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MY LATEST BLOGS

Glass Sushi Boutique

Glass Sushi Boutique

January 7, 2026
Chicken Pie Kitchen & Don Signature

Chicken Pie Kitchen & Don Signature

January 7, 2026
Fore Coffee

Fore Coffee

January 6, 2026
Parnell Farmers Market

Parnell Farmers Market

January 6, 2026
Coffee ONDA

Coffee ONDA

January 5, 2026
J’aime les Macarons

J’aime les Macarons

January 3, 2026
Oodles

Oodles

January 2, 2026
Travel eSIM Explained

Travel eSIM Explained

January 1, 2026
Pizza Hut New Zealand

Pizza Hut New Zealand

December 31, 2025
Just Falafel

Just Falafel

December 31, 2025
Noodle Canteen

Noodle Canteen

December 29, 2025
Burrito House

Burrito House

December 29, 2025
The White Lady

The White Lady

December 28, 2025
The Sands Hotel Hokianga

The Sands Hotel Hokianga

December 28, 2025
KO KO DAK

KO KO DAK

December 24, 2025
Mexican food VS Tex-Mex

Mexican food VS Tex-Mex

December 24, 2025
Federal Delicatessen

Federal Delicatessen

December 23, 2025
Canton Cafe

Canton Cafe

December 23, 2025
The Sandwichery Birkenhead

The Sandwichery Birkenhead

December 22, 2025
Mexican Cafe Auckland Since 1983

Mexican Cafe Auckland Since 1983

December 21, 2025
Best Steak and Cheese Pies in Auckland
Best Steak & Cheese Pies In Auckland

When people search for the best steak and cheese pie in Auckland, they are usually overwhelmed with award lists, hype bakeries, and places they may never actually visit. This list is different. Every Bakery mentioned here is somewhere I have personally been to and eaten at.

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Best Halal Chinese In Auckland
Best Halal Chinese In Auckland

Auckland’s halal food scene has tons of flavour and variety, from classic hand-pulled noodles to rich Uyghur dishes inspired by China’s Silk Road. Below is a curated list of top halal-friendly spots with addresses and links so you can plan your next foodie trip easily.

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Hidden Sushi Spot in Takapuna with No Pork on the Menu We were strolling through Takapuna with no plan and came across this small but inviting sushi spot on Eat Street. Glass Sushi Boutique caught our eye with its clean glass display, bright lights, and beautifully presented sushi. What really stood out is that there is no pork on the menu at all, something I get asked about often. According to the staff, they also use Tegal chicken. We shared chicken teriyaki sticks, spicy chicken sticks, spicy chicken California rolls, fried prawn mayo sushi, salmon and avocado wrapped in yuba, and agedashi tofu with teriyaki sauce. Everything tasted fresh, balanced, and comforting. Total spend was twenty two dollars. twenty-two This is one of those places you might walk past without noticing, but once you stop, you are glad you did. Location Glass Sushi Boutique Eat Street, Takapuna Auckland, New Zealand Let me know in the comments, are you more of a casual sushi stroll person, or do you prefer a sit-down restaurant? #Takapuna #TakapunaEats #EatStreetTakapuna #AucklandFood #AucklandEats #NZEats #NZFoodie #NorthShoreEats #SushiLovers #CasualEats #FoodWalk #HiddenGemNZ #ChickenSushi #NoPorkMenu #HalalFriendly #AnAvidTraveller #FoodReviewNZ #LocalEats #AucklandLife #FoodieWalk #StreetFoodNZ #dofu #YubaSushi #AgedashiTofu #TakapunaBeach #ExploreAuckland #glasssushiboutique Please Subscribe, Like & Share :) Thank you, Dankie, Meda wo ase, Grazie, Gracias, شكرًا, 谢谢, 감사합니다, ありがとう , ขอบคุณ, நன்றி, Terima kasih!
Hidden Sushi Spot in Takapuna with No Pork on the Menu
Best Strawberry Matcha in Auckland, Coffee ONDA Newmarket Review We parked up in Newmarket with no plan and ended up finding this tiny hole in the wall cafe called Coffee ONDA. Pastel colours, seats in a driveway, and a strawberry matcha that completely changed my mind. I am not a matcha person, but this one was smooth, creamy, gently sweet, and had zero bitterness. At eight dollars, this is easily one of the best strawberry matcha drinks I have had anywhere. 📍 Coffee ONDA Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand Have you tried strawberry matcha before, and where was the best one you ever had? #CoffeeONDA #Newmarket #NewmarketAuckland #AucklandCafes #AucklandFoodie #NZFoodie #MatchaLover #StrawberryMatcha #CafeHunting #HiddenCafe #CafeVibes #AucklandEats #KiwiCafe #CafeReview #AnAvidTraveller #NZCafes #MatchaTime #CafeFinds #PastelCafe #FoodieLife #ExploreAuckland #CoffeeBreak #CafeCulture #FoodTokNZ #DrinkReview #MatchaLatte #LocalCafe #NZInstaFood @coffee.onda Please Subscribe, Like & Share :) Thank you, Dankie, Meda wo ase, Grazie, Gracias, شكرًا, 谢谢, 감사합니다, ありがとう , ขอบคุณ, நன்றி, Terima kasih!
Best Strawberry Matcha in Auckland, Coffee ONDA Newmarket Review
Best Macarons in Auckland?? J'aime les Macarons Review at Commercial Bay Lunch at Commercial Bay somehow turned into one of the best dessert moments I have had in Auckland. I spotted J'aime les Macarons earlier and could not stop thinking about them, so we came back for a box of six. Crème brûlée cracked perfectly with a custardy centre. Tropical mango and pineapple tasted like sunshine. Salted butter caramel was rich and dangerous. Lemon was sharp and refreshing. Scorched almond was deep and nutty. Pistachio was delicate but had tough competition. Soft and gooey inside, crisp shells that melt instantly. If you are visiting Auckland, do not skip this place. Location Commercial Bay, Auckland CBD, New Zealand Tell me in the comments, which macaron flavour wins for you? Please Subscribe, Like & Share :) Thank you, Dankie, Meda wo ase, Grazie, Gracias, شكرًا, 谢谢, 감사합니다, ありがとう , ขอบคุณ, நன்றி, Terima kasih! #aucklandeats #aucklandfood #macarons
Best Macarons in Auckland? J'aime les Macarons Review at Commercial Bay
Oodles Uyghur Halal Food in Auckland, Xinjiang Noodles That Hit Different January first. Public holiday. Auckland was basically asleep. Everything closed. Hunger rising. So we did a mall run to Newmarket and found Oodles Uyghur Chinese Halal restaurant at 277 Newmarket. Uyghur food is known for bold flavours, charcoal grills, dumplings and noodles, and this spot delivered. From traditional Uyghur milk tea to smoky Xinjiang stir fried beef noodles, this meal saved the day. The beef skewers were flavourful but a bit dry, next time lamb for sure. The noodles though, spicy, smoky, deeply addictive. Dumplings dipped in chilli and vinegar sealed the deal. Public holiday surcharge and all, worth it for the noodles alone. Location Oodles Uyghur Chinese Halal Restaurant 277 Newmarket Auckland New Zealand So tell me, beef or lamb, what are you picking? #UyghurFood #HalalEats #AucklandFood #NewmarketEats #HalalFoodNZ #FoodieNZ #AucklandFoodie #NZEats #FoodReel #FoodReview #AnAvidTraveller #FoodDiscoveries #HiddenEats #HalalChinese #foodloverstz #SpicyFood #NoodlesLover #Dumplings #PublicHolidayEats @oodles_nz Please Subscribe, Like & Share :) Thank you, Dankie, Meda wo ase, Grazie, Gracias, شكرًا, 谢谢, 감사합니다, ありがとう , ขอบคุณ, நன்றி, Terima kasih!
Oodles Uyghur Chinese halal restaurant
Just Falafel Auckland Review, Build Your Own Falafel Pita I went out on a mission for a lamb wrap at Greek House, but two steps later I was pulled into Just Falafel. Same owners, different temptation. This place works like Subway but for falafel lovers. You choose your pita, then build your own masterpiece with unlimited toppings. Spiced cauliflower, fried eggplant, pickled turnips, salads, hummus, and even stuffed falafel with cheese or onion and sumac. Sauce options include tahini, spinach tahini, barbecue, mango, and chilli. I went tahini and mango with everything added, and it worked way better than expected. Fourteen fifty for the pita, nineteen fifty with a proper apple and grape freeze. Crunchy, fresh, messy, and very satisfying. 📍 Just Falafel, Point Chevalier, Auckland 35 Point Chevalier Road, Point Chevalier, Auckland 1022 Let me know how you would build yours. #JustFalafel #PointChevalier #AucklandEats #AucklandFood #NZEats #NZFoodie #FalafelLovers #MiddleEasternFood #HalalEats #VegetarianEats #FoodReel #FoodReview #EatLocalNZ #AnAvidTraveller #thegreekhouse @thegreekhous Please Subscribe, Like & Share :) Thank you, Dankie, Meda wo ase, Grazie, Gracias, شكرًا, 谢谢, 감사합니다, ありがとう , ขอบคุณ, நன்றி, Terima kasih!
Just Falafel Auckland Review, Build Your Own Falafel Pita
Hidden Tex Mex Spot in Birkenhead, The Burrito House Review I was driving down Mokoia Road in Birkenhead when something caught my eye, a small cosy spot called The Burrito House. If you know me, you know Tex-Mex runs deep in my veins. My family owned Panchos in Milford and Sombreros in Takapuna back in the 80s and early 90s, so this one already had my attention. Inside, it is run by an Indian couple cooking and serving together, a proper dream team with great energy. You can feel the care straight away. The rice and beans were decent, just slightly off on spice, but almost there. The rice could use more enchilada sauce, and the beans had a light Indian spice note. But the star of the show was the pulled beef enchiladas: rich sauce, melted cheese, proper comfort food. Add guac and sour cream, and suddenly everything clicks. Portion size was massive. Twenty-nine dollars, and honestly, for New Zealand standards, very fair. This is one of those places you do not plan, you stumble into, and it stays in your head after. Location The Burrito House 17 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead, Auckland Tell me your favourite local spot and where I should go next. #Birkenhead #BirkenheadEats #AucklandEats #AucklandFood #NZEats #NZFoodie #TexMex #Enchiladas #FoodReview #HiddenGems #AnAvidTraveller #LocalEats #NorthShoreEats #FoodieLife #BurritoHouse @burrito_house_birkenhead Please Subscribe, Like & Share :) Thank you, Dankie, Meda wo ase, Grazie, Gracias, شكرًا, 谢谢, 감사합니다, ありがとう , ขอบคุณ, நன்றி, Terima kasih!
Found the Burrito House by Accident, Left as a Devoted Fan #AucklandEats #FoodReview #HiddenGems
The Sands Hotel Hokianga Review: Incredible Views, but a Disastrous Stay This is my honest stay at The Sands Hotel Hokianga in Ōmāpere, Northland, New Zealand. The location is stunning, right on the water with incredible harbour views, but the experience inside the hotel told a very different story. We booked a two bedroom villa and were given a single studio with no explanation. WiFi was advertised but completely unavailable, there was no gym despite online photos, and cleanliness was a serious issue. Even after pushing for a solution, the handling and lack of care made this one of the most disappointing stays I have had. I paid for this stay myself and this review reflects my real experience. Location The Sands Hotel Hokianga Ōmāpere, Northland, New Zealand Tell me in the comments, have you ever had a hotel stay that ruined a trip? #TheSandsHotelHokianga #Omapere #HokiangaHarbour #NorthlandNZ #NewZealandTravel #NZHotels #HotelReview #TravelHonest #AnAvidTraveller #NZRoadTrip @the.sands.hotel.hokianga Please Subscribe, Like & Share :) Thank you, Dankie, Meda wo ase, Grazie, Gracias, شكرًا, 谢谢, 감사합니다, ありがとう , ขอบคุณ, நன்றி, Terima kasih!
The Sands Hotel Hokianga Review, Incredible Views But a Disastrous Stay
Christmas Road Trip to Ōmāpere | Quiet Northland Escape from Auckland Christmas road trip north and this one truly hit different. We packed up Auckland and drove about three and a half hours into the far north chasing quiet roads, salty air, and pure Northland magic. Destination, Ōmāpere. We left around five pm, stopped in Whangārei for a quick feed, then pushed on as golden hour faded into deep blue skies. Ōmāpere sits right on the edge of the wild west coast, overlooking the calm waters of Hokianga Harbour and endless sand dunes. We drove up via Kawakawa and returned through Dargaville on winding forest roads that felt straight out of a movie. We stayed at The Sands Hotel, full review coming soon. Quiet mornings, wide views, strong west coast energy. Would you spend Christmas somewhere like this, or are you more city lights and chaos? 📍 Location: Ōmāpere, Northland, New Zealand #Omapere #NorthlandNZ #HokiangaHarbour #NZRoadTrip #FarNorthNZ #WestCoastNZ #NewZealandTravel #ChristmasInNZ #TravelReels #AnAvidTraveller Please Subscribe, Like & Share :) Thank you, Dankie, Meda wo ase, Grazie, Gracias, شكرًا, 谢谢, 감사합니다, ありがとう , ขอบคุณ, நன்றி, Terima kasih!
Christmas Road Trip to Ōmāpere | Quiet Northland Escape from Auckland
Federal Delicatessen Auckland Review, New York Deli Vibes in NZ Today I walked into Federal Delicatessen on Federal Street, right opposite SkyCity, and for a moment I forgot I was in Auckland. This place feels like New York: loud, busy, full of energy, and proper deli vibes everywhere. We shared one Reuben on rye, and honestly, the moment it hit the table, the pastrami already had my attention. Perfect sauerkraut, Russian dressing done right, and pastrami so well smoked it literally melts in your mouth. Nothing is fighting for attention; everything is working together. At $26.50, I would happily eat this every single day. Now I finally get it. This is what sitting in a New York deli actually feels like. 📍 Federal Delicatessen 📍 Federal Street, Auckland CBD 📍 Opposite SkyCity Tell me honestly, is this the best Reuben in Auckland, or do you know one that beats it? #FederalDelicatessen #AucklandEats #AucklandFoodie #NZEats #ReubenSandwich #Pastrami #AnAvidTraveller @federaldelicatessen Please Subscribe, Like & Share :) Thank you, Dankie, Meda wo ase, Grazie, Gracias, شكرًا, 谢谢, 감사합니다, ありがとう , ขอบคุณ, நன்றி, Terima kasih!
Federal Delicatessen Auckland Review, New York Deli Vibes in NZ
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