Abstract’s guide to cheap eats on K’ Road

Home to the classiest Lebanese shawarma in town, The Lebanese Grocer is located on Pitt Street, right by the Beresford Square entrance to Karanga-a-Hape station. Chef Elie Assaf is inspired by traditions passed down by his parents, and puts the focus on quality. Chicken, stacked on the spit fresh each morning, has reached succulent, golden-tipped perfection by the time you order it to be carved off onto soft pita. Lamb rests for days in brine before being charred and braised in spices, and sojouk (spiced sausage) is made by a local butcher to the family recipe.

The Lebanese Grocer, 61/65 Pitt St

Burgers — but make the bun a glazed donut. Slip your hands into the disposable gloves provided to diners, as things get messy at Sneaky Snacky. Fillings, which include Nashville chicken or bulgogi beef, are generous, and that glaze puts a sticky sweet-savoury spin on the affair. If that’s not your jam you might prefer the ramen: miso, pork paitan or shoyu.

Sneaky Snacky, 184 Karangahape Rd

Since Brian ‘Pop’ Washer first opened it as a ‘pie cart’ downtown in the late 1940s, The White Lady has been expertly satisfying Auckland’s late-night carb cravings. Burgers overtook pies in popularity along the way, and the Lady lives on with the third generation of Washers working the food truck, as well as this permanent site at the entrance to St Kevins Arcade. The burgers are old-school, refreshingly resistant to trends and generously loaded. For something lighter, the cheese toasties — in squidgy white bread toasted to well-buttered golden perfection — kick off at just $7.

The White Lady, 183 Karangahape Rd

If K’ Road was a culinary Monopoly board, PieFee would be the Community Chest, dishing out treats to everyone who stops. Here the treats are award-winning pies, with fillings ranging from classic mince and cheese to more adventurous spicy prawn.

PieFee, 349 Karangahape Rd

Time it right for a visit to Coco’s Cantina, one of K’ Road’s hospo keystones, and you can get a nourishing bowl of pasta or a pizza margherita for just $15 while soaking in the positive energy of this colourful, casual yet service-driven Italian restaurant. Pasta-wise, you can opt for a classic pomodoro or check out the special which rotates weekly. At the same time you can take advantage of $9 drink specials, and even add an antipasti for just $5. Pop it in your planner: 4–6pm Tuesday to Saturday, plus the pizza and drinks happy hour prices return from 9–10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Coco’s Cantina, 374 Karangahape Rd

Noodles saucy or soupy, fragrant coconut-enriched rice nestling beside rendang with accoutrements, and roti stretched and flipped by hand: the food dished up at this no-frills Malaysian eatery is stacked with flavour. Uncle Man’s is fully halal and a rotating daily lunch special offers favourite dishes such as nasi goreng and chicken curry laksa at $18.90.

Uncle Man’s, 277 Karangahape Rd

Cross Street leads you from the hotel to the Mercury Lane entrance of Karanga-a-Hape Station, but don’t rush it; your time shall be rewarded if you duck into Den, a bijou bar dishing up some of the city’s finest ramen. Most of the ramen options clock in at $25, and there are plenty of cold and hot sides you can add if the budget stretches a bit further. Cocktails, shochu highballs and Japanese beer on tap are the perfect foils.

Den Ramen Bar, 22A Cross St

At yakitori bar Acho’s, skewers are the go-to for night-time diners while lunch visitors get to pick from excellent $20 deals. Choices include a set with either a bao filled with karaage chicken, barbecue pork belly, vegan croquette or egg salad, or a riceball, both served with soup and sides, or opt for daily rice and curry or dry ramen.

Acho’s, 309 Karangahape Rd

Lollo’s serves up Roman-style pizza by the slice from a bright red container perched behind the Beresford Square entrance to Karanga-a-Hape Station. Italian and organic New Zealand flour go into a dough that’s fermented for 72 hours before it’s loaded with toppings and baked in big rectangular trays. You can grab a slice for around $7, and there are plenty of toppings to choose from. Get there before the sun sets though: opening hours are 12–4pm or until sold out. It’s (rather conveniently, surely) parked beside the Whakamana Cannabis Museum, which is also a dispensary of legal medicinal cannabis.

Lollo’s Pizza, 19 Beresford Square

Food halls are great when you have different palates to please, and Lim Chhour Foodcourt in the heart of K’ Road is just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. Take your pick from Sichuan malatang hot pot or stir-fries, Japanese-style sizzling steak plates and curry sets, Thai classics, dishes of Malaysian noodles steaming with wok hei aroma, and expertly rolled sushi and nigiri from a spot that’s been serving loyal customers for decades.

Lim Chhour Foodcourt, 184 Karangahape Rd

A kaleidoscope of mithai (Indian sweets) rubs shoulders with savoury snacks like samosa chaat and pani puri, which you can enjoy upstairs in the light-filled dining room of this heritage building that stands out with its narrow footprint and arched roof.

Mithaiwala, 256 Karangahape Rd

A 10-minute walk from Abstract Hotel in the neighbouring suburb of Eden Terrace you’ll find one of the city’s most lauded hidden gems. Staff at the counter of Carmel – Israeli Street Food greet you with a sample of their famously fluffy falafel, making it very hard not to immediately order a full serving. They come atop a bed of colourful salad, or stuffed along with salad and delicious sauces into the housemade gravity-defyingly puffy pita. There are meaty options too: chicken marinated and grilled or crisped up schnitzel style, and look out for the slow-cooked brisket that sometimes appears as a weekend special.

Carmel – Israeli Street Food, 67b France St South