The Top Things To See And Do In Parnell Village And Newmarket Auckland

Auckland’s oldest suburb, Parnell Village, is known for its fabulous restaurants, quaint cafes, diverse galleries and shopping districts, and is definitely a top spot to explore whilst in the area. Venture a little further south and you’ll stumble upon the eternally bustling area of Newmarket, a suburb boasting a reputation as the fashion and trend capital of New Zealand. A weekend travelling between these two exciting and dynamic places makes for a unique and unforgettable trip laced with market shopping, garden strolling, enthusiastic eating and boutique browsing. Here are the things not to miss when in Parnell Village and Newmarket, Auckland.

1. La Cigale French Market

La Cigale French Market

Voted Auckland’s ‘Best Food Market’ by Metro Magazine for the past 8 years, La Cigale French Market should definitely be on your list of places to go in Parnell Village. This weekend French market is the perfect place to pick up some fresh produce and hot pastries. Inspired by the delicacies of Paris, La Cigale offers everything from French cheeses to tasty pâtés and terrines. This market also provides long communal tables on which customers can sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee along with a tasty treat from one of the counters.

Address and Telephone: 69 Street Georges Bay Road, Parnell, New Zealand, +64 9-366 9361

French cheese I © Jacob Enos/Flickr

2. Parnell Rose Gardens

Parnell Rose Gardens

For a lovely afternoon stroll, Parnell Rose Gardens is the perfect place to explore in Parnell Village. The flowers here are both stunning and well-maintained, and provide the perfect spot for a serene afternoon. Along with a variety of different roses, Parnell Rose Gardens is also home to many fountains, arches and idyllic trees, and from the site visitors can enjoy beautiful, panoramic views of the ports of Auckland.

Address and Telephone: 85 Gladstone Road, Parnell, New Zealand, +64 9-307 0136

Roses in Parnell Rose Garden I © Pablo Garbarino/Flickr

3. Best Ugly Bagels

Best Ugly Bagels

Renowned for their homemade bagels, Best Ugly Bagels bake their goods right before your eyes, and the delicacies are then finished off in a wood burning oven, a practice which infuses the bagel with a light and chewy texture. This small shop sells a large variety of unique bagels, from the TAB, tomato, avocado, and basil, to the Yodi, habanero mustard, pastrami and swiss cheese. Best Ugly Bagels definitely puts a fun spin on the normal bagel, and is a must-visit when in Newmarket.
Address and Telephone: 3A York Street, Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand, +64 9-529 5993

Photo Courtesy of Best Ugly Bagels

4. Chocolate Boutique

Chocolate Boutique

With over 100 different chocolates, pralines, truffles and more, Chocolate Boutique is a shrine to all things chocolate. Since its establishment in 1996, Chocolate Boutique has been making delicious sweet treats for New Zealand with an unbeatable talent, and was Auckland’s ‘Top Shop’ Winner in 2000. A well-established cafe with a huge menu, stop here to sample everything from creamy hot chocolate and fluffy cake, to crispy waffles and rich sundaes. For a sweet treat in Parnell, Chocolate Boutique is the place to go.
Address and Telephone: 323 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand, +64 9-377 8550

Selection at the Chocolate Boutique I © Edric Pascual /Flickr

5. Westfield 277

Westfield 277

Westfield 277 is the place which caters to the shopaholic’s every need in Newmarket. This shopping center is home to many retail clothing shops, restaurants, and a renowned grocery store. Famous as the shopping capital of New Zealand, Newmarket maintains this reputation with Westfield 277. With shops including Pandora, Nine West, Meredith and Forever New, you may need to dedicate a good few hours to a trip here! After an exciting day of shopping, make sure to check out the many restaurants the venue has to offer, or go grocery shopping at the popular Countdown, New Zealand’s leading supermarket brand.
Address and Telephone: 277 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand, +64 9-978 9400

6. The French Café

The French Café

Voted one of the world’s top ten restaurants, The French Café just cannot be missed whilst in Auckland. Offering a large menu of French cuisine, come here to try a plethora or original dishes including including egg yolk confit and caramelized pork belly. Choose between the four course set menu or the a la carte selection, and there are plenty of vegetarian options here too, including the delicious spring vegetable and lentil risotto. Along with their beautifully plated food, The French Cafe proffers an extensive wine list to complement their food.
Address and Telephone: 210 Symonds Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland, New Zealand, +64 9-377 1911

7. Judges Bay

Judges Bay

A secluded hideaway in the middle of the city, Judges Bay is the ideal spot for a day of relaxation and basking in the sun. The area is a small body of water surrounded by picturesque stretches of sand and grassy hills. The water is enticingly swimmable, with an idyllic pontoon and jetty providing a platform which is perfect for diving into its depths. If you’re not in the mood for a dip, Judges Bay also boasts a pretty path on which relaxing strolls can be taken. For a fun day in the outdoors, Judges Bay will not disappoint.

Address: Judges Bay, Auckland, New Zealand

Judges Bay, Auckland I © russellstreet/Flickr

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