The holidays are here, which means a well-deserved break for all of us — including those in the hospitality industry. Fortunately, there are a handful of establishments keeping their doors open over the break, so if you do find yourself wondering where you can go for a bite out in Auckland, these are the places to visit.
Bivacco Bar & Grill
From its delicious food to its sprawling space, Bivacco has found fast popularity with discerning Auckland diners — and for good reason. Thankfully, this summer, Bivacco Bar & Grill will open every day except for Christmas Day. And with plenty of long, summer afternoons on the horizon, we recommend booking a table in advance — especially if you’ve managed to rustle up a crowd for a convivial lunch in the new year. (Although there’s usually always room to squeeze in at the bar.)
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Andiamo
Luckily, for anyone hanging around over the break, Andiamo has generously decided to keep its doors open for most of the holidays, aside from the 25th and the 26th of December, and the 1st and 2nd of January. Any other day, you can stop in for some of its delectable Italian-style fare and perhaps nab one of the sought-after street-side tables.
Somm Wine Bar & Bistro
Somm is shutting its doors from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day, opening up again between 27th — 31st December for those staying in the city and looking for a perfect spot to enjoy a festive tipple and a celebratory afternoon in the sun, before taking a break during the 1st and 2nd of January.
Soul Bar & Bistro
Aside from Christmas Day, Soul Bar & Bistro’s hours are remaining more-or-less normal. Despite being closed for Christmas Day, Soul is back open on Boxing Day, with the bar open from 11am and DJs kicking off from 2pm, set to play through to the wee hours to keep the festive spirit going. Soul will also close on New Year’s Day, to give its team some much-needed R&R. Might we suggest you do that too?
Metita
Michael Meredith’s impeccable restaurant serving elevated Pacific fare is keeping its doors open throughout the break. With a special Christmas offering available on the day itself, a New Year’s Eve menu, and their usual fare and delightful drinks available throughout the festive period, Metita will be a lively spot to spend a long lunch or convivial dinner over the break.
Commercial Bay Eateries
All of Commercial Bay’s wonderful eateries are staying open for the entirety of the break, only shutting down for Christmas Day, meaning you’ll be able to dine at the likes of Advieh, Ahi, Origine, Gochu, The Lodge Bar, Gemmi and more all summer long.
Amano
Securing a table at Amano is not typically an easy task, so while most people are out of town, use this time as an opportunity to dine at this widely-loved, modern Italian restaurant. Amano will only be closed on Christmas Day, before returning to its regular hours for the rest of 2024 and into the new year.
Bar Magda
We’re never short of reasons to visit Bar Magda — from their delicious fare and inventive cocktails to the aperitivo hour and more, and we’ll be heading in over the summer (likely for all of the above) and suggest you do, too. They’re shutting up shop for a much-deserved break on the 21st of December, and opening their doors again mid-January.
Jervois Steakhouse
The carnivorous amongst us will be delighted to find that Jervois Steakhouse is open for most of the holidays, only shutting its doors between the 25th and 27th of December, then again on January 1st and 2nd. Visit the Herne Bay stalwart at any other time and it’ll be business as usual.
Park Hyatt Auckland
Dine in at Park Hyatt’s Onemata and Living Room eateries right through the holidays, with only slight changes to their usual scheduling. The Living Room will suspend its high tea service on the 26th and the 27th of December, otherwise, you can book as usual, as Park Hyatt is open on both the 1st and 2nd of January and beyond.
Non Solo Pizza
Our go-to Parnell institution Non Solo Pizza will still be serving its delectable Italian fare and (importantly, given the timing) pouring all manner of lively libations across the festive period, only shutting up shop on the official public holidays to give their lovely staff a much-deserved break.
Kingi
The Hotel Britomart’s flagship restaurant is welcoming patrons most days over the holidays, including Christmas Day (find details for its Christmas lunch here) and New Year’s Eve (find here). For those seeking a much-needed staycation, we happen to think The Hotel Britomart’s adjacent dining offering is perfect.
QT Hotel
The QT Hotel’s Mediterranean must-visit, Esther, is open right through the holidays and is also offering a delicious New Year’s feasting menu — find details here — on the 31st of December. The Rooftop at QT is also putting on a fun New Year’s Eve party not to be missed.
MoVida
With a beautiful, elevated outlook, and inspired cuisine unlike anywhere else in the City, MoVida is one destination you’ll find us at often this summer. Service here will be taking a momentary pause this year, with the kitchen closing from the 25th of December until the until the 18th of January, before reopening its doors for plenty of convivial celebrations.
Hello Beasty
If you’re making the most of a sunny day in Auckland with a stroll around Viaduct Harbour, why not stop in at Hello Beasty? The flavoursome fusion restaurant will be closed from the 24th of December until the 4th of January at 12pm — just in time for a delicious long lunch to mark your return to the office.
Saint Alice
Another Viaduct Harbour mainstay, Saint Alice has even more days open on its calendar, this year offering both a Christmas Day lunch and a New Year’s Eve party, only closing its doors for a short reprieve on Boxing Day. A festive lunch up high above the water, with some of the best food in town? Sounds like a great way to mark a special occasion if you ask us.
Other holiday hours worth noting:
A — B
Advieh: Open throughout.
Ahi: Closed 25th December, open from 5pm 26th December, 1st – 2nd January.
Alma: Closed 24th — 26th December & 1st — 2nd January.
Ayrburn: Closed 25th December.
Azabu Ponsonby: Closed 25th December — 15th January.
Azabu Mission Bay: Closed 25th & 26th December.
Bar Non Solo: Closed 25th — 18th January.
Beau & Beau Deli: Closed 22nd December — 3rd January.
Bodega: Closed 22nd December — 4th January.
Bowler: Closed 25th – 26th December & 1st — 2nd January.
C — D
Candela: Closed 22nd December — 14th January.
Cassia: Closed on 25th December, 29th December, 1st January & 5th January.
The College Hill Wine Room: Closed 25th — 26th December and 1st — 2nd January.
Daily Bread: Ponsonby, Point Chev, Britomart, Belmont, Newmarket, New Lynn — Closed 25th — 26th December & 1st — 2nd January. Federal St — Closed 25th December and open from 8th January.
Depot: Closed 25th & 26th December, open from 12pm 27th, closed 1st — 3rd January, open from 3pm 4th, open from 11.30am 6th — 10th January.
Duo: Closed 23rd December — 3rd January.
Dr Rudi: Closed 25th December.
E — H
Ebisu: Closed 25th & 26th December.
Farina: 23rd & 24th December, open 12pm – Late, closed 25th & 26th December, 30th December & Tuesday 31st December, open 5pm — late, closed 1st & 2nd January
First Mates, Last Laugh: Closed 25th December.
Gilt: Closed 25th — 26th December, open from 5pm on the 27th December, 11.30am — late 28th-31st December and closed 1st — 5th January.
Honey Bones: Closed 23rd December — 7th January.
Hotel Ponsonby: Closed 24th December — 4th January. Reopening from the 5th, 12pm — late daily.
Huami: Closed 23rd — 24th & 30th December.
I — O
Kol: Closed 23rd December — 8th January.
Kome: Closed 25th December.
Knead on Benson: Open throughout. 6.30am — 12pm on Christmas Day.
Lilian: Closed 24th December — 12th January.
Masu: Closed 26th December.
Mr Morris: Closed 22nd — 26th December. Closed 1st — 21st January.
Nami: Closed 23rd December — 8th January.
Norma Taps: Closed 21st December — 8th January.
Olle: Closed 23rd – 26th December and from 30th December — 2nd January.
Onslow: Closed 25th-26th December, open from 5pm 27th — 28th December, open 12pm-5pm 29th December, open from 5pm 30th — 31st December, closed 1st — 2nd January, open from 5pm 3rd — 4th January.
Orbit: Open throughout.
Origine: Closed 25th — 26th December, open from 5pm 1st — 2nd January.
Ortolana: Closed 25th December.
Osteria Uno: Closed 22nd December — 3rd January.
P — S
Palmer: Closed 22nd December — 14th January.
Parro: Closed 23rd December – 7th January.
Portside Cocktail bar: Closed 24th December – 6th January.
Queens Rooftop: Closed 25th & 26th December.
Ragtag: Closed 23rd December — 9th January.
Rhu: Closed 25th & 31st December — 1st January.
San Ray: Closed 25th — 26th December & 1st — 2nd January.
Schapiro’s: Closed 23rd December — 2nd January.
Síso: Closed 25th December — 12th January.
Skybar: Closed 25th December.
T — Z
Takapuna Beach Cafe: Open throughout. 7am —12pm on Christmas Day.
The Brit: Closed 24th — 26th December and 1st and 2nd January.
The Grill: Open throughout, 5pm — close.
The Pantry at Park Hyatt: Closed 25th December — 6th January.
The Store: Closed 25th December.
Trivet: Open throughout.
Tobi: Closed 25th December & 1st January.
Two Fold: Closed 23rd December — 9th January.
Tyler Street Sport: Closed 24th December — 6th January.
