Book In Quick! Here Are The Best Places To Take Mum This Mother’s Day

Wynyard Pavilion is a great spot for a casual yet luxurious outing; settle in for an afternoon dedicated to expertly made cocktails and fresh seafood morsels. The sun-soaked deck offers serene waterfront views and maintains a summer attitude all year round. Visit in the morning for an eggs benny breakfast or stop by for dinner and dig into the beautiful pan-roasted market fish with green beans, almonds and brown butter. Treat mum to a passionfruit spritz cocktail or a sweet treat to round off the day.

Kick things up a notch this Mother’s Day by dining at Esther; a ticket gets you access to a bountiful Mediterranean-inspired feast and a delectable sorbetto cocktail. The set menu is a 3-course extravaganza that is sure to sweep your mum off her feet. Enjoy signature dishes like the puff bread and baked saganaki, plus the highly sought-after Bluff oysters in champagne mignonette. For mains, your options include the likes of duck and porcini tortellini and the pistachio-crusted Hawkes Bay lamb cutlets accompanied by the incredible duck fat potatoes. Yum!

Make the most of Mother’s Day and start the celebrations early; Crave café in Morningside is a popular spot for breakfast and brunch. With a sprawling deck and cosy interior, this venue is perfect whatever the weather. The menu is updated weekly to offer diners fresh, seasonal options. If mum has a sweet tooth, we recommend the buttermilk brioche French toast with summer berries, candied pistachios and raspberry mascarpone. Otherwise, you cannot go wrong with smashed avo on toast.

One of Ponsonby’s most beloved spots is Elmo’s; the pizza bar is an Italian oasis. The cuisine is swoon-worthy, and the cocktails offer a taste of heaven; what more could you want? The quaint restaurant specialises in homemade Italian delicacies like the burrata, beef carpaccio and spaghetti Cacio e pepe. Of course, visiting Elmo’s without indulging in a pizza would be a sin; our go-to is the truffle shuffle. With a white base, taleggio béchamel, mozzarella, wild mushrooms, black truffle, pancetta and chives. Cleanse your palette with Michelangelo’s David cocktail, made with Plantation Dark Rum, peach liqueur, passionfruit, xo sherry, lime and apple – perfection.

Dinner with a view? Regatta Bar and Eatery is perched on the lip of Takapuna beach, a relaxing spot to take in the scenery and people-watch with a glass of wine in hand. Being so close to the sea means beautiful fresh fish on the menu, and the chargrilled market fish does not disappoint. Other stand-out options are the Szechuan pepper and squid salad and the duck breast with caramelised yoghurt and cherry dressing. For dessert, we cannot resist the pina colada custard with roasted pineapple.

Break out the bubbles at Bellini and raise a glass for mum! This restaurant is elegant and sophisticated; tucked into the Hilton Hotel, you can sip away on champagne with stunning views of the harbour. Nibble on a selection of artisanal small plates like the house-made focaccia, Te Matuku Bay oysters and pork cheek croquettes. If you are after something heavier, the Taupo beef burger with smoked cheddar and Zuni pickles is amazing.

What says I love you mum more than a day trip to Waiheke? Visit the gorgeous Stonyridge Vineyard for an unforgettable afternoon, and sit amongst the rolling hills at the veranda café. Stonyridge will be hosting a Mother’s Day lunch that includes a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival, followed by a 2-course dining experience. The entrées will include the ceviche of the day, a smoked ricotta salad or the black Angus steak tartare. The mains are even more luxurious with the likes of Akaroa salmon with lemon kelp and Steve’s mixed avocado and tomato salad with a ginger and tamari crunch.