In Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Book 2026: Hidden Garden, nature is treated less as ornament than as a source of character, movement and transformation. Across the collection, Jean Schlumberger’s enduring fascination with flora and fauna returns through a contemporary lens, but it is the Paradise Bird chapter that gives the maison’s garden its most animated presence.
The chapter draws from one of Tiffany’s most recognisable design codes: Schlumberger’s Bird on a Rock. First conceived as a bird perched atop a remarkable gemstone, the motif has endured because it gives important stones a sense of wit and vitality, shifting high jewellery away from pure formality and into something far more distinctive. In Hidden Garden, that idea is expanded into a series of fantastical brooches, where each bird appears to have alighted by instinct on a gemstone chosen as much for its personality as its rarity.
At the heart of the chapter are stones that do not behave as passive centrepieces. Australian boulder opal, American chrysocolla and Namibian unenhanced purple chalcedony each set the tone for the jewel that surrounds it, dictating the colours, textures and secondary stones used across the bird’s body. Rather than imposing a design onto a gem, Tiffany lets the stone lead. The result is a more nuanced kind of harmony, where a flash of enamel, a sweep of diamonds or a vivid coloured stone feels connected to the centre stone’s own internal world.
This is where the pieces become most compelling. A bird perched on boulder opal seems to borrow from the stone’s shifting fire, its plumage heightened by colour that feels alive in motion. Another, anchored by chrysocolla, takes on a cooler, more mineral quality, as though the bird has emerged from the stone itself. The purple chalcedony pieces introduce a different mood again, with their softly saturated centre stones giving the surrounding gem work a more dreamlike intensity.
For all their fantasy, the brooches never lose the precision that high jewellery demands. Their appeal sits in the tension between imagination and control: the curve of a beak, the lift of a crest, the exact placement of gemstones across a wing. These details give the birds their character. They also make clear that the chapter is not simply revisiting an archival motif, but allowing it to evolve.
In the Paradise Bird chapter, Tiffany & Co. finds a way to make rarity feel spirited. The stones remain extraordinary, but they are not treated as static trophies. They become perches, bodies, habitats and points of departure, each one shaping the creature that sits above it. The garden may frame the collection, but these birds give it life.
When a kitchen and a winery share the same governing philosophy, a collaborative dinner carries a creative conviction that ignites the senses. On 17 July, Ember at Grand Millennium Auckland hosts a one-night winemaker’s dinner with North Canterbury’s Mt Beautiful, where each course has been designed to reflect the rhythm of the season and the character of the land from which both producers work. With seats strictly limited, this is one table we recommend securing early.
Executive Chef James Kenny leads a kitchen shaped by serious international experience, with time at Paris, London’s Boxwood, and Copenhagen’s Noma under his belt. The menu draws on seasonal New Zealand produce and applies techniques that make a dish feel both effortless and considered. Mt Beautiful seems like a natural counterpart, producing wines from North Canterbury that are expressive, grounded in place, and crafted with a focus on balance and purity, made possible by the region’s altitude, river systems, and demanding climate. Their Pinot Gris moves through orchard fruit with restrained sweetness; the Chardonnay carries stone fruit and mineral length; the Riesling opens floral and resolves clean. These are wines made for the table, built for the kind of thoughtfully paced, shared experience this dinner is designed to be.
The evening moves through six courses and six matched wines with a clear sense of progression. Mahurangi oyster with finger lime mignonette opens alongside Mt Beautiful’s Sauvignon Blanc; tea-cured Ora King Salmon with nori vinaigrette and fried tapioca follows with the Pinot Gris; a shallot tarte tatin with crème fraîche meets the rosé; leeks with gribiche and pan grattata are paired with the Chardonnay. First Light Wagyu Bavette with malt and shiitake glaze carries the Pinot Noir, and rhubarb and custard choux closes the evening against a floral, citrus-bright Riesling. Each pairing builds on the last rather than simply accompanying it.
Restraint is the defining gesture at Maison Rocher, the Marais apartment-gallery conceived by French entrepreneur Jeremy Rocher and designer Kym Ellery as a place where private life and creative exchange could comfortably coexist. Designed with equal parts rigour and romance by architect Simon Pesin, the home sits within an Art Nouveau building whose arched ceilings have been preserved, framed and celebrated — a decision that sets the tone for an interior that feels both deeply Parisian and quietly contemporary.
Here, nothing clamours for attention, yet everything rewards a closer look. Muted, chalky plaster walls soften the light, while sculptural furniture, richly veined stone and considered objects are given the space to breathe. The result is a home that moves at an unhurried pace, inviting visitors to wander, pause and absorb the interplay between architecture, art and daily ritual.
This same sensibility carries through to the apartment’s most functional moments. Rather than treating tapware and brassware as practical necessities, Pesin threads Zucchetti throughout the kitchen, powder rooms and bathrooms as a recurring design language. Brushed and polished metals meet stone basins and marble surfaces with a collected, almost gallery-like ease, transforming fittings into quiet sculptural gestures.
It is a confident approach, and one that speaks to the discernment of Rocher and Ellery as much as to Pesin’s precise eye. At Maison Rocher, the rooms made for living are afforded the same care as those designed to be seen — proving that true refinement lies not in excess, but in the deliberate beauty of restraint.
At Denizen, we are often asked where to go for an evening tipple. The somewhat lost art of savouring a well-crafted cocktail with good company, thankfully, seems to be having a revival. For those seeking somewhere new for a finely made martini, a considered glass of wine or an unhurried pre-dinner drink this weekend, The Halligan has opened at Hotel Indigo Auckland, a polished new cocktail and wine bar in one of the city’s more atmospheric addresses. Overlooking the square through expansive arched windows, the venue has been designed as an intimate neighbourhood bar with warm lighting, rich materials and close-set seating, creating an environment that rewards conversation. The Halligan offers the appeal of a well-proportioned room, a well-conceived drink and service that knows when it’s required.
Hotel Indigo
That sense of assurance is helped by the calibre of the team behind it. Food & Beverage Manager Joey Hickman brings more than two decades of hospitality experience across New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, with a résumé that includes Bossi, Pasture, The Conservatory, Ace Hotel New York and Hawksmoor London.
Venue Manager, Joey Hickman
The drinks programme is led by Bar Manager Dylan Hawkins, whose hospitality career has included shaping several of Auckland’s most respected bar experiences, among them the opening of Kemuri Hi-Fi. At The Halligan, Hawkins has built the list around classic foundations, giving due respect to the enduring architecture of the Martini, the Negroni and their better-dressed relatives, while allowing enough contemporary thinking to prevent the whole exercise from becoming reverential. Food, too, has been given proper consideration, with Executive Chef Yutak Son behind a seasonal menu designed to sit naturally alongside the cocktail and wine offerings. Son’s acclaimed work at Bistro Saine has recently been recognised by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand distinction, and at The Halligan, his approach draws on premium local ingredients and refined French technique, giving the bar enough culinary substance to move beyond the usual supporting cast of olives, fries, and resigned snacks.
Bar Manager, Dylan Hawkins
For Hotel Indigo Auckland, the opening also sharpens the hotel’s connection to its neighbourhood, reflecting the brand’s global philosophy of creating restaurants and bars that speak to their local setting rather than merely serving guests upstairs. In this case, that setting does much of the work. St Patrick’s Square brings a useful sense of atmosphere. The Halligan is perfect for after-work drinks, weekend catch-ups, a pre-dinner glass or the kind of quietly successful evening that begins with one cocktail and progresses with ease. Enough culinary substance to move beyond the usual supporting cast of olives, fries, and resigned snacks.
For Hotel Indigo Auckland, the opening also sharpens the hotel’s connection to its neighbourhood, reflecting the brand’s global philosophy of creating restaurants and bars that speak to their local setting rather than merely serving guests upstairs. In this case, that setting does much of the work. St Patrick’s Square brings a useful sense of atmosphere. The Halligan is perfect for after-work drinks, weekend catch-ups, a pre-dinner glass or the kind of quietly successful evening that begins with one cocktail and progresses with ease.
Packing for a ski holiday has become almost as important as planning the trip itself. Performance still matters, but so too does the wardrobe, leaving many travellers investing in beautifully made skiwear that may only see a handful of days on the mountain each winter.
Queenstown’s Chalet Girl offers a thoughtful alternative. The luxury skiwear concierge service gives visitors access to this season’s collections from sought-after brands including Goldbergh, Perfect Moment and My Sunday Ski, with designer looks delivered directly to hotels, private chalets and accommodation across Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wānaka and surrounding ski destinations.
Designed to make travelling lighter feel effortlessly luxurious, guests can browse and reserve their wardrobe before they arrive, with each rental professionally prepared, beautifully packaged and delivered ahead of their first day on the slopes. The result is a seamless experience that leaves more time for mountain mornings, leisurely lunches and après afternoons, without sacrificing style.
Alongside its rental offering, Chalet Girl has also introduced a curated edit of alpine-inspired essentials to purchase, alongside a calendar of seasonal après events that celebrate Queenstown’s winter social scene. It’s an approach that recognises modern ski holidays extend well beyond the chairlift, with what you wear after the mountain becoming just as considered as what you wear on it.
With ski season now underway, Chalet Girl arrives at exactly the right moment, making it easier to travel lighter while enjoying a wardrobe that feels every bit as thoughtfully assembled as the holiday itself.
There is something to be said for balance, and Dry July offers the perfect excuse to embrace it. At SOUL Bar & Bistro, that doesn’t mean compromising on the experience, but discovering a new collection of beautifully crafted zero-alcohol cocktails designed with the same creativity and attention to detail as the restaurant’s signature drinks.
Built using premium alcohol-free spirits, house-made ingredients and layered flavours, the limited-edition menu proves that a great cocktail is about craftsmanship first. Whether you’re committing to Dry July, taking the evening off, or simply in the mood for something different, each serve has been created to stand confidently on its own.
The Imposter
Matcha Made in Heaven
Even better, the drinks themselves are reason enough to visit, whether you’re drawn to the bright citrus notes of Rita Bonita, the tropical Matcha Made in Heaven or the richer, more indulgent Peanut Noir. Crafted with premium alcohol-free spirits, house-made ingredients and the same meticulous attention to balance and flavour as SOUL’s signature cocktails, they’re designed to be enjoyed on their own merits, rather than as a substitute for the real thing.
Tart & Soul
Every zero-alcohol cocktail sold throughout July will also see $1 donated to the Dry July Foundation, helping fund practical services for New Zealanders affected by cancer. Since 2008, the Foundation has raised more than $100 million to support wellbeing programmes, rehabilitation and patient care.
This July, raising a glass looks a little different at SOUL, proving that drinking well isn’t always about what’s in the glass, but the thought behind it.
Comfort food has long occupied a place within Auckland’s dining scene, where the simplest dishes often prove the hardest to execute well, which perhaps explains why the team behind beloved Parnell restaurant Rhu has turned its attention towards one of New Zealand’s most enduring culinary institutions. Their newest venture, Roe, has opened at 269 Parnell, offering a considered take on the neighbourhood seafood eatery that feels both familiar and refreshingly current.
Hot tempura fish with tartare in a soft milk bun
Rather than attempting to reinvent the classics, Roe focuses on doing them exceptionally well, serving freshly shucked oysters and sashimi alongside golden fish and chips, a Hot Fish Sando filled with crisp tempura fish and tartare inside a soft milk bun, and a creamy tuna melt layered with bubbling cheese on toasted milk bread, all within a bright, contemporary space that feels equally suited to an unhurried lunch as it does an impromptu stop on the way home.
Creamy tuna mix layered with melted cheese on a toasted milk bun, served with pickled cucumber
Hot smoked Ora King salmon with cream cheese on seeded sourdough
Roe’s signature raw platter, oysters and sashimi
While the savoury offering leans into beautifully executed seafood classics, Roe isn’t afraid to have a little fun. A creamy soft serve finished with fish sauce caramel and crunchy pretzels brings together sweetness, salinity and umami in equal measure, an unexpected counterpoint to the rest of the menu.
Creamy soft serve finished with fish sauce caramel and pretzels
Those already familiar with Rhu will recognise the same measured restraint and attention to detail that have made the restaurant such a favourite, only here they’re applied to dishes that feel deeply nostalgic, proving that fish and chips, oysters and seafood sandwiches can be every bit as compelling when approached with exceptional produce, thoughtful execution and just the right amount of ambition.
Perfection, if you were to believe what you see online, has finally become attainable, having once belonged to Renaissance painters, Hollywood lighting directors and the rare individuals born with the right genetics. Yet today, achieving perfection is accessible to us all thanks to photo filters that remove pores and wrinkles, sharpen jawlines, and widen eyes, removing any pre-existing anatomical or skin imperfections, all for the praise and admiration of the online world. But with the evidence of any imperfections removed and published, how does one then show face in the real world?
In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in hyper-perfect influencers distorting traditional beauty ideals. This new visual language has created a complicated brief. Dr Ellen Selkon at Clinic 42 sees patients arriving with references shaped by AI-generated faces and hyper-edited influencers, images in which symmetry, smoothness and proportion are pushed so far beyond natural human possibility that reality begins to look like a faulty version. The mirror was already difficult enough.
Dr Ellen Selkon
The best approach to these unachievable ideals involves a detailed consultation in which Dr Ellen Selkon sees her role not merely as administering a treatment, but as interpreting, educating, and, when required, gently reminding patients of the fantasy. Rather than dismissing the influence of social media or treating filtered images as frivolous, she and the medical team use them as a starting point, asking what a patient is actually drawn to, before explaining which elements can be translated into reallife, which cannot, and why the distinction matters.
Because faces, inconveniently for AI filters, actually move. They laugh, frown, animate and exist under all manner of lighting conditions. The most successful aesthetic work must therefore consider the whole face, not as a static image, but as living architecture, with its own structure, proportions, skin quality, expression and emotional cadence. During a Clinic 42 consultation, there is time to carefully assess each angle, looking at how features relate to one another, how the skin behaves, and how any intervention might support the face rather than overwrite it.
This is where medical training matters. At Clinic 42, the initial consultation with one of its doctors includes a review of any underlying medical conditions, essential groundwork that ensures treatments are tailored not only to a patient’s goals, but to their physiology.
In a culture newly fluent in tweakment terminology, from baby Botox and polynucleotides to laser stacking, skin tightening and the ever-expanding glossary of glowmaxxing, jawchitecture and other crimes against language, it can be tempting to treat aesthetic medicine as a menu. The wiser approach is clinical, not conversational. What works beautifully for one face may look laboured on another, while a treatment that promises a fashionable result may be entirely wrong for a patient’s anatomy, medical history or long-term skin health.
In some cases, an injectable treatment may not be the right first step at all. Dr Selkon may recommend alternative modalities or non-injectable options that better support the patient’s goals without compromising safety.
The point, in the end, is to make expectations sharper, smarter and more useful. Digital perfection is instant, flat and unrealistic; true aesthetic confidence is more nuanced, built around the face a person actually has. At Clinic 42, the ambition is not to chase the homogenised face of the internet, but to enhance individuality with discretion, expertise and restraint, allowing results to remain expressive, believable and quietly enduring.
Which may be the most modern luxury of all: not looking filtered, not looking fixed, and certainly not looking like everyone else. Instead, looking unmistakably, intelligently and beautifully like yourself.
Few things clarify the distance between knowing a brand and understanding it quite like standing inside a room that has been fully resolved. With the opening of Molteni&C‘s first dedicated New Zealand flagship in Parnell, that understanding becomes available here for the first time, in a space where the Italian house’s ninety-year commitment to architectural furniture can be read not from a catalogue but from the room itself.
The 450-square-metre space at 99 The Strand in Parnell, brought to Auckland by long-term local representative Dawson & Co, opens with a heritage vignette of Gio Ponti and Aldo Rossi pieces positioned near the entrance. It is a thoughtful beginning to Molteni’s world. Ponti spent his career arguing that architecture, furniture and interiors were one language, not three, and Creative Director Vincent Van Duysen, who marks a decade leading Molteni&C’s creative vision in 2026, has built his tenure on precisely the same conviction.
The first sequence of rooms represents this philosophy fully. A living room furnished with Christophe Delcourt’s generous Emile sofa and Tobia Scarpa’s Monk chair creates a feeling that evokes the residential cohesiveness the brand is renowned for. The rooms then lead into a kitchen and dining environment anchored by Van Duysen’s own VVD Kitchen.
Spend a moment with the dining tables; the details on the underside, invisible from across the room, reveal the degree to which Molteni&C’s designs extend beyond what is visible. It’s this level of quality and detail that can only be understood in person.
A sitting room centred on Van Duysen’s Marteen sofa, configured in a back-to-back arrangement that creates two facing conversation settings without enclosing either, acts as the pivot into the second living area. The logic here is spatial rather than decorative: furniture as architecture, defining how a room is experienced rather than simply filling it.
The third and most materially arresting sequence opens with a second living room where a fireplace clad in Green Avocatus Quartzite commands immediate attention. The stone, with its deep veining and extraordinary chromatic depth, reappears in the dining environment earlier in the journey, a thread of continuity that is not by accident. Van Duysen’s Augusto round sofa anchors the room with the kind of sculptural generosity that must be seen in person to be truly appreciated.
From here, the space moves into a bedroom of a deliberately quieter mood, layered with tactile materials and soft light, before opening into two wardrobe environments that represent the most revelatory part of the journey. Molteni&C’s Gliss Master system is presented here in two distinct configurations, each with its own character and seating arrangement that reframes the wardrobe entirely, less a place of utility than a private room within a room, somewhere to begin and end the day with intention. The first, anchored by Naoto Fukasawa’s Cinnamon lounge chair, presents the system in a composition of glass-fronted cabinetry and panelled doors finished to a standard that rewards close inspection, where the distinction between open display and concealed storage becomes an aesthetic decision rather than a practical one. The second configuration, deeper and more architectural in character, is built around Van Duysen’s Gliss Master Island, its surfaces finished with the same precision applied to every other element in the space. What distinguishes both environments is the interior architecture of the drawers and compartments themselves: velvet-lined trays configured for earrings, watches, and folded silks; dedicated shoe drawers with recessed display; glass lids that make the contents part of the composition. Every finish is selectable, every configuration is personal, and the cumulative effect is of a wardrobe designed with the same seriousness brought to a kitchen or a living room, which is, of course, exactly the point.
Custom travertine tiles, produced exclusively for the Auckland space, run throughout. Their warmth and natural variation carry the interior without announcing themselves. The Molteni&C flagship is open now at 99 The Strand, Parnell. Visits by appointment are recommended.
While the likes of Prego have long been the go-to for those with kids in tow, there are actually a number of eateries around Auckland that offer the kinds of environments and menus that the whole family can enjoy. Here, we round up the ones to enjoy these school holidays.
Bravo at Cracker Bay takes the stress out of family dining, pairing a menu designed for all ages with a dedicated games room that keeps little ones happily entertained. It means parents can settle in, enjoy a leisurely meal and linger a little longer, making it an easy choice for everything from weekend lunches to family dinners.
New Zealand’s answer to the laid-back yet convivial surf clubs Australia is famed for, this new all-day spot has fast become a go-to for North Shore locals and visitors alike. And, with an epic, dedicated offering for the kids, a sweeping dining room, and a games space (not to mention it’s proximity to the park), this lively locale is a perfect place to swing by with the littles for a bite.
With a menu dedicated to kids 12 years and under, this stalwart Japanese destination with locations in Ponsonby and Misson Bay is right on the money. Once the little ones have chosen between six pieces of sushi, a bento box, or something from the menu for ‘bigger kids’ like chicken karaage, they get a little pack full of coloured pencils, paper and chopstick joiners (which help teach kids how to use them properly). Did we mention they also throw in a scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce on the house?
Bright, relaxed and made for sharing, Dos Donkeys is an easy family favourite. Throughout the school holidays, little ones can enjoy a $5 cheese quesadilla, making lunch or dinner in the city all the more appealing.
There’s nothing quite like a parcel of fish & chips to capture a kid’s attention, and there is perhaps no one doing it better than Herne Bay’s Fishsmith. You can grab a kids fish & chips or hot dog & chips for just over a tenner, or go old school and fill a parcel for the family to rip into together — parking up out front to dig in, or heading to one of the nearby parks or beaches for dinner al fresco. Just don’t forget your coats.
A meal at Chu’s comes with a sweet little bonus these school holidays. Throughout July, children dining with their families will receive a complimentary ice cream, with a choice of Melona or Screw Bar to finish on a nostalgic note.
Taking up one of the city’s most coveted positions, First Mates, Last Laugh is a delightful place to drink and dine, with a number of outdoor seating options, and plenty on offer for the kids (including direct access to Westhaven Promenade for scooter races). Nab one of the cosy booths under shade tents, or settle in on the front deck, and grab the littles a tasty bowl of French fries or a treat from the ice cream bar (or both), and settle in to watch the world go by.
Neighbourhood café by day, wine bar by night, Blue is centred on thoughtful, authentic hospitality, and fostering meaningful connections with the community. All of which makes it the perfect spot to head to with the kids come the weekend. Make for the room out the back, where you’ll find communal tables and kids toys galore (not to mention a more than welcoming atmosphere), making Blue the perfect spot to settle in for a beautiful cup of coffee and a free (!) fluffy for littles ones, best accompanied with something tasty from the cabinet.
Birkenhead locals will already be well-versed in the spoils of chic Italian eatery Osteria Uno, serving simple, seasonal fare where fresh, handcrafted pasta is the star of the show. But it’s perhaps lesser-know that they offer a delightful kids menu too, with three plain but tasty pastas conceived for little palettes, as well as a special kiddo’s dessert. There’s also one of the best wine lists in town on offer for thirsty parents — win, win.
Sweet buns, fluffies, some of the best scones in the city… need we say more? Mother in Grey Lynn is as alluring for kids as it is for their charges, with plenty of offer for both. The fit-out is sleek yet kid-friendly, there’s plenty to look at (particularly with a glass-fronted pastry room), and there’s plenty of space out front, not to mention Mother’s easy, community vibe (and of course, exceptionally delicious baked good). If you can find a seat, this is the place to be.
Farina reopened its doors last year after a short closure and refresh, much to the delight of the eatery’s loyal legions — including mini gastronomes who look forward to the delightful fare on Farina’s Bambini menu. Here you’ll find perhaps one of the tastiest kid’s menus in town, with a host of pastas, pizzettas, and desserts sure to delight even the most discerning of mini diners.
Devonport’s newly reimagined institution, Stone Oven, is a great spot to head to with the kids for a tasty brunch. The space has a real laid-back vibe to it, and there is plenty on the menu to satisfy both mini diners and their more discerning counterparts, running the gamut from pancakes with apple crumble to classic avo on toast. There’s even a ‘Kids Brekkie’ on offer, with scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and a hash brown — sure to go down a treat. The berry smoothie is always a hit, too.
This CBD stalwart is Auckland’s answer to the classic New York deli. Here, food is simple, flavourful and utterly indulgent, and guarantees to offer a satiating meal at every sitting. Any Aucklander worth their salt will have a go-to order here (more than likely the chicken salad sandwich with chicken skin crackling, iceberg, and dipping gravy), but it just so happens The Fed also caters incredibly well to mini discerning diners too. The ‘Lil Feds’ menu features a number of tasty delights, from a basket of fish and chips to a mini version of the famed chicken sammy and more.
Long lunching at Parnell’s NSP need not be reserved for the grown-ups, with this Italian institution’s ‘Bambini’ menu offering plenty to satisfy smaller appetites. Find a thoughtful selection of tasty pizzas, pasta and chicken cotoletta complete with shoestring fries and seasonal veg. For dessert, the Nutella pizza is a must-try. The best part? For only $25, kids can choose a secondi, dolce and a drink. Bellissimo.
Having just opened its doors in the heart of St Heliers (right across from the beach), Water Boy is already fast making a name for itself as an ideal spot to park up with the littles for a well-deserved beverage (for the adults) and a bite for the kids. With a dedicated kids’ menu and plenty of delicious options for the rest of us, not to mention its covetable location — a stone’s throw from the playground and beach, this is a spot worth adding to your regular rota.
Get ’em started on the good stuff at a young age with Baduzzi’s kids menu. Featuring dishes like handmade buttered pasta with herbs and parmesan, delicious lamb meatballs braised in tomato sauce, and chicken schnitzel with marinara sauce and fried egg, just as much care goes into this menu as the main one, and it shows.
This sprawling neighbourhood gastropub recently opened its doors in Onehunga, much to the delight of locals, and is already proving the area’s most buzzing destination. The perfect spot for kids (with an outdoor sand pit, arcade games, an enclosed courtyard, and plenty to offer on the food front) its an ideal perch for a catch-up with friends knowing the kids will be well fed and suitably entertained. The little’s menu spans the usual suspects, from fish and chips to pizza, while the rest of us will find options for any taste and proclivity, from a Sunday roast with all of the trimmings to pub classics and more elevated salads and mains.
It’s hardly surprising that Prego would make this list. For decades this delicious stalwart has been rated one of the best places to go for a family-friendly affair. There, you’ll find a dedicated menu of child-friendly Italian classics, all served with a scoop of ice cream to keep bellies well and truly satisfied.
Famed for its pasta, this Britomart restaurant is perfect for an early dinner. The standard menu has some great options for kids such as the bran loaf at breakfast and the chargrilled chicken for lunch. However, these are far from the only options — the kitchen will endeavour to make anything from the menu work for younger diners. Whether that be with smaller portions, the addition of chicken or the removal of any ingredient, Amano is here to keep kids happy.
Every kid loves fish and chips, so why not take them to the ultimate seafood destination? At Auckland Fish Market you can order from a variety of different purveyors serving everything from sushi to lobster fried rice. Following your family feast, head on over to Silo Park for a stroll while the children have their fun on the playground.
Esarn Rocket has quickly risen through the ranks as one of the tastiest Thai eateries in Auckland — beloved for their authentic take and unbelievably flavoursome dishes. But, it’s perhaps lesser-known that this Westmere hotspot is also a wonderful place to take the kids. The warm and friendly team is more than happy to cater to younger palates, whipping up chicken fried rice or noodles (sans spice) that go down an absolute treat — keeping the kids distracted while their charges tuck into a spicy curry and glass of something delicious.
Neighbourhood eatery Andiamo is all about looking after locals, so it’s no surprise they are pros when it comes to catering to children. Here, you’ll be pleased to find a selection of slightly-tweaked versions of its famous spaghetti, calamari, mac and cheese and meatballs ready to satisfy young palates. What more could you want?
Take the whanau out to Riverhead or Clevedon for a meal at Hallertau that caters to just about everyone, young and old. The kid’s menu comes with the likes of wood-fired pizza, delicious chicken burgers, pasta, panko crumbed fish, and a variety of sweet treats (including a build-your-own-sundae situation), with something sure to fill the hungriest of tummies.
They’re short on a kids’ menu, but not on flavour — something you’re never too young to get acquainted with in our books. The steamed pork and prawn dumplings are an excellent option to share with littles, as is the peking duck with pancakes. When paired with a side of the wok-charred broccoli, you’ve got yourself an easy, tasty and fuss-free dinner.
The perfect place to enjoy the beauty of Waiheke Island with the whole family, Man O’ War is a great place to park up with the kids for a casual bite. This idyllic spot is located on the Eastern side of the island and boasts a sprawling lawn right next to a beautiful beach. Whether you pack a picnic to enjoy with some glasses of Man O’ War’s exceptional wine (parents only, of course), or indulge in some delicious food at the restaurant, the setting of this vineyard is unparalleled and allows plenty of space for little ones to run around.
Boasting a special menu dedicated to their littlest diners, where all meals come with a scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce, Ebisu is the perfect place to go for family night out. And while the kids are tucking into a teriyaki chicken or salmon bowl, a delicious bento or sushi roll, parents can be enjoying Ebisu’s famous Japanese fare in peace. Win-win, we think.
Enjoy a raft of delicious food, wine and beers within The Heke’s sprawling gardens. This relaxed destination is super family friendly (and even dog friendly too, we’re told), where the chefs prepare everything over glowing coals and the craft distillery and brewery on-site will ensure that parents can enjoy a libation or two while their kids enjoy the activities on the lawn. Offering a mud kitchen, a sandpit, cornhole games, climbing structures and a (very fun) bouncy platform, as well as live music and a menu of classics for the whole family to enjoy, The Heke is well worth an afternoon visit.
Those heading South for the holidays would do well to make for Ayrburn — the spectacular dining destination on the outskirts of Arrowtown boasting a number of exceptional venues perfect for kids and their charges alike. The Dell is the destination’s social lawn and a more than perfect spot to park up with kids for the afternoon, soaking in the peaceful setting. The kids can grab a gelato from The Dairy nearby, a destination filled with whimsical sweet treats, or a casual bite from The Bakehouse, while parents can keep their glasses full at one of the other exceptional spots within the precinct.
Another Westmere gem, Beabea’s has firmly cemented itself as a weekend staple for local families. Whether it’s a hot pie after football, a buttery croissant and fluffy for the littlest ones, or a nostalgic pink bun that doubles as the ultimate treat, this charming spot strikes just the right balance. Add to that some of the best coffee in the city, and it’s easy to see why Beabea’s has become a beloved ritual for so many. If it’s not already on your radar, it should be.
Satisfy the kids’ sweet cravings in the most epic way at Sugar at Chelsea Bay’s factory. Even the fussiest eaters won’t be able to resist French toast with fried brioche and maple, or the range of tempting cabinet treats. With an interactive zone, outdoor playground and plenty of space to run around and exert every bit of energy, there’s no need to fear the sugar high.
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