The Best Restaurant Views In Auckland

Adding to the infamous Viaduct ensemble of great places to wine and dine is Saint Alice, with head chef Maia Atvers running the show. Opening in late 2018, the eatery has made itself synonymous with one of Auckland’s must-try dishes, talk of their Oyster McMuffin spread fast around town.

Get in quick however, with an evolving and growing menu even a regular couldn’t get bored of the mouth-watering dishes and stunning harbour view. The restaurants sun-soaked outdoor seating overlooks the water from two floors up. The oysters and sashimi are as fresh as can be, with small and large plates to share as well. Nothing can quite beat one of Alice’s favourite cocktails and sunny rooftop session, or an espresso martini watching the twinkling boat lights on date night.

World class food served 190m in the air is almost unheard of. Luckily, Auckland is home to The Sugar Club, sitting on the 53rd floor of the Sky Tower. Renowned chef, Abhi Dey is at the helm of the fine dining institute with 360 views of the Auckland skyline and beyond. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see as far as Leigh Peninsula, Waitakere Ranges, Bombay Hills, and Great Barrier Island.

Far from gimmicky, the food and ambience stack up to the incredible views. The set menus and a la carte are all equally delicious, with bold dishes such as crayfish, beef carpaccio, wild venison, and jasmine ice cream with bee pollen to please your taste buds too.

Sitting and watching the busy city go by from the serenity of Waiheke Island is one of the best stress-relievers in Auckland. It’s even better when it’s done with a line-up of gourmet dishes and a world-class wine in your hand. Mudbrick Vineyard’s restaurant is second to none in terms of location, service, and food. Overlooking the Hauraki Gulf, owners Robyn & Nicholas have owned the property since 1992 with a vision of setting up a vineyard with amazing views.

Today it’s one of the city’s best restaurant views, both during the day and when it lights up at night. Dine traditionally at the flagship Mudbrick Restaurant with a la carte or degustation options, often featuring dishes such as the King Ora Salmon Tataki and Golden kumara quinoa (although the menus operate seasonally and daily). Or opt for the more laid-back bar and bistro, The Archive, with a menu of casual snacks and mains. Either way, both restaurants are highly rated, and perfectly situated on the staggering estate.

East Auckland has so much to offer, particularly their great beaches and eateries. Combine the two and you get Marina Cantina. The Mexican eatery sits on Half Moon Bay Marina, showcasing spectacular views for both locals and visitors (the CBD and Waiheke ferries are a stone-throw away). Half Moon Bay sits on the east Auckland peninsula connecting some of the best swimming spots out east.

Complementing the stunning blue sparkling waters of Buckland’s Beach is a menu to match – Jalapeño fried chicken, chicken tinga taquitos, pulled pork loaded waffle fries, and four different organic corn or flour tacos to choose from, including a speciality taqueria of the moment. And to drink? Marina Cantina has margaritas on tap, fruit-filled sangria to die for, and cocktails that pack a tequila-powered punch.

An eatery known for its bottomless brunch, live music late nights, and Auckland Harbour views, The Lula Inn is a common go-to spot in Auckland. The south-pacific themed restaurant outdoes itself again and again, with its flora and fauna designs and fresh tropical ingredients – it’s simply an added bonus that it comes with sea-level views of the sweeping harbour.

The over-water deck (Auckland’s only one, in fact) and green grass walls will have you living on island time, combined with the paradise-inspired menu. Coconut turmeric curry, ika maka, and crispy potato skins all go down a treat with a tiki cocktail in hand. At night, loosen up with an espresso martini, tiki time cocktail, or homegrown gin mixer as you enjoy the mesmerising sounds of the sea.

The iconic view from Mission Bay Promenade is part of what makes Auckland, Auckland – and so is the bright pink Belgian Beer Cafe. De Fontein is an authentic Belgian restaurant serving up heavenly beers and seaside views. Make sure to request a rooftop terrace table where you’ll be able to watch the world go by.

Marvel at the extinct Rangitoto volcano across the ocean, or people-watch the paddle-boarding, tandem-bike-riding, roller-blading beachgoers. As for the  De Fontein menu, take your time choosing from the extensive beer and wine list before deciding between oysters, mussels, steak, or a sharing platter to please every guest. Teamed up with the view, De Fontein’s atmosphere is great for family-wide meals or grab-a-pint catch-ups.

Located in the grand Auckland Ferry Building is Botswana Butchery, bringing a taste of the deep south to the urban Auckland City. Stressing the importance of a fun and innovative dining experience for their guests, as well as combining the ideal Auckland produce, location, and wine, Botswana Butchery ticks all the boxes. The grand dining hall is spectacular on its own, but paired up with the blue water peeking through the large windows makes it, somehow, even better.

Meanwhile, the relaxed outdoor dining allows you to watch boats come and go, and the world pass you by. Head chef Mark Gillespie incorporates a meat-heavy menu into a fine dining environment. The Carrara Wagyu Scotch Fillet, Confit Duck, and Venison Carpaccio are all eye-catchers on the extensive menu. The wine list is mainly composed of organic or biodynamic farming principles to complement the organic ingredients on your plate. This is definitely the wine list to get adventurous with!

Sitting pretty on North Wharf is The Conservatory, a modern European restaurant doubling as a wine and cocktail bar. Originally opening with the idea of creating a “liveable” restaurant, it’s easily one of the most comfortable restaurants in town.

Dining at The Conservatory is exactly the opposite of a rushed table sitting, welcoming diners to sit, relax, and socialise with their designed-for-comfort seats and couches. All while staring out at the bright blue view of the Waitemata. Pizzas, burgers, bar snacks, and platters all available with their specially-crafted cocktail and mocktail menus. Make The Conservatory the next spot for social gatherings of any kind.

Beachside cabanas, fresh seafood, and a cold crisp drink are the go at Takapuna’s Regatta Bar and Eatery. Situated right on the main beach, Regatta Bar whisks you away to the sunny coast of a tropical island with a Long Island Ice Tea and antipasto platter on standby.

Choose to have some of the freshest market fish available pan-fried or chargrilled, or if seafood’s not your thing, there’s still plenty of options like the braised short rib, Szechuan pepper squid, or the honey roasted veggies with pistachio dukkha. Great food served beachside? Yes, please!

Tapas and harbour views, it doesn’t get much better than that in Auckland. Devon on the Wharf brings a taste of Turkish cuisine to the bayside village of Devonport. Executive Chef Pratik Bholse aims to marry the Mediterranean food with locally sourced ingredients to create “fresh exciting flavours”. Bholse certainly achieves this, particularly through his dishes like the rib eye and the Jordanian lamb and flat bread.

There are, however, more classic Turkish dishes such as Manti (spinach and feta dumplings), Lahmajun (Turkish pizza with spiced mince), and the Loukoumades (deep fried doughnuts soaked in honey syrup). For the best view of Auckland City and the freshest Mediterranean, look no further than Devon on the Wharf.

15 floors up in the trendy SO/ Hotel, you’ll find the Asian-inspired restaurant Harbour Society. The elevator doors open to metallic beams and surfaces, lavish dining areas, and of course a breath-taking view of the Auckland skyline. The high-rise restaurant is headed by Chef Marty Kindleysides, mastering the balance of flavour profiles and spice, he presents a distinctly New Zealand spin on Asian cuisine.

Deliberate between the set menu if you want to try absolutely everything or the a la carte if you know exactly what you’re after. Both menus have must-try dishes like the Speckle Park beef tournedos, braised lamb oyster shoulder, miso-glazed salmon, and a deliciously decadent dessert menu to match.