With the City Rail Link opening this Sunday, Auckland’s city centre is about to feel a whole lot more connected and here’s exactly how to make the most of it.
Journeys that may once have felt like separate outings can now become one easy, multi-stop city adventure with an itinerary from Heart of the City: Let’s Meet in the City.
This new series of curated guides shows Aucklanders how to turn a simple trip into a full day or night out: think waterfront brunch followed by K Road drinks, shopping and cocktails across precincts, or a date night that keeps going long after dessert.
DATE NIGHT
Dinner, a show… and one more drink
Start with an early dinner at Temporo before heading to The Lucky Pony Tour at SkyCity Theatre. Afterwards, jump downtown for drinks at Kemuri Hi-Fi before checking into The Hotel Britomart. Come morning, breakfast at The Pantry means date night doesn’t technically have to end the night before.
The one that accidentally becomes a big night
Ease in with drinks at Bivacco before taking your seats for Cabaret at ASB Waterfront Theatre. Dinner at Ahi follows, with Duck Island handling dessert. Then things escalate: Flare Bar for Nights Like These, followed by The Frog on K Road for anyone not quite ready to call it a night.
GIRLS’ DAY OUT
Breakfast to margaritas
Start at Bestie Café, then head into town for a singalong at SkyCity’s Taylor Tribute Show. Art of Nails, is next, followed by a browse through Karen Walker. By late afternoon, Rosie’s Red-Hot Cantina is waiting with dinner and margaritas.
Shop, lunch, spa, Pici
Browse Fabric before heading to Dior Beauty, then settle in for a long lunch at SOUL. Spend the afternoon switching off at East Day Spa before jumping on the train to K Road for dinner and drinks at Pici.
FAMILY DAY OUT
Markets, heights and ice cream
Kick things off with a high tea at the Cordis before taking the train from Karanga a Hape to Waihorotiu Station and go sky-high at the Sky Tower. Back at ground level, grab lunch at The Brit, squeeze in a round at Holey Moley and save Ben & Jerry’s for the grand finale.
From the harbour to Middle-earth
Start the morning on the water with a Whale and Dolphin Safari, followed by lunch at Harbour Eats and something sweet from Miann. Then it’s on to Wētā Workshop before heading up to K Road, where Coco’s Cantina takes care of dinner.
FOR THE FOODIES
Pastries to sake
Coffee and a pastry at Amano is a strong opening move, with a few J’Aime macarons tucked away for later. Settle in at Hello Beasty for lunch, take an eating intermission at Auckland Art Gallery, then make room for Depot’s cookie skillet. Finish with sake at Acho’s on K Road.
Brunch, browse, repeat
Start with brioche French toast at Giraffe, walk it off along the waterfront, grab a matcha from Mokki and browse Britomart before lunch at Alma. Next stop: K Road for a Lebanese Grocer haul, before cheesecake at Fed Deli closes things out.
No endless group chat. No debating where to go next. Just pick your plan, jump on the train and go.
