Unforgettable Dining: Dominion Road’s 12 Finest Restaurants
Staff Writer
| Last Updated: March 2024 Did you know that Dominion Road in New Zealand is known as the “food highway” of Auckland? And its reputation is well-deserved. You’ll find everything from exotic Asian street eats to smoking hot wood-fired pizzas to elegant fine dining here.
Having eaten up and down Dominion Road myself one too many times, I know all the best restaurants on the block. And now I’ll share with you the best place to go (and tips on what to order) for when you’re craving a damn good meal.
1. OOH – FA
Address: 357 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 5 PM to 10 PM
Ooh-Fa shines like a disco ball when it comes to pizza. Its pizza is flamboyant and infectious, drawing in hungry souls like moths to a flame.
The clams, garlic, anchovy, chilli, lemon, and pecorino pizza is salty, spicy, and citrusy bliss.
Then there’s the lardo, mozarella, parmesan, black pepper, and honey pizza—a decadent playground for those with adventurous pizza tastes. The drizzle of sweet honey takes pizza to the next level.
Pro Tip: Their panettone ice cream is like Christmas in a bowl—warm and satisfying. And while the pizzas steal the show, don’t neglect the wine list.
2. KIIN Thai Kitchen
Address: 360c Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday & Thursday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 9 PM
- Wednesday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6496002166
Kiin Thai Kitchen draws inspiration from Thai heritage and infuses their meals with a touch of Kiwi soul.
Dive into their Massaman lamb shank. It’s fall-off-the-bone tenderness infused with the aromatic embrace of star anise, cardamom, and cinnamon. It’s comfort food at its finest.
Or try the kiin duck curry. Each mouthful is a dance of tangy tamarind, smoky paprika, and fragrant lemongrass, leaving you yearning for more.
But the true secret of Kiin Thai Kitchen is their som tum platter. It’s a celebration of Thai street food, perfect for sharing or just eating on your own.
Pro Tip: Get their mango sticky rice!
3. The Bridgman
Address: 234 Dominion Road, Cnr Valley Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 4 PM to Late
- Saturday & Sunday – 12 PM to Late
Phone: +64 022 649 4813
The Bridgman is a historic establishment resurrected with a fresh take on the gastropub concept. So, what should you try here?
For carnivores, the smashed double cheeseburger is a messy masterpiece, begging to be devoured with gusto.
Seafood lovers rejoice because the beer-battered market fish is flaky and showcases the freshest catch of the day.
But don’t underestimate the power of the appetisers either. Their smoked beef sliders are bite-sized wonders, perfect for sharing (or not—no judging here).
Pro Tip: Skip dessert and grab the cheeseboard for two. The Bridgman curates a rotating selection of artisan cheeses, from creamy brie to robust comte, paired with cured meats, fruits, and more. It’s a cheese lover’s dream come true.
4. Tapsi
Address: 985 Dominion Road, Mount Roskill, Auckland 1041, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 12 PM to 9:30 PM
Phone: +6496001807
Among all the restaurants on Dominion Road, Tapsi is a haven for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine.
Start off with their mezze platter: delicious hummus, baba ghanoush, mesclun salad, and that crispy Turkish bread that might have you getting full before the main course.
If you haven’t had enough salad, try the fatoush salad. It’s quite refreshing.
And for your main course, you’ve got to try their qozi lamb. The lamb falls off the bone, and you can taste the herbs in every bite.
Pro Tip: Need to feed more than one? Get the family pack mix BBQ. This way, you can try a variety of their grilled meats.
5. Cazador Restaurant & Delicatessen
Cazador Restaurant & Delicatessen
Address: 854 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1041, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday – 8 AM to 2 PM
- Wednesday & Thursday – 8 AM to 2 PM & 5 PM to 10 PM
- Friday – 8 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 11 PM
- Saturday – 8 AM to 3 PM & 4 PM to 10:30 PM
Phone: +6496208730
Cazador Restaurant & Delicatessen serenades your senses with unique and utterly delicious meals.
For an entree as audacious as its name, the roasted duck with gin-fermented currants, celeriac, and radicchio is a bold choice. The duck is flawlessly cooked with sweet-tart notes, and you can almost taste the gin on your tongue.
Vegetarians, fret not! Their charred zucchini, goat curd, mint, yellow pole, and pumpkin seed are a refreshing seasonal bounty of deliciousness.
And for meat lovers, you must try their white wine-braised goat. Goat is usually a hit or miss depending on how it’s cooked, but here the goat is tender and infused with lemon and fennel—definitely a hit.
Pro Tip: Indulge in their dessert sherry tasting flight. You’ll get Cazador’s exquisite seasonal desserts with only the best sherries.
6. Mr. Hao
Address: 365 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 5 PM to 11 PM
Phone: +642108035486
Mr. Hao’s menu is a mouthwatering journey through the fiery flavours of Sichuan. Their spicy, numbing fried chicken and cartilage are as addictive as they’re lip-tingling. The chicken is coated in Sichuan peppercorns, creating an unforgettable flavour.
For something more delicate, try the flounder, steamed to perfection, and yes, you have to have it with soy sauce.
But of course, no visit to Mr. Hao is complete without trying their xiao long baos. These soup dumplings are filled with a flavorful pork broth that bursts into your mouth.
Pro Tip: Get the fried Chinese buns with condensed milk. This sweet and savoury treat is a local favourite, and it brings you straight to the streets of Beijing.
7. Eden Noodle Cafe
Address: 105 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Phone: +6496301899
When it comes to authentic noodles, Eden Noodles does a pretty darn good job. This humble eatery takes you to the heart of Chinese-Sichuan cuisine with their dumplings, noodles, and so much more.
The undisputed star of their menu, though, is the noodles with spicy beef and soup. Each noodle is thick and springy, and the broth comes to life due to the chilli bean paste.
For something lighter, try the cold noodles with chicken shreds. The subtle peanut sauce in the broth leaves you feeling like you’ve stumbled upon a street food treasure. Another must-try are their wontons in chicken soup—with broth so good, you’ll be slurping straight from the bowl.
Pro Tip: Eden Noodle’s happy yum jelly with sauce is the dessert to try. It’s sweet and addictive, and the light sweetness perfectly complements the majority of their fiery noodles on the menu.
8. Tasca
Address: 338 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 5 PM to Late
- Saturday & Sunday – 8 AM to Late
Phone: +6496306345
Tasca is a restaurant sparkling with Spanish flavours that ignite the soul. Tasca’s signature dish, the cordero, is slow-roasted lamb cradled in harissa, garlic, and pomegranate. Each bite sings of tradition and leaves you speechless.
And their paella mixta is definitely one for the books. Their saffron-infused rice, paprika mussels and prawns, and chicken combined are a taste of comfort.
They also have their own version of lahmajun that’s worth giving a shot. It’s a flatbread with spiced minced beef and onion—the garlic yoghurt sauce takes this simple dish to the next level.
Pro Tip: Finish off your meal with a pedro ximenez. This nutty sherry is the perfect digestif to cap off your Spanish meal.
9. Ralph’s Eatery
Address: 225B Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
Hours:
- Saturday, Tuesday & Wednesday – 5 PM to 9 PM
- Thursday & Friday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6492149369
Ralph’s takes comfort foods to new heights, starting with their legendary Ralph’s burger. Each bite has you reaching for another and another.
But burgers aren’t the only thing on this eatery’s menu. If you’re after a fiery kick, Ralph’s spicy buffalo hot wings will set your tastebuds ablaze. And their jalapeno poppers will have you saying, “Ooh, mama.”
Pro Tip: On Tuesdays, grab a burger, fries and a pint for 25 NZD!
10. Hotpot Duke
Address: 660 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1041, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 5:30 PM to 12 AM
Phone: +64225059894
Hotpot Duke takes you to a hotpot haven with their bubbling broths and abundant toppings. Their beef tallow spicy soup base awakens your senses with every sip. For a gentler heat, get the tom yum soup base.
Order some Cantonese pork sausage skewers, marinated beef tripes, black tiger prawns, and their marinated spicy pork ribs to go with your hotpot.
Pro Tip: If you like shrimp, try the housemade mashed shrimp paste. A dollop of this in your broth is all you need.
11. Jade Town Uyghur Case
Address: 598 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1041, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday & Tuesday, Thursday & Friday – 12 PM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 10 PM
- Wednesday – 5 PM to 10 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 12 PM to 10 PM
Phone: +6496235072
Jadetown Uyghur cuisine transports you to the heart of Xinjiang, a region bordering the Himalayas, where Uyghur cuisine takes centre stage. Their stir-fried chilli chicken with potatoes is perfectly charred and crispy, and each bite leaves a pleasant taste of spice in your mouth.
The Uyghur-style, spicy braised lamb is another must-try. Each spoonful is a story of Uyghur tradition, whispered through the aromatic lamb.
Don’t miss out on their dumplings in lamb soup, either. These savoury dumplings are sure to make any bad day a good one. And their Uyghur-style baked meat pies are to die for.
Pro Tip: Try their real Uyghur-style luxury lunch if you’re absolutely hungry! It’s a set menu that shows off the chef’s culinary expertise.
12. UdonWorks
Address: 633 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1041, New Zealand
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 2 PM & 5:30 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6496230336
Udonworks serves up steaming bowls of udon noodles, capturing the essence of Japanese comfort food with every slurp. Their cold hiya bukkake udon is refreshing, as each bite is a burst of cool, crisp flavours. The wakame seaweed, ginger slivers, and chilled noodles are just perfect.
Craving something warm? Get the kashiwa with kake udon. Tender duck with a rich kashiwa broth and, yes, chewy noodles.
Pro Tip: Try their vegan udon if you dare.
13. Basil Thai Restaurant
Address: 236 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Phone: +6496232334
Stepping into Basil Thai is like teleporting to Bangkok’s bustling street food scene. Start off with their Tom Kha mixed seafood soup.
The rich coconut broth balances the plump prawns, muscles, and squid. With each spoonful, you’ll find that it’s creamy, rich, and brings a zesty heat like no other.
Craving something bolder? Get the gai fai curry—the spice from the jungle curry paste is exquisite.
But of course, no Thai meal is complete without trying at least once pad khatiem prik Thai. This stir-fried medley of veggies—think green beans, crunchy baby corn, and juicy eggplants—makes you see stars with its tangy tamarind sauce.
Pro Tip: Put in your order for their rotis early! Use your roti to soak up every last drop of curry or savour its buttery goodness on its own.
