There is a gastronomic experience that should be on your radar this spring, with 70 exceptional events taking place across 60 days — at 18 of the city’s best venues. We’re talking about The Savor Food Festival — set to dominate our culinary calendars in the coming months, offering fanatical foodies a full slate of unmissable events, brought to you by the hospitality maestros at Savor Group.
Epic lunch and dinner deals are sure to inspire indulgence — with something for every taste, proclivity and occasion. From day to night, casual to well-heeled, quiet bites to uproarious celebrations. You can expect guest chefs and star mixologists to be on top form, winemakers and artists ready to captivate, and a number of Auckland’s favourite dining destinations ready to pull out all of the stops.
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To give you a taste of what’s to come, renowned Australian guest chefs Frank Camorra and Big Sam Young are flying in for the occasion, along with a number of exceptional winemakers, designers and a few novelists set to make an appearance. From wagyu tastings at Ebisu, to unlimited pinchos at MoVida to the chance to win a diamond at Bivacco’s Ladies Lunch, and with over 70 events to choose from, there’s no shortage of opportunities for indulgence, and with $35 lunches, $55 dinners, and $15 cocktails available across the entirety of spring, there’s no excuse for staying home.
Savor’s Spring Food Festival promises to surprise, delight and captivate this spring, and throughout the festival, consider Denizen your go-to resource for what’s on and when. Below is a snapshot of what’s to come, including a few unmissable events we suggest securing your tickets to, stat, before they sell out.
An Evening with Sir John Kirwan
When & Where: Monday the 19th of August at Amano
Tickets: book here
Indulge in a delectable dinner with Sir John Kirwan at Amano, where an exclusive dining experience will see guests enjoy a family-style, four-course dinner featuring Sir John Kirwan’s JK.14 wines paired with exceptional local produce by Amano’s Executive Chef Andrew Hanson.
Bottomless Long Lunch
When & Where: Weekly, from the 17th of August — 29th of September at Non Solo Pizza
Tickets: book here
NSP’s famed Long Lunch has gone bottomless. The lively eatery’s infamous Italian Long Lunch is a more than perfect way to spend a leisurely weekend afternoon, and during the Spring Festival, you can amp the convivial affair up with the addition of $49 bottomless prosecco. Here, enjoy a 3-course meal for $55 per person, alongside bottomless deals for prosecco, and a selection of Spring Spritzes. Sublime.
The Sunday Feast with Jazz
When & Where: Weekly, from the 18th of August — 6th of October at Bivacco
Tickets: book here
Make for Bivacco on Sundays to enjoy generous stations loaded with your favourite dishes and unlimited plates, plus live jazz from a local trio. Take advantage of drink specials, including champagne deals and $15 cocktails, as you end the week in satiating style, relishing the eatery’s perfect blend of great food, refreshing drinks, and live music.
Diamond Ladies Lunch
When & Where: Weekly, Monday — Saturday, from the 12th of August at Bivacco
Tickets: book here
While the festival is running across eight glorious weeks, diamonds are forever, so don’t miss your chance to win a striking sparkler from Partridge Jewellers. Running Monday through Saturday from 11am — 3pm, Bivacco’s Diamond Ladies Lunch offers a relaxed lunch for a modest $45, which includes a glass of Cloudy Bay Pelorus and an entry into weekly prize draws.
$35 Lunches & $55 Dinners
When: Available at select Savor venues from August 12th
Where: Bivacco, Non Solo Pizza, MoVida, Ebisu, Ortolana, Azabu Ponsonby & Azabu Mission Bay
Celebrate the Savor Food Festival with a selection of familiar favourites and inventive new dishes at Bivacco, NSP, MoVida, Ebisu, Ortolana, Azabu Ponsonby, Azabu Mission Bay.
Steak & Sushi Saturdays
When: Sundays from 18th August — 29th September
Where: Azabu Mission Bay
Sundays are sorted for the next 60 days at Azabu’s Mission Bay outpost, where you’ll find an exclusive platter to share featuring locally sourced meats from the robata grill, signature sushi, sashimi, and Azabu ceviche. Pair your meal with the lively eatery’s cocktail, wine, and beer specials from 11am — 3pm, and end the week in satiating style.
OKI NO Sushi Saturdays
When: Saturdays from 31st August — 21st September
Where: Ebisu
This is fresh at its best. Make for Ebisu, where, every Saturday a Japanese-style buffet with unlimited fresh sushi, sashimi, and crispy salads awaits. Enjoy champagne deals and $15 cocktails to complement your meal, as, from 12pm — 4pm, you indulge in the ultimate sushi feast.
Peroni for $10
When: From August 12th
Where: Amano, Non Solo Pizza, Bar Non Solo & Bivacco
Across the festival’s entirety, sip on ice-cold Peroni at Amano, Non Solo Pizza, Bar Non Solo, and Bivacco, for a modest $10 a pop. The ultimate in spring satiation.
Asahi for $10
When: From August 12th
Where: Ebisu, Azabu Ponsonby & Azabu Mission Bay
Or, if Asahi’s super dry rice lager is your go-to libation, at Ebisu and Azabu’s Ponsonby and Mission Bay outposts, you’ll find $10 Asahi across August and September.
$99 Bottles of Champagne
When: From August 12th
Where: Amano, Non Solo Pizza, Bar Non Solo, Bivacco, Ebisu, Azabu Ponsonby, Azabu Mission Bay, MoVida & Ortolana
Throughout the festival, those partial to a crisp glass of Moet et Chandon will find $17 flutes and $99 bottles at all participating venues (except Azabu Misson Bay, who will be pouring Mumm at the same price).
Cocktails for $15
When: From August 12th
Where: Amano, Non Solo Pizza, Bar Non Solo, Bivacco, Ebisu, Azabu Ponsonby, Azabu Mission Bay, MoVida & Ortolana
Across many of the exceptional venues participating in the festival (a full list can be found here), revellers are invited to enjoy a selection of $15 cocktails all day, every day.
Bangers and Classics
When: Weekly from 17th of August — 29th September
Where: Bar Non Solo
At Bar Non Solo — the city’s unofficial (but undisputed) home of pizza and pasta, you’ll find a rotating edit of new pasta dishes across the festival, with a new flavour joining the fold weekly, available for a modest $20 come lunchtime. Bellissimo.
Bespoke Bakes
When: Weekly from 17th of August — 29th September
Where: Amano Bakery
Amano, is serving up a new creation from the bakery every week for eight weeks, kicking off on August 17th. Indulge in eight exquisite new creations — four sweet and four savoury, unveiled weekly on Mondays via Instagram, and available exclusively at Amano Bakery.
