The restaurants the Remix team would recommend time and time again

Auckland isn’t shy of good restaurants, but that usually makes deciding where to eat that much harder. If you find yourself in a planning pickle, here’s where the Remix team recommend time and time again.

Dinner & A Show

I’d suggest this for myriad occasions if I could, but I refuse to look past the wine and pasta special at No.7 for any kind of affair. $30 for a plate full of fresh pasta and a nice glass of natty wine is a steal in any economy, really, and Jack and his team have done just such a divine job of creating a vibe here. Stars in my eyes for offering a seriously delicious gluten-free pasta, plus with its Pitt Street address, the outpost really is within trotting distance of all of the city’s best venues.

Girls’ Night Out

If you’re asking me where the best girls’ night out is, it’s got to be Hotel Ponsonby—aka HOPO, aka HP. I can’t think of a single night when my Uber hasn’t dropped me and my girls here. If you know me, I’m probably with an Aperol in hand, and honestly, HP does it best. It’s also the perfect spot to start off a Ponsonby adventure, and one that comes with a much-needed debrief the next day.

Date Night

Whether it’s date night or in fact any night, a table at the unabashedly chic Gilt Brasserie never disappoints. From the perfectly mixed martini to the iconic triple cheese soufflé and chicken piccata, its contemporary European fare mixed with impeccable service makes it a no-brainer when it comes to an elevated experience in the heart of Tamaki Makaurau’s CBD. Bonus points: its prime position on the ground floor of the historic Chancery Chambers building, and elegant private dining room for special celebrations.

Cheap & Cheerful

When I’m in the middle of the city between busy deadlines and fashion week shows, food that’s fast and fun is always needed. I can never decide on just one, so I’m going to be cheeky and say Commercial Bay’s Harbour Eats—if you haven’t been, it’s a super elevated food court experience. Heaps of different cuisines and foods for every dietary need. Love!

A Special Occasion 

Auckland’s North Shore is undoubtedly having its culinary moment—and at the heart of it sits Birkenhead’s Hinemoa Street, where husband-and-wife duo Jordan and Sarah MacDonald have cultivated quite the neighbourhood dining destination. Bon Pinard—with its intimate European wine bar feel and fit-out—is my go-to when a special occasion calls. Think seasonally led plates like tuna crudo with buffalo curd, and pecorino and olive beignets, all served on eclectic, homely crockery, alongside an equally divine wine list: utter perfection.

Dinner With Friends

After moving between Auckland and Dunedin for university, I found that my trips home always perfectly aligned with my birthday. However, choosing a spot for a spontaneous celebratory dinner with friends is not as easy as it seems—you need the perfect trifecta: great food, vibrant atmosphere, and a menu that caters to everyone. Since opening, First Mate’s Last Laugh has become my go-to, hitting every requirement for my friends and me. From their seafood selection to their enduring ice-cream bar, they have yet to disappoint (plus a cheeky pineapple martini doesn’t hurt).

After Work Drinks

I can say this with my full chest because you will catch me there every Friday evening, Bodega on Ponsonby Road. The perfect casual wine bar atmosphere for socialising with friends, and even strangers you meet at the table next door. My go-to order is a glass of the chilled red and a selection of their aperitivo bites. If I’m feeling particularly ravenous, you can’t go wrong with their Steak Frites Sandwich.

Family In Town

Hands down, Bivacco every time. If I’m looking for somewhere where the food is exceptional, or to give out-of-towners a taste of Auckland’s beautiful harbour, this is the spot. (And it’s dangerously close to the Waiheke Ferry for a spontaneous sightseeing jaunt across the isles.) They also do an amazing Bar Club, for epic members’ only pricing on drinks and plates—it’s outrageously good value.