Bestie is a café restaurant in Karangahape Road, Auckland.
Bestie sits inside St Kevins Arcade off Karangahape Road in Auckland. Brunch plates, seasonal cakes, filter coffee and a neighbourhood corner-room feel.
Why locals love it: An arcade cafe in Shop 13 of St Kevins Arcade with bright food and house cakes, in an arcade most Aucklanders walk past without entering.
Tip: Take the late-Sunday window; the queues clear after 14:00 and the cake counter still has stock.
Address: Shop 13, St Kevins Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD 1010
Bar Magda is a basement Filipino wine bar off Cross Street, Auckland; Cuisine-hat-listed three years running, 30 seats. Carlo Buenaventura's kitchen leads.
Why locals love it: A basement Filipino wine bar off Cross Street that punches above its 30 seats, Cuisine-hat-listed three years running and tucked off the K Road strip.
Tip: Book the front pair of high-tops if you can; the kitchen window is right there and the wine pours land first.
Sly is a genuine K Road speakeasy in Auckland behind an unmarked door at 354A Karangahape Road. Cocktails, hot dogs and a 20-seat room you book ahead.
Why locals love it: A genuine speakeasy at 354A Karangahape Road behind an unmarked door, with cocktails and hot dogs on the menu in Auckland.
Tip: Look for the half-illuminated sign next to a tattoo shop; the door is unmarked and the room small.
Cazador on Dominion Road in Mount Eden, Auckland is the Wright family's game-led restaurant with a connected deli. Wild venison, native ingredient pairings.
Why locals love it: A Dominion Road game restaurant where the Lolaiy-Smidt family runs the kitchen since 2013, on a venue opened by family in 1987; a deli sits next door.
Tip: Order the charcuterie board even if you've already chosen a main; the cure is the same family's work next door.
Bar Magda is a basement Filipino wine bar off Cross Street, Auckland; Cuisine-hat-listed three years running, 30 seats. Carlo Buenaventura's kitchen leads.
Why locals love it: A basement Filipino wine bar off Cross Street that punches above its 30 seats, Cuisine-hat-listed three years running and tucked off the K Road strip.
Tip: Book the front pair of high-tops if you can; the kitchen window is right there and the wine pours land first.
Caretaker on Customs Street East is Auckland's most-loved basement cocktail room. Off-menu drinks, low light, the room you go for the city's best bartenders.
Why locals love it: An unmarked basement cocktail room beneath 40 Customs Street East in Britomart with no menu; bartenders mix to mood. A bartender's-bartender room in Auckland CBD.
Tip: Walk-in or text for a seat; tell the bartender your three favourite spirits and let them work.
Sly is a genuine K Road speakeasy in Auckland behind an unmarked door at 354A Karangahape Road. Cocktails, hot dogs and a 20-seat room you book ahead.
Why locals love it: A genuine speakeasy at 354A Karangahape Road behind an unmarked door, with cocktails and hot dogs on the menu in Auckland.
Tip: Look for the half-illuminated sign next to a tattoo shop; the door is unmarked and the room small.
Forest is Plabita Florence's 30-seat vegetarian tasting room on Dominion Road, Auckland. Metro Restaurant of the Year 2024 and one Cuisine hat.
Why locals love it: A 30-seat vegetarian tasting room on Dominion Road that took Metro Restaurant of the Year 2024, with one Cuisine hat and quiet word-of-mouth in Auckland.
Tip: Book two weeks ahead through the website. The restaurant takes only 30 covers a night across Wednesday to Saturday.
