Left to right: The Lodge Bar and Andiamo

We present Denizen’s definitive guide to Mother’s Day dining

My mum was a big proponent of celebration — in any way, shape, or form, and as a result, Mother’s Day (and any and every other excuse to pop the Champagne and enjoy delicious food) was relished with fervour in our household. Mum is no longer with us, but as I am now a mother myself, the tradition remains: on Mother’s Day — we go big. Luckily for me (and all of you), Auckland has no shortage of exceptional happenings to make the day extra special and inspire indulgence. From opulent high teas to thoughtfully curated special menus, convivial brunches, Champagne specials and more — here, we round up the very best ways to celebrate in style this Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day Dining
High Tea

Treat mum to the lap of luxury at one of the exquisite, indulgent, and fittingly fancy High Teas around the city. From sky-high bubbles at SkyCity’s SkyBar to Cooke’s Restaurant’s convivial celebrations, there is no shortage of ways to show mum some love.

Mother’s Day Dining
Set Menus

A number of the city’s most-loved dining destinations are pulling out all the stops this month, unveiling exceptional set menus that have been crafted with mum in mind. Sìso’s Mother’s Day feast includes a champagne on the house, while at Soul a delicious three-course meal awaits in the most lively of locations.

Set Menu
Non Solo Pizza

Set Menu
Metita

Mother’s Day Dining
Special Offers

While a delightful meal with mum is more than celebration enough, there are a few eateries across the city that are going above and beyond to ensure an extra special touch come May 12th — guaranteed to make mum’s day memorable. From Poni’s decadent seafood platter to Bivacco’s Mother’s Day Feast, these tasty delights are sure to get you in the good books.

A Flute of Bubbles to Start
Origine

Mother’s Day Dining
The Best Of The Rest

Ada, Grey Lynn

Ahi, Commercial Bay

Amano, Britomart

Baduzzi, North Wharf

Beau, Ponsonby

Gilt Brasserie, Auckland CBD

Gochu, Commercial Bay

Grand Harbour, Viaduct Harbour

Hello Beasty, Viaduct Harbour

Huami, SkyCity

Manzo, Remuera

Ragtag, Westmere

Somm, Princes Warf

The Grove, Auckland CBD

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This Mother’s Day, give mum the gift she really wants with our edit of the most covetable jewellery to shop now

Finding a perfect gift for Mother’s Day that perfectly encapsulates all that your mum or mother figure means to you is no easy feat. And while of course, it’s the thought that counts, there’s something about finding a gift with meaning that reminds mum of your unwavering love and appreciation long after the champagne has been popped. Nothing has staying power quite like a striking piece of jewellery, and this collection of fine jewellery and watches offers ample inspiration in this area — just remember you’re shopping for mum and not yourself…

Shop The Edit
Mother’s Day Jewellery
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wearing Jean Schlumberger Bird on a Rock necklace by Tiffany & Co.
pasquale Bruni giardini segreti ring from hartfield Jewellers
FIOREVER NECKLACE from Bulgari
Cartier Panthere de Watch from Partridge Jewellers
Pomellato Nudo Earrings orsini
Chaumet Abeille Broach
Hartfield Jewellers
Sweet Alhambra Watch from Van Cleef & Arpels
pasquale Bruni ama ring
Hartfield Jewellers
Schlumberger cones with petals ear clips from Tiffany & co.
lock earrings from tiffany & co.
FIOREVER BRACELET from Bulgari
Serpenti Spiga Watch
from Bulgari
Rose de Noël pendant from van Cleef & Arpels
Noeud Royal ring from van Cleef & Arpels
Lady Datejust Watch from Rolex
Frivole bracelet from Van Cleef & Arpels
Al Coro La Piazza Ring from orsini
Lucky Spring bracelet from van Cleef & Arpels
Primrose Earrings from Partridge Jewellers
Chumet Joséphine Aigrette Pendant from Hartfield Jewellers
FLORIAN Ring from sutcliffe jewellery

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We’ve got the ultimate SkyCity package up for grabs this Mother’s Day — worth over $1k

Gastronomic bliss and refined relaxation abound at SkyCity, and this Mother’s Day, the team have combined a number of the exceptional delights on offer at the precinct to create the ultimate celebration for mum. Lord only knows that what we all really want for Mother’s Day (aside from a hand-drawn card and breakfast in bed, of course) is a moment to ourselves to relax in peace and quiet — and here you’ll find exactly that. And some.

The Grand by SkyCity
East Day Spa

Come Sunday, May 12th (or any day the lucky winner wishes to redeem their prize), one lucky mum will be treated to a luxurious evening in a grand deluxe room at The Grand by SkyCity (complete with valet parking). While there, East Day Spa’s decadent two-hour ‘To Mum With Love’ treatment awaits — complete with a 45-minute Codage body scrub, a tension-melting hour-long massage, and a 15-minute Tepidarium session to unwind the mind. Following which, there will be a $250 dinner voucher (for two) at one of the award-winning restaurants located within The Grand by SkyCity — with the option to choose from Michael Meredith’s Metita, Sid Sahrawat’s Cassia, or long-time favourite MASU by Nic Watt. If there’s room for a sweet treat (which is always a must), you’ll find a custom celebratory cake by SUCRÉ of your very own — ensuring the night if finished on a high note.

We can definitively say that this is the perfect present for your mum or mother figure this Mother’s Day. Combining a hint of luxury, complete and total relaxation, and an exceptional dining experience to top it all off, at SkyCity, mum will find the much-needed escape she undoubtedly deserves.

Left: Masu by Nic Watt. Right: Metita
Cassia

This competition is now closed.

Gastronomy

Fancy some fresh air? These may just be Auckland’s best picnic spots
Beat the heat with our guide to the best ice cream purveyors in town
These are the Auckland eateries staying open over the summer holidays, plus we’ve rounded up all of the holiday hospo hours you need to know

Soul Bar & Bistro is giving us 600 Reasons to pop some Champagne and celebrate the season

Not that we need another excuse to visit our favourite Viaduct Harbour stalwart, but nonetheless, Soul Bar & Bistro is giving us one (or 600, really). Kicking off today and running for the whole month of May, Soul is bringing back its effervescent 600 Reasons celebration with 31 days of excitement and surprises. Trust us when we say that this is a month-long event you don’t want to miss.

600 Reasons Mumm

Whether you’re securing one of Soul’s harbourside tables for Mother’s Day (you know that’s in May, right?), a graduation or birthday celebration, casual drinks, or a cheeky midweek dinner, more than an exquisite meal awaits — you’ll also find the chance to take home one of 600 epic surprises. The highlight is a trip for two to New Caledonia, flying Aircalin and staying at Le Meridien Noumea for four nights, including daily breakfast and spa treatments.

There are also Embodyme self-care products, Silk & Steel jewellery, Dermalogica skincare, Dark Hampton scarves, Kensal flowers, The Beauty Chef products, Dose & Co Collagen, and so many more covetable delights up for grabs. Plus, five lucky diners will take home a Denizen magazine subscription.

So, why not book a table at Soul this weekend? Or, simply show up for an after-work drink or catch-up with friends. Making these increasingly cold days all the brighter, 600 Reasons is giving us every reason to celebrate the season.

soulbar.co.nz

Gastronomy

Fancy some fresh air? These may just be Auckland’s best picnic spots
Beat the heat with our guide to the best ice cream purveyors in town
These are the Auckland eateries staying open over the summer holidays, plus we’ve rounded up all of the holiday hospo hours you need to know