Top Restaurants in East Tamaki
East Tamaki Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in East Tamaki
Discover the best restaurant in East Tamaki, New Zealand including Volare Restaurant, Windross House Restaurant, Urban Soul, Rangoli, Daruma Sushi-Go-Round, Secret Thai Garden, Fisher House, Star Cafe Seafood Restaurant, Raja's Indian Restaurant & Bar, Doolan Brothers Botany
Things to do in East Tamaki
1. Volare Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By 2014traveller-b - Sydney, Australia
We were looking forward to dining here after Reading the reviews but were extremely disappointed with the very poor quality of the pasta selections served. You expect an Italian restaurant to at least get basic pasta right - it was disappointing.
My porcini ravioli, about 6 large parcels with sage brown butter, was the worst I've had ever. Compared with soft parcels with beautiful saucy mushroom filling that melt in the mouth I've enjoyed at other restaurants, my parcels were dry and tasted like cardboard. The filling was a dense mass of porcini like sausage that was also dry and tasted awful. The butter sauce was way too burnt and tasted horrible like they had used margarine instead of butter. Two parcels hidden at the bottom of the plate had broken open and looked uninviting. The 3 small shaves of Parmesan did nothing to enhance the dish.
The fettuccine al pollo had tiny pieces of dry chicken and lacked sauce - it seemed thrown together without love. The pasta was overcooked.
The tortellini boscaiola where do I start - overcooked pasta with slices of ham that looked straight from a supermarket packet added without being cooked, drowned in cream that was not reduced. The chicken pieces tasted like they were steamed beforehand - just awful.
The tagliatelle bolognese pasta too was overcooked. The meat sauce was watery and tasted bland - a store bought lasagna would have been much better.
The lack of care and love in the pasta dishes served was reflected in the dusty bottles high on shelves on the wall. I have eaten pasta at restaurants all over the world and this was the worst pasta I have ever been served in an Italian restaurant.
The service was okay if you like your bottle of wine plonked down noisily on the table in front of you.
We will certainly not be going back - yuk!
2. Windross House Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
Owners are Billy and Julianna - lovely people
Reviewed By Matt1811027 - Auckland, New Zealand
My wife and I visited Windross House for dinner to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. We booked rather late so had to settle for a later booking.
This did not worry us at all and when we arrived, the restaurant was still packed. We were seated quickly though and from the moment we settled, we were well looked after.
Our meals did take a little time to arrive to start with, however the manager explained they were unexpectedly one person down due to illness, and once the pressure came off from the other diners, everything went very smoothly.
The service could not be faulted. We were kept well informed where our meals were at all times.
The meals were ordered were cooked exactly as we ordered.
A most successful evening and the perfect choice
3. Urban Soul
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
Http://eyescout.blogspot.com/2011/09/urbansoul-soul-food.html
Reviewed By 367john - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Firstly, the food and service - very good indeed. The location is indeed urban, right near the motorway and not far from the Manukau shopping centre. It is bright and clean, with a good menu and efficient service. The food was well presented and came with a cheerful smile.
Parking is somewhat diabolical with most of the spots immediately outside the cafe threatening immediate tow away or worse. However, the larger parking area is not far away.
In a sense, which may be deliberate, the soul of this place is urban - clean lines, wood and polished metal, large windows, varied menu and swift service. It would be a mistake to anticipate a deep and meaningful experience over coffee but then, why would you be in urban Manukau if you were after deep and meaningful?
Easy to find, easy to access, clean and good menu. Urban right to its roots.
4. Rangoli
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 30 reviews
5. Daruma Sushi-Go-Round
Overall Ratings
4 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By Billytoucan - Auckland, New Zealand
My wife and I were celebrating a family event and chose to do this at Daruma Sushi. We did find it quaint that they close at 9, but I guess they think about their staff and families and send them home at a decent hour.
The sushi train is unique and the food is so very fresh, high quality and we were delighted to have driven a fair distance to go there. The soft shelled crab was very special, the chilli prawn and chicken sushi and as we arrived late, most of the Deserts were over.
Hot sake washed down the meal and we are sure we will come back for more in the future.
6. Secret Thai Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By Savanahmum - Auckland, New Zealand
After Reading several positive reviews I thought this would be a great place to take family visiting from overseas for dinner. I have eaten at many Thai restaurants over the last 30 years so I am familiar with this cuisine.The food was OK though I have had a lot better.Our guests also thought it was rather expensive for the quality.The staff were busy putting up xmas decorations which I found rather off putting while we were eating.Would not come back again.
7. Fisher House
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 104 reviews
Fisher House is Highbrook's heritage Bistro, Bar and Function establishment. Originally built by Sir Woolf Fisher, Fisher House has been tastefully refurbished to keep its proud Ra Ora Stud Homestead heritage. Fisher House incorporates bar,casual and formal dining areas and a stunning garden Terrace and lawn area, plus several versatile sized rooms that can be booked for cocktails parties, dinner parties, birthdays and meetings.
Reviewed By GJWNZ - Auckland, New Zealand
Eight of us decided to have a dinner together. We are glad we chose Fisher House. Atmosphere was relaxing and relatively quiet. Easy to talk to others without shouting. Food was excellent and great value for money . Staff very pleasant and eager to help. Great time had by all
8. Star Cafe Seafood Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By happysheepChina - Christchurch, New Zealand
Good selection of dishes including vegetarian dishes, with the trolley rolling out a new range each time it goes past.
9. Raja's Indian Restaurant & Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Raja literally means "King". It is also a term for a monarch or princely ruler. We chose this name due to our aspiration and aim to give our patrons a Royal dining experience through our most superior service, quality food and an experience that you will remember for long. We also offer takeaways and deliveries that are perfect for those not wanting to be pampered like a Royal and instead are just looking to retire to their chambers with delicious food. Our menu offers a wide range of Indian specialties such as Tandoori Prawns, Lamb Handi Meat, Stuffed Capsicum, Chicken Biryani and many more. Come and enjoy our authentic and delicious Indian cuisine here at Raja's Indian Restaurant and Bar. Fulfil your fantasy of sitting atop the Iron Throne by feasting in the spirit of royalty at Raja's Indian Restaurant & Bar. Let our friendly staff take you on a trip throughout the sub-continent with first-class service and mouth-watering Indian favourites. We are located at Unit 9, 309 Botany Road, Golflands, less than a kilometre away from Botany Town Centre Mall.
Reviewed By Jeff L
The service is really professional, the curry taste great. Reasonable price. The chicken entree (can't remember the name) is really tender and tasty.
10. Doolan Brothers Botany
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 58 reviews
Doolan Brothers are Auckland’s quintessential Irish pubs. Stretched across four corners of the city’s suburbs, the Lynfield, Newmarket, Botany & Ellerslie locations ooze authenticity and tradition and as part of the wider group of 6 Irish Pubs, ‘Doolans’ offers Auckland’s premiere Irish pub, food and entertainment experience.
Reviewed By kiwifood2015 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Service was great and food came out quickly enough. Lamb rack was quite ok- steak ( sirloin) the same with a lot of fat I felt, but the mashed potatoes it was served on was terribly salty and a bit watery we felt. But for a pub meal, amidst the loud almost deafening music, it was adequate. But not a place to race back to for us.
