Iconic Auckland Eats 2025: Top 100 dishes revealed
This year's list of the most delicious dishes have been compiled from a record-breaking 3109 nominations from the public – a 67% increase from 2024's list.
Now in its fifth year, Iconic Auckland Eats – launched by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited – features everything from Cornish pasties and pepperoni pizzas to 'raw ramen' and pāua tortellini.
Any kind of dish is able to be nominated by locals or visitors to Tāmaki Makaurau, who are encouraged to share a brief story about why they love the dish.
'Food fans active on social media love to share content about dishes they love and learn about new ones to try," said Tātaki Auckland Unlimited director destination, Annie Dundas.
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"We have very passionate people in all parts of Auckland who want to share food stories from their region. It's been really nice to see how that's evolved in the past five years and helped to boost the success of hospitality businesses."
Dumplings in Spicy Sauce from Eden Noodles, a dish returning to this year's top 100 list. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
Nominations are reviewed by a panel of judges who asses the dishes on a range of criteria; a dish that's well-loved, representative of local culture and people, a timeless classic, and/or a 'signature dish'.
This year, 77 new dishes have made an appearance in the top 100, with 39 businesses making their debut on the list.
Of the 23 dishes returning to 2025's list, only two have been on the list since its inception – lamingtons from Sugar at Chelsea Bay and Depot's fish sliders.
Raspberry Lamingtons from Sugar at Chelsea Bay (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
Karen Thompson-Smith, head of tourism at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, said she is thrilled with the initiative's building momentum.
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'Food and beverage services are a vital part of Auckland's vibrancy and are a major contributor to the region's visitor economy. We know that trying local cuisine is a must-do activity for most visitors coming to New Zealand,' she said.
In the year to March 2025, food and beverage services accounted for 17.4% of domestic and international visitor spending in Auckland, according to Infometrics.
The full list of 2025's top 100 dishes (in alphabetical order):
Agak Agak Food's Malaysian Nasi Campur. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
*Dish previously included on an Iconic Auckland Eats Top 100 list
** Business new to the Iconic Auckland Eats Top 100 list
Agak Agak Food** – Malaysian Nasi Campur
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Ahi – Tuna Hūhunu
Ailimteh Nasi Lemak Bungkus** – Nasi Lemak Bungkus
Alma – Beef Tongue, Preserved Lemon, Olive
Amano – Chitarra scampi, tomato & chilli*
Apéro – Seared Lamb Rump, Jus with Carrot Purée and Kasundi
Aryeh** – Black & White Thoughts
Ashby Pies** – Beef Cheek & Cheese Pie
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Azabu – Volcano Sushi Rolls*
Bali Nights – Ikan Bakar Jimbaran*
Bali Nights' Ikan Bakar Jimbaran. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
Banh Mi Boy – Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi
Bar Magda – Noel's charcoal steak, soy butter, scallion
Bari's Pizza** – Deluxe Pepperoni Pizza
Beast & Butterflies** – Market Fish of the Day, scampi bisque, mussels, prawns, burnt tomatoes, fennel
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Bestie Cafe – Towpath Cheese Toastie
BFC Korean Chicken** – Seasoned Cup Chicken
Boda – Eggplant Bibimbap
Bossi – Olive Fritte
Bridgehouse Warkworth** – Fresh Steamed Mussels
Broke Boy Taco – Birria Tacos
Bunga Raya – X.O. CHICKEN
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Burnt Butter Diner – Chilli Fried Eggs
Candela – Lamb belly pintxo with mojo verde
Carmel Israeli Street Food – Crispy Falafel Pita*
Casita Miro – Churros Con Chocolate
Cassia – Pani Puri*
Cheese On Toast – Bacon Jam Toastie*
Cibo – West Coast whitebait omelette with ginger, soy & lime butter
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Cocoro – The Sashimi Platter*
Cocoro's sashimi platter. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
Depot – Fish Sliders*
Duo – Raw Fish on Toast
Eden Noodles – Dumplings In Spicy Sauce*
Esther – Puff bread & taramasalata
Esther's Puff bread & taramasalata. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
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Farina – Padella Isabella
Farm House Cafe – Pimp My Cheese Scone - Benedict Pimp
Farm House Cafe's Pimp My Cheese Scone - Benedict Pimp. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
Fatima's – Lamb Chawarma
Federal Delicatessen – Chicken Salad Sandwich*
First Mates, Last Laugh** – Pan-Fried John Dory
FishSmith – Battered Westmere Butchery Pork Sausage
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Forest** – Smoked purple kumara, caper brine glaze, Marmite cream, rosemary greens, paprika
Forester Bar & Grill** – Skin-on Snapper
Fort Greene** – The Reuben
Frat's Pizza** – Hawaiian Pizza
Gemmayze Street – Babaganouj*
Gerome – Rolled Baklava, Greek Nuts, Gooseberry Compote, Metaxa Syrup, Mascarpone
Giapo – World Famous Hokey Pokey
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GOAT By Sid Chopra** – GOAT Champaran
Hapunan – Adobo Del Diablo*
Hello Beasty – Prawn + Crab Toast*
Hill House Cafe – Pimp My Scone - The OG Pimp
Huami – Fruit Wood Roasted Peking Duck*
Huami's Fruit Wood Roasted Peking Duck. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
INCA – Spicy Tuna Tostada
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Ipoh Malaysian Cuisine – Lorbak
Izu** – Tuna Ceviche
Jia Qi Sweets – Chow Luck Club Foodie Market** – Dragon's Beard Candy
Jia Qi Sweets - Chow Luck Club Foodie Market's Dragon's Beard Candy. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
Khu Khu** – Kumara Spring Roll
Kingi – Hot smoked kahawai from Little Barrier with horseradish
Lebanese Grocer** – Chicken Shawarma
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Leigh Eats** – Fish & Chips
Lot Nineteen – Cinnamon Rolls*
Lucky Gs – Thigh Guy
Mae Nam Khong** – Drunken Spicy Duck
Mairangi Bay Bakery** – Braised Beef Short Rib Pie
MASU by Nic Watt – Wagyu Kimchi Gyoza Black Origin Wagyu Beef & Kimchi Gyoza, Pickled Cucumber, Soy Vinegar
Mekong – Baby Braised Crispy Pork Belly, Caramelised Chilli & Soy, Asian Slaw*
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Metita** – Handpicked Beef Scotch, 55 day dryaged, palusami purée, ravigote
Mint As Waiheke Island, Burgers & Shakes** – Mint As Burger
Moxie Restaurant** – Beef Wellington, potato and truffle foam, pumpkin seed and parsley pesto
Moxie Restaurant's Beef Wellington, potato and truffle foam, pumpkin seed and parsley pesto. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
Mumbaiwala** – Dahi Puri
Nanam – Lechon
Ockhee – Tofu BBQ Gui
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Ohui Restaurant** – Pāua Tortellini
Onslow – Chatham Islands Crayfish Éclair, Organic Egg, Spiced Bisque, Herbs
Our Land** – East Coast Brisket
The East Brisket Burger from Our Land, a new business on this year's list. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
Paradise – Lamb Biryani*
Peach's Hot Chicken – Peanut Butter Mousse Pie
Pici – Pici Cacio e Pepe*
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Prego – Risotto All'Anatra
Ragtag – Duck Carnitas Tacos*
Ramen Takara** – Jade Ramen
Ramen Takara's Jade Ramen. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
Red Crab** – Sweet And Sour Chicken
Rhu** – Honey toast with whipped yoghurt and nectarines
Richoux Patisserie** – Steak, Jalapeño and Cheese Pie
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Richoux Patisserie's Steak, Jalapeño and Cheese Pie. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
San Ray** – Quinoa Toast with Smoked Fish and Pickled Egg
San Ray's Quinoa Toast with Smoked Fish and Pickled Egg. (Source: Babiche Martens / Iconic Auckland Eats)
Shelley's Kitchen** – Malaysian Spiral Curry Puffs
SkyBar – Gold Bar*
SkyBar's Gold Bar. (BABICHE MARTENS)
Smiths Matakana** – Chef's Loaded Fries
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Sugar at Chelsea Bay – Raspberry Lamington*
Tacoteca** – Ora King Salmon Aguachile (please note this changes with the season so fish
varies)
Tala – Raw Ramen
Tempero** – Pão de Queijo (Cheese Bread)
The 'Ansum Pasty Company** – Proper Cornish Pasty
The Blue Breeze Inn – Steamed Bao Bun with roasted pork belly & pickled cucumber*
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The Engine Room – Twice Baked Goats Cheese Souffle*
The Glass House Brick Bay – Leigh Skin-On Snapper
The Local Waiheke – Fish Taco
The Lodge – Passionfruit Drizzled Pavlova
The Lodge's passionfruit drizzled pavlova. (BABICHE MARTENS)
The Sugar Dealer** – Raspberry Cheesecake Brownie
Tiger Bar & Restaurant** – Korean Fried Cauliflower, Gochujang Glaze, Sesame, Kimchi
Vietnam Cafe – Spare Ribs Rice Noodles Soup
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NZ Herald
05-08-2025
- NZ Herald
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Scoop
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- Scoop
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Haka Theatre showcase, Autaia is back and this time, it's twice as exciting. For the first time, it will span two evenings giving more schools and kura than ever a chance to unleash their ihi, wehi and wana on stage. Returning to Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August, Autaia 2025 will feature 12 schools and kura from Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Tai Tokerau and, for the first time, Waikato. Presented by Hawaiki TŪ and Auckland Live (a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited), this year's event embraces the theme 'He Hawaiki Hou - A Return, A Renewal, A Rising'. Founder and Artistic Director of Autaia, Kura Te Ua, says that it's humbling to see how Autaia is evolving and the impact it's having on rangatahi, their kura, and wider communities. 'This year we've found ways to keep the kaupapa growing. Our rangatahi deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Autaia creates space for them to stand confidently in their own light and unapologetically express who they are and who they are becoming,' says Te Ua. The new two-night format introduces new categories which will showcase high-impact performances. Each school will present an original haka theatre piece, conceptualised, choreographed and performed by the students. The three creative categories include: Haka Bracket: Haka infused with theatrical storytelling Haka Musical: Haka blended with song, drama, and characterisation Haka Movement: Storytelling through Haka Movement and choreography With NCEA credits, mentorship from industry professionals, and a platform to showcase their talents on stage and behind the scenes, Autaia celebrates identity, artistry and rangatahi leadership. 'As part of our extension plan, we're excited to welcome our first kura from Waikato to the Autaia stage. Their unique style and deep connection to their hapori bring fresh energy to the kaupapa, showing that haka theatre connects and empowers rangatahi far beyond Tāmaki Makaurau,' says Te Ua. 'Through bold creativity and the lived experiences of rangatahi, each Autaia performance becomes a powerful expression of te ahurea Māori and a reminder that He Hawaiki Hou is within our reach,' Te Ua adds. ' Autaia shows what's possible when we back our taiohi-rangatahi and the creative sector,' says Helen Te Hira, Director of Māori Outcomes at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. 'As the region's cultural agency, we're proud to support Autaia alongside senior Māori creatives as it grows into a bold, future-focused platform. Through Auckland Live, we help create spaces — on stage, behind the scenes, and beyond — where taiohi-rangatahi can thrive, lead, and shape the creative future of Aotearoa'. Tickets are now on pre-sale for Autaia 2025, promising to be an unmissable showcase of the next generation of storytellers redefining haka theatre. Schools and kura performing at Autaia 2025 are: Tāmaki Makaurau Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi Marae Ngā Tūmanako o Kahurangi - Auckland Girls' Grammar Te Whānau o Tupuranga - Kia Aroha Campus Te Kura Kaupapa Māori a rohe o Māngere Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kōtuku Te Kura Tuarua o Pukekohekohe Massey High School Ngā Puna o Waiōrea Te Tai Tokerau Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rāwhitiroa Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe Te Rangi Āniwaniwa Waikato Ngā Taiātea Wharekura Autaia takes place at Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, on Thursday 28 August & Friday 29 August 2025, from 7 PM to 9 PM. Tickets go on sale to the General Public on Thu 17 July, 9am from: Note: Auckland Live is the premiere organisation for performing arts, culture, entertainment and events in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. As Aotearoa New Zealand's largest performing arts organisation, we proudly present a programme of live arts and entertainment across our iconic venues: Aotea Centre, The Civic, Auckland Town Hall, The Cloud, Shed 10, Viaduct Events Centre, Bruce Mason Centre, and Aotea Square. Auckland Live is part of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, a council-controlled organisation. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) is Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland's cultural, events and destination agency. It is an Auckland Council-controlled organisation that works to make Auckland a vibrant place to live and visit, through events, experiences and taonga (treasures).
