Auckland lunch venue recommendations please

[Blackbird]

Jennie and I are coming up to Auckland in a couple of weekends to take 2 old friends out to lunch. Looking for somewhere cafe-style downtown, waterfront or even Newmarket. I've had a couple of recommendations already but would be pleased to hear more personal recommendations. Price is not an issue but I'm not interested in over-priced chic!

Cheers,

Geoff

[Forest]

There are plenty of nice cafes and bars in the Mt Eden area (just up from Newmarket). These are my personal favorites:

Cafes = Frasers, Sierra, C.A.C
Bars = De Post, Galbraiths, Cardrona Alehouse

[Blackbird]

Cheers Forest, appreciate your recommendations. Have looked the cafes up on the 'net and the all have good reviews. Have you tried Circus Circus? Thats another one I came across.

Cheers,

Geoff

[Grahameeboy]

Devonport mate...Masonic Tavern is a cool location and a lot of motorcylists go there...they do food...otherwise the Esplanade Hotel if you want to do the ritz with them....

[Blackbird]

Devonport mate...Masonic Tavern is a cool location and a lot of motorcylists go there...they do food...otherwise the Esplanade Hotel if you want to do the ritz with them....

Thanks GB but don't want the Shore.

G

[klingon]

Cheers Forest, appreciate your recommendations. Have looked the cafes up on the 'net and the all have good reviews. Have you tried Circus Circus? Thats another one I came across.

Cheers,

Geoff

I like Circus Circus. Their lunches are good but dinners aren't (their kitchen is too small and you end up waiting for hours) They have indoor, outdoor and deck areas. Also De Post across the road is nice and it's a cafe/bar so you get the best of both.

[BIGBOSSMAN]

Circus Circus is very good, and if you want to support a KB'er try Liquid Bar down by the Viaduct - Stefan (ex Mt Eden M/C) is head chef and makes some yummy grub!

[jrandom]

Urban Cafe on Carlton Gore Road in Newmarket is the best cafe in the area; won Metro magazine's 'best Auckland cafe' award a couple of years in a row, as a matter of fact.

Galbraiths on Mt Eden Road is the best pubby sort of pub in the central Auckland area. Excellent beer, brewed on the premises.

In terms of CBD restaurants, Cin Cin in the old ferry building and Vivace in High Street are my two most reliable bets. (Vivace's cheaper.)

[Blackbird]

Thanks everyone, some great options there.

I have been to Cin Cin and Mikano for business lunches if I'm in Auck. They're a bit sterile so that's why I thought cafe's would be more laid back.

Cheers,

Geoff

[Blackbird]

For interest, I ended up at Prego in Ponsonby Road on Sunday. Not cheap, but the food was beautifully presented and tasted great. The place was packed but the service was outstanding. Definitely recommended for a special occasion.