Helene R.'s
Auckland's best cooking classes
- 19Cook The BooksGrey LynnAs well as stocking some of the most inspirational and great looking recipe books in the country, Grey Lynn’s Cook the Books offer some of the finest cookery classes and workshops. These range from Vegetarian Cheese Making to North African Flavours and Mexican, and you can also buy vouchers for foodie friends to attend. They also offer private group lessons for friends, just pop in and ask the wonderful staff to tell you more.
- 22Main CourseFreemans BayIf you’re fond of cooking beautiful meals for mates then this place will help you take things to the next level, with cookery courses polishing your skills in all manner of cuisines. It’s on the spacious side too, so makes for a great place to go as a group and really get your taste buds tingling.
- 36Sachie's KitchenParnellRun by the truly inspiring, always enthusiastic Sachie herself, classes in Japanese cuisine at Sachie’s Kitchen in Parnell are fun no matter where your skill level is at. I loved just getting my head around the basics of rolling sushi and whipping up my own Teriyaki sauce, which could definitely lead to something a little fancier in time!
- 429Farro Fresh - Grey LynnGrey LynnThe Grey Lynn branch of Farro Fresh is one of my favourite places to buy wine. They have an insanely good selection from all over the globe and the specials are always enticing - drop in and take the chance on something you’ve never tried before!
- 524Milly’s on Ponsonby Road is heaven for lovers of home baking and lovers of eating home baking alike, and stock some of the world’s most illustrious culinary brands. They have the city’s best selection of cute and quirky cake and cookie tins and decorating tools as well as mixing and prep bowls preferred by the masters. Saturday always sees live cooking and baking demos taking place too, so bring an empty tummy!
Helene R.'s
The best places to see a movie
- 125Rialto Cinema NewmarketNewmarketWe love trips to the Rialto cinema complex in Newmarket, where the selection of films is always impeccable and the snacks top notch. It is the perfect place to spend a rainy winter weekend in particular, tub of Kapiti ice cream and glass of pinot noir in hand.
- 230Silo ParkAuckland CentralDuring the summer each year Silo Park sees crowds gather on a regular basis to watch classic movies in the open air. It’s awesomely kid friendly and there are plenty of spots to hit up for dinner before or after.
- 319Bridgeway CinemasNorthcoteWe love taking the trip across the Bridge to the Bridgeway Cinemas, where it’s all rather boutique and could never be called a "complex". The coffee and snacks are first class and there are a few great restaurants in the area to pop into before or after if you’re making a night of it.
- 416Academy CinemaAuckland CentralThe inner city’s small but perfectly formed cinema spot known as the Academy Cinemas is a great place to while away a few hours and conveniently located beneath the Central Library. They usually stick to art house fare and foreign language films and the staff are truly passionate about film.
- 545Event Cinemas AlbanyAlbanyThe Gold Class at Event Cinemas by Albany Mall is the best of the bunch in my humble opinion, with plentiful - free - parking and a great line up always on. If you’re going to go blockbuster you have to go Gold Class!
Helene R.'s
The city's best purveyors of BIG breakfasts
- 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.
- 243Shaky Isles KingslandKingslandShaky Isles in Kingsland is a recently rediscovered fave of mine and the perfect place for breakfast when eggs just won’t do. They serve up all sorts of treats snuggled comfortably in freshly baked buns, as well as the likes of avocado and tabbouleh on ciabatta for a healthy, filling start to the day. The coffee is top notch too.
- 343Kokako Cafe & RoasteryGrey LynnKokako offers up some of the best brunch options in town, all vegetarian, some vegan and many gluten free. Meat lovers will barely know the difference though as the flavours are so fresh and tasty, and they even do kid sized portions if you’ve got small people on board. My fave is the organic hash (above) with the porridge coming a close second.
- 412Occam Cafe and BarGrey LynnOccam Cafe and Bar in the heart of the ‘real’ Grey Lynn has been a favourite with locals for years and shows no sign of slowing down. One of the reasons I recommend it is the ever changing menu, which is extensive compared to many of its ilk as well as seasonal and inspired. Servings are hearty too, and the coffee and wine list the perfect accompaniment. Oh and great cabinet food if you’re on the go, but get in quick as it empties early!
- 518Bread & Butter Bakery & CafeGrey LynnLittle Bread & Butter bakery in Ponsonby Central has been a favourite spot of mine since first opening its doors, so to say I was a bit excited to hear that they had opened a second location with a cafe inside would be an understatement. I finally popped down to check it out next to Farro off Richmond Road, and instantly gave it five stars for the ease of parking and spaciousness alone! The food was also top notch, with my pick so far being the smashed avocado on sourdough with a perfectly poached egg (above). A brand new fave is born.
Helene R.'s
The best tattoo shops in town
- 112Two 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.
- 21The Genuine Hustle Tattoo ShopTakapunaThis place isn’t as centrally located as most but attracts some great tattoo artists, including Karla Hansen - also the creator of Kraftbomb. Take your own design or get her to whip one up - the woman wears the title of "artist" with good reason.
- 38Sacred TattooAuckland CentralHome to some of New Zealand’s most popular tattoo artists, Sacred is often booked up weeks in advance with good reason. Clean, cool and definitely inspiring, these guys are responsible for some of the best work in town.
- 43College Hill TattooPonsonbyFormerly known as Dermagraphic, College Hill Tattoo is one of Auckland’s oldest tattoo businesses and has seen many an internationally respected artist trained within its walls.
- 513Starlight TattooHendersonOften called the Best in the West, Monique’s is friendly, unpretentious and conveniently located on Lincoln Road. They do great classic work as well as the rare and unique, and their prices are always good.
Helene R.'s
The city's best 'new' Asian eateries
- 135The Blue Breeze InnPonsonbyThe Blue Breeze Inn has only been open a few weeks but has been a hive of activity from the moment it opened its doors. It has garnered incredible reviews for its unique modern Chinese menu, which was created by chef Che Barrington of Moo Chow Chow fame. The har gau and twice fried duck are my favourites so far, best washed down with the delish Damn Native rum cocktail. If you haven’t been yet then I recommend that you get in quick!
- 242MooChowChowPonsonbyThai restaurants are a dime a dozen in Auckland city, but not all are created equal. There are some places where the food to go is impeccable but the interior not too salubrious, but at MooChowChow on Ponsonby Road you’ll find the perfect mix. The menu is a riot of flavours and the cocktail offering even more so, and the atmosphere on a Friday and Saturday night is always buzzing. Even if you just swing by for a drink there is a great bar menu too, although I reckon you will find it hard to leave.
- 321CocoroPonsonbyCocoro’s $85.00 per head dinner degustation menu gives you a great snapshot of their innovative modern Japanese menu, with creations like Teriyaki Canterbury quail and Tsukune free range chicken brochette with Japanese ratatouille. Cocoro is sister to popular Ponsonby eatery Soto, with the head chef from there, Makoto Tokuyama, now in residence at the Brown St location. The six-course degustation is called "omotenashi", and there is also a wine or sake pairing option available.
- 423Everybody's IzakayaAuckland CentralThe popular Everybody’s in the Imperial Lane has had a bit of a makeover last Winter, turning officially Japanese under new moniker Everybody’s Izakaya. It is now serving up deliciously inspired food courtesy of head chef Nick Honeyman, and the menu will have you salivating from first read. The service is informal enough to relax you but just attentive enough to impress, and if you are on a first date the incredible cocktail list will most definitely help break the ice. The Autumn Elixir and Tokyo Serenity are two of my faves, or there is a huge sake list that includes a delicious sparkling option. Make sure to book if you want an upstairs booth.
- 550Cafe HanoiAuckland CentralMy pick hands down for the best ‘new’ Vietnamese in Auckland, Hanoi has impeccable service, interesting and tasty dishes and a cocktail list to make the mouth water. As far as I know you still can’t book, but the light at the end of what can be a lengthy tunnel on a busy night is well worth the wait.
Helene R.'s
Best bars to head to if you're in a big group
- 1291885 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.
- 246Soul Bar & BistroViaduct HarbourSoul Bar & Bistro is one of those establishments that feels like it has been around forever, and it pretty much has. It was one of the early spots to open on Viaduct Harbour and is still one if the best, with great bar staff, table service and cuisine. It also makes for great people spotting on a sunny afternoon, so if you have visitors with you from out of town it will never disappoint.
- 323Mondial BarGrey LynnWe love Mondial for a warm and cosy catch up on cooler nights, the wine list is always inspired and the tapas is the best in town. It is big enough to handle larger groups but also has plenty of dark corners for catch ups of a more intimate nature, and you never feel rushed no matter what the hour. A Grey Lynn secret spot that has been a poorly kept secret with good reason!
- 454SnapdragonViaduct HarbourPerfect for those long, hot summer nights and a great place to start a night out, Snapdragon has loads of room for big groups as well as imbibing a deux. The cocktail list in long and interesting and the bar staff always great you with a smile, no matter how lengthy your order!
- 533LongroomPonsonbyIt may not be everyone’s cup of tea but there is no denying that Ponsonby’s Longroom has a buzzy atmosphere - and plenty of room to move. The new covered courtyard is a joy in Auckland’s fickle weather, and the bar snacks are tasty and plentiful.