North Shore is an area of Auckland that is north of the Waitematā Harbour. This part of Auckland is known for its shops, sandy beaches, lively cafes, and trendy restaurants.
Visiting North Shore is a must if you are visiting the city of Auckland. North Shore restaurants are like no other, and there is a huge variety of options to choose from!
There are plenty of different cuisine options when you visit North Shore. Whether you’re looking for burgers, vegetarian options, local New Zealand cuisine, or food from abroad, there are plenty of eateries for you to try! You definitely want to spend some time in this area, whether you want to stop in for some quick cocktails or experience Asian fusion cuisine.
These restaurants are just a small selection of the choices you have in North Shore. They are located in various parts of this lively Auckland area, so visiting them can give you a good tour of the area while also allowing you to experience good food!
Moxie Restaurant
The owners of Moxie claim that they opened their restaurant because “people like food and we like cooking”. They have a love for cuisine, spending time with others, and making their customers happy. They believe that eating and cooking together is a fundamentally human thing to do, and that is their main reason behind creating the delicious food at Moxie!
Moxie serves modern cuisine made with simple ingredients. They love to get creative with their menu items, but many of their selections are reminiscent of classic dishes.
Customers love the atmosphere at Moxie. Whether you want an intimate date night or a lively family dinner, this is a great place to go! The staff are extremely friendly and they are always happy to help you choose from the menu. Everything is delicious, so making a selection can be difficult!
You can listen to smooth jazz while you eat and sip a glass of fine wine or one of the house cocktails. Moxie also hosts events such as vintage high tea, steak nights, and Snack War Thursdays! They definitely offer a unique experience, so be sure to try this restaurant out when you’re visiting the North Shore.
Menu
Customer favorites on the menu include:
- curry roasted cauliflower
- Italian farroh salad
- slow braised lamb shoulder
- yuzu tart
- classic beef wellington
Contact and Hours
Website: https://www.moxierestaurant.co.nz/
Phone: 94 199 082
Address: 82 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead Point, Auckland 0626
Opening Hours: Wednesday 5pm-11pm and Thursday-Saturday 5pm-11pm
Aubergine Restaurant
Aubergine Restaurant is located in Takapuna, the shopping center of North Shore. They serve premium European and Mediterranean style cuisine. They also offer classic New Zealand cuisine that has a European twist. No matter what your tastes are, there is sure to be something on the menu for you.
This restaurant is great for large family dinners, business luncheons, or an intimate date night meal. Aubergine has a large, beautiful dining room that seats 140 people, as well as outdoor dining areas for when the weather is nice. You’ll want to call and reserve a table for large groups, but they also accept walk-in diners.
Aubergine offers a rotation of specials, including lunch specials, and different 3-course meal selections. You can join them for lunch, dinner, or late-night drinks. Whether you want some simple New Zealand cuisine or are interested in getting adventurous, you’ll be able to find something to suit your fancy.
Menu
Aubergine has a blend of various European and Mediterranean dishes. Customer favorites include:
- classic fish and chips
- house falafel
- chicken filo parcel
- smoked salmon
- veggie pasta
- vegetarian moussaka
- chocolate lava cake
Contact and Hours
Website: http://www.aubergine.co.nz/Phone: 09 4893104
Address: 129 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 12pm-Late
El Greco
El Greco is a Greek and Italian restaurant created by Kostas and Sarah Grigorakis. They offer fresh, authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Kostas is incredibly involved in the restaurant and is considered the face of the business. He is a friendly owner and chef who is always happy to interact with his customers.
Kostas has a long history in the restaurant industry, including working as a chef in Athens, owning a restaurant in Crete, and working as a chef at a New Zealand pizza kitchen. He is passionate about food, as is his wife Sarah, and they are dedicated to providing diners with a fantastic experience each time they visit.
The restaurant has been through hard times, including a disastrous fire in 2020, but Kostas and Sarah continue to offer delicious food and an authentic Greek-Italian vibe. They are truly dedicated to offering some of the best Greek and Italian food in Auckland!
El Greco is open for lunch and dinner. They also offer a delicious kid’s menu, with simple items that are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters! They are open for walk-ins and can also take bookings for 2-75 people, so this is a great place to go for a quiet date night, a large family meal, or a business dinner. They are also open for takeaway and catering.
Menu
Customer favorites at El Greco include:
- pesto and parmesan pizza
- tzatziki with warm pita bread
- Greek salad
- baked feta
- basil and pesto tortellini
- calamari
- chicken El Greco
Contact and Hours
Website: https://www.elgreco.co.nz/Phone: 9 475 5772
Address: 1 1 The Esplanade, Campbells Bay, Auckland 0630
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 2pm-9pm, Friday-Sunday 12pm-9:30pm
El Humero
El Humero is the first traditional Columbian-style barbecue restaurant in New Zealand. The owners and staff are dedicated to bringing a classic Columbian environment to the North Shore, and they certainly succeed.
The food at El Humero is cooked Colombian-style over traditional wood-fired and charcoal grills. The dining experience is something you can only get in Colombia, so this is a great place to visit if you want to have an authentic Colombian dining experience without leaving Auckland!
The food is delicious and the atmosphere is like nothing else you’ve ever experienced. According to El Humero, you will walk away with a “lasting taste” of their food and the warmth of the Colombian people.
Vegetarians and meat-lovers alike can find something to enjoy at El Humero. They have a simple yet exquisite menu that is sure to please any diners who visit the restaurant.
Menu
Popular menu items at El Humero include:
- arepa with cheese
- crispy fried plantains
- vegetarian empanadas
- chuleta de cerdo (grilled pork chops)
- costillas (tender beef ribs)
- El Humero pork
- casquitos de papa (fried baby potatoes with paprika)
Contact and Hours
Website: https://elhumero.co.nz/Phone: 9 489 9973
Address: 3/40 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5pm-9pm, Friday-Sunday 11:30am-3pm and 5pm-9pm
Mulan Malaysian Restaurant
Mulan is a home-style Malaysian restaurant located in Birkenhead, on Auckland’s beautiful North Shore. It is run by James Balakrishnan, who has been working in restaurants in Auckland for almost 20 years. After gaining experience in some of the best restaurants in the area, he decided to open his own restaurant featuring some tastes from his home in Penang.
Mulan is a great place to spend date night, have a large event, or take your family for an outing. They have been featured on Top Reviews NZ and Dish Cult, so they definitely come highly recommended!
Customers come back time and time again for the flavorful food and excellent service. Every dish is just as delicious as the last. This is truly one of the best restaurants to experience authentic Malaysian cuisine without taking a trip to Malaysia. The southeast Asian cuisine is definitely something you want to try when visiting North Shore restaurants.
Mulan is open for dine-in, takeaway, events, and catering. They accept both walk-ins and reservations. You can book parties of up to 10 through their website or call to book larger groups and events.
One of the draws of Mulan is that they cater to various dietary restrictions. There are vegetarian and vegan options, gluten-free options, and nut-free options. You can also let them know about any other restrictions when you book and they will be happy to accommodate you.
Menu
Some of the favorites on Mulan’s menu include:
- freshly steamed buns (pork, chicken, and vegan options)
- Penang curry
- beef massaman
- jackfruit rendang
- lamb masala
- pad thai
- mango sago
- organic coconut chocolate ice cream
Contact and Hours
Website: https://mulan.co.nz/Phone: 9 480 2806
Address: 243 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, Auckland 0626
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 5pm-10pm
Bushman’s Grill
Bushman’s Grill is known as a “little corner of Africa” in Auckland. The story behind Bushman’s Grill opening is long, but it also means that the owners have a long history of restaurant experience! They opened their first restaurant in Zimbabwe in 1992 and have been in the restaurant industry ever since.
Bushman’s Grill has been open since 2012 and it has definitely established itself as some of the best African cuisine in Auckland. This is one of the best places to get flame grilled steaks, ribs, and chicken. They utilize fresh, local ingredients such as free-range, grass-fed New Zealand beef.
Every dish at Bushman’s is cooked in a unique “Wild Way”, as the owners say. The experience you will have at this restaurant really is unique and not something you can get anywhere else. The food is delicious, the drinks are fantastic, and the service is incredible.
This is a great place to go for date night or with a large group. They offer family platters and feasts for 4-6 people, so be sure to ask about those if you are going with a group! If you can’t dine in, you can also order online for takeaway.
Menu
Bushman’s offers a range of food, from ribs and chicken to pizza and more! They are always expanding their menu as well. Some customer favorites include:
- mushroom soup
- calamari
- crispy chicken wings
- smoked pork ribs
- snails
- garlic prawns
- beer-battered onion rings
- Bush burger
- tender sirloin steak
Contact and Hours
Website: http://bushmansgrill.co.nz/Phone: 9 418 0056
Address: 31 Northcote Road, Hillcrest, Auckland 0627
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5:30pm-8:30pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-9pm, Sunday 5-8:30pm
The Engine Room
The Engine Room has a beautiful ambiance, exceptional cuisine, and helpful staff that are always happy to help you choose the best dishes from their menu! This is a restaurant that is focused on offering local, seasonal selections. Dishes are on rotation as they work with seasonally available produce, but there are always staple dishes available on the menu as well.
You’ll definitely want to make a reservation or get to the Engine Room early, as the dining room is always packed! The atmosphere is charming and intimate. The restaurant is always filled with delightful music, laughter, and conversations of happy diners. The atmosphere is one of the reasons that customers continue going back time and time again.
The owners have a passion for food and they want their customers to be satisfied with every dish they try. They have pride in their restaurant and the cuisine they create, and that is apparent in each and every dish they offer.
You can make reservations online or give the restaurant a call. They are available for private events and group bookings, but be sure to call ahead of time to secure your spot!
Menu
The menu at The Engine Room changes seasonally. Check their website for the latest menu. Some customer favorites and examples of the selections they offer include:
- Te Matuku Bay oysters
- twice-baked goat’s cheese souffle
- chicken liver parfait
- pork schnitzel
- steak frites
- fresh, seasonal fish
- brussels sprouts
- local New Zealand cheese plates
- quince and pear crumble
Contact and Hours
Website: https://engineroom.net.nz/
Email: customers@theengineroom.net.nzPhone: 9 480 9502
Address: 115 Queen Street, Northcote Point, Auckland 0627
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5:30pm-11pm, Friday-Saturday 5:30pm-11:30pm
