Auckland's Top Eats, Drinks & Shops: Insider Guide by Local Expert

We tapped Amy Fraser, a New Zealand native and the founder of OKREAL, a website and community that empowers women through curated wisdom shared via mentor circles, for a hit list of her top spots for eating, drinking, and shopping in Auckland.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – After living in New York City for the past nine years, I recently returned to the fair shores of New Zealand, my home country, to have my first baby. I have loved rediscovering Auckland. These are some of my favorite spots.

Where to Eat and Drink

Coco's Cantina
376 Karangahape Rd., Auckland Central; +64-9300-7582
Go to Coco's if you feel like a family dinner without the crazy relatives. The food and atmosphere are jolly, cozy, and down to earth. The place has a great sense of humor, too: They publish all of their bad reviews on their website.

Dear Jervois
234 Jervois Rd., Herne Bay; +64-9376-7278
My go-to for breakfast and lunch with an expansive menu and the friendliest staff. I'm a sucker for small novelties, so I appreciate the single-serve butter brought to the table in twisted-up wax wrapping. I don't know why this is so appealing.

The Caretaker
40 Roukai Ln., Auckland Central
Far too cool for a set menu, the crew at this cocktail bar will ask what you feel like drinking and make something for you. I went here on a date once and lost my phone in the bathroom and some honest soul delivered it safely to the barman, which made me like this place even more.

Dizengoff
256 Ponsonby Rd., Ponsonby; +64-9360-0108
Almost everywhere in Auckland does good coffee, but this is the OG of coffee spots. You know a place is old-school (in a good way) when they don't have a website.

Bethells Beach Cafe
Bethells Beach, Muriwai; +64-9810-9381
One of Auckland's black sand west coast beaches is a key destination on a summer day. The beach cafe is a caravan parked up on the grass that has been there for ages (always a good sign). West is best.

Where to Shop

Lonely
6B Teed St., Newmarket; +64-9522-1566
The birch-and-mortar shop from a New Zealand-based design house makes shopping for undies a real delight. Tucked down the end of a dark walkway, you're welcomed into a plush room with soft, sexy lighting and an intimate vibe.

Superette
282 Ponsonby Rd., Ponsonby; +64-9360-2360
Everything you need in one spot for buying a whole new wardrobe. One of my best friends owns this place — go spend all your money there!

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