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Auckland has it all: a thriving coffee culture that manifests itself in stylish cafés that seem to be everywhere, vineyard restaurants set amongst the grapes, a heady mix of Asian food led by the city's large Oriental and Fijian-Indian communities, Mediterranean-style eateries in the form of Turkish mezze bars, Italian wood-fired pizzerias and the best that France has to offer. Unlike most cities, Auckland does not group its cuisines into ethnic districts. They are wonderfully blended, so you can find what you want no matter where you are.
Parnell
Parnell is a long-established foodie enclave, with restaurants, bars and cafés dotted all the way along the rise. There are eateries lining the pavement, in brick-lined backstreet courtyards and tucked away in charming warren-like old buildings. Try Non Solo Pizza for an alfresco meal that runs the whole gamut of Italian food. Thai Friends is a local favorite that has both a fast food café on the street and a more serious dining room set in traditional Thai decor at the back. Or stick your head in at Iguacu, an always-busy Cajun-fusion restaurant and bar offering live jazz on the weekends.
Ponsonby
Before the Viaduct Harbour rose to prominence, Ponsonby was Auckland's most popular eating district, with a string of eclectic places stretching along Ponsonby Road. Though the buzz has died down a little, this is still the heart of café culture in the city. The Atomic Café is one of the city's busiest and most well-established cafés, known for its legendary coffee and its choice menu. Across the road is trendy S.P.Q.R, a favorite for its well-prepared light meals washed down with lots of wine. Also try the nearby South American owned and operated café Santos. For Indian meals in a modern brasserie setting, Masala is a good bet.
Central City
Find yourself in downtown Auckland at lunch time, and you will see the place filled with workers enjoying café society. In the evening, the city is awash with the noise of Aucklanders out to have a good time. Columbus Coffee roasts their own, so sit down in this beautifully designed café and breathe in the heady aroma. Step into the Occidental on Vulcan Lane and you are in Belgium. There is a good selection of imported beers on tap here that you can enjoy accompanied with a massive bowl of green-lipped mussels. The local watering hole, the Shakespeare Tavern on Albert Street, brews its own award-winning ale.
The city also boasts numerous food courts, where you will find the meeting of many cuisines under one roof. If you are on a budget then this is the way to do it. Food Alley on Albert Street is the best place for Asian food, with Thai, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Malaysian and Indonesian all on the menu. Downstairs at the Force Entertainment Centre there is another food court with a blend of European and Asian cuisine, albeit in more upmarket surroundings.
Viaduct Harbour
Hosting the America's Cup in 1999 and 2000 totally rejuvenated Auckland's downtown and waterfront area, and a myriad of new places to eat and drink have sprung up as a result. Evenings and weekends find the streets and wharves around the Viaduct Harbour swarming with Aucklanders as they enjoy a relatively new side to their city.
Do not miss the establishments along Prince's Wharf, in particular Euro, which consistently rates highly in the "Best of Auckland" awards. Just around the corner is Leftfield, an immense sports bar and restaurant with televisions and stadium-style seating. For the carnivore, Wildfire is a Brazilian-style eatery, boasting succulent spitfire roasted beef, lamb and seafood. For a real seafood extravaganza, wander over to to Kermadec in the Viaduct Quay complex. This well established, high end restaurant puts the Pacific on a plate in dining rooms overlooking the water.
Just remember, however, these enclaves and eateries are just the tip of the culinary iceberg. There is much more to be discovered if you dig a little deeper, for example Waiheke Island, jewel of the Hauraki Gulf, with its vineyards and sea-view cafés. A trip to the suburbs of Newmarket, Devonport, Takapuna, Herne Bay and Mission Bay will reap many culinary rewards.
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