While we all readjust to our daily routines after a few weeks off, there is plenty to get excited about in Auckland with our January dining guide, particularly when it comes to our always-inspiring dining scene.
For those of us who have returned to the City, a raft of our most talented chefs have ensured we’re well and truly taken care of, with a line-up of food festivals, pop-ups and new menu items to add a little something to the rest of our January days. From taco residencies to rooftop Sunday sessions, here is everything you need to check out this month.
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Broke Boy Taco Residency at Ante Social Club
If you missed out on Broke Boy Taco’s sought-after morsels at last year’s East Street Hall Residency, this six-month-long pop-up at Ponsonby’s Ante Social Club will give you plenty of time to indulge. Known for creating Mexican-inspired street food inspired by his days in San Francisco’s Mission District, Sean Yarborough is quickly making a name for himself as the purveyor of some of the tastiest tacos in town.
Starting January 26th, Thursday to Saturday, 5pm — 9pm
Matakana Food & Beer Festival
Those in the know are the first to advocate that this Northland-bordering town is home to some of the region’s best beers. In this one-day, not-to-be-missed affair, some of the best craft brewers will join forces with the Food Truck Collective for a day of food, beer and local live music — what summer is all about.
Saturday, January 28th, 2pm — 9pm. Tickets are available here.
Rooftop at QT’s The Sunday Club
Helping us make the most of every hour of our summer weekends is Rooftop at QT with its new Sunday Club. Launched in partnership with Heineken, the Sunday Club is an ongoing summer series designed to offer the ultimate Sunday sesh. Think $2 oysters (and other delicious tapas), icy-cold beers and an often necessary Bloody Mary on the menu, and resident DJs serenading us until sunset.
Sundays, 2pm — 8pm
Date Night Dinners Auckland Zoo
If you are looking for something different to do for date night, why not consider spending the evening in the company of exotic animals? Every Thursday for the foreseeable future, the iconic Old Elephant House restaurant at Auckland Zoo will be offering an exquisite two-course menu, featuring confit chicken, tempura eggplant, and a sumptuous selection of desserts. Diners can also enjoy complimentary entry to late night at the zoo.
Thursdays, 5pm until late. Bookings are essential here.
Mor Bakery’s Ozone Pastry Residency
After their sell-out sessions at this Grey Lynn institution last year, micro-patisserie masters Mor Bakery are filling Ozone’s cabinets once again. Every Saturday until sold out, you can get your hands on some of Mor’s coveted croissants, danishes, and other delicious seasonal viennoiseries. Our advice? Get a few to take away, too.
Saturdays, 8am until sold out
Balmoral Street Food Market
Mount Eden locals are no strangers to these now-famous food markets. And with the organisers heading off to Europe in the autumn, this final series of six markets will see some of the best street food vendors in Auckland unite under one banner. Think delicious woodfired pizzas, biscoff-loaded doughnuts and everything in between— a foodie affair not to be missed.
Friday, January 27th, 5:30pm — 9pm
Parade’s New Burger Menu
When we’re craving a decidedly decadent dinner, Parade always takes precedence. Since re-opening after the summer break, the burger masters have introduced some new additions to their hugely popular menu. We’re itching to try the Nashville Hot Chicken — a tasty collision of fried chicken thigh, hot Nashville rub, double cheese, and ranch dressing sandwiched into one of their famed pretzel buns. Pair this with a side of fried kumara and mozzarella balls.
Tacoteca Lunches at La Fuente
You’ll likely know inner-city haunt La Fuente for its impressive mescal offering and pared-back but flavoursome Mexican food. The recent introduction of Tacoteca, the bar’s tasty taco pop-up, on from lunchtime on weekdays, is another totally tempting take that we can’t wait to sink our teeth into. We think it’s the perfect way to ease yourself back into office work — a lunchtime reward if you will.
Monday through Friday, from 12pm
Fried Chicken Pop-Up at Ragtag
Although best known for their handmade tacos that amassed a cult-like following in the last year, this weekend Dan Freeman’s new Westmere outpost will host a fried chicken sandwich affair. Fans of Ragtag know the sandwich I’m talking about. It sold out in an unprecedented record at one of Freeman’s pop-ups last year, and we anticipate this Sunday will elicit the same result.
Sunday, January 22nd, 12pm until sold out
