Guidebook for Auckland
Food Scene
Delicious hipstery goodness, with enough kale and bearded waitstaff to satisfy the trendiest of Instagram accounts. Always, always order the kumara fries (kumara is NZ sweet potato)
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Orphans Kitchen
118 Ponsonby RdDelicious hipstery goodness, with enough kale and bearded waitstaff to satisfy the trendiest of Instagram accounts. Always, always order the kumara fries (kumara is NZ sweet potato)
Little and Friday
232 Douglas StDelicious sweet treats!
The best cafe for raw, slow-food, vegan delights. Try the "chocolate caramel slice" - which has no sugar, dairy or gluten, but somehow tastes better than the real thing.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Little Bird Kitchen
Ponsonby RoadThe best cafe for raw, slow-food, vegan delights. Try the "chocolate caramel slice" - which has no sugar, dairy or gluten, but somehow tastes better than the real thing.
A super-trendy burger joint. Whatever you do, order the potato skins.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Burger Burger Ponsonby
4 Brown StA super-trendy burger joint. Whatever you do, order the potato skins.
The best croissants in Auckland! Go at 7am and get them freshly off the tray... Part of the amazing Ponsonby Central
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Little Bread & Butter
The best croissants in Auckland! Go at 7am and get them freshly off the tray... Part of the amazing Ponsonby Central
Sit outside on the street and have an espresso martini. Better for cocktails, bubbles and being seen than actually for eating, although it's not too bad at that either.
71 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
SPQR
150 Ponsonby RdSit outside on the street and have an espresso martini. Better for cocktails, bubbles and being seen than actually for eating, although it's not too bad at that either.
Smart and savvy bistro. We had our first date here, and keep going back.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Ponsonby Road Bistro
165 Ponsonby RdSmart and savvy bistro. We had our first date here, and keep going back.
An iconic Italian restaurant that's extremely popular and buzzing. They don't take bookings, but try for an outside table if the weather's nice. They don't have it on the menu, but I love ordering a puttanesca pizza.
72 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Prego Restaurant
226 Ponsonby RdAn iconic Italian restaurant that's extremely popular and buzzing. They don't take bookings, but try for an outside table if the weather's nice. They don't have it on the menu, but I love ordering a puttanesca pizza.
Great for a quick breakfast, brunch or lunch, with a buzzing atmosphere. Try the salmon eggs ...
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dizengoff
256 Ponsonby RdGreat for a quick breakfast, brunch or lunch, with a buzzing atmosphere. Try the salmon eggs ...
Parks & Nature
This secret wee beach is close to home, and we love it for sunbathing (but always be careful in NZ - wear a strong sunscreen as we basically have no ozone layer!)
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Home Bay Beach
Wallace StreetThis secret wee beach is close to home, and we love it for sunbathing (but always be careful in NZ - wear a strong sunscreen as we basically have no ozone layer!)
Super easy walk (less than an hour) up an island volcano, with amazing views over the city and harbour. Take a ferry from Britomart.
280 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve
Super easy walk (less than an hour) up an island volcano, with amazing views over the city and harbour. Take a ferry from Britomart.
Shopping
World Ponsonby
179 Ponsonby RdBeautiful, very fancy beauty products.
Heaps of beautiful shops in the area, from Tiffany & Co through to Kathryn Wilson Footwear.
359 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Britomart
1150 Shortland StHeaps of beautiful shops in the area, from Tiffany & Co through to Kathryn Wilson Footwear.
Essentials
Best hair salon in Auckland! Actually in NZ, as they won NZ Hairdresser of the Year. Great place to buy Davines, Oribe and O&M products.
d&m Hair Design
1C Redmond StBest hair salon in Auckland! Actually in NZ, as they won NZ Hairdresser of the Year. Great place to buy Davines, Oribe and O&M products.
Beautiful organic produce store in Ponsonby Central. It's amazing for fresh juices!
Ceres Fresh Market
4 Brown StBeautiful organic produce store in Ponsonby Central. It's amazing for fresh juices!
Actually at 177a Ponsonby Rd, this is the closest convenience store to us - one minute's walk away. It's very tiny but has the essentials.
City Convenience Store Ponsonby Rd
177 Ponsonby RdActually at 177a Ponsonby Rd, this is the closest convenience store to us - one minute's walk away. It's very tiny but has the essentials.
A fantastic supermarket, known for having a large selection.
157 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
New World Victoria Park
2 College HillA fantastic supermarket, known for having a large selection.
Drinks & Nightlife
Delicious cocktails in a small, low-key bar, perfect to get the night started.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mea Culpa
175 Ponsonby RdDelicious cocktails in a small, low-key bar, perfect to get the night started.
Sightseeing
The Christmas lights! In December, the majority of houses put on Christmas lights and people from all over Auckland come to see them at dusk.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Franklin Rd
86 Franklin RdThe Christmas lights! In December, the majority of houses put on Christmas lights and people from all over Auckland come to see them at dusk.
Arts & Culture
The best art gallery in Auckland.
606 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Igaleriya Yomlingo YaseAuckland Toi o Tamaki
Wellesley Street EastThe best art gallery in Auckland.