The 2024 Iconic Auckland Eats list, featuring 100 of Auckland’s top dishes as nominated by the public, has just been released — giving Aucklanders and those visiting a comprehensive guide to what to eat across the region. Developed annually, the list sits as a celebration of Auckland’s incredible, diverse culinary scene, highlighting unique and beloved dishes bespoke to Tāmaki Makaurau.
Now in its fourth year, Iconic Auckland Eats was established by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited as a way to showcase the vibrancy of the region’s gastronomic offering, highlighting legendary dishes that range from fine dining to cheap and cheerful — covering everything in between, too. The dishes, submitted for consideration by locals, capture the essence of Auckland, embodying the cultural melting pot and richness that makes the region so special.
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When it comes to what’s included, many Denizen favourites made the cut — from Bar Magda’s beautiful lamb ribs, served with pyanggang, green sambal, and a soft herb salad, to Amano’s famous scampi pasta (swoon), Depot’s fish sliders — unsurprisingly on the list for four years running, and Hello Beasty’s moreish prawn & crab toast.
Icons like Eden Noodles’ dumplings in spicy sauce, Fish Smith’s fish tacos, Gochu’s milk bun, The Oyster Inn’s Te Matuku oysters, Soul Bar’s mouthwatering macaroni cheese, and Daily Bread’s irresistible custard square all feature, too, in amongst quirkier additions — from Lilian’s prosciutto and grape pizza to Sumthin Dumplin’s beef and cheese iteration, Sneaky Snacky’s hot chicken donut burger, Culprit’s ‘ugly carrots’, and Ahi’s scampi corndogs (a must try).
As has been the case since the initiative’s inception, the variety of cuisines on the list reflects the incredible mix of ethnicities in Auckland, and each nominated dish has a story behind the submission, with locals sharing insight into what the dish means to them.
While reading through the thousands of submissions, the team behind Iconic Auckland Eats selects a favourite entry that embodies the list’s ethos. This year, Tracy Berno was selected as a winner, receiving vouchers to enjoy all 100 dishes across the year. Tracy’s story told of her connection to Homeland’s delicious ika mata — a dish that pays homage to Auckland’s Pacific culture and heritage, and embodies the region’s multiculturalism and unique food scene.
So, be it inspiration for a venue to visit, or a specific dish to satisfy a craving, Iconic Auckland Eats’ top 100 list rounds up some of the top spots across the region — sitting as an incredible resource for locals or those visiting from further afield.
