Helene R.'s
The best hospitality personalities in town
- 164The French CafeNewtonThe French Café is one of Auckland oldest, much loved and much awarded dining establishments. Serving up stellar modern French cuisine, the restaurant offers a nine-course chef’s tasting, a six course tasting that includes a vegetarian option, and an a la carte menu that has been carefully designed to be enjoyed in four courses.
- 248SPQRPonsonbyA Ponsonby institution for over twenty years, SPQR is one of the finest places to begin - or end - a night out. Cocktails like ‘The Slapper’ come highly recommended!
- 3110Mexico Auckland CentralAuckland CentralOne of our favourite places to wind up an evening out is Mexico in Britomart, where the service is always hot, the margaritas ice cold and the tacos always top notch. They are open til late and serve drinks as tasty as their food options, with particular must haves like the Mexico Fried Chicken, Three Cheese Quesadilla and Do It Yourself Guacamole usually still in stock even after a busy night. We love you Mexico!
- 411Freida MargolisGrey LynnI know it opened about six months’ ago and that was when I made my first visit, but only know am I realising how much I love West Lynn bar Freida Margolis. It is as cosy and unpretentious as it gets and the wine list is thoughtful, eclectic and fun, while the snack menu for winter is small but delicious. Try the duck sliders with a glass of hearty Bordeaux - you won’t be disappointed.
- 578Prego RestaurantPonsonbyIn my opinion, despite its popular outdoor area Prego Restaurant is the perfect spot for dining come winter on Ponsonby Road. As well as having a collection of blankets for those still insisting on dining al fresco, they have the heartiest lasagne in town as well as two risotto offerings and lashings of stellar red wine options to wash it all down. This doesn’t even include their legendary pizza, which has fans all over the world. A legend for a reason, with fare that keeps them coming back for more.
Helene R.'s
Where to take your sweet tooth
- 129Foxtrot ParlourPonsonbyI love a cafe that thinks outside the square when it comes to brunch and lunch options, and Ponsonby Central’s Foxtrot Parlour does just that. They don’t get much better than pulled pork Banh Mi and amazing Empire Eggs, washed down with some of the sharpest coffee in town.
- 229Kohu Road LtdNew LynnNext wet weekend afternoon I highly recommend surprising little ones with a trip to New Lynn’s Kohu Road cafe, which you’ll find at the front of the HQ of the ice cream company of the same name. There is ample ice cream and sorbet to choose from, as well as a kids only indoor caravan filled with toys and DVDs to watch while the adults have brunch and read the paper. Top coffee too, courtesy of the legendary Supreme.
- 354MilseAuckland CentralTucked away behind the Kathryn Wilson store in the Pavilions at Britomart you’ll find Milse, the ultimate sweet tooth’s dining destination. Styled as a ‘secret dessert garden’ it has amazing cakes, pastries and gelato to go as well as a restaurant that serves three, five and seven course degustation menus for those that really want to indulge! You can also order cakes for special occasions, and they serve Milse sweets and desserts next door too at neighbouring bistro Ortolana.
- 424Catroux CafeWestmereAs well as having a stellar sandpit and top treats for adults, Catroux in Westmere has a great kids menu full of family-friendly treats like egg and soldiers at parent-friendly prices. Great coffee too!
- 529Bread & Butter Bakery PonsonbyPonsonbyDangerously close to my home and my office is Little Bread & Butter Bakery, where a lot of hard earned cash gets spent on fresh, fragrant and just plain delicious bread. They use certified organic ingredients and unbleached flours, and leave out additives, stabilisers and other nasties that you really don’t want on your kitchen table. Parking can be a bit dicey on a sunny day so if you don’t mind airflow detour, they have opened another branch behind Farro Fresh a little further down Richmond Road - turn left at the Mitre 10 and you’re there!
Helene R.'s
Dog friendly spots
- 19Grey Lynn ParkGrey LynnGrey Lynn park is just a ten minute drive from Downtown Auckland, but feels light years away on a crisp, sunny Autumn day. The Sculpture Garden is the ideal spot for a little mid-morning meditation, and the walk through the trees to get there feels like another world. If you’re not a regular you are seriously missing out, and the leash free dog area is an added incentive to take your pup along for the ride.
- 23Pakiri BeachPakiriOne of my favourite places to go that’s not too far from Auckland but pleasantly far enough that it feels like a holiday is Pakiri Beach. As well as the horse rides and surfing to occupy your time it is close enough to Leigh to grab coffee and pizza at the Sawmill, and if you come for a weekend then you can’t pass through the Matakana markets without making a stop.
- 312Western ParkFreemans BayMy dog loves his daily trip to Western Park, an off leash oasis in Freemans Bay that is big enough to keep everyone happy. It is perfect on hotter days when pups need a little shade along with their space, and even has a water fountain at canine level for refreshment stops.
- 413Meola Reef ReserveWestern SpringsThere is always a pup party going on in the off-leash dog area at Meola Reef Reserve, where your furry friends can run wild through the bush and through the grass to their hearts’ content. It can get muddy when it rains but for dogs that just adds to the fun, and for humans it’s not too far to some stellar cafes for a brunch or coffee post-run.
- 535Takapuna BeachTakapunaOn a sunny day Takapuna Beach is a great place for sunbathing or walking the dog, but during the winter months it’s also a great destination for a brisk walk or to explore the rock pools. We love the ones by the famous Petrified Forest and close to Takapuna Beach Cafe, where you can pop in for an order of fresh fish and chips to enjoy in the winter sun.
Helene R.'s
Treats For Dad
- 126Brothers BeerAuckland CentralOne of the year’s brightest new arrivals on the beverage scene, Brothers Beer (pictured) is tucked away down the side of CityWorks Depot. It has a 4800 litre capacity brewery on site as well as stocking great craft beers from around the globe to be enjoyed in house or to take away. Oh, and the toasted sandwiches are first rate!
- 212Two Hands TattooPonsonbyStefan Sinclair is the man behind Two Hands, one of Auckland’s best and most unique tattoo parlours. The artists you’ll find wielding guns there are amongst the country’s best, and visiting international names add even more to the mix. They have also just opened the flash only studio Flash City next door and even have an in house barber. Definitely a spot not to be missed, if you’re in the market for fresh ink then I highly recommend that you give them a call.
- 310Flotsam & JetsamGrey LynnNothing makes a true fossicker more happy than a store full of unique, quirky and very cool vintage finds, and Flotsam & Jetsam on Ponsonby Road is jam packed with all that and more. Owner Cam has an exceptional eye, and his edit is impeccable - you seriously cannot leave this place empty handed, no matter how hard you try. He also has a small selection of beautiful hard cover books for sale that make for inspired gifting.
- 45Hampton Downs MotorSport ParkHampton DownsAround forty minutes’ drive from the city,Hampton Downs MotorSport Park is the home of driving legends, but that doesn’t mean you can’t come to stay and play too. They have regular public driving days where you can book in a few laps here and there, as well as racing experiences available depending on your badge of choice. A voucher for a trip around the track in a Lotus, Ferrari or Lamborghini makes for a great gift for the speed freaks in your life too, and definitely won’t go unused.
- 538Unity Books LimitedAuckland CentralBook shops are my happy place, and Auckland has some amazing literary destinations that are a hell of a lot more fun then staring at an e-book. One of my favourites is Unity Books in High Street, where you’ll find the best of new international releases as well as a brilliant selection of local publications. Their staff picks are always spot on too, so if you need a little extra inspiration keep an eye out for them dotted around the store. Perfect lazy Sunday activity at its best!
Helene R.'s
Favourite live music venues
- 14The Dog's BollixNewtonLocated just off Karangahape Road is the Dogs Bollix, one of the city's premier music venues. A friendly pub, it is renowned for its great atmosphere and outstanding pub food as well as its eclectic weekly line up. The venue features live music at least six nights a week, and you never know what you might find on any given night.
- 28Trust ArenaHendersonThe West Auckland equivalent of Vector Arena is Trusts Stadium, a larger venue that holds crowds of up to 5,000 with ease. Close to the North Western Motorway off ramp and the suburb of Henderson, it’s easy to reach and popular with musical and athletic events alike.
- 3291885 BritomartAuckland Central1885 in the Britomart Precinct is one of the city’s slickest venues. Beautifully designed, it was a hot spot from the moment it opened its doors for a variety of reasons. It has a selection of DJs spinning an eclectic range of tunes most nights, as well as live music with a jazzy feel a few nights a week. The venue also has three distinct function spaces and a maximum capacity of five hundred, making it a great place to book for your next party or gig.
- 437Spark ArenaAuckland CentralVector Arena is definitely one of the city’s most popular big venues, with big names like Radiohead and Lady Gaga appearing on stage there to sold out crowds. A 12,000-seat arena for sports and entertainment events, it is conveniently located at Quay Park, super close to both public transport and Downtown Auckland’s central hub.
- 548The Kings Arms TavernNewtonThe Kings Arms in Newton is an Auckland live music icon, and still sees hundreds of punters packing out its bars on any given night of the week. The “KA” - as it is fondly known - is one of the oldest hotels in Auckland, and there are photographs of the building dating from 1880. After all of these years the sound’s still great and the beer’s still cheap, and a visit makes you feel like you're taking part in a little piece of history.
Helene R.'s
Auckland's best Italian
- 130Il BucoPonsonbyIf we’re eating pizza in our favourite spots are most definitely SPQR and Prego, but for pizza by the slice you just can’t beat the legendary Il Buco for freshness and flavour. Jonny and his team serve around thirty different varieties, and this includes options for vegetarians, vegans and those who go gluten free too. And there is never any compromise on taste, the ingredients are that good.
- 29Delicious RestaurantGrey LynnI love a food risotto on a cold day/night, and spend most of the winter trying all I can in the search for the best out there. My latest discovery was on the specials board at Grey Lynn restaurant Delicious, and came with chicken, broad beans and a rich provolone. It was pretty damn perfect and as it was available in entree or main size could be easily snaffled for lunch. Yum.
- 348SPQRPonsonbyA Ponsonby institution for over twenty years, SPQR is one of the finest places to begin - or end - a night out. Cocktails like ‘The Slapper’ come highly recommended!
- 478Prego RestaurantPonsonbyIn my opinion, despite its popular outdoor area Prego Restaurant is the perfect spot for dining come winter on Ponsonby Road. As well as having a collection of blankets for those still insisting on dining al fresco, they have the heartiest lasagne in town as well as two risotto offerings and lashings of stellar red wine options to wash it all down. This doesn’t even include their legendary pizza, which has fans all over the world. A legend for a reason, with fare that keeps them coming back for more.
- 57GelatiamoAuckland CentralWynyard Quarter is always a great place to take little ones keen for a run around and a bit of exploring, and nearby North Wharf has some decent eateries for refuelling when the time comes. Gelatiamo is one of our favourites, both for the good, strong coffee and tasty gelato. They use ingredients imported from Italy so the goods are as authentic as it gets, and they also serve fat free sorbetto for those with an eye on the scales. Grab a cone and keep walking, or eat in on their well sheltered verandah.