The heart of Auckland is jam-packed with delectable dining but, if you’re looking at renting a car and doing some driving, your mouth will water when you realise how many additional food doors open.
Nothing stimulates the appetite quite like those boisterous west coast beaches so, having navigated winding roads and given nature a good old cuddle, you’ll be keen for a meal. If you fancy old-fashioned fish and chips on the beach, a top spot for shark and tatties is Huia Beach Store and Café. What do you mean eating out of greasy newspaper isn’t your thing? Then make a beeline for The Tasting Shed in Kumeu where you’ll find seasonally inspired gourmet fare in a rural setting. Or take your tummy to The Hunting Lodge in Waimauku - there you’ll find a pasture to plate philosophy and a fine wine cellar too. Forty minutes south of the big smoke, Bracu at Simunovich Olive Estate gives guests the sensation of having been transported to some pastoral corner of Italy, and the lovingly restored kauri villa is ideal for savouring long, decadent meals. They even have a wine library, so toss a coin to see who drives.
Puhoi, 35 minutes north of the city, is a charming little outpost on the banks of the Puhoi River. Settled by Bohemian gum diggers in the 1860s, their cultural roots are still strong today and the Puhoi Pub is bursting with character, perfect for parking up and watching the world go by. A little further up the winding country road the Puhoi Valley Café & Cheese Store will see all your dairy dreams come true, whether you sit down for lunch, or take away a tonne of cheese to picnic on as you explore.
Matakana, one hour north of the CBD, is another must-do if you’re mobile. Popular culinary opportunities up there include Rothko at Sculptureum, where culinary inspiration is taken from the land and surrounding sea. Plume, the vineyard restaurant, is another top-notch experience tucked away in paradise, and they’re just as committed to exquisite food as they are to sustainability. Brick Bay is a perennial palate pleaser, plus they have a sculpture trail if you need to stretch your legs before sliding them under the table. Matakana Market Kitchen is also popular for their simple, fresh food philosophy which means this is not a region to rush round.
If you’re one of those planning types, book ahead to secure a berth on Shuckle Ferry , New Zealand’s only oyster farm tour. Upon boarding this quirky vessel, on top of your shucking lessons, you’ll also be offered local wine, beer and soft drinks while discovering fascinating facts about these briny bivalves.
Maybe driving feels like it’s going to put the brakes on that second (or third) glass of wine - then take a ferry to Waiheke Island and pick a vineyard. Mudbrick has legions of fans, as does Cable Bay with its beanbag strewn lawn, ditto Man o’ War and Casita Miro. Although you could just take a dart and throw it at a map because, where ever you choose to go, you’re bound to be delighted.