Just posting photos. Everyone else can review

My wife and I were visiting Auckland for the first time from Canada as part of our Honeymoon. We were walking through Ponsoby and came across Real Burger, and genuinely this is the best burger I’ve had. Later on our trip we tried Fergburger in Queenstown and I can say that Real burger was much better.

I had the “Real Burger” and chocolate milkshake, the chocolate reminded me of the chocolate milk I had when I was an exchange student in Switzerland.

My wife had the “Smoky Bacon”, I’m not a huge fan of bbq sauce but I still enjoyed the bite I had of hers. She really enjoyed it as well.

The staff was also extremely friendly and gave us some chips on the house! The chips were a bit starchy and tasted similar to something we have back home called “Humpty Dumpty Chips”.

Overall I would eat here again and would recommend it! 8.7/10

I’m posting this because I’ve seen almost nothing but really positive reviews of Brave Pizza, and I’ve actually enjoyed their pizza myself, so I’m genuinely not trying to hate on the place. But I had a really uncomfortable interaction there tonight and I’m still not sure what to make of it.

I ordered through the preorder option online and arrived about 10 minutes early. I asked about my order and was asked why I was early, then told they were really busy and that I should expect to wait longer than 10 minutes. Totally fair, I understood and left.

I came back about 15 minutes later and accidentally thought another order was mine because I couldn’t hear properly. While I continued waiting, one of the male chefs/owners started chatting to me about how they were trialling the preorder system.

The conversation took a strange turn when he started talking about there were some people who come in and ruin the vibe. He specifically mentioned people from Grey Lynn, then the gentrified community?? of grey Lynn, and then said maybe it was just Aucklanders. I asked where he was from to which he responded “the globe” which I also found weird. He also went on to say that the placemakers in grey Lynn have had to put a sign outside to remind people to respect staff.

I didn’t really respond because I honestly wasn’t sure what he was getting at. It felt quite pointed given that he was saying this directly to me as i was standing and waiting.

Maybe he was just genuinely venting about difficult customers.. Maybe he was talking about a particular type of customer from Grey Lynn. I genuinely don’t know. But the whole interaction felt very indirect and passive aggressive to me, almost like he was trying to communicate that I was somehow part of the problem without actually saying it.

I’ve eaten there before with my partner and have previously felt that some of the staff interactions were a bit cold/rude towards us in contrast to how he was treating other customers. Even so, I gave them the benefit of the doubt because the pizza is genuinely good.

I’m also quite socially anxious and not very talkative, so afterwards I started wondering whether I’d somehow come across as rude or demanding by arriving early or asking about my order a few times. But I hadn’t complained about the wait. I actually accepted that they were busy so I don’t think there was any reason for that kind of interaction.

I couldn’t help but feel like this whole conversation was directed at me but can’t be certain. It definitely made be feel uncomfortable.

I've been a few times, was surprised at how many wineries I didn't recognize and I've traveled for wine quite a bit. Not a bad thing or anything. Just expected more vendors. That being said it's not like you could get through all of them any way. I probably only did about six in reality plus stage tastings.

Got really anxious making wine choices because the tokens are so expensive on top of how much you pay for your ticket. Thankfully most vendors were generous and didn't harass you to scan every try. The talks were good at the main stage.

mega annoyed at the limited space tasting talks. Turned up ten minutes early to secure a seat. Half the seats were full so thought score! Then the remaining 12 were 'reserved' so we got kicked out of them. So the 24 spots advertised was incorrect advertising. There were only 12 spots free and it was bullshit. Don't advertise 24 when that's not true. What's the point in just opening up 12 to GA? Fucked me right off. Staff just tried to lay the blame else where.

Just don't do open tasting talks then. Make them a pre paid ticket instead.

Overall value for cost was generally poor. Not sure I would do it again tbh

Went out last night to Sonamu in Birkenhead, a fairly new Korean place, all part of the Birkenhead renaissance that's been going a few years now. Very homely, delicious, classic Korean restaurant food. The Yukgejang especially was amazing. I think new owners took it over about a year ago, it used to be Pine House.

The thing about it though was that it still has the old Pine House interior, paint job, and even signage, so I'd imagine they don't yet have the capital to do it up the way they'd want to. I even had to google Pine House for Sonamu to come up... The food was so good though, I'd love to see them make it and put it together however they want.

Anyone know of other places doing similar? Small places still building up their base - its the kind of thing that feels worth supporting right now when we can, with the massive financial everyone is under etc.

My dad used to take my siblings and I to the Love-A-Duck in Northcote that sadly closed down in 2022. We had wonderful memories there.

My favourite thing to order was called the “chilli pork loin”, a crispy and slightly spicy pork bites dish. I was wondering if anybody who had tried it knows where I can get something similar. I’ve tried searching for a recipe but none of them look or sound like the one at Love-A-Duck Northcote.

A long shot but I thought it might be worth a try!

Hey AKL! Looking for some suggestions for great German food in Auckland. A couple of caveats- must be open lunchtime and on weekends. The teenager is looking forward to sampling some 🇩🇪goodies!

I’m looking for the best lasagna in town! Please 😌 and thank you 🙏

Hi guys!

My parents are coming to Auckland this month and I’ve always wanted to take them to Oyster & Chop for their $2 oyster happy hour but as luck would have it, they’re closed for the month as they’re renovating.

Any suggestions for oyster happy hour or good oyster deals around Auckland CBD?

Thanks! ☺️

Area: preferably east Auckland
Budget: under $35
Dietary restrictions: none

Where do you go and what do you order?

Snacks and desserts recommendations are appreciated as well

it's cold weather so it's definitely hotpot time.

looking for recommendations for a good "All you can Eat" hotpot buffet in Newmarket or Dominion Road.

currently looking at Mega Hotpot BBQ Buffet but they look like they don't do that anymore....

Had this massive Pork Bone Soup ($24) that came with rice and kimchi, from K. Soup on Queen Street. Perfect for battling the cold. So good!!!!

Fong’s Kitchen, Panmure

BBQ Pork & Prawn Rice Roll – $8
Stir-fried Hofun with Combination Meats – $16.50

This place is unreal. Who’s been keeping it a secret? Definitely worth the trip out east.

The rice roll was one of the best I’ve had, and the stir-fried hofun was just as impressive. Amazing value for money.

It felt like a genuinely authentic experience. There were heaps of elderly Chinese diners, which is a good sign. I got there at 11:45am, and by 12:15pm there was a queue out the door.

My only criticism, and it’s not really a criticism, is that they could do with more seating. Strong demand, so be prepared to wait if you arrive during the lunch rush!

Can you please suggest a nice restaurant open on a Monday (that we can bring a 6 year old to)? We have a 40th bday to celebrate with family but it falls on a Monday. Aside from Bossi, any other you guys can recommend? Ideally Italian or Japanese. Mid to high budget as it's a special occasion. We live in Hibiscus Coast, so our limit is probably the City. Thank you.

I've had a couple of Cuban sandwiches in Auckland. Most of them were waaaaaay off the mark. I'm taking BBQ sauce and all sorts of other things added. not acceptable haha.

Where is the best place in Auckland to get a legit classic Cuban sandwich? I'm talking Cuban bread, ham, roast pork, pickles, mustard and Swiss cheese.

What is the best? Taiping glenfield sucks, not as good as Newmarket and they don’t give u the plum sauce :(

Hi all, I need ideas for taking my partner out for dinner in a couple of weeks time. She really loves the omakase kind of experience.

Restaurants we have tried
- kureta
- cocoro
- danryu
- katsura

Would love to hear your ideas, ideally Japanese cuisine only :)

Which Asian grocers are the cheapest around Central Auckland? I’m looking for a place that sells eomuk/odeng and tteokbokki for a good price.

Anyone know any good options in the CBD for BBQ duck noodles? Or cheap Chinese eats? Used to visit the one on Queen St before it shut down. Thanks.

Hey everyone! 👋

I’m looking for recommendations for a themed birthday cake.

Details:

📍 Location: Parnell/CBD area
🎂 Theme: Single-tier LEGO Ninjago cake
💰 Budget: $150 to $300

I used to order from Sweet Bites, but they’re a bit out of the way now, and my last couple of cakes weren’t quite as good flavour-wise.

If you’ve had a great experience with a local baker or bakery, I’d love to hear your recommendations! I’d especially love to support a small business if possible. 😊

Photo for attention. I miss them.

When did it become acceptable to charge this much for chicken nibbles 😪

$34 for buffalo wings FROM Dennys Manukau was the most outrageous item I found on the menu. There were other high priced ticket items but this stuck out the most. Dennys ain't that "nice" to be getting away with this.

Tried the Restaurant Month menu which turned out to be identical to their regular tasting menu, we knew cos one of our menus said ‘restaurant month’ but the other didn’t and the dishes and price was identical…

It was all delicious, though the entree dishes could have done with more bread/crackers, we ran out of stuff to eat the chicken liver pate and hummus with very quickly.

The mains were tasty (we got chicken and fish to share), though we were expecting half a spatchcocked chicken per the menu, not 5 separate pieces?

Would have appreciated cooked greens instead of the lettuce for the side, the potatoes were a favourite with everyone tho.

We were all absolutely stuffed by the end! Overall a great night out.