Taste of Takapuna

October is all about DINING and FOOD in Takapuna – we want to showcase just how many fantastic places there are to eat and drink.

So take a moment to explore our featured businesses, read about the Chefs, dishes and ingredients that make up their menus. Learn about the stories behind the businesses, the concepts or the culture. Take on the challenge of recreating some of their dishes yourselves! And then, take up some of the great deals and offers, to visit and experience their food first hand.

Recipes of Taste of Takapuna

We’ve arrived at the end of October, and the end of Taste of Takapuna 2023. Hopefully you got out and tried some of the incredible food Takapuna has to offer! If you’d like to take some of the flavour home with you, we’ve got three top recipes from some of our favourite North Shore restaurants to try at home. Enjoy! Tuna “Sinuglaw” Ceviche – Nanam Nanam is top quality cuisine, in modern Filipino style. Fresh and zesty flavours galore. Executive Chef Jess Granada shares the recipe for her tasty flash-grilled tuna ceviche. Ingredients: Method: Simple Carbonara – Botticelli Botticelli is famous for its incredible Italian flavours paired with live music and good times. This simple yet yummy Carbonara recipe is one way to take a

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The fascinating story of Regatta’s ultra-fresh seafood

Andy Ruzich, owner and chief joybringer at Regatta Bar & Eatery, has a connection with the sea that transcends into the heart of his restaurant. Growing up as an avid free diver, scuba diver, and fisherman, Andy’s love of the ocean inspired the seafood-centric essence of Regatta Bar. As part of our Taste of Takapuna celebration, we spoke with Andy about Regatta’s incredible seafood, and how it gets from the sea to a table on Auckland’s North Shore. Locally sourced seafood The seafood story starts in the ocean to the west of Leigh, a small town just north of Auckland, close to the Goat Island Marine Reserve. Regatta Bar & Eatery has a relationship with local boutique fishing company, Lee Fish, which supplies daily catch

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The best of baking and sweet treats Takapuna

Do you have a penchant for all things sweet? Well, we’ve got plenty of sweet spots here in Takapuna to satisfy your cravings. Here is a morsel of favourites from around Takapuna! Richoux Patisserie Indulge in the finest French pastries at Richoux Patisserie, catering to every sugar lover’s fantasy with an enticing array of slices, cakes, brownies, and more. Prepare for a dilemma as you choose between the zesty Ginger Pistachio Slice, the classic Black Forest Slice, and the comforting Apple Strudel. Your sweet adventure begins here. Little & Friday Little & Friday is about dishing up homemade delights loaded with fresh, organic, and free-range goodness. It’s the go-to spot for epic sweet treats and a caffeine fix. Pop into their Hurstmere Road café and

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Best business lunches in Takapuna

Stepping out for the old eat ‘n’ meet, or treating a valued client? Takapuna boasts the North Shore’s finest lunchtime culinary gems. This month is Taste of Takapuna 2023 – the perfect excuse to take your meetings to the street and try something new. Here’s a lineup of must-visit spots for hashing out those last details. Takapuna Beach Cafe Takapuna Beach Cafe is a fantastic spot for a networking lunch. Dreamy beachfront location, laid-back atmosphere, and a diverse menu of fresh, light food that covers off even the pickiest eater in the office. Enjoy your meal on the sun-soaked deck with a view that’ll make your food taste even better. Or, and bear with us for a second here, we wholly endorse the concept of

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Gluten-free dining in Takapuna

Do you follow a gluten-free diet? No worries! Takapuna boasts a feast of fantastic cafes and restaurants catering to various dietary preferences. Here are just five of our favourite places with amazing gluten-free options, picked for Taste of Takapuna October 2023. Jam Organic Cafe Jam Organic Cafe isn’t just about serving delicious food; it’s also a hub of good vibes, friendly faces and super healthy brekky or lunch. With heaps of gluten-free options, we recommend the range of delicious omelettes, the good ol’ Sweetcorn Fritters, or the Chicken Breast Salad, complete with mango, grilled halloumi, avocado, wild rocket, toasted almond, aioli, and kumara crisps. And don’t forget to cap off your meal with a round of their irresistible gluten-free Peanut Brownie Bliss Balls. Street Organics

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myung dong restaurant dish

Eating Korean in Auckland’s North Shore

Nothing quite tickles the taste buds like a good piece of kimchi. Korean cuisine is bursting with bold flavours, incredible textures, and a dash of adventure. It’s the cuisine of the moment, with some brand new Korean spots joining the established restaurants around town. Here’s your passport to some of the coolest Korean spots in Takapuna. Bando Bando is the new kid on the block, and it’s making waves with its funky bar vibes, live music, and mouthwatering Korean cuisine. Bando is your new go-to spot if you’re a Korean fried chicken fan. Choose from four traditional and tasty preparations – crispy, sweet and spicy, soy fried, or with a generous sprinkle of spring onions. Where: 7/1 The Strand, Takapuna Box’d If you’re in the

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Takapuna’s cosy cafés and fireside hangouts

There’s no excuse for hunkering at home this winter! Nothing beats settling into a warm and cosy café or pub on a winter’s day, indulging in tasty kai, delicious beverages, and fantastic company. With some of Auckland’s best bars and eateries, here’s our guide to inviting Takapuna hangouts to visit this winter. Joe’s Eatery The first stop is Joe’s Eatery – a snug haven in the heart of Takapuna, with rustic décor and a relaxed vibe that instantly makes you feel at home. Along with scrumptious food, Joe’s provides entertainment too. Get in on fun, informal events like gin night, when the tantalising taste of botanicals takes centre stage; and wine night, when you’ll discover new favourite vino varieties. Order a signature shared platter, relax

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Heartwarming cocktail recipes from local experts

That chill is finally here and it’s time to wrap up with a woolly blanket and a cocktail with a little kick to warm the soul. We talked to some of our favourite cocktail connoisseurs right here on the North Shore, at CarbonSix Distillery and Regatta Bar & Eatery. Read on for some hot cocktail ideas. CarbonSix Distillery – Rufus & Val                  CarbonSix mainly produces gin, rum and vodka. As well as their own brand Rufus and Val produce on contract for other famous New Zealand liquor brands at their North Shore distillery. They just cannot be stopped from distilling! “It’s more a passion,” Rufus says. “We just love creating interesting spirits.” His favourite is the Takapuna Black Gin, while Val is partial to a

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Takapuna’s top 5 hearty meals

As the temperature drops in Auckland, it’s time to say goodbye to summer salads and hello to some seriously delicious comfort food. We’ve scoured the best restaurants on the North Shore and come up with five hearty meals that will leave you feeling more than suitably satiated. Lobster Open Burger – Catch 21 Known for its relaxed atmosphere and groovy nautical-themed vibe, Catch 21 Eatery is the place for seafood aficionados to tuck into a good hearty lunch. Their new menu is out now, and we can highly recommend their signature dish – the open Lobster Burger, featuring a decadent garlic butter lobster tail, bread & butter pickles, tomato, lettuce, tartare sauce, onion rings, parmesan steak fries and spiced truffle hollandaise. This is the perfect

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