Top Restaurants in Takapuna
Where to Eat in Takapuna: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Discover the best restaurant in Takapuna, New Zealand including Takapuna Beach Cafe, Jam Organic Cafe, Al Forno, Aubergine, Botticelli italian restaurant, The Elephant Wrestler, Thyme Restaurant, Mexico, Little and Friday, Musashi Japanese Cuisine - Milford
Things to do in Takapuna
1. Takapuna Beach Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 462 reviews
Reviewed By love2skiLosAngeles - Los Angeles
We met some friends for Brunch and had a very nice time. The Chicken Salad was my favorite although there are plenty of other great dishes. The service is very good. They have some interesting drinks. I ordered an Iced coffee and it came with two scoops of ice cream and an expresso in a small cup which were combined with milk on arrival. More like desert but good.
2. Jam Organic Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By Richard R
Visiting Takapuna we had to find an affordable and healthy-options place for lunch - Jam Organic is the place that met both criteria. Enjoyed the Smashed Avo which includes 2 poached eggs on bread of your choice (GF available too) - it was delicious, generous and most affordable. Quick, efficient service and ample indoor or outdoor Seating options. Highly recommended.
3. Al Forno
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Al Forno Italian Restaurant in Auckland serves traditional Italian dishes along with a excellent selection of wine, beer and non alcoholic beverages.
Reviewed By Kylie N
For a few years now I’ve had a friend recommend to go here but just haven’t made around to actually doing so, but have dined all around everywhere else in Takapuna. The food tonight was absolutely amazing. The stand out meal for me tonight was the calamari. The flavours and perfectly cooked calamari is really hard to find
And it was delish. I also want to say that the staff were fantastic. Everyone was engaging when you looked at them, the service was on point. I’m excited to recommend this place to my friends and to bring my work here for another Friday for some cold beers and amazing pizzas. Great place with better food and even better staff.
4. Aubergine
Overall Ratings
4 based on 213 reviews
Reviewed By Paul B - Carmarthen, United Kingdom
Business meal with my wife's work colleagues. This place was a real surprise. Great service, great wines but the food........wow, I loved it. In fact every one at our gathering, around 10 people, loved the food.
My wife and I were traveling around NZ, working and travelling and we ate in fantastic place's.
Even after a couple of months, I am still trying to replicate their Cauliflower mash.....amazing place....
5. Botticelli italian restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By Keith G
Driving past this restaurant on many occasions and always looks busy so had to try first time.
Was really happy, great service friendly staff and very authentic Italian food simple menu but everything to suit most tastes.
Three of us had fillet steak which was amazing very generous portions.
Can’t wait to go back
6. The Elephant Wrestler
Overall Ratings
4 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By mooseandbok2006 - Christchurch, New Zealand
We went along on Saturday night for something to eat, and to watch the All Blacks game while we were there. I booked a table for 6:30pm and that meant we had the table for the rest of the night, which was really handy and we didn’t have to fight others for a seat to watch the game. We had nibbles to start with – chips and karaage chicken. The chips were nice, although for $9 a pop, I would have liked to have seen more in the basket. The chicken was nice, but again not a huge amount there. Later in the evening we ordered a Tandoori Chicken pizza to share and this was really good, a nice thin base with a generous tasty topping. The restaurant was heaving but all the staff were brilliant. The place was like a well-oiled machine, drinks were being replenished, orders taken, plates cleared away and food brought out, all without, what seemed like, not a bit of stress or frazzle. It’s nice to see places run like they should be. Well done team, we had a great evening out. The DJ came on as we left and I’m sure the place was rocking till late in to the night.
7. Thyme Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
At Thyme we offer just the right service for your occasion - we're quick and discrete when you're busy working and give you lots of attention when you're out to celebrate. Choose freshly cooked food from our seasonal menu If you're joining us for dinner, you'll be eating from the varied A La Carte Menu offering in-season, fresh local dishes. The menu also caters for a range of diets and includes vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and low-carb options. As well as the A La Carte Menu, Thyme also offers a set-price Lunch Menu and the restaurant is open for Breakfast every morning. All of our restaurant staff are friendly, attentive and work hard to make your meal enjoyable. With live music 7 nights a week from 6.30Pm, Thyme Restaurant is the perfect place to celebrate special occasions.
Reviewed By candidcanada - Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
The New Year's Eve buffet was like a well buffed shoe. Polished, shiny, and up for the occasion. Might be a shoe-in for other such special nights. Moreover, we didn't have to foot an unreasonable bill, especially considering the nicely appointed buffet choices and complimentary champagne and specialty coffees. The service personnel were certainly not loafers -- in fact, they booted it. Thumbs -- and toes -- up. The hosts/greeters were equally commendable -- very welcoming and double checking how we were faring through the evening. The tables were not crunched together like the "old woman and many children who lived in a shoe". The decor was elegant. The capable piano player played pleasing easy going music that wafted through the dining area. Super supper upper.
8. Mexico
Overall Ratings
4 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By Sus1952 - Palmerston North, New Zealand
We certainly found the food very interesting at this restaurant and enjoyed our lunch. At that time of the day, the place was very quiet. To be recommended.
9. Little and Friday
Overall Ratings
4 based on 168 reviews
Reviewed By Strickes - Rotorua, New Zealand
Visited here for the first time yesterday for lunch. Food on display in window is very good. Nice to see a place with slightly different things to eat, all looking very good and making it difficult to choose!
Not a huge selection, but still plenty of choices in savoury and sweet options.
We had the Beetroot and Blue Cheese quiche, Mushroom and Goats Cheese and a Caramelised onion ones. All very nice. And would definitely have again.
The donuts are amazing, so fresh and have a creamy custard type filling. And they are huge!
Nice coffees and tonic waters were had by our group of four. Tonic waters had 3 choices of flavours, lemon, apricot and berry. All looking very nice with round iceball and double layer glass, coming with tonic water and flavour for you to pour your self to suit. Very good idea and well displayed.
Not a huge Seating area, but still plenty of room. Only down side. Concrete floor and quite noisy if busy. Good sized tables for groups.
Pity we were visiting town, wish we had the same in Rotorua.
10. Musashi Japanese Cuisine - Milford
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
To owner and Chef, Satoru Aoki, nothing is more important than the quality or freshness of his food and he is therefore deeply involved with the overseeing of all ingredients within MUSASHI's menu.MUSASHI not only presents its guests with fine seasonal ingredients and good choice of local wines, it also treats diners to traditional Japanese refreshments such as Sake and Shochu, and beverages.We believe in catering to all individuals' needs and requirements and therefore the menu generously includes choices for those who prefer Wheat Free or Vegetarian options. With many excellent reviews and compliments on MUSASHI dining experience, the staff and team at MUSASHI endeavour to retain that reputable status by providing visitors with exceptional cuisine and impeccable hospitality, every time.At MUSASHI our main goal is to provide you with a well blend of Japanese fusion cuisine, good service and value-for-money dining experience in Auckland where quality is the focus.
Reviewed By markilee - Auckland, New Zealand
This restaurant was recommended to us a while ago - we were disappointed. The restaurant itself lacked atmosphere, was cramped and didn't have very attractive decor or furnishings, more like a cheap, quick food place.
We found the food to be bland, lacked flair and imagination. We dine at Japanese restaurants regularly but this is one we would not go back to.
The staff were pleasant but weren't very good at explaining the dishes.
