There are certain destinations that stay with you long after you leave — where you feel less restless and more connected than when you arrive. Perched quietly on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Waimarino Lodge is one of those rare places.
Premium Unit
Here, the pace slows, the noise settles, and the horizon stretches wide enough to invite perspective. Under the vast southern skies, companies are choosing to gather not around boardroom tables, but firepits, with alpine ridgelines and the calm lake in view.
For forward-thinking organisations, this isn’t just an alluring benefit for staff, but a way to elevate the output of an entire business. At Waimarino, it’s not about performance metrics or quarterly outcomes. It’s about presence. Reconnection. The kind of grounding that lets people return to their roles not only refreshed, but reengaged — with clarity, purpose, and heart.
Waimarino Lodge
Courtyard Residence
Waimarino is now offering a limited number of corporate memberships to a small circle of value-aligned companies — organisations who recognise that their greatest asset isn’t their portfolio, but their people. Whether it’s time set aside for senior leaders to reset, a reward for outstanding performance, or a space to deepen client relationships, Waimarino creates the kind of moments that shift the dial.
Days here unfold with intention: heli-hiking over untouched peaks, sharing stories under a canopy of stars, quiet hours on the lake where ideas surface with ease. The experience is curated, but never contrived — rooted in the rhythms of the landscape and the luxury of time well spent.
Restaurant
As a gesture of appreciation, the first five companies to join will receive five additional nights to share among their teams — a chance to say thank you to someone who’s gone above and beyond, as the setting for a strategic retreat, or to simply offer space when it’s most needed.
Private Residence
For individuals, a limited number of villa memberships remain — granting private access to Waimarino throughout the year. It’s an invitation to make this extraordinary place your own retreat, whether for quiet escapes, time with loved ones, or shared moments with friends.
At Waimarino, the investment is clear. Not in assets or transactions — but in people. And in the quiet power of place to bring out their very best.
As winter draws out, it might be high time to embrace the timeless charm of classic board games. From the strategic allure of chess and backgammon to the rhythmic play of mahjong and dominoes, these heritage games have captivated players for centuries — and are now seeing a resurgence.
Whether it’s an intimate match by the fire or an all-out battle with the kids, the right set turns any game into an elevated experience. This season, embrace both tradition and modernity with exquisitely designed boards and artisanal pieces — because a well-played game isn’t just about winning, but looking good while doing it.
Chess
Chess is the ultimate battle of wits, patience, and pretending you saw that move coming. A game where pawns dream big, knights move sideways through life, and queens reign supreme. Whether you’re a grandmaster or just here for the aesthetics, one thing’s certain — it’s all fun and games until the wrong person loses their king.
Reflections Copenhagen crystal chess set from Farfetch
The perfect excuse for flexing your vocabulary, Scrabble starts civil — then someone drops a seven-letter word on a triple and the gloves come off. Whether you’re bluffing with questionable spelling, hoarding that Q, or calculating every move like chess with letters, in the end, it’s less about words, and more about quiet domination.
WS Game Company Scrabble Luxury Edition from Toys Central
Backgammon
As much about strategy as it is about looking smug when you finally roll the perfect dice, backgammon is the perfect blend of luck, skill, and occasional drama, and the perfect way to turn a quiet evening into a high-stakes affair.
Brunello Cucinelli wood backgammon set from Farfetch
Draughts
Draughts (or Checkers, depending on where you’re from) is a game that looks deceptively simple, but turns into a ruthless battle for dominance. Move your pieces, jump over others, and feel supremely satisfied when you crown your first king — because that’s the moment you realise you’re far too invested.
Giobagnara Triple Checkers, Chess and Dominoes Compendium from Abask
BRUNELLO CUCINELLI Krion walnut and steel draughts set from Net-a-porter
Dominoes
Strategy meets sheer luck in a game of dominoes, and the real goal is in making your opponent think you have a plan. It’s a classic test of patience, bluffing, and finding satisfaction in that one perfect placement — unless, of course, you’re on the losing end.
More than a board game, Monopoly is a slow-burning power struggle disguised as family fun. It’s where friendships teeter over rent hikes and alliances are made and broken over Park Place.
Mahjong is like a puzzle, a strategy game, and a social event all rolled into one — if you can figure out the rules. Tiles fly, fortunes change, and the stakes feel oddly high for something that started as a casual pastime. Perfect for those who enjoy a challenge, a little drama, and a lot of luck.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have spent more than three decades in the public eye — from cherubic child stars in matching dungarees to elusive fashion powerhouses whose personal style has captivated the industry. While the early 2000s saw the twins experimenting with trends and making headlines for their unconventional red carpet appearances, their evolution into tastemakers and founders of The Row has cemented their status as modern-day icons of minimalist luxury.
The Olsen twins’ style journey began long before their names became synonymous with stealth wealth. In the late 90s and early 2000s, as teen stars navigating Hollywood, their fashion choices reflected the era’s maximalist mood — think Chinese silks, low-rise jeans, statement belts, and boho layers. Mary-Kate, in particular, became known for her ‘homeless chic’ aesthetic: oversized knits, slouchy boots, and layers upon layers that seemed chaotic at first glance but soon defined a generation of off-duty dressing.
As they entered their twenties, the twins became more private and selective — and so did their wardrobes. Their red carpet appearances grew increasingly rare, but each outing became more polished and directional. Gone were the attention-grabbing looks and loud accessories, replaced instead by floor-grazing dresses, vintage coats, and considered makeup. By the mid-2010s, their look was locked in, with neutral palettes, precise tailoring, architectural silhouettes, and luxurious fabrics taking centre stage — an extension of the quietly brilliant work they were doing behind the scenes with The Row.
It was this shift, from trendsetting It-girls to visionary designers, that made the Olsens’ style all the more powerful. Unbothered by fads and uninterested in celebrity culture, they refined an aesthetic that rejected the loud and leaned into the lived-in. Oversized coats, exaggerated proportions, simple shirting, soft leather totes, and dark sunglasses became their uniform. They far from chased the spotlight, but it followed them anyway.
In recent years, their appearances remain rare and restrained, yet still magnetic. Whether spotted leaving The Row’s showroom in layered neutrals or sitting front row in all-black ensembles, Mary-Kate and Ashley embody an effortlessness that feels both out of reach and endlessly referenced. Their influence can be seen in the return of quiet luxury, in the resurgence of longline silhouettes, and in the widespread appeal of ‘non-trend’ dressing.
Now in their late 30s, the twins have become figureheads of a new kind of fashion authority. Their style remains unshakeable: timeless, tactile, and utterly unbothered by the noise. As the fashion world moves through cycles of chaos and clarity, the Olsen twins’ singular aesthetic proves that restraint, when done right, can be the ultimate power move.
Over the past few years, Brisbane has quietly claimed its spot as one of Australasia’s most exciting holiday destinations — thanks, in no small part, to its ever-growing lineup of standout restaurants. For design-savvy New Zealanders, The Calile Hotel has become the place to book for a quick escape, and with many of the city’s best eateries just steps away, it’s somewhat of a dream spot for food lovers in search of an elevated escape. Here, we’ve rounded up 10 must-visit spots around Fortitude Valley to bookmark for your next trip — or to give you a very good reason to book one.
Tucked inside The Calile Hotel, SK Steak & Oyster is where old-school glamour meets modern polish. Known for its perfectly cooked steaks, fresh seafood towers, and ice-cold martinis, it’s a spot made for long, leisurely lunches and elegant late-night dinners. The service is sharp, the mood is indulgent, and the menu delivers every time — from oysters and lobster to prime cuts and soufflé to finish. A quintessential Brisbane dining experience, and one that’s hard to top.
Carved into a hidden James Street laneway, Gerard’s is Fortitude Valley’s crown jewel of modern Middle Eastern dining. Resurrected after a dramatic redesign inspired by Lebanon’s ancient Baalbek ruins — with rammed earth walls, cinematic lighting, and brass accents — it strikes a perfect balance between rugged elegance and intimate warmth. Under Chef Jimmy Richardson, the menu celebrates Levantine traditions — wood-fired barbari bread, fermented eggplant dips, smoky lamb collar — while utilising top‑tier local produce. Ideal for sharing, the food, wine and cocktails are adventurous yet welcoming. Gerard’s is an immersive, unforgettable dining escape.
Tucked into Ada Lane beside The Calile, Same Same reinvents Thai food through a sleek, contemporary lens. Chef Arté Assavakavinvong works the open kitchen, cooking over coals and blazing woks to deliver bold, layered flavours — from cassava‑dumpling snacks to turmeric curry with Moreton Bay bug. The space hums with energy, anchored by communal tables and a chic upstairs bar pouring tequila, mezcal, cocktails, and a curated wine list. It’s a vibrant, elevated spin on Southeast Asian dining that keeps you coming back.
Part restaurant, part lounge, and part bar, Penelope blends retro European flair with feel‑good late‑night energy. Descend below street level into velvet-clad banquettes, walnut walls, and a softly glowing bar where DJs spin soul and disco. Chef Evan White serves up elevated bistro classics — think steak frites au poivre, fish-finger sandwiches with pearl perch tartare, duck parfait, and Champagne‑mignonette oysters. With a curated wine list, cocktail-martini menu, and indulgent after‑9.30 pm snacks, it’s equally suited to stylish lunches and all-in nights.
Tucked into Ada Lane off James Street, Biànca brings vibrant trattoria energy with an Italian-Australian twist. The warm, tile-clad interior sets the tone for a menu built around house-made pastas, freshly baked breads, and wood-fired meats and produce. Start with shared antipasti — burrata, calamari fritti, or Cantabrian anchovies — then dive into rotating pasta dishes like paccheri pomodoro or beef-ragu mafalde. The drinks list is equally impressive, pairing Italian and local wines with crafted spritzes and negronis. Laid-back yet buzzing, Biànca is perfect for long lunches or lively dinners with friends in a stylish setting.
Step into an elegant subterranean dining sanctuary at Sushi Room at The Calile Hotel, where refined Japanese tradition meets discreet elegance. The striking 9.3‑metre hinoki wood sushi bar — floating above black limestone — anchors a dramatic dining room designed by the experts at Richards & Spence. Head Chef Shimpei Raikuni presents an artful menu focused on nigiri and sashimi — think Hiramasa kingfish, Tasmanian uni and Kagoshima sirloin — served à la carte, as an enkai set, or a bespoke 18‑course omakase. Accompanied by sake, whiskies, yuzu‑infused cocktails, and curated wines, it’s a considered, immersive Japanese fine‑dining affair, and a must-book if you’re in the area.
In a converted brick warehouse on Agnes Street, this three‑level Fortitude Valley venue is a wood‑fire temple. Chef and co-owner Ben Williamson and his team shun gas and electricity — everything is cooked over coals (ironbark, cherry, olive wood) — crafting dishes like Bangalow pork tomahawk, scallop doughnuts, charcoal-roasted duck, or smoked lamb ribs. The atmosphere moves from dim and dramatic in the main dining room to cozy and relaxed in the intimate wine bar and rooftop terrace. Winner of Gourmet Traveller’s Restaurant of the Year 2023, Agnes pairs a truly unique culinary experience with unforgettable hospitality.
Behind discreet brass doors on Roberston Street, this moody Fortitude Valley hideaway offers wood-fired dining with flair. Chef Phil Marchant builds each plate around seasonal, ethically sourced ingredients — expect raw, pickled, smoked and fire-charred creations with surprising accents like burnt kohlrabi paired alongside wild venison tartare or a signature Jerusalem artichoke cream bun. The three-tiered interior mixes zinc, exposed brick and green marble, softened by warm lighting and a secluded garden setting. With a carefully curated organic wine list and inventive cocktails, Essa is adventurous without pretension.
Fatcow on James St is a contemporary steak and seafood haven, offering a truly refined dining experience. The restaurant features an open kitchen, allowing guests to witness the culinary artistry firsthand, while the menu showcases premium cuts of meat, fresh seafood, and an extensive selection of wines. With its elegant ambiance and exceptional service, this exceptional eatery provides a memorable setting for both casual meals and special occasions alike.
Housed in a repurposed World War II Nissen hut, Mosconi offers a refined European dining experience in Fortitude Valley. The intimate two-level space features a curved timber bar, marble-topped tables, and a mezzanine dining area beneath a distinctive domed ceiling. Chef Catherine Anders crafts a menu that blends Italian tradition with contemporary creativity, highlighting dishes like duck ragu, Moreton Bay bug ravioli, and Fremantle octopus. Complemented by an extensive Old World wine list, Mosconi provides a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere for discerning diners.
Arguably the silver lining of the cold weather is the opportunity it presents to envelop ourselves in chic layers. Nothing is quite as visually transformative as the silhouettes of long cashmere coats and trenches, sculptural leather jackets, and voluminous shearling overcoats. Layer up with our edit of the luxe looks of the season.
Fuzzy Logic
Exude cuddly magnetism by wrapping yourself in a cosy coat that kills the chill.
If you’re craving something new and inspiring for your walls, consider work from these ten exciting up-and-coming artists making waves across the city’s vibrant art scene. From immersive paintings to textured sculptures, these creatives are breathing new life into contemporary practice with fresh perspectives and bold voices. With works available at some of the city’s most notable galleries, now’s the perfect time to familiarise yourself with their work — and perhaps add something exceptional to your collection.
Andrea Bolima’s canvases hum with feeling as her dreamy, emotive works drift between abstraction and landscape without ever settling. Colour leads the way, built up in intuitive, spontaneous gestures that evoke gardens, cloudscapes, or half-remembered places. Inspired by memory and the natural world, Bolima’s paintings invite personal reflection, offering glimpses of the familiar without spelling anything out. The artist’s recent exhibitions have cemented her as one to watch — bringing softness, fluidity, and painterly joy to the contemporary scene.
Molly Timmins’ paintings are lush, layered explorations of heritage, femininity, and the garden as both place and symbol. Drawing from her Ngāpuhi and Pākehā whakapapa, Timmins centralises bold, gestural brushwork, creating textured works that feel both wild and intimate. Her practice moves between personal memory and wider histories of colonisation and women’s spaces in Aotearoa. With recent shows like Rewilding the Garden and early career acclaim, Timmins brings a fresh, richly thoughtful voice to the local landscape.
OT-Nr.01-2024, 2024, mixed media on canvas, 2400 x 3000mm
Yafeng Duan brings a captivating interplay of East and West to contemporary abstraction. Born in Hebei, China, and now based in Berlin, her large-scale works blend the lyrical flow of traditional Chinese ink painting with the bold energy of Western abstract expressionism. Layers of colour and gestural mark-making create meditative spaces that explore rhythm, duality, and transformation. Recently welcomed to Aotearoa by Gow Langsford Gallery, Duan’s debut Illuminations (2024) signalled her rising presence here — delivering expressive, soul-stirring works that feel at once timeless and strikingly fresh.
Lustre Series, Thrown, Altered and Lustred Ceramic, 22ct Gold and Platinum 150-300mm Diameter (Various Shapes, sizes and designs available)
With a career spanning over four decades, Peter Collis is a master of form, surface, and light. His Lustre series distills this mastery into mesmerising wall-mounted ceramics, glazed in 22ct gold, platinum, and titanium. Minimal in shape yet rich in reflection, these circular works respond to light and movement — glowing, shifting, and changing as you pass by. Rooted in both local landscapes and global ceramic traditions, Collis’ work is quietly dramatic, offering a timeless, meditative presence that feels as much about atmosphere as it is about craftsmanship.
Low Shores in Diaphanous Folds, Hand Tufted Wool on Monks Cloth, 1800 x 1650mm
Blurring the lines between painting and textile, Jess Swney’s tufted rug works, despite their softness, are sharp in their intent. Using fabric as both critique and comfort, Swney explores themes of self-discovery, vulnerability, and the quiet negotiations women make within social spaces. Her abstract forms emerge from memory and experience, playing with colour, texture, and tone to evoke emotion without overt narrative. Rooted in feminist materiality, her works reclaim the decorative as powerful — unpacking cultural histories while offering intimate, tactile reflections on identity, expectation, and strength.
covered car // Point chevaller, Oil on canvas, 450mm x 600mm
Love’s paintings capture the stillness of suburbia with a quietly cinematic edge. Working in oil and acrylic, often at intimate scales, his scenes of parked cars and empty streets feel like fleeting moments paused in time. Love’s own beloved Mazda 323 makes regular appearances, but it’s never just about the car — his works explore nostalgia, urban isolation, and the unnoticed rhythms of everyday life. With sold-out shows and a growing collector following, the artist’s moody, beautifully observed works turn the mundane into something quietly magnetic and deeply reflective.
On the Beauty of Song, 2025, acrylic on linen, 1800 x 2400mm
Known for her vast, swirling canvases, Grace Wright creates immersive works that pulse with energy and movement. Her coiled brushstrokes evoke natural rhythms while nodding to the grandeur of baroque painting. Balancing harmonious colour with visceral power, Wright’s work feels both fierce and feminine, transforming abstraction into something bodily and transcendent. With sell-out shows and international momentum, Wright’s monumental pieces invite you to stand still, look up, and feel. A rising star with serious force behind her.
Antonia Perricone-Mrljak paints with memory in motion — her expressive, gestural canvases inviting personal reflection through layered colour and mark-making. Rooted in her Italian heritage and shaped by the landscapes of Australia, Mrljak’s work blurs the line between painting and drawing, creating rhythmic, emotionally charged surfaces. Her first solo show sold out entirely, and with upcoming presentations in Sydney, her star is firmly on the rise.
Them, Acrylic and acrylic mediums on board, 360 x 360 x 30mm
Vishmi Helaratne’s vibrant, textural works celebrate culture, memory, and the beauty of hybridity. Drawing on their Sri Lankan heritage and background in cooking, Helaratne transforms painting into a sensory experience — think piping bags, blobs of colour, and sculptural layers that feel as joyful as they are intricate. Their playful, deeply personal works touch on family, food, spirituality, and identity, blurring lines between art, performance, and hospitality. With a growing list of shows across Aotearoa and Australia, Helaratne is very much one to watch — bringing colour, connection, and storytelling to the fore.
Cruz Jimenez paints at the threshold of memory and atmosphere, creating luminous, abstract works that hum with quiet energy. Originally from California, now long based in Auckland, Jimenez draws from his Mexican heritage and the natural world — evoking celestial pull, ancestral memory, and unseen forces. Using oil and wax, his pieces feel both grounded and cosmic, rich with texture and movement. Trained in colour theory at Parsons, Jimenez balances technical precision with emotional depth, offering meditative works that shift between painting and sculpture, inviting reflective pause.
Comfort often guides our daily wardrobe choices, and when time allows, it’s worth dedicating a moment to wardrobe maintenance. Simple tasks like sewing loose buttons, hand washing delicate pieces, mending hems, or refreshing your cashmere can go a long way in preserving the longevity of your wardrobe. Known for its cool, breathable softness, cashmere offers a balance of laid-back polish and luxurious comfort. With regular wear, it’s natural for these refined knits to show subtle signs of use — but with the right care, they’ll continue to look and feel exceptional for years to come.
Pilling
After a few wears, it’s natural for your cashmere to develop tiny balls of fibre on the surface — known as pilling. These soft little clusters often appear in areas prone to friction, such as under the arms or where your handbag rests. While they may seem like a flaw, pilling is a normal part of wearing natural fibres and is easily managed with proper care.
To maintain the integrity of your knitwear and preserve its refined texture, follow this simple step-by-step guide:
How to remove pilling from cashmere:
1. Lay flat — Gently stretch your cashmere garment across a clean, flat surface.
2. Use a cashmere comb — Hold your cashmere comb in your dominant hand.
3.Comb in one direction— With short, firm strokes, brush in one consistent direction to lift and remove loose fibres.
4.Avoid over-combing — Focus only on affected areas and be gentle to maintain the weave.
5.Finish by airing — Lay the garment flat in a shaded, ventilated space to breathe before storing.
For best results, avoid wearing the same cashmere item two days in a row. Resting your knit between wears helps retain its shape and softness — ensuring your investment pieces remain in impeccable condition for seasons to come.
To keep your cashmere looking as refined as the day you bought it, avoid dry cleaning and keep it well away from the washing machine. Instead, handwashing is the preferred method — a gentle, intentional process that preserves the integrity of the fibres.
How to Hand Wash
1.Prepare your basin — Fill a clean basin or bucket with cold water and add two capfuls of a mild, wool-safe detergent.
2. Submerge and cleanse — Gently immerse the garment and squeeze the soapy water through the fabric. Do not rub, wring, or stretch, as this can damage the delicate weave.
3.Rinse and remove water — Rinse thoroughly in cold water. Lay the garment flat on a clean towel, then roll it up to gently press out excess moisture.
4.Dry flat and shaded — Reshape the garment and lay it flat to dry in a shaded, well-ventilated space. Avoid direct sunlight, radiators, or tumble dryers, all of which can warp the fabric.
5.Steam if needed — Once completely dry, use a garment steamer to release any remaining wrinkles.
With the right care routine, cashmere maintains its softness, structure, and timeless appeal — wear after wear.
Between Washes
Cashmere doesn’t require frequent washing — generally, every three wears is enough. If layered over other garments, this can be extended further.
To keep your knitwear fresh between washes, a light spritz of fabric spray helps neutralise odours and revitalise the fibres. Hold the spray around 15cm away and mist lightly over the surface.
For best results, allow your cashmere to breathe between wears by airing it flat in a shaded, well-ventilated space. This gentle care routine ensures your knitwear remains luxuriously soft, fresh, and ready for wherever the day takes you.
Final Tips
To preserve the shape and quality of your cashmere, always store pieces folded — never hung — and keep them tucked away in breathable cotton care bags. This prevents stretching and allows the fibres to rest undisturbed, whether at home or in transit.
For added protection, place a natural cedar block inside each bag. Cedar helps to gently deter moths and absorb residual moisture, keeping your garments fresh and safeguarded season after season.
Interior Design — Kim Lambert Design Photography — Lauren Miller
Set against a tranquil riverbend in Toronto’s Hoggs Hollow, this graceful home, designed by Kim Lambert, embodies modern elegance with a distinctly European sensibility. The interiors are an artful blend of raw textures and refined finishes, where soft greys merge with warm accents, and natural materials dialogue with sculptural lighting and bespoke furniture.
CLOUD PENDANT by APPARATUS from ECC, Three Carousel pendants by Lee Broom from ECC
Lambert’s masterful use of space is evident, with each room offering a seamless flow that invites both serenity and sophistication. The design is thoughtfully curated to connect the home’s inhabitants with their surroundings, drawing inspiration from old-world charm yet elevated by a contemporary edge. Every detail serves a purpose, creating an atmosphere that is calming and inviting, yet undeniably striking in its presence.
ODE COFFEE TABLE by PIET BOON from ECC, Redondo Armchair by Patricia Urquiola from Matisse
The home exudes a quiet grandeur that is felt from the moment you enter. The carefully considered materials, such as the driftwood grey floors, Venetian plaster walls, and rich marble accents, lend texture and character, while the restrained colour palette allows light and shadow to animate the spaces naturally.
Michael Anastassiades Tube Chandelier (left) from ECC, CLOUD PENDANT by APPARATUS from ECC (centre)
A welcoming mix of rustic and refined elements, such as the dramatic hot-rolled steel in the kitchen and the black marble bar in the living room, offers a tactile experience that remains grounded yet dynamic. Whether relaxing with family in the open-plan kitchen and family room or entertaining in the intimate dining space, every corner of this home balances the warmth of family life with the sophistication of a private retreat.
Bensen Lounge Chair and Chaise brand available from Tim Webber
The sense of refined calm continues in the primary bedroom, where Belgian-inspired restraint meets layered texture. Tapestry wallpaper, a softly sculpted fireplace in Venetian plaster, and intimate seating areas create a sanctuary that feels both timeless and deeply personal, an elegant finale to a home designed for meaningful, everyday living.
Swarovski captures the art of layering with effortless modernity, inviting a new era of self-expression through exquisite craftsmanship.
Each piece in Swarovski’s Matrix and Hyperbola collections reflect the structure of crystals themselves — refined, luminous, and captivating — while embracing unexpected colour palettes and playful cuts that lend a contemporary edge to classic silhouettes.
The versatility lies in the fluidity of the collections; the pieces striking enough to wear solo, yet purposefully designed for stacking, mixing, and layering to create dynamic, personalised looks that speak to the wearer’s unique sense of style. Chokers curve in distinctive convex shapes, while asymmetric strands of crystallised stones introduce boldness to delicate designs. Hidden closures and flawless settings heighten the seamless shimmer, allowing light to dance, uninterrupted, across each surface. From spiralling brooches to crystallised earrings, every element celebrates Swarovski’s mastery of cut and clarity, offering a joyful extravagance that feels both effortless and elevated.
“Every element celebrates Swarovski’s mastery of cut and clarity, offering a joyful extravagance that feels both effortless and elevated.”
Heart motifs and the subtle incorporation of Swarovski Crystal Pearls lend a romantic softness, enhancing the Matrix family’s playful yet sophisticated narrative. While, in the Hyperbola collection, a striking juxtaposition of organic and structural forms is captured within sweeping shapes, with crystals that seem to float in mid-air, revealing an unexpected and captivating beauty. Whether worn as a single, sparkling statement, or layered luxuriously for maximum impact, Swarovski embodies a spirit of joyful sophistication, perfect for those who see jewellery not just as an accessory, but as an essential form of self-expression.
When it comes to plant-based eating, there’s a growing local scene dedicated to vegetable-focused fare. Whether you’re a full-time vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, or dining with someone who fits the aforementioned criteria, these are the best plant-focused eateries in Auckland, from cafes and bakeries to restaurants and bars worth a visit.
Inner-city restaurant East is an entirely vegetarian venture, with 75 percent of the menu dedicated to vegan dishes. A bold concept that was originally brought to life in 2021, thanks to a team of passionate experts, East’s modern Asian menu is a flavourful marvel from start to finish, filled with vibrant and complex pan-Asian dishes that taste as good as they look. And if that all wasn’t enough, recently, East runs Auckland’s first ever vegan Yum Cha service, held every Sunday at the restaurant from 12pm until 3pm. There, diners can delight in all the classic Yum Cha dishes, reimagined with a tasty, plant-based twist.
Having re-opened in a new spot on Dominion Road mid-way through 2023, vegetarian favourite, Forest, is better than ever before. Helmed by clever chef Plabita Florence, this delicious and innovative spot pushes plant-based cuisine beyond your wildest expectations. At Forest, diners will find a more traditionally structured, a la carte menu that marries mainstay dishes with seasonal specials and still plays into Florence’s experimental, exciting and exceptional culinary approach. From entree-sized snacks to larger mains that are designed to share and a number of mouthwatering sides and add-ons, the food offering at Forest is, as expected, a gastronomic journey.
Originally a food truck, Wise Boys has been serving its mouth-watering vegan burgers to the masses since it opened a brick-and-mortar store in Grey Lynn in 2019 and a Commercial Bay outpost a few years later. With a menu of banging burgers featuring the likes of crispy fried ‘chicken’, smoky ‘bacon’ and BBQ jackfruit alongside a range of tempting sides, shakes and soft-serve sundaes, the hardest part is choosing what to order.
Metita, the elegant SkyCity restaurant helmed by Michael Meredith, continues to chart new territory in contemporary Pacific cuisine — pushing the envelope further recently with a fresh focus on plant-based dining. In a move that honours the region’s produce-driven roots, the restaurant now offers a dedicated vegetarian and vegan menu, brimming with vibrant, thoughtful dishes that celebrate both tradition and technique. From the smokey intensity of charred corn tartlets with palusami purée to the umami-rich pairing of grilled oyster mushrooms and ulu, each plate is a lesson in flavour and finesse.
This off-the-beaten-track cafe makes for a cheap and cheerful lunch. Water Drop Vegetarian Cafe is situated in Flat Bush at the impressive Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, and no walk around the grounds is complete without a steaming laksa, BBQ bun or wonton noodle dish — all meat-free, of course.
Lovers of health and raw foods will appreciate Olivia from Breakfast Babes’ selection of delicious raw treats available online and at select retailers country-wide (including newly-opened boutique fitness studio, Redroom). If you find yourself craving a 3pm, guilt-free pick-me-up, you’ll certainly find a moreish treat sure to satiate your cravings.
A welcome addition to Westmere, Esarn Rocket is a lively Thai eatery serving up bold, homespun flavours with a fresh, contemporary spin. Alongside its crowd-pleasing classics, the menu offers an impressive range of vegetarian and vegan dishes — from crispy spring rolls and green papaya salad to fragrant tofu curries and stir-fries bursting with seasonal veg. Vibrant, affordable, and packed with flavour, Esarn Rocket makes plant-based dining feel anything but an afterthought.
Next time you find yourself in Ellerslie, follow the queue to Richoux Patisserie, the low-key bakery serving award-winning meat and vegan pies. With clever vegan renditions of mince and cheese pies, sausage rolls, doughnuts and custard tarts (to name just a few), this beloved bakery puts the utmost care into every one of its creations.
There’s always a line outside Sandringham’s Paradise, and for good reason. Whether you dine in, takeaway or peruse the buffet, there is plenty to satisfy vegetarian appetites. Choose from delights such as the vege manchurian, which sees dense vegetable dumplings fried and coated in an irresistible sauce, bagarey baigan with eggplant cooked in a tamarind gravy, or wholesome daal tadka with lentils, cumin and red chillies.
With big, bold flavours and a special vegetarian and gluten-free menu to boot, Hello Beasty ticks all our boxes for dining out with dietary requirements. The KFC (Korean fried cauliflower) gives the real deal a run for its money, plus dishes like the grilled mushroom pancake and charred broccolini can easily be tweaked to suit a vegan appetite.
Middle Eastern restaurant Ima has plenty to satiate non-meat-eaters throughout its delicious all-day menu. For lunch, we’d recommend the sabich pita. Described as the ‘king of sandwiches’, it’s filled to the brim with smooth hummus, charred eggplants, slices of fried potatoes, boiled eggs, tahini and amber, a fragrant Iraqi condiment. The vegetarian Middle Eastern platter for two will also hit the spot, comprising falafel, hummus, labneh, salad, pickles, olives, Lebanese cauliflower and spanakopita with pita.
With locations in Ponsonby, the CBD, and Milford, Khu Khu is an entirely vegan Thai restaurant that doesn’t skimp on flavour and finesse. Owner Michael Khuwattanasenee found himself struggling to find plant-based options when dining out, particularly in Asian eateries given their proclivity for not just meat, but also animal-based ingredients like fish and oyster sauces. Khuwattanasenee took matters into his own hands, reinventing the classics to create tempeh pad thai, kumara spring rolls, ‘duck’ drunken noodles and warming curries.
Since opening, the days where this plant-based patisserie hasn’t completely sold out are few and far between. Here the croissants are buttery and flakey, the delicate pastries perfectly made despite being entirely vegan, and the ‘ham’ and ‘cheese’ offering a personal favourite of the Denizen team.
If you’d like to chow down on some meat-free fare alongside a fellow steak-loving diner who wouldn’t be seen near a leaf of spinach, you’re both bound to find something to love at Devonport’s Vondel. The all-day eatery caters to both preferences, with a vegan crispy ‘chicken’ burger sitting next to a Wagyu beef burger on the menu. No need to compromise here.
The original raw, organic, vegan eatery, Little Bird is still going strong. Pop into its humming Ponsonby spot for the likes of the famous Bird Bowl, kimchi pancakes, dahl dosa and kumara hotcakes, or one of its utterly satiating smoothies and shakes — and make sure you don’t leave without a raw sweet treat.
Not only is this inner-city haunt home to some of the city’s most beloved vegan food, it serves up authentic Thai dishes without the addition of fish sauce or shrimp paste. At Sunflower, flavour isn’t compromised either, the joint famously serving up some of the most sought-after ‘prawn’ fried rice in town.
Infamous for its mac and cheese with ham off the bone, Soul Bar & Bistro offers a vegetarian version of this dish as well. In fact, Soul offers a wholly vegetarian menu, filled with meatless renditions of its regular dishes. For vegetarians, the ricotta filled tortelli with sunday sauce and calabrian chilli is too good to miss, while vegans can try an irresistible take on Soul’s ever-popular green goddess salad.
For those in the know (and vegans often are about these things), Jervois Road’s Janken has been touted as one of the best destinations in the country for plant-based foods. Offering a modern slant on traditional Japanese flavours, here the vegan offerings are plentiful, with ramen, sushi, and even a vegan Benedict breakfast.
At SkyCity’s Cassia, those who shy away from meat will find plenty of flavoursome dishes to dive into on Sid Sahrawat’s lauded menu. From the famous pani puri with potato, chickpea, and mint to the stir fry paneer with chickpeas, kumara, and vindaloo sauce, Sahrawat has always been known for the innovative and utterly delicious ways in which he reimagines vegetables on his menus.
For those who want to eat plant-based but still treat themselves, Tart Bakery’s sweet and savoury treats are the pinnacle. With a prime location in Grey Lynn, the bakery’s delicious European-style bread, pasty, pies, doughnuts and sandwiches are made fresh every day and all its food is vegan and free of animal products.
Having only opened its doors recently, Bowler has already become a fixture on Team Denizen’s weekly rotation, and for good reason. Serving nutritious and delicious salad bowls that you’ll actually want to eat, with plenty for both vegetarians and carnivores alike, alongside acai bowls and epic smoothies, this drop-in is well worthy of your attention.
St Kevins Arcade’s beloved Lebanese eatery, Gemmayze Street, is the perfect spot for vegetarians and non vegetarians to come together in culinary bliss, with plentiful options for both. Here, the hummus is famous and an essential order, as is the babaganouj which pairs smokey eggplant with cumin and pomegaranate, and vegetarians shouldn’t look past the jazar roasted carrots with cashew, fennugreek, and spiced granola. Simply sublime.
For more exclusive access to what the city has to offer, engaging content, excellent imagery and thought provoking commentary on the life that surrounds you, subscribe to Denizen magazine now.
