12 Best Restaurants in City Center and Parnell, Auckland

The sustainable, rustic, Italian-inspired food at this restaurant and bakery has won the approval of Aucklanders, who keep the wood-beamed, open space bustling from breakfast through lunch and dinner. It's in the heart of the city's commerce zone, so breakfast and lunch are packed with the suited set who are not too concerned about price, and dinner hours stay busy with a menu that offers chargrilled fish, slow-roasted lamb, and an array of salads and vegetables. The lengthy wine list has prices from moderate to expensive, but for a special occasion, who's counting?

When you're in the mood for superb, innovative food with flavors from around the globe, head to Cibo, whose name means "good food" in Italian; it's apt for this restaurant, which has been around since 1994. It's the one of the places visiting stars go to, in part for its superb and discreet service. This is a popular venue for weddings and important parties, so book well in advance.  

This light-filled restaurant with floor-to-ceiling glass looks across the harbor to trendy Devonport and the Bayswater boat marina. The menu is based on high-quality, fresh local produce, particularly fish and meat cooked to perfection. Salads are made the minute before they are served. The windows are so big you might need your sunglasses on a bright day, and reservations are advised.

Located in the buzzy heart of the Viaduct, Giraffe uses the best local foods with flair and fun. This modern space is open from breakfast until late, and whether you are a meat eater or a vegan, the hearty menu will leave you satisfied. The wine list is fantastic, and the atmosphere cosmopolitan and often very noisy.

Overlooking the water from the upper level of the restored Ferry Building, this seafood restaurant is an Auckland institution that draws foodies and families alike. It serves seasonal New Zealand seafood on a menu that references a number of cuisine styles, and the raw bar serves line-caught fish. Meat eaters can choose lamb, eye fillet (beef tenderloin), and perhaps Cervena (farmed venison). On warm nights, reserve a table outside on the balcony, where you can watch the ferries come and go.

At this slightly renamed place that's not really a café and not strictly French, the new owners offer only an elegant five-course tasting menu that includes a vegetarian version. But don't be concerned: Sid and Chand Saharawat bring international flair to create superb dishes using the best seasonal produce. Bookings are essential as it is only open Thursday to Saturday for dinner and on Saturday for lunch. For the adventurous foodie, select Tuesdays are open for a "test kitchen" experience in partnership with an appliance company, though it's not cheap at $190 and extra for matched wine.

There's always something to see at the Soul Bar & Bistro, which fronts the Viaduct Basin on the harbor. The menu is modern with a traditional twist and changes to match the season, but you will always find something appealing, whether your interest is in fresh fish, meat, or something from the plant family. On the terrace, you're close enough to the moorings to study the paintwork on the yachts, and at night, the bar and outside tables are packed with a polished and often noisy and high-spending crowd.

One of High Street's best kept-secrets is this tiny café with a courtyard hidden down a corridor. Swing by for coffee or an herbal tea, a sweet treat, or other fare from small items to more substantial; you can start your day with eggs on toast or a croissant packed with ham and cheese. If you want more, go for the chicken burger or pappardelle.  Also on offer are boutique soft drinks.

If you've had a busy day and want to roll on and be surrounded by animated diners, this casual place is for you. The food—the name means "Not Only Pizza"—can be ordered individually or with bowls to be shared by the table. Lunchtimes are busy when people head for a table in the Italian-style courtyard. There's always pizza with traditional toppings, and the green salad is excellent. Many people treat this as their local when they want more than takeout and less than fine dining..

Remedy is just that—the perfect answer for a fast pick-me-up. Good coffee and quick, made-to-order sandwiches are the ticket at this cozy spot with wooden tables and floors and art on the walls. It's crowded between 11:30 and 1:30,  and you will likely share a table with central city office workers, students, and arty types. It also offers a range of artisan soft drinks. 

The owners, who live in the city, wanted good coffee, artisan products, and flowers close by, so that was the genesis of Scarecrow in 2014 as a café that is also an everyday farmers market and a florist. The coffee in this high-ceilinged, light-wood-lined space is superb, and the food, as in many places in the city, is built on fresh local produce. After your excellent coffee and a pastry, you can pick up olive oil, honey, and cheese, and flowers if you are meeting up with friends. It's busy (especially at lunch), a bit noisy, and tables are available inside and out.  

A flight of dimly lighted stairs leads down to this buzzing, informal Japanese yakitori and sake bar; there's also sushi. The oblong bar is usually jammed with film-festival types, the young art and fashion crowd, or classical music lovers eating before a concert in the nearby Town Hall. Order small plates of Japanese food and choose from more than 20 types of sake by the glass.