Despite best intentions, it’s not every day that we have the time to enjoy a long, leisurely lunch. Fortunately, for occasions when quick and easy is the only option, some of our favourite spots in the city have tailored offerings for those in a time crunch. From express menus to lunch deals served in haste, we’ve rounded up where to find the very best quick yet satisfying midday fare that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Jervois Steakhouse
Available: Friday, lunch
Offering: $55 for a main, a side and a glass of house wine (min 2 people, max 6 people)
This Ponsonby institution has long been a great choice for a casual but delicious workday lunch, and recently, the addition of a ‘Power Lunch’ (available exclusively on Fridays) has made weekday dining simpler than ever. Here, you’ll find an entree, main and a glass of house wine for $55, and the options are plentiful. As you’d expect, steak takes centre stage with four cuts to choose from, served alongside market fish, crumbed chicken, or vegetarian gnocchi and cult-status sides such as the crayfish mac ‘n’ cheese, duck fat roasted rosemary potatoes, the unforgettable signature creamed spinach, roasted beets with goats cheese and more. Bookings are encouraged.
Masu
Available: Wednesday to Friday, 12pm – 2pm
Offering: $29.90 for a donburi rice bowl or other signature dishes and miso soup
MASU’s new midweek lunch menu is built around donburi, wagyu shabu-shabu with teriyaki and tenkasu, tempura prawns with house-made furikake, a vibrant sumo bowl, each served with white miso soup and Japanese pickles. For something lighter, the tuna tataki caesar salad, tossed tableside with yuzu and freshly shaved parmesan, is worth the visit alone. Situated in the Federal Street dining precinct, squarely in the CBD’s corporate quarter, this is the kind of lunch that rewards anyone already within a five-minute walk of the office. Walk-ins and takeaways are welcome, but booking ahead is encouraged.
Ebisu
Available: Monday to Friday, 12pm — 1:30pm
Offering: $50 for an entree & a main or $60 with a house beer or wine; add dessert for $5
Here, in the heart of Downtown Auckland, this Britomart stalwart offers an Express Menu for those needing a good meal in the midst of a busy day. For $50, choose from a considered list of Ebisu’s most beloved, contemporary Japanese dishes, including the chef’s selection of fresh market sashimi or a tasty salmon avocado roll to begin, one of three hero mains to follow (the teriyaki chicken with truffle oil is our preference), and a delightful fresh sorbet to finish. A consistently failsafe crowdpleaser, we can’t look past Ebisu for a fantastic lunch in the city — express or otherwise.
Bar Ziti
Available: Weekdays, 11.30am – 3.30pm
Offering: $25 lunch menu
For the days when you want something reliable and well made without the formality of a set menu, Bar Ziti’s Lunch Club is hard to beat. The $25 lineup covers a wagyu cheeseburger, chicken schnitzel, margherita pizza, fish and chips, and a steak frites that lands on Fridays for good measure. No membership, no booking required, just walk in. Tucked into Britomart’s Roukai Lane with Savor Group’s signature polish behind the pass, it’s the most accessible lunch on this list and, for the price, one of the smartest.
No bookings required.
Kingi
Available: Weekdays, 12pm – 2.30pm
Offering: $39 for a main and drink
In the heart of Britomart, Kingi’s Express Lunch offers a refined yet fuss-free midday meal, perfect for those short on time but unwilling to compromise on flavour. For $35, choose from a menu that distills the eatery’s signature approach to fresh, sustainable ingredients — think shellfish tagliatelle with a hit of nduja, a raw tuna Caesar that reimagines a classic, or a Wagyu steak flatbread that delivers indulgence without the heaviness. Paired with your choice of drink, it’s a swift yet satisfying way to experience Kingi’s considered fare.
Cāntīng
Available: Weekdays from 12pm
Offering: $38 for an entree & a main
Perched above the waterfront, Cāntīng’s Express Lunch brings bold, vibrant flavours to the midday rush. For $38 per person, enjoy a two-course selection that highlights the kitchen’s deft hand with modern Cantonese cuisine. Start with your choice of crisp spring rolls or delicate dumplings before moving on to a hero main — whether it’s the punchy bang bang chicken, succulent BBQ duck, or rich, slow-cooked Cantonese pork belly. Designed for efficiency without sacrificing flavour, it’s a quick yet indulgent escape from the working day.
Gilt Brasserie
Weekday Schnitzel Available: Wednesday to Thursday, from 11:30am
Weekday Schnitzel Offering: $29 for Veal Schnitzel & a side
Minute Steak Available: Monday to Saturday, lunch
Minute Steak Offering: $28 for a 120g scotch with pomme frites & entrecôte sauce
Whether it’s a leisurely break or a quick bite between meetings, there’s a plate waiting for you at Gilt. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, a golden veal schnitzel takes centre stage, served with pomme purée, frites, or a fresh salad for $29. And, any day of the week, the minute steak offers a perfectly seared 120g scotch, crisp pomme frites, and rich entrecôte sauce for just $26. Pull up a bar stool or settle in for a working lunch — either way, it’s a sure to be satisfying pause in the day.
Origine
Available: Weekdays from 12pm – 3pm
Offering: $49 for a 3-course meal
Three courses in under an hour sounds like a promise, but at Origine it’s a well-rehearsed routine. The express lunch moves through a snack, main and dessert with the kind of quiet efficiency that makes French bistro dining feel effortless rather than indulgent. At $49, it’s arguably the sharpest-value sit-down lunch in Commercial Bay, and with harbour views from those double-height windows, it does more of the heavy lifting for a client meeting than any boardroom ever could.
