The 2025 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 beloved dishes in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Now in its fifth 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 budget-friendly bites — covering everything in between, too. The 2025 list includes long-standing favourites, hidden gems, and exciting new discoveries, and 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.
When it comes to what’s included, many Denizen favourites made the cut — from Bar Magda’s Noel’s charcoal steak with soy butter, scallion, to Amano’s famous scampi pasta (swoon), Depot’s fish sliders — unsurprisingly on the list for five years running, Masu’s wagyu kimchi gyoza, and Hello Beasty’s moreish prawn & crab toast, making a very welcome return.
Icons like Eden Noodles’ dumplings in spicy sauce, FishSmith’s battered Westmere Butchery pork sausage, Gemmayze Street’s babaganouj, Federal Delicatessen’s chicken salad sandwich, Huami’s fruit wood roasted peking duck, and Cassia’s pani puri all feature, too, in amongst quirkier additions — from Rhu’s honey toast with whipped yoghurt and fruit, to Metita’s handpicked beef scotch, 55 day dry-aged, with palusami purée and ravigote, San Ray’s quinoa toast with smoked fish and pickled egg, Goat by Sid Chopra’s slow cooked goat marinated in aromatic spices, mustard oil, garlic, and green chilies, Tala’s raw ramen, and Ragtag’s duck carnitas tacos (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. This year saw record number of entries, with over 3,000 nomination food stories coming in.
While reading through the thousands of submissions, Iconic Auckland Eats judges select their favourite entries that embody the list’s ethos. This year, five stand-out stories were chosen, with the writer of each receiving $500 worth of vouchers to spend at their top five restaurants featuring on the list.
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 and dishes on menus across the region — sitting as an incredible resource for locals or those visiting from further afield.
