The new(ish) Farro Fresh store in Mairangi Bay is like a top-end deli, butcher, fishmonger and chocolatier all rolled into one. Already well known for their Mt Wellington store, this one is a great addition to the Shore. Located in the former Carters building supplies location off Constellation Drive. 

They've just spent what looks like a fair amount of money completely renovating the cafe & restaurant and it looks great. They have a large cheese room (as you'd expect!) where you can also pick up some of their other products - like their awesome yoghurt. They also have a separate ice cream bar which will be great for the summer. The grounds are great for the kids, with a playground and lake with fountains. The food isn't cheap but is good quality.

Not the place to go if you're looking for cheap eats, this is a top-notch cafe and deli. A great range with some great options across the board.

The place to come if you want to treat your friends and family to a gourmet home cooked dinner. A huge range of high quality, fresh ingredients. A cheese range to die for. Salamis, cured meats and deli foods. Top notch wines and the occasional local craft beer too.

A genuine taste of France just minutes from the CBD. A great place to go to pick up traditional French pastries, baguettes and my favourite - Pain Au Chocolate.

They've just spent what looks like a fair amount of money completely renovating the cafe & restaurant and it looks great. They have a large cheese room (as you'd expect!) where you can also pick up some of their other products - like their awesome yoghurt. They also have a separate ice cream bar which will be great for the summer. The grounds are great for the kids, with a playground and lake with fountains. The food isn't cheap but is good quality.

It's not just about butterflies here (although the butterfly house is a decent size with lots of them), it's the farm animals and miniature train that the kids loved. It's one of only a few places that I know of that they can hold and pet baby bunnies and guinea pigs as well as see pigs, sheep goats and ducks. Of course, they now have the added attraction of two huge saltwater crocodiles, although they didn't seem at all keen to move or be slightly scary when we were there! There's a decent sized cafe with a good selection of eats, but it can get really busy, especially in school holidays. The location is also a fair way out of the city, right next to the airport. A pretty good day out though.

Always a good option for a rainy day with the kids. A huge variety of things to see, and the dedicated kids area has a range of interactive exhibits and things to touch. Our kids always love the dinosaur bones. Regular events and exhibitions make return visits worthwhile.

An attraction that is really well done - and has improved greatly over the past few years. A place to see fishy things of all shapes and sizes - from the sharks gliding above you in the transparent underwater tunnel, to the giant stingrays that you can feed by hand.

Great for kids parties. A giant indoor playground with slides, bouncy castles and sponge ball guns powered by compressed air. The kids can spend ages running around while you sit back with a coffee.

Lots of outdoor seating in the sun. Licensed so you can do beer, wine or cocktails. Open in the evenings also and the hot chocolates are great for the kids. Try the gelato bar in the summer.

This place is so laid back it’s almost horizontal. Great vibe, and good tunes. Definitely where the locals go.

Love this place, they have great coffee and the BEST cakes. They use organic ingredients and have a great local atmosphere.

Ok, it's a big call, but I reckon Benediction has the best coffee in Auckland. Certainly the best in the neighbourhood. It's Allpress, which is a really good start, and it's just done...better. Worth a bit of a detour, this is one of my top places for business meetings over coffee. The food's good too, and they have some nice smoothie type things also.

If you're on the Shore, head down to Jam Organic Cafe in Takapuna for great organic coffee and treats which are baked in their on-site bakery. Great local atmosphere and the best service from the delightful Jules and co :-)

The guys at Cafe Hanoi saved our evening. We were bumped out of a booking at another restaurant (who shall remain nameless) on my wife's birthday. On a busy Rugby World Cup night. So we tried to get into Cafe Hanoi on the off-chance - and within 5 minutes they had cleared us a table. Their service was impeccable - attentive without being annoying. And the food was top-notch. I'd recommend everything we had - but in particular try the grilled minced beef wrapped in perilla with chilli, ginger & peanut sauce, it's outstanding. And dessert - try the sago pudding (and no, it's really nothing like the sago you might have got as a child), it was awesome. We'll definitely be back.

It’s been here for ages and is still the best Mexican place around. All the usuals are here in large portions, but it’s the cocktails that are the real stars. Grab a table on the balcony if you can.

No comparison. The wagyu steak is fantastic. They also do good seafood too. So have both.

Beautiful location at Te Whau Point on Waiheke with a top grade restaurant. If you can get one of the tables on the deck, the view is stunning. Try a bottle of their flagship drop -  The Point. 

Ok, this place isn't cheap by any measure, but you're paying for quality. The big sushi and sashimi platter is awesome, and they have some top end other options too. In my experience, service can be a little variable depending on which night you're in and how busy they are. It's in a good location, right next to the Britomart precinct and is justifiably popular.

A great selection of quality wines, good tapas and a nice atmosphere.

Sale Street is a great place to catch up for lunch - especially in the summer, as they have a decent sized garden. The bar menu is reasonably priced and portions are large - try the Sale St burger - pretty massive and comes with hand cut fries.

One of the best locations in Auckland, right in the Viaduct. Been there for ages, but still delivers the goods. Great place for a cheeky glass of sav at lunchtime and for the people watching.

Up on the first floor half way along Fort Street, this place is a good option for after-work drinks on a Friday. The outdoor area is in an enclosed part of the building with the roof open to the sky - it works quite well. They have a good tap beer selection with Tiger and Moa plus others. They also do some deals on pitchers (and bigger). Decent pizza too. Well worth a visit.

A newish place tucked in on the same street as one of my old favorites, La Zeppa, and a few steps away from Sale Street, Libertine in another welcome addition to the Auckland bar scene. Inside it's all modern, clean and shiny and the outside courtyard has heaters for colder evenings. Prices are pretty much what you'd expect from this sort of upmarket gastropub, and food is good quality. Pretty trendy bro.

In an excellent location perched at the top of College Hill, Three Lamps Bar & Eatery is by far and away the best craft beer spot in Ponsonby. With a great selection of over 100 beers from across the World in bottles, plus a selection of Emerson’s favorites and their own Three Lamps brews on tap, there’s something for every taste. I’d recommend having a go at their own brand pilsner - it’s refreshing with a traditional hoppy bite. On the food side, it’s quality bistro fare here, with a menu that matches the beer list well. I’d recommend trying a few plates of mixed sliders with a group of mates.

A must stop venue on any craft beer trip, great pizzas too. Hip location in City Works Depot near Food Truck Garage.

A great place for traditionally brewed beer, they have a great selection of quality ales. They have their own microbrewery on site - try the awesome chocolatey stout. Food is decent quality pub fare with large sized portions. Great for a pub lunch, or for a pre-rugby pint (it's not too far to Eden Park).

The best craft beer haunt in Newmarket, and one of the best in Auckland. With an ever-changing list of beers on tap and in bottles, The Lumsden should be on every beer-lover's list. They run regular quizzes, and have a games night on Mondays. Food is quality pub fare (try the Meatlovers Antipasto Platter or the thermo-nuclear hot chicken wings). You'll need a pint or two to cool you down! But the absolutely best thing about the Lumsden is the 3-hour Happy Hour, every day from 4-7pm. Just right for after-work drinks :-)

One of Auckland's best craft beer bars, always a good selection on tap and in the bottle. Usually have at least one beer from Epic on tap - try the Zythos if you can get it, or Hop Zombie for bucket loads more hops. Good location, right in the CBD, I've often ended up here at some point on a night out. Friendly staff, a good choice for after-work drinks.