can pick your own and take them home. great coffee spot!

This is a classic all-American diner nestled in a small nook just off Auckland's Queen Street. Heading inside it feels like you've been transported to New York with bagels, ribs, burgers and cronuts all taking pride of place on the menu. We had dinner with a large group to farewell a good friend who is travelling overseas and with almost 30 of us, we packed the place out. The best bit, of course, was that the meals are so good they put a smile on everyone's faces. The ribs are messy and delightful, the chips are smothered in cheese and gravy and the Al Burger that I ordered was classic Americana. And although I didn't indulge, the cocktail menu also looked pretty darn inviting.

The bagels are absolutely delish! Fresh and made the same day, love it

poutine = )

Al's Deli has an excellent dining atmosphere, a bit more chilled out than the Fed, while bringing that same bang-on North American authenticity and quality to Auckland's overdone dining scene. I'm already a confirmed addict of the Main! That peppery smoked brisket is a classic in the making. Get it on sourdough, get it on a bagel, or just get it in a mound on some crispy fries! One thing I miss from travelling in North America is the free dill spear on the side when you order a nice hot sandwich, and on this score Al's doesn't disappoint. The fries are great, and they're even better with the gravy and cheese curd Poutine. The desserts have so far been consistently interesting and worthwhile, from the iconic Moose Ears to the curiously constructed piecaken, and the coffee has been consistent on all 3 of the 3 visits I've made so far. Now, my next mission is to try that cherry maple bacon - if I can just manage to sit down without ordering that brisket first!