Auckland city is brimming with chefs who have an undying passion for culinary creativity. The climate is obliging - with enough sunshine and rainfall to grow everything from the daintiest tips of asparagus to the sweetest strawberries south of the equator. Nearby farms produce export quality lamb, beef and venison. Restaurants are well supplied with scallops, snapper, tuna and many other varieties of fish.
The newly developed Viaduct Basin offers both indoor and outdoor waterside dining - spacious brasseries, intimate silver service or romantic balconies overlooking the harbour. Euro Bar and MJ's should not be missed.
The city fringe suburbs of Ponsonby and Parnell offer restaurants, cafés and bars that seem to never close.
Auckland dining isn't limited to the inner city. A half-hour boat-ride from downtown lands people on Waiheke Island, where they can enjoy the delicious flavours of Pacific Rim style cuisine while enjoying a drink with the amazing views. Alternately, within 30 minutes from downtown Auckland, the areas of Waitakere, North Shore and Manukau offer a choice of wonderful food and wine experiences.
Winemaking has been alive and well in west Auckland since the turn of the century. Cabernet sauvignons, Chardonnay's, Merlots, Chenin Blancs and world famous Sauvignon Blancs are all available.