Abstract’s guide to long lunch locations in Auckland

You needn’t venture far. The hotel’s own Alla Prossima brings the warmth and generosity of Italy to Auckland. Start with fresh pasta, move onto the heartier secondi, and select a bottle of Sangiovese to really settle in for a while. Let tiramisu be the finish line, or move on to the Terrace Bar for happy hour.

Don’t miss deliciousness: Warm up your tastebuds with Adriatic Coast-style fried calamari, prawns and scallops with garlic mayo.

Alla Prossima, 8 Upper Queen Street

Some long-lunch venues are about sunshine, streetfront and being seen, others are made for those who crave being tucked away in a cosy culinary embrace. For the latter, head to Apéro, an intimate wine bar combining the talents of its Toulousaine chef and Melbournian sommelier owners in a vibrant K’ Road setting.

The menu spans favourites and daily specials that make the most of both abundant and fleeting ingredients, and in spite of its petite size, Apéro’s wine list is one of the most extensive anywhere in town. A selection of irresistible French cheeses make lingering longer a no-brainer.

Don’t miss deliciousness: Chef Leslie Hottiaux’s house-made sausage — a quarter-metre coil made with premium pork, served with mustard and pickles.

Apéro, 280 Karangahape Road

The art of stretching lunch out was practically invented at uptown icon The French Café in the 1980s. Almost half a century later it’s still going strong and long, but lunch is now only a Saturday affair, so do book ahead. Step off the busy main road into the elegant reception area and the mood is set. The dining room looks onto a private courtyard and garden, a soothing backdrop for what’s guaranteed to be a memorable meal: chef and owner Sid Sahrawat is one of the country’s culinary luminaries. Guests can choose from a la carte, three-course prix fixe, or the signature tasting menu with optional wine match.

Don’t miss deliciousness: Ruakākā kingfish with almond, coconut, kohlrabi and finger lime — the most seductive fish crudo imaginable.

The French Café, 210 Symonds Street

In a game of word association, ‘long lunch’ is followed by ‘Prego’. The Italian restaurant, sequestered behind a stucco wall at the heart of the city’s hospitality strip on Ponsonby Road, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2026. Generations have gathered beneath its trees for long lunches that often stretch into dinner. Famously, it doesn’t take bookings; expect a short queue at the entrance at opening time, as eager diners try to nab a table in the leafy courtyard. The food is timeless and hearty: wood-fired pizzas, pasta, seafood and braises.

Don’t miss deliciousness: Linguine alle marinara with prawns, mussels, cockles, seared rare tuna, white wine, chilli, garlic and parsley; if it’s winter, the famous Prego Pie — it’s stuffed full of slow-cooked beef and served with garlic parmigiano mash and green pea crush.

Prego, 226 Ponsonby Road

The afternoon sun streams through the doors at this relaxed wine bar at the charming Three Lamps end of Ponsonby. Beau’s menu celebrates seasonal produce through elegant share plates, seafood and premium cuts designed to complement the carefully curated wine list, which reads like a love letter to the wine-growing regions of New Zealand, with a few European gems for good measure. Happily the doors stay open through the late afternoon so you may find yourself tempted, and able, to carry on into the evening, with a cleverly crafted snack menu on offer to tide you over.

Don’t miss deliciousness: Roast lamb, ‘nduja, cashew & butterbeans — lamb is a Kiwi classic, and this take is unmissable.

Beau, 265 Ponsonby Rd

Stroll downhill along Queen St to the comely Chancery precinct, filled with great places to eat, drink, and shop. Gilt, a fabulous brasserie by Gordon Ramsay-trained celebrated chef Josh Emett, holds court at the heart, its name nodding to both the building’s former life as a legal chambers, and the many guilty pleasures on offer within. The menu leans classic European, with twists that elevate every dish to showstopper status. The kitchen is not afraid to lean into richness when it counts — case in point the triple cheese soufflé, and a pappardelle with king crab enriched with brandy bisque and crème fraîche — but equally provides feather-light touches to balance. Add attentive service, a superb wine list and classy cocktails, and it’s easy to see why many guests stay far longer than intended.

Don’t miss deliciousness: Tomato schnitzel, tomato butter sauce, and basil — this thick slice of heirloom tomato given a schnitzel treatment is a revelation.

Gilt, 2 Chancery Street

Boasting a front-row seat in Viaduct Harbour, a 20-minute walk or 5-minute drive from the hotel, Soul Bar & Bistro has been one of Auckland’s quintessential waterfront lunch spots for 25 years. Prime position, naturally, is on the sheltered front terrace, with its canopy of white hand-blown glass pendants and white flowers mirroring the marina full of white yachts — although indoors is beautifully appointed, too. With the tang of salt in the air, seafood seems right and it’s done very well. Freshly shucked oysters, decadent scampi cocktails, and juicy tiger prawns pave the way for market fish — local specialties include tarakihi, kingfish and snapper.

Don’t miss deliciousness: Macaroni cheese with ham off the bone, truffle and a parmesan crust — mac and cheese might seem incongruous given the elegant setting, but just trust us.

Soul Bar & Bistro, Lower Hobson Street, Viaduct Harbour

Also in the Viaduct Harbour precinct, Hello Beasty is all about bold flavours and fun takes on classics, drawing inspiration from Korean, Japanese and Chinese cuisines. Its lively atmosphere, extensive sharing-friendly menu and seven-day open hours make it great for groups. Order a bunch of dishes both small and large, then kick back and tuck into an absolute feast. The kitchen has a knack for putting unique spins on crowd favourites such as prawn toast, tartare, sashimi, okonomiyaki and fried chicken. This is fusion, but never confused; flavours sing and textures trill in harmony.

Don’t miss deliciousness: Shokupan — Japanese milk bread with confit garlic, miso brown butter, and shio kombu — boring bread and butter begone.

Hello Beasty, 95-97 Customs St West

Westhaven Marina is a little further afield, but an easy 10-minute drive from the hotel. First Mates, Last Laugh is parked at the far end of the marina and, if you’re able, do stroll there on the boardwalk that skirts and traverses the water. Being owned and operated by the city’s queen of hospitality, Judith Tabron, locals know a good time is guaranteed — whether you’re cosied up indoors or positioned on the verandah eyeing up superyachts for sale. The price tag on those yachts is eyewatering; your slap-up long lunch is far better value. Seafood in all guises is a highlight, and if the season is right don’t miss the delicate local delicacy: whitebait fritter. Order another round of spicy pineapple margaritas while you discuss which boat you’re buying.

Don’t miss deliciousness: Seafood Tower with half a crayfish, oysters, prawn cocktail, tuna taquitos, Szechuan pepper squid and gurnard goujons.

First Mates, Last Laugh, 121 Westhaven Drive

Some meals nourish more than appetite; downtown all-day eatery Ima Cuisine feeds the stomach and the soul thanks to the warmth and generosity owner Yael Shochat brings to every detail. Even if it’s grey outdoors, stepping into Ima brings a sense of sunshine. The welcoming space is filled with colour, character and conversation — a splendid setting in which to stretch the lunch hour over Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare. The best thing is to let staff recommend dishes so all you have to do is relax and welcome a succession of moreish morsels to the table.

Don’t miss deliciousness: The Middle Eastern Platter groans with grilled lamb and chicken, falafel, lamb kibbeh, hummus, Arab salad, home-made pickles, olives, labneh and freshly baked pita — a great foundation for a long lunch.

Ima Cuisine, 53 Fort Street