For anyone who covets the intoxicating, opulent taste of truffles, you will be pleased to know that the time has come, once again, to celebrate gastronomy’s black gold in all its glory. Whether showcased in a dedicated dining experience or shaved over a bowl of handmade pasta, the truffle takes centre stage across a number of exceptional dining venues in Auckland, offering a raft of irresistible creations that celebrate the best of the season.
Ahi’s Add-Ons
At Ben Bayley’s beloved Commercial Bay restaurant (where seasonal, locally-sourced fare is given an innovative, culinary twist), fresh truffles can be added to any dish on the menu for an additional $10. Promising to enhance this restaurant’s already-impressively interesting and balanced flavours, Ahi’s optional truffle topping is the perfect way to elevate your next meal here.
Sign up to our free EDM subscription today.
Esther’s Truffle Extravaganza
One place that is leaning into truffle season in a big way is Esther, the delicious restaurant set at the base of the QT Hotel in Viaduct Harbour. Esther’s infamous truffle lunch is returning from the 5th of June. A treat for all the senses, guests are invited to dig into a six-course menu laced with extra truffle oomph. Chef Sean Connolly has created a menu that sets the divine delicacies centre stage for midday dining throughout June and July, for just $69 per person. There is also a truffle Negroni on offer and an additional wine match offering for an elevated experience. Available Wednesday to Friday, between 12–3pm, while in season.
Rooftop at QT are also taking truffles to the top, slinging truffle pizzas, sliders and truffle cocktails not to be missed.
Onslow’s Unmissable Truffle Risotto
Celebrating the return of truffle season in suitably sophisticated style, Onslow has added a mouthwatering new dish to its menu for a limited time. Here, a delectable, creamy Truffle Risotto has been added to the lunch menu from Wednesday through Saturday, harnessing the season’s freshest truffles. Only available for a short time, find this delicious dish on Onslow’s lunch menu. This is one you certainly don’t want to miss out on.
Rhu’s Decadent Grilled Cheese
Parnell’s Rhu is offering a bespoke truffle dish this season that is exactly what we’re craving at this time of year. A decadent grilled cheese with mushroom pâté has been added to the menu as the perfect winter warmer to pair with freshly shaved truffle, which is available to add to all dishes on the menu. With some menu items better suited to this opulent accompaniment than others, a toastie oozing with cheese and creamy mushroom pâté is a great place to start, trust us.
The Lodge Bar & Dining’s Truffle Delights
Meticulously designed to highlight the exquisite aromas and flavours of the truffle in different ways, The Lodge Bar & Dining are offering two bespoke, truffle-themed dishes sure to satisfy. The first, a simple pasta, has been crafted to put the truffle front and centre, pairing 52-yolk spaghetti with Black Quail Estate Perigord truffle, roasted garlic, thyme, and cream, while, those seeking something a little more adventurous will find it in the warm truffle custard, paired with truffle jus, sweetbreads and herbs, offering a true expression of winter. Available for a very limited time, we suggest you plan your visit soon so not to miss out.
Darling on Drake’s Decadent Dish
Taking their infamous melt to new heights, Darling on Drake have reimagined their OG favourite sandwich with the season’s decadent delicacy in mind. The truffle and brie patty melt (served with a side of truffle fries) isn’t for the faint-hearted, piled high with a handmade smash patty, mortadella, brie, pickles, sauce, and a healthy shaving of fresh truffle, between layers of thick-cut white bread. The definition of a winter warmer.
Sìso’s Indulgent Truffle-Themed Lunch & Fresh Shavings
Celebrate truffle season at Sìso throughout June with the eatery’s delectable ‘Shuffle in for a Truffle lunch’ offering. From now until the end of the month, those partial to the winter delicacy will be treated to a bespoke, two-course menu centred on truffles hand-dug by head chef Michael at Ohiwa Truffle Farm, paired with a glass of Church Road Series wine. And for those looking to put their own spin on things, freshly shaved truffle can be added to any dish you wish from Sìso’s a la carte menu, at any time of the day, offering endless opportunities for indulgence.
Spiga’s Truffle Toppings
At Remuera’s Spiga, the truffle season offering keeps beautiful Italian food at the forefront, where diners can indulge in a special Tagliolini with truffle butter, Jerusalem artichoke purée, and freshly sliced truffle on top. Set to take the always-excellent experience of dining here up a notch, this indulgent dish will allow you to partake in this tasty season in style.
Elmo’s Truffle Celebration is Back
One of the best places to go for a taste of delicate truffles is always Elmo’s. This Ponsonby Road hotspot pulls out all the stops in honour of truffle season, and this year is shaping up as the best yet. From what we’ve heard, delectable handmade pasta and pizza will take centre stage, along with a creamy, decadent burrata, with delicious seasonal dishes yet to be unveiled. We recommend booking a table at this Ponsonby Road hotspot immediately.
Bivacco’s Limited-Time Truffle Dishes
Where better to celebrate the indulgence of truffle season than at one of our favourite Auckland dining destinations? Viaduct Harbour’s Bivacco is embracing winter truffle season wholeheartedly, offering a number of tasty ways to celebrate the arrival of these delectable morsels in fitting fashion. A number of exceptional dishes highlighting freshly shaved Périgord Truffles are joining the menu — from decadent mushroom and truffle arancini with parmesan and chives to a delicate beef carpaccio with truffle, salsa verde, pickled baby onion, chive and ricotta salata on the Antipasti section, to mushroom pizza with truffle, gorgonzola, walnut and rocket, and the unmissable new hand-cut pasta with egg yolk, prosciutto, truffle and chives, there’s something sure to appeal to even the most discerning truffle connoisseurs amongst us. Or, if you prefer to stick to your go-to when visiting, but still want to indulge, simply add freshly shaved truffle to any dish you please. Here for a good time, not a long one, these dishes are giving us every excuse to book a spot at this waterfront eatery over the coming weeks. You should too.
Andiamo’s Fresh Truffle Shavings & Bespoke Set Menu
There’s no reason to stray from your dining routine over truffle season if you’re set on your go-tos. In fact, if Andiamo is your go-to neighbourhood haunt, you can still pull up a chair and order your favourite dishes, only now, those dishes can be enhanced with fresh shavings of locally-sourced truffle for just $10. Or, if you’re looking to go all in, turn your attention to the eatery’s ‘Andiamo Recommends’ menu centred on Te Kairanga’s exceptional wines and, you guessed it, truffle. Here, the likes of truffle risotto with fried enoki mushroom and crème fraîche (best when paired with the 2021 Te Kairanga John Martin Chardonnay), pizza with charred leeks, walnut, goats cheese and truffle honey, and truffle parmesan fries, of course. The best bit? You’ll be treated to two courses (with the option to add sides for the table), and an exceptional glass of wine, all for a modest $40. So, what are you waiting for? Book a table today.
Truffles at The Sugar Club
Take in the stunning sights of the city while indulging in any of The Sugar Club‘s delectable dishes, with the addition of black truffle — available across all menus at any time of the day. With fresh truffle shaved at the table, adding a delightful spectacle to your dining experience, truffle season at The Sugar Club is not to be missed. Only available for a limited time, we suggest getting in quick.
