October is Taste of Takapuna month — a celebration of the incredible places to eat and drink around Takapuna.
And this year, we’re setting you a challenge: how many of our must-try dishes can you tick off the list?
Every dish you try gives you the chance to WIN a $500 Takapuna dining voucher, so you can keep eating your way around even more of the fantastic eateries our neighbourhood has to offer.
Ready to take on the challenge?
On your marks… get set… EAT!
HOW IT WORKS:
Below is all of the Taste of Takapuna Must-Try Dishes, and here is a downloadable list that you can save to your device. Each time you try one of the dishes below, you get another chance to win!
How to enter …
- Download
the Taste of Takapuna: Must-Try Dishes list HERE (or follow along below) - Visit and order
from any of the Must-Try businesses during October 2026 - ENTER ONLINE
Take a picture of the dish, and upload it in our online entry form with your details
… and you’re in to WIN a $500 Takapuna dining voucher!
Each dish = one entry, so the more dishes you try in October, the more chances you have to win!
SPOT PRIZES: Share your photo on social media, and tag us ( @ilovetakapuna ) AND the business, and you’ll ALSO be in the draw to win a weekly $50 dining voucher!
T’s and C’s apply. Entries open from 1-31 October 2026 only.
MEET THE MUST-TRY DISHES OF 2026:
A fiery bowl featuring Ajisen’s rich Kumamoto-style pork broth, topped with tamago and crispy spicy chicken karaage. Perfect for customers who enjoy bold flavours and a satisfying kick.
Layers of fresh pasta filled with beef bolognese, house made Bechamel & Napoletana sauce, topped with fresh mozzarella cheese, extra virgin olive oil & Grana Padano.
A tantalizing creation that features a perfectly seasoned chicken patty infused with a bold blend of spices, resulting in a mouthwatering symphony of flavors.
Free-range chicken, braised chickpeas, kale, pickled daikon, shallots, red cabbage, crispy dukkah, hummus, sumac vinaigrette and a mix of brown rice and fresh salad greens.
Premium beef brisket, slow-cooked until melt-in-your-mouth tender, layered with fresh fancy lettuce, tomato, onion, crunchy slaw, sweet grilled pineapple and a perfectly fried egg—all tucked into a brioche burger bun. Big, juicy and seriously satisfying!
Loaded with around 200g of thinly sliced Wagyu topside steak, seared with green peppers and onions, then finished with Monterey Jack and our house-made Cheese Whiz, this is one seriously satisfying sandwich. We’ll happily admit it’s our homage to the classic Philadelphia staple rather than a strict recreation, NZ produce is simply too good not to put our own spin on it. We guarantee this sandwich won’t disappoint. Want to take it to the next level? Add a side of our smoked beef consommé for dipping.
Entrée’s: Aburi Salmon Sashimi, Miso Soup, Daikoku Salad, Yum-Yum Prawns, Scallops.
Your choice of main: Salmon Fillet OR Scotch Fillet Steak.
PLUS Teppan Vegetables, Chop-Chop Fried Rice, and Matcha Ice Cream for dessert.
A famous Vietnamese dish featuring grilled pork patties and sliced pork, served with a crispy spring roll, fresh rice vermicelli, mixed salad, and a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. It’s smoky, fresh, savoury, and full of authentic Hanoi flavours.
A 250g deep-fried crumbed Colombian pork schnitzel style, served with a side, a sauce and salad.
The cookie your friends told you to try.
Burnt butter, macadamia, mango, white chocolate with a lemon curd centre and a sprinkle of sumac & coriander salt.
Some say the best Beef & Guinness Pie this side of Ireland!
Tender slow-cooked chuck beef braised IN a subtle Guinness gravy, served in a large flaky pastry case on colcannon, garden peas, draped with rich onion jus & topped with CRUNCHY slivers of baked kumara.
Our best sellers in one combo that’s only available during Taste of Takapuna.
Chicken Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Pork, 3 Wontons and 3 Vege Spring Rolls.
Golden, flaky layers filled with rich pistachio cream, topped with dark chocolate and crushed pistachios. Crisp on the outside, soft and creamy in the centre.
Slow roasted delicious, fall off the bone beef shin, 1.8kg-2.5kg, bourbon BBQ sauce, jalapeño slaw, Goldie’s house fries, onion rings, creamed corn, cowboy caviar, Texan toast & jalapeño honey butter.
(Serves 3-4 people)
Chargrilled Beef wrapped in Betal leaves, served with fine vermicelli noodles, salad and pickled veggies, and dipping fish sauce.
Sweet, spicy, saucy and absolutely no regrets. Our Fried Buttermilk Chicken & Waffle is dripping in sriracha maple syrup.
Come get yours at Honey Cafe Takapuna 🍯
Not your Average Toastie!
JAM Café’s signature range takes the classic toasted sandwich up a notch, with everything from familiar favourites to flavour-packed combinations featuring kimchi, kasundi, pesto, tamarind and more.
Delight in our signature soft and fluffy waffle combo, served warm alongside a generous scoop of rich chocolate gelato and fresh toppings. A melt-in-your-mouth fusion of warm and cool sweetness that every dessert lover must try!
Chef-selected chicken coated in Katsu Tei’s original fresh breadcrumbs, then fried until light and crispy using our premium frying oil imported from Japan and refined to exceptional purity through a patented process.
Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, served with your choice of our original Mild or Spicy sauce.
From the ingredients to the breadcrumbs, frying oil and cooking technique, every detail reflects our commitment to bringing authentic Japanese katsu to New Zealand.
Our NEW Taro Frozen Yoghurt – smooth, creamy and full of delicious taro flavour.
Create it your way with your favourite toppings from our huge self-serve topping selection.
We have upgraded our famous Bacon Butty.
The BLT is stacked with bacon, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and toasted artisan sourdough. Then we add our creamy house-made Thousand Island dressing to create the perfect bite every time. Whether it’s lunch on the go or a relaxed café catch-up, this sandwich hits the spot.
Power your day with plant-based protein, fresh veggies and wholesome goodness. The perfect vegan breakfast to fuel your workout and keep you going.
Green lipped Mussel fritter, on a slice of soft tube loaf bread, served with house-made tartare sauce, and topped with our pickled mussels.
This year we are building our offer around the two dishes Nanam is known for: our Pork Lechon, named one of Auckland’s Iconic Eats, and our Wagyu Longganisa. They are the dishes that first put us on the map in Takapuna, and we wanted the whole set menu to sit around them.
Enjoy Tapas to share – Ceviche and Wagyu Longganisa, and your choice of main from Pork Lechon, or Beef Cheek, with rice for the table.
Add your choice of dessert for $10. Available for the month of October only.
Grilled marinated steak, pico de gallo, Colby Jack cheese, chipotle mayo, guacamole, pickled radish, shredded ‘berg, fries , chipotle queso.
Tender grilled arrow squid served with rich tomato ragù, chilli, garlic, crispy shallots and frag rant coriander oil. A bold, smoky and flavour-packed dish made for sharing.
Japanese Wagyu Scotch, paired with a squid-ink prawn cracker and mustard mayo, bringing together rich Wagyu and delicate seafood in a refined surf & turf balance.
The roots of the brand and the meat date back to traditional Spanish husbandry. Iberian hams
are made from indigenous black pigs that roam the ancient oak pastures, known as the dehesa, in
regions like Salamanca and Extremadura. These pigs exercise and forage for natural foods, particularly sweet acorns (bellotas) during the montanera season. This unique diet fills the meat with heart-healthy oleic acid—the same healthy fat found in olive oil. The ham legs are then carefully salted, washed, and naturally aged in temperature-controlled cellars, allowing the rich, complex flavors
to fully mature.
Our famous LCHF Blueberry Protein Pancake is light, fluffy and packed with protein. Topped with keto berry compote, coconut yoghurt and our keto peanut butter caramel, it’s delicious and satisfying but won’t leave you feeling heavy. All the deliciousness of pancakes, just with more nutritious goodness packed in.
W/ pecorino + confit garlic butter.
Vegetarian, Can be DF on request.
A popular Japanese noodle dish featuring our signature whole-wheat and buckwheat noodles. Mix everything together and customise your bowl with your choice of proteins and toppings, then enjoy it in our cosy Japanese-style individual booth seating.
Served with home made salsa, basil pesto, onion relish.
Rich, Indulgent, Unforgettable.
Thick brioche French toast topped with caramelised banana, crispy bacon, fresh seasonal fruit, creamy mascarpone and a generous drizzle of Canadian maple syrup.
Clean and delicate flavour of kingfish balanced by grapefruit citrus, with the coconut cream giving it creamy and aromatic character.
Build your bowl, your way. Choose your favourite açaí or frozen yoghurt base and load it up with fresh fruit, crunchy toppings and everything healthy! For something a little more indulgent, create your dream bowl with our premium frozen yoghurt, decadent sauces, chocolates and your favourite sweet treats!
Can YOU try them all? 🤩😋
Check out all the other fantastic places to eat and drink around Takapuna in our full directory here, and don’t forget to VOTE for your favourite Hospo buinesses this month in our Taste of Takapuna People’s Choice Awards!