In case you missed it: Auckland Restaurant Month highlights

August 2025 marked a major milestone for Heart of the City’s Auckland Restaurant Month: its 15th year!

The month-long celebration continues to showcase the creativity, diversity, and world-class calibre of Auckland’s hospitality scene. We look forward to it every year, not just for the chance to explore a curated list of 100+ dining gems, but also to join in exclusive events and collaborations between iconic Auckland eateries and international chefs.

Throughout August, Aucklanders had their pick of diverse dining experiences and set menus at $30, $45, and $55+ price points, always offering excellent value for money.

Viv Beck, Chief Executive of Heart of the City, puts it best:
“It’s a celebration of everything that makes this part of Auckland special, the creativity of our chefs, the diversity of our hospitality, and the unique experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else.”

While Auckland Restaurant Month has wrapped for 2025, we wanted to share a couple of standout moments. These events alone already have us marking our calendars for next year, and we recommend you mark yours too.

The Burnt Butter Table x Esther

One of dish magazine’s most-loved restaurants, Esther, hosted a collaboration between Head Chef Sean Connolly and beloved food blogger Emilie Pullar of The Burnt Butter Table. Together they delivered a one-off celebration of handmade pasta and bold, beautiful flavours. Emilie’s signature sauces and cult-favourite creations met Sean’s Mediterranean flair in a three-course shared menu. The night felt part pasta masterclass, part joyous dinner party, with a roaming cocktail cart adding to the fun.

Advieh x Gareth Stewart & Robin Wagner

Commercial Bay gem Advieh is known for marrying refined local dining with Middle Eastern flavours and techniques. For one special night, Head Chef Gareth Stewart welcomed Robin Wagner of Aurora (Adelaide) for a six-course celebration of creativity, seasonality, and bold trans-Tasman flair. Blending Gareth’s produce-led approach with Robin’s expressive modern Australian style, the collaborative menu was full of surprises. We are still thinking about the coastal lamb tartare, the chicken liver baklava, and the rum-soaked sunchokes for dessert.

Auckland Restaurant Month has rightfully grown into one of the most anticipated fixtures on New Zealand’s hospitality calendar. It adds vibrancy to the city centre during what would otherwise be a quieter month for restaurants, while spotlighting the chefs, venues, and communities shaping the way Auckland eats.

Whether you are a local or a visitor, Auckland Restaurant Month deserves a spot on your radar next August, and every August after.