August is serving up a range of one-off lunches and dinners, delicious pop-ups, burger nights, fresh menus, cute new openings and more. So whether you’re an enthusiastic foodie, or are simply wanting to switch up your routine, look no further than our comprehensive August dining guide below.
Lebanese Grocer Chicken & Toum Night
Currently open limited hours, with its cult-followed culinary offering only available until sold out, we still can’t get enough of Elie Assaf’s Lebanese Grocer. Here, the chef serves food authentic to his native Lebanon, with a mouthwatering menu and ever-changing specials, including Chicken & Toum nights, which the restaurant’s most loyal followers will likely have tried. With the next one hosted this Thursday, the chef will take care of dinner with whole and half-roast chickens available to takeaway. More info here.
Thursday the 3rd of August, from 5pm.
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Taste of Sidart Menu
For those seeking a shorter format but no less luxurious dining experience, Sidart has introduced a four-course Taste of Sidart menu to see you through the winter months. We’ve been told that the menu changes daily depending on the availability of produce but expect finely-crafted dishes showcasing a portion of what can be experienced with Sidart’s three main tasting menus. This comes alongside a non-alcoholic pairing menu for those who may want to carry July’s virtuous habits on a while longer. Reservations and further information can be found here.
Broke Boy Taco at Neil Cafe
Having gained some serious street cred since his Ponsonby Road residency began, Sean Yarborough’s Broke Boy Taco has since asserted itself as the tortilla to have in the City. This month, you’ll find him outside his usual confines at Te Atatū Peninsula’s Neil Cafe for one night only. Expect the usual classics (including the famous birria) and hopefully some tasty surprises. Click here for all the details.
Sunday the 13th of August, from 5pm.
Bread & Butter Sourdough Classes
Founder of this iconic Auckland bakery, Isabel Pasch, who opened Bread & Butter in 2013, is celebrating its 10-year milestone with a series of organic sourdough masterclasses beginning this month. The classes started in 2016 but had lapsed due to staff shortages, but with a full team now on board, the new series of classes will take place at Bread & Butter Café every Wednesday evening from the 9th of August until the 27th of September. Each class promises to teach enthusiasts a simple yet versatile recipe to elevate their loaves, rolls, pizzas and cakes. Bookings are essential and can be made here.
Classes weekly from Wednesday the 9th of August, 5pm until 8pm.
Fankery at Hello Beasty
A fortuitous collaboration has emerged as part of Hello Beasty’s Restaurant Month offering, which sees Fankery (Cathy Fan’s fantastic Chinese-style cheesecakes) served as part of the five-course menu all August. These cheesecakes are mochi stuffed, which lends them a distinctly pillowy texture, and boast brownie bases and burnt basque toppings. Seriously delicious; we’ll be back for seconds… and probably thirds. More information here.
Go Ramen
Down an unassuming back alley in the CBD, Go Ramen is a tasty spot that has recently opened, serving what might be one of the most authentic noodle bowls in Auckland. The food here speaks to ‘the true essence of Japanese cuisine’, and those who’ve tried it already will attest to this. The noodles are all housemade, and the toppings are virtuous enough to make this feel like true soul food.
WoodSpirit at The Beer Spot Whangaparāoa
One of the new players on the pop-up circuit, WoodSpirit is swiftly finding a loyal following for its delicious, woodfired Turkish food. The early days of this month see it making an appearance at Whangaparāoa’s The Beer Spot for those who find themselves in the northern reaches. You’ll also find them at Neil Cafe later in the month and at their permanent Papakura home in Broadway Food Hall.
Serving daily, midday until late.
Domo Bakery
Late last month, this cute little bakery opened on Hurstmere Road, and alongside serving eightthirty coffee (one of the best brews on the block), Domo’s speciality is its showstopping menu of stuffed croissants. Self-professed croissant enthusiasts, these guys show dedication to pushing the traditional pastry beyond its bounds. Pastries come regular-sized or sometimes cubed-shaped, stuffed with fillings like matcha (which sells like hotcakes), rose, yuzu and cream cheese, and sometimes even topped with lemon meringue — the perfect, post-beach walk fuel.
Auckland Restaurant Month
Auckland’s Restaurant Month really needs no introduction. Every August, dressed for the occasion, the restaurants within the inner city all celebrate via limited-edition, prix-fixe menus, exclusive dining events and chef’s table events to celebrate our rich cultural dining landscapes. If you’re yet to take a close look at the extensive lineup, we’d recommend doing so here, but a few that we’re looking forward to include Culprit’s four-course Kiwiana menu, MoVida’s four-course dinner and Bonfire at Esther.
Megan May’s Feel Good Plant-Based Curries and Dosa at Homeland
Known for Summer Street institution, Little Bird Organics, Megan May will this month lead a workshop at Peter Gordon’s food embassy. This Homeland cooking class invites its students to the ultimate comfort food experience, where you will spend an evening learning how to make wholefoods curries, dosa (a delicious fermented lentil crepe) and chutneys to match. It speaks to the larger food philosophy of Little Bird too, where these soul-warming foods can be nourishing, too. Spots are limited, book here with haste.
Thursday the 10th of August, 5.30pm until 7.30pm.
