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This inner city suburb, about 2km west of Auckland’s CBD is known for it’s shopping and dining establishments. Ponsonby is vibrant and a hub for the city’s urban culture. The Culture Trip looks at the best restaurants this district has to offer.

SIDART

Restaurant, Contemporary

SIDART
© Soon Lee / Flickr

Reflecting the beautiful nature and landscape of New Zealand, SIDART has more than impeccable service and elegant cuisine. Here you can experience an inspiring gastronomic and artistic journey that highlights New Zealand’s magnificence as well as its authentic produce. Executive chef Sid Sahrawat’s intention was to create a formal dining experience with a unique personal touch, and this ambition has been accomplished, evident in the care and creativity that is invested into each incredible dish.

Sunday Painters

Restaurant, Contemporary, French

Sunday Painters
Courtesy of Sunday Painters

The decor at Sunday Painters is a homage to New Zealand’s local artists, with a hand-painted feature wall and bright, classy furniture that give this restaurant a homely ambiance. The gorgeously composed food resembles a work of art and is out-done only by the brilliant taste and complex flavors. The name of this place also describes it’s feel, which is that of a perfect restaurant for a Sunday afternoon dinner.

Burger Burger

Restaurant, Fast Food, American

Onion Rings
© stu_spivack / Flickr

Resembling an old school American burger bar, Burger Burger cuts no corners and creates reliably delicious burgers alongside other signature American classics. Supporting local suppliers and producers who are equally passionate about organic and free-range products adds to the authentic taste and genuine texture that can be found in these burgers. Environmentally friendly and socially responsible, Burger Burger is ethical and delicious.

El Sizzling Chorizo

Restaurant, South American, Steakhouse

El Sizzling Chorizo is a smoking hot, indoor Argentinian barbecue that stimulates the senses well before you even walk through the doors. The large open-fire grill is the main attraction of this warm, tantalizing restaurant. You can see in front of your eyes various juicy cuts of meat expertly char-grilled before being served up on wooden boards with authentic South-American sides to compliment the meat’s delicate taste.

The Blue Breeze Inn

Restaurant, Contemporary, Chinese

Wonton
© 松林 L/ Flickr

The impressive and daring stylistic choices in the interior design of The Blue Breeze Inn give it a post-industrial look. The dining area is flanked on one side by the busy kitchen of chefs working shoulder-to-shoulder, and on the other are floor to ceiling windows that let outside light trickle in on the dark wooden furniture. Layers of flavor are admirably developed around Chinese specialties using local New Zealand ingredients, resulting in a well-balanced and satisfying eating experience.

Prego

Restaurant, Contemporary, Italian

Linguine alle Vongole
© Michele Ursino / Flickr

Using fresh local ingredients, Prego develops fantastic contemporary flavors that celebrate traditional Italian fare. The wine list is full of some of the great wines that New Zealand has to offer, and which you can enjoy with your choice from the intriguing menu. The name of this rustically decorated restaurant translates loosely as ‘you’re welcome’, and that’s appropriate, since the only thing you’ll be saying after the excellent service and delicious food is ‘grazie’.

Le Vietnamese Kitchen

Restaurant, Vietnamese, Fusion, Asian, French

Le Vietnamese Kitchen, Auckland
© Le Vietnamese Kitchen
Le Vietnamese Kitchen uses the freshest produce and ingredients from local producers. They prepare delicious and authentic Vietnamese dishes using traditional Vietnamese cooking techniques mixed with a flourish of typically French culinary ideas. The dining space is masterfully utilized to create a relaxed and cozy atmosphere in which you can enjoy the artistically presented food forged from a sincere passion for Vietnamese cuisine.

Jervois Steak House

Restaurant, Steakhouse, European

The somber wooden interior gives Jervois Steak House a rustic atmosphere that compliments the uncomplicated and traditional cuisine. High-spirited and friendly service start an incredible dining venture. JSH specializes in expertly cooked, high-quality meat that is designed to be complimented with a variety of excellent wines. This two-story eatery is almost always a full house, but despite this, it retains the relaxed atmosphere that makes Jervois Steak House a top choice for food lovers.

Cocoro

Restaurant, Contemporary, Japanese

Cocoro
© Andrew Lynch / Flickr

A modern twist on haute cuisine is offered by Cocoro by providing an exquisite tasting menu that tests the incredible skills of their talented chefs. The precision and dedication required to create each delicious portion really pays off in the end product. The simple, classy decor and excellent service competently forms an ambiance in which the food is paramount, and dining excellence is of prime importance.

About the author

Matt is a Linguistics graduate who was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. A passion for travel and foreign cultures was developed from a young age thanks to his well-travelled, multi-lingual parents who encouraged him to study foreign languages and find a way to live abroad. After graduating from La Trobe University in 2013, Matt moved to southern France to become an English teacher, from where he plans on exploring the European continent and all the fascinating history and culture that it has to offer.

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