The 12 Top Onehunga Restaurants You Should Be Eating At
David Sims
| Last Updated: March 2024 Did you know that Onehunga, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, was once a seafood playground for Māori chiefs? The area used to be known as Onewhero, a retreat for Ngati Whatua chiefs, who enjoyed the sheltered harbour and abundant seafood.
Today, Onehunga traded its chiefly catch for a different kind of allure: a culinary scene that’s as diverse and delicious as the chief feast must’ve been.
From contemporary Kiwi cuisine to mouthwatering Asian fusion, you’ll find plenty to eat in Onehunga. Having dined in Onehunga more times than we can count, we know all the best places!
So join us as we ditch the downtown crowds and head to these restaurants in Onehunga, where the food is pretty darn good.
1. Slabs
Address: 178/182 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 4:30 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Looking for the best pizza in Onehunga? Look no further than Slabs. One bite of their Detroit deep square pizza with its signature caramelised cheese crust, and you’ll understand why it’s one of our top picks.
The cheese on their pizzas is a game-changer. It’s layered generously over their square pizzas, creating a gooey, melty dream that makes each bite an absolute delight. And let’s not forget about the red sauce, parmesan, and basil that complete the masterpiece that is the OG square.
The Italian sausage pizza is another must-try. It combines all the cheese with turbo sauce, broccolini, Italian sausage, and parmesan.
For the veggie lovers out there, you’ll absolutely adore the potato pizza with all the cheese, ricotta, rosemary, roasted potato, and caramelised onion.
Pro Tip: Customise your experience with a selection of dips for your crust. Choose from ranch, red sauce, and BBQ sauce to make each bite just the way you like it.
2. Gratitude Restro Bar
Address: 275 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 4:30 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6496361463
From the moment you step through the door of Gratitude, you’ll be captivated by the warm, inviting atmosphere and the smell of delicious food wafting from the kitchen. And their menu is a food lover’s paradise.
The surf & turf, featuring NZ fresh angus sirloin cooked to your liking, combined with garlic prawns, is a meat lover’s dream. It takes you from the land to the sea and back again, all in one bite.
Veggie lovers, fear not! Gratitude has got you covered with their delightful vegetarian filo parcel. Roasted pumpkin, spinach, cream cheese, and sour cream are all cosily tucked into a baked filo pastry.
And let’s not forget their burgers. The beef burger is a tower of taste with crispy bacon, fried eggs, tomatoes, lettuce, beetroot relish, cheese, aioli, and fries. It’s a mouthwatering combination that will leave you wanting more.
Pro Tip: Try their chicken brie cranberry pizza. Roast chicken, streak bacon, mushrooms, red onion, brie cheese, and cranberry jelly. It’s the sweet-savoury combo you never knew you needed until now.
3. Chi-Chi Kitchen
Address: 1C Rawhiti Road, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11 AM to 8:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 11 AM to 8:30 PM
Phone: +6495256019
Chi Chi Kitchen is a place where the food is so good—it’s like a party in your mouth.
Their pho is our go-to dish. You can choose from rare Angus, well-done lean beef, or poached chicken thigh for your protein. No matter what pho you choose, every spoonful soothes your soul.
And the daddy shaking beef—need we say more? It hits all the right taste buds. The black pepper sauce does wonders for the beef and dried shallots.
Pro Tip: Craving a sandwich? Get the lemongrass chicken, Hanoi banh mi.
4. Sim’s Kitchen
Address: 1/59 Victoria Street, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 9 AM to 2 PM
Phone: +6499491159
Sim’s Kitchen’s combination of authentic and innovative dishes will make you fall in love with Malaysian cuisine.
Dig into their famous roti canai. This Malaysian flatbread, served with a heartwarming dal lentil dip, is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and every bite is a burst of flavours that will leave you craving for more.
Want to level up the experience? Swap the dal lentil dip for a curry.
One dish you absolutely should try is the nasi lemak ayam goreng—the national dish of Malaysia. The fragrant coconut rice, combined with the fried chicken, is sure to satisfy your cravings.
Pro Tip: Get their Hainanese-grilled chicken rice. This dish is a game-changer.
5. The Rusty Morris
Address: 120 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday & Wednesday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +642102428608
If you’re looking for a dining experience that’s equal parts delicious and delightful, then put The Rusty Morris at the top of your list. The menu at The Rusty Morris is a blend of various comfort food dishes.
Take their pan-seared salmon, for example. The creamy Tuscan garlic butter and capers sauce really make the salmon stand out.
Or if you’re craving pasta, get their spaghetti bolognese. With succulent beef mince, rich Napoli sauce, fresh basil, and a sprinkle of parmesan, it’s a classic dish done right. And their chicken Alfredo is pretty darn good to
Pro Tip: If you’re going with a group of people, the Rusty Morris platter is a must-try. Designed to be shared between up to 10 people, this platter is a feast of flavours. It includes garlic bread, rusty fried chicken, calamari, slaw, pickled cucumber, pork belly, prawn twisters, and a selection of dipping sauces.
6. Everybody Eats
Address: 306 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Hours: Sunday to Thursday – 6 PM to 8 PM
Phone: +6421856884
Imagine a place where the menu changes daily, where you pay what you can, and where every mouthful is a delicious surprise. It sounds too good to be true, right?
But this unique restaurant is Everybody Eats. Their concept of ‘pay what you can’ means that everyone can enjoy a delicious meal, regardless of their budget.
No one leaves hungry, and it’s a great way to try a variety of dishes without breaking the bank!
But let’s talk about the food, because that’s why we’re all here, right? The menu at Everybody Eats changes daily, which means you could be enjoying a hearty stew one day and a delicious burger the next.
Pro Tip: They only are open for two hours, so make sure you come early to avoid missing out.
7. Saltwater Burger Bar
Address: 156 Church Street, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5 PM to 8:30 PM
- Friday – 5 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 3 PM to 9 PM
Phone: +6492174300
Ever had a burger that’s so good, it’s like a high-five for your taste buds? If not, then you haven’t been to Saltwater Burger Bar. This place, my friends, is burger heaven.
Saltwater Burger Bar is the go-to spot for anyone craving an innovative and flame-grilled gourmet burger. And when we say gourmet, we mean it. No basic burgers here, folks.
We’re talking about burgers that are thoughtfully crafted, using the freshest ingredients and a tonne of creativity.
Pro Tip: The whole place has a vibe. It’s laid-back, it’s cool, and it’s exactly where you want to be on a Friday night.
8. The Landing Restaurant & Bar
Address: 2 Onehunga Harbour Road, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Hours:
- Sunday & Monday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +64 9 636 4264
If you’ve been on the hunt for the ultimate dining experience, then you have to go to The Landing Restaurant & Bar. This spot has quickly become one of the best places to eat in the area. And believe us, it’s worth the hype!
One of the must-try items is their snapper and chips. The snapper is deep-fried in a crispy batter and served with chips, salad, and tartare sauce. And that tartare sauce does wonders for the snapper.
But if you’re more of a pan-fried fish person, then their pan-fried snapper and mash is for you. The snapper is pan-fried and drenched in a lemon-butter caper sauce, served on mash with a side of French beans.
It’s a dish that’s as tasty as it is beautiful, and it’s sure to have you coming back for more.
Pro Tip: If you’re not a fish person, give their grilled lamb chops a try. The lamb cutlets are grilled to perfection and served with seasonal vegetables, potatoes, and lamb jus. It’s the kind of meal that leaves you feeling satisfied.
9. Japanese Sashimi Bar Ajimi
Address: 2/258 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +6496366172
If you’re a fan of authentic, fresh, and oh-so-delicious Japanese cuisine, then let me introduce you to your new favourite spot: the Japanese Sashimi Bar Ajimi.
They serve up some of the best Japanese cuisine in the area. And when we say best, we mean it. We’re talking about dishes that are so flavorful, so fresh, and so beautifully presented that you’ll feel like you’re eating at a local restaurant in the middle of Tokyo.
Start with their salmon sashimi. Fresh slices of salmon that melt in your mouth—it’s a sashimi lover’s dream.
Feeling bold? Try the grilled eel with eel sauce on rice, which is another standout dish. The eel is perfectly grilled and slathered with a rich, flavorful eel sauce. Served on a bed of fluffy rice, this dish is a tasty treat.
Pro Tip: For those of you who love a good takeaway deal, you can’t go wrong with their Tokyo Platter. It’s a feast of takoyaki (deep-fried octopus balls), crispy squid tentacles, vegetarian spring rolls, and more. And to top it all off, you get to select any three Donburi meals that come with rice.
10. Lunchroom
Address: 297 Church Street, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Hours: Monday to Friday – 5:30 AM to 4 PM
Phone: +6496368298
Lunchroom has quickly won over the hearts (and stomachs) of locals and visitors alike, and for good reason! This spot is all about taking your favourite comfort foods and elevating them to a whole new level.
Their mince cheesy potato pie is a stellar example of comfort food done right. The mince is rich and flavorful, the potatoes are perfectly creamy, and the cheese—well, who can resist a good cheesy dish?
The red wine-pulled pork pie with potatoes is another must-try. The pork is tender and juicy, the red wine adds a depth of flavour, and the potato topping brings everything together in the most delicious way.
For those with a love for unique flavour combinations, the corned silverside with coconut cream and spinach pie is a dream come true.
Pro Tip: You absolutely can’t leave Lunchroom without trying their hot cross buns.
11. Mr. T’s
Address: 210 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 7 AM to 2:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 8 AM to 2:30 PM
Phone: +6421871695
Mr. T’s has some pretty tasty Vietnamese food. Their banh mi thit nuong is packed full of flavour with yummy grilled meat, pickled veggies, and fresh herbs.
But one of their really popular dishes is the chicken coconut curry. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the rich coconut sauce is a perfect blend of sweet and spicy.
For seafood lovers, the cha ca la vong is a must-try. This dish is a delightful mix of flavours and textures that will transport you straight to the streets of Hanoi. The fish is perfectly cooked, and the tangy, spicy sauce is the perfect accompaniment.
Pro Tip: Get their bun nem nuong if you want something heartier. It is a delicious combination of grilled pork, fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and vermicelli noodles.
12. Onehunga Cafe
Address: 259 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 3 PM
- Saturday – 8 AM to 3:30 PM
- Sunday – 8 AM to 3 PM
Phone: +6496360371
Onehunga Cafe is a haven for food lovers. With a menu that boasts a delightful mix of flavours and dishes, every visit you’ll be smacking your lips.
Their Greek chicken sandwich isn’t your run-of-the-mill chicken sandwich. We’re talking about chicken seasoned in Ud’s secret hot and sweet spice rub and the artisan trio of mango salsa, tzatziki, and hummus that accompanies it.
Their pork belly tacos are another must-try. Creamy slaw, fresh lettuce, kimchi mayo, apple cucumber pico, and pickled onion, all topped off with chilli-glazed pork belly. The creamy slaw and fresh lettuce provide a refreshing crunch, while the kimchi mayo and apple-cucumber pico add a tangy kick.
Pro Tip: Their Seoul sandwich is a game-changer. The gochujang sauce adds a spicy kick, while the melted mozzarella brings a creamy richness.This sandwich will definitely leave you reaching for water (and napkins because of how messy it gets).
