Taste of success for local eateries2 min read
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Five local eateries have proved they are among Auckland’s tastiest spots, taking top honours in this year’s Iconic Auckland Eats awards for their standout dishes.
Organised by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited in partnership with Restaurant Hub, the awards celebrate iconic dishes rather than restaurants. Three judges selected the Top 100 dishes from more than 2,400 public nominations.
In Onehunga, Manaia Seafood Boil (31 Hill Street) won with its lobster tail bundle. Nominator, Jia Lin, wrote, “The Lobster Tail Bubble Bundle should win because it’s more than a dish – it’s an experience. From the moment you open it and the steam hits, to buttery lobster dipped in rich sauce, to messy hands and happy faces around the table. That’s what’s iconic.”
Lot Nineteen (22 Waller Street) took out a spot on the list with its Biscoff roll. Nominator, Jane Atterbury-Leaf, wrote, “If we’re lucky, we get to Lot Nineteen when the Biscoff rolls are still hot from the oven. Golden brown, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. We eat them straight away, despite the mess of warm icing dripping down fingers. It is absolute doughy bliss.”
Meanwhile, Hill House Café (72 Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough) wowed judges with its famous ‘sin-in-a-bun’.
Nominator, JT Bailey, wrote, “There’s no other meal in the city I’ll start loosening my belt for, hours before even arriving. They’re that good. No, they’re that amazing. The memory of that sweet decadence has me waking up, drooling. Made to share, but you won’t – believe me.”
In Royal Oak, Takashi Japanese Kitchen (774 Manukau Road) earned a place on the list with its Aburi salmon sushi. Nominator, Amber Lee says wrote, “I’ve been eating the Aburi salmon sushi and all the other delish food from Takashi for as long as I can remember. I’ve introduced lots of friends to Takashi and they all always go back! We love to buy packs of sushi and go picnicking at Cornwall Park.”
Hong Kong Bakery (8 Coronation Road, Māngere Bridge) also made the Top 100 with its much-loved BBQ pork buns. According to nominator, Katherine Mrkela, “My dad used to buy these four at a time (one for himself, one for my mum, and two more for him to eat in secret on the way home). Dad came back to New Zealand for my wedding, and says they are just as good as they were 26 years ago. (My husband ate three).”
So if you’re keen for a top-tier feed, it might be time to pull up hungry and see what all the hype is about!
