There is something almost religious about our pull toward Soul Bar & Bistro during the spring and summer months. Like clockwork, once the weather turns, the allure of our favourite convivial terrace is almost too much to bear.
Few institutions on Auckland’s dining scene can lay claim to the culture or clout of Soul. This is waterfront dining at its very best. The cult favourite stands firmly on its own after 24 years of culinary consistency. This speaks, perhaps, to the dedicated team and stellar service that keep us coming back year after year. The popular viaduct locale has played host to countless milestones over the decades, from birthday celebrations to showers of every iteration, to long-awaited reunions and family get-togethers that, after much deliberation, finally make it out of the group chat.
It’s met with excitement, then, to learn that Soul has just updated their tried-and-true dining menu. The update comes right on time for the long-awaited season of outdoor dining and plentiful holiday get-togethers. Alongside some firm favourites and hero dishes with a devout following, lean into seasonal updates like the tuna crudo with watermelon gazpacho, rockmelon, and mint. Try the succulent crumbed pork and kumquat mostarda doused with chilli sambal — a fast favourite among Soul staffers, we’re told.
Classic Italian mainstays receive a boozy refresh, like the Negroni rigatoni: pasta with meatballs in a tomato and basil sauce inspired by the flavours of the classic apertivo. For lighter lunch alternatives to share, preferably over a glass of chenin blanc, we suggest market fish served with sundried tomatoes, almonds, and a bright vinaigrette.
If you’re bringing your appetite, sink your teeth into the sublime Hawke’s Bay rack of lamb. It comes with falafel, labneh and smoky eggplant kasundi. This flavour-filled, Greek-inspired dish can transport you to Crete with a single mouthful. While the new menu boasts several shareable sides and snacks, we’d be remiss not to call out the beef tartare by name. It’s beautifully balanced with a dollop of oyster mayo on a golden potato galette. For the sweet tooth among us, we can attest that the new dessert additions leave no crumbs. The strawberry tres leches cake, complete with pillowy matcha sponge, is the kind of dish you’d devour among friends as the afternoon slips away with what’s left of the sun.
Soul Bar is the kind of place where the shoulders drop and memories are made. This is where champagne is always a good idea. Here, the best of the Auckland gastronomy scene comes to the fore. If you’ve been ruminating about where to dine now that better weather is finally upon us, consider lunch beneath the flowers firmly in the calendar.
