Latest Auckland dining out reviews

• Invito

  - 7 Bacons Lane freeway, Auckland Central (CBD Only) AUCK

  Overall 1.8 - Food 1, Ambience 0, Value 1, Service 5

  What a shame as in July last year had a great experience at this restaurant, but after yesterday's lunch experience, I won't be returning.

  Firstly the place needs a good clean, everything (tables, floors, windows, toilets) looked grimy and dirty, so I despair to think what state the kitchen was in.

  Steak sandwich was a joke - the steak was so thin it was practically non-existent and came minus the caramelised onions and chutney detailed on the menu. When I queried as to where they were I was instructed to look under the steak - felt like I was playing hide and seek, but still no sight of anything. When I'd almost finished I was presented with a saucer containing caramelised onion, but had to remind again to get some chutney - another wait and along came a small dish of mango chutney - not what I'd serve with a steak sandwich. Very disappointing.

  My daughter had a mochachino which she said was nothing more than hot chocolate, so she left it. She also ordered creme brulee with tuile, but there was no tuile and when we asked for it we were told they had run out.

  I hope the new owners of this restaurant will try to do something to sort their problems, as they won't be in business for long if they don't.   (leannex - May, 2012)

• Albany Speights Ale House

  - 12 Oteha Valley Road Extension, Albany AUCK

  Overall 2.5 - Food 1, Ambience 3, Value 2, Service 4

  It is wrong to charge $30+ for a steak that has been tenderised and is merely served with packet chips and mesclun salad, a peppercorn sauce should be that, it should not be a gravy with a couple of peppercorns in it! The ribs are not BBQ ribs but just a pressure cooked set with a gravy poured over, I make better at home. Will not go back.   (Cyn - April, 2012)

• ATHIDI on Parnell

  - 4/323 Parnell rd, Parnell AUCK

  Overall 5 - Food 5, Ambience 5, Value 5, Service 5

  We had a lovely time at Athidi restaurant in Parnell, lovely setting and the food was top class! No complaints! We look forward to the next Groupon voucher!   (Adele - April, 2012)

• Blankenberge Belgian Beer Cafe

  - 136 Hurstmere rd, Takapuna AUCK

  Overall 3 - Food 2, Ambience 4, Value 3, Service 3

  First and last time we will go there! 3 of us dining, new waiter, very unsure of himself but tried hard. Starter seafood platter very nice. Mains Steak perfect, Salmon very average, Pork chop very over cooked served with under cooked potato, sent back, 2nd chop cooked well but served with the same potato cut smaller and microwaved, still under cooked in places. Dessert of waffles was nice but had to request extra maple syrup, hardly anything on the plate originally. Also took nearly 3 hours for the whole meal, despite not being very busy. Then when I got home I was violently sick!! ? coincidence?   (Ebigum - April, 2012)

• Raviz Indian Cuisine - Ellerslie

  - 120 Main Highway, Ellerslie AUCK

  Overall 0 - Food 0, Ambience 0, Value 0, Service 0

  ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED WITH MY TAKEAWAYS ON SUNDAY NIGHT.

  bought two curries takeaway, a tikka masala and a butter chicken, the tikka had a measly FOUR pieces of chicken and the butter chicken had SIX, what a complete rip off! 10 pieces of chicken for $30 odd dollars? THATS NUTS! would not recommend this place to anybody, I have contacted their head office to complain but have not heard a single peep from them, not even to acknowledge my complaint or let me know that they received it. HAVE NEVER FELT SO RIPPED OFF BY A TAKEAWAY PLACE. As a business that relies on the locals support to continue running I think this is absolutely shocking. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND!!!!!   (WHAT A RIP OFF!!! - April, 2012)

• ATHIDI on Parnell

  - 4/323 Parnell rd, Parnell AUCK

  Overall 8.5 - Food 10, Ambience 5, Value 10, Service 9

  We followed the sign to find Athidi down the alley but thought the restaurant would benefit from having a sign hanging from the beam above the steps to make it easier for customers to find it. We eat out at many restaurants and often at indian. This restaurant had excellent food. The flavours were delicious and the chicken very tender. Our waiter was rather formal and quietly spoken but very polilte and accommodating. We did have to get glasses from an adjoining table though. The only thing to make our dining experience better would have been to have side plates with our entrees as it is difficult to share entrees without making a mess. Well done Athidi.   (eve - April, 2012)

• Cafe Hanoi

  - Cnr Galway and Commerce Sts,Britomart, Auckland Central (CBD Only) AUCK

  Overall 8.3 - Food 9, Ambience 7, Value 8, Service 9

  Excellent looking food and fast pleassent service, will visit again   (Adam - See my reviews (2) - April, 2012)

• Bach'n Cafe

  - 249 Maraetai Dve, Maraetai AUCK

  Overall 4.3 - Food 8, Ambience 4, Value 5, Service 0

  Thought it would be a nice treat to drive out to clevedon and round to the bach, the cafe next door was shut and would normally prefer that one as they never charge extra surcharge on long weekend. however we gave the Bach another go. On entering we saw a waitress and asked should we order at counter or take a seat, she said take a seat, we were ignored for 15 minutes, so I went to counter and 2 people before me were ordering food to eat in, one guy in front of me was told to order from his table, he refused as had been waiting too long, I said I would order and was told i needed to pay, I refused as I was not confident the food would arrive in time, they made a fuss and treated us as if we were queue jumpers and felt important. In summery staff are un-organised and seem to see you as an inconvenience, we were told the salmon for my wifes bagel was not available, to be told 5 mins later it was available! it arrived toasted but cold. Lucky for the bach the were one of the few open that day, I nearly walked twice, by the way staff clear the tables and greet people at the door, you lost at least 3 customers as they looked lost in the doorway with dirty tables and no direction to sit down, 8 tables were reserved but in the hour i was there no one used them. major work needed to service, food was good eventually   (Easter Monday 2012 - April, 2012)

• Tip Siam Restaurant

  - 152 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna AUCK

  Overall 1 - Food 4, Ambience 0, Value 0, Service 0

  very disappointed in the owners attitude, she refused to honour our coupon for a second main for half price, we went here as we had not been before because we had the voucher and if we liked our experience we would have returned , but because of her talking above us as we tried to explain our coupon she out right did not want to know …we will not be returning there ever again..very disappointed in her attitude !   (j.shaw - March, 2012)

• Babas Curry Cafe

  - 1 Puriri Rd, Whenuapai AUCK

  Overall 9.3 - Food 10, Ambience 9, Value 9, Service 9

  this is the best curry you can get, if you love flavour and spice then this is the place to go, very resonible prices and byo makes it very cost effective. we often try other indian restaurants but they just don’t compare so we just keep going back.

  definately recommend to all curry lovers   (PETER - March, 2012)

• ATHIDI on Parnell

  - 4/323 Parnell rd, Parnell AUCK

  Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

  we found the restaurant tucked away, but were amazed by the setting, food and the excellent service.A truly fantastic experience   (Liz Rouse - February, 2012)

• McHughs of Cheltenham

  - 46 Cheltenham rd, Devonport AUCK

  Overall 2 - Food 1, Ambience 5, Value 1, Service 1

  Had my sons wedding here. The food was terrible and very over priced. The venue looked very tired, pity because being by the sea is great, but when it is dark you could be anywhere.   (maggorie - February, 2012)

• Raviz Indian Cuisine - Ponsonby

  - 164 Ponsonby rd, Ponsonby AUCK

  Overall 9.5 - Food 9, Ambience 9, Value 10, Service 10

  food was very good so was the wait staff perfect service will definitely recommend to my other friends. they have $10 mains deal all over the week for lunch from all the menu and $10 deal for their dinners first 3dayz of the week. i m loving it....!!!!!   (0212800123 - February, 2012)

• Thai Tradition Restaurant

  - 130 Hill rd, Manurewa AUCK

  Overall 7.8 - Food 10, Ambience 7, Value 7, Service 7

  I have never had a bad time at this restaurant the staff are always polite and quick to serve.Our new favorite Thai restaurant.   (the Peppers - January, 2012)

• Zap 4 Esan Thai Cuisine

  - 10 Commerce st, Auckland Central (CBD Only) AUCK

  Overall 6.5 - Food 6, Ambience 5, Value 9, Service 6

  Busy bustling place good for a quick but filling lunch always very busy   (Niclouyou - January, 2012)

• Aubergine-Takapuna

  - 129 Hurstmere rd, Takapuna AUCK

  Overall 5 - Food 5, Ambience 5, Value 5, Service 5

  The service was extremly slow had to ask the waitress for our meal and the spoke to the manager / owner some time later as 1 Hr 20 minutes is an extreme wait for a meal and when the bill came and we asked for some consideration to this poor service we were just ignored and it could have bben worse as the table next to us had to wait 1 Hr 30 minutes for there meal. Would not recomend the service is poor and the attitude is equally poor. The food was average. Rob H   (Rob Hewitt - January, 2012)

• Santa Lucia Restaurant

  - 51 Tamaki drv, Mission Bay AUCK

  Overall 5 - Food 5, Ambience 5, Value 5, Service 5

  I would suggest anyone wanting to BYO wine should check the corkage fee. I understand it to be $10 per bottle. Shame as I had enjoyed several great evenings at this restaurant prior to this fee being introduced.   (Old time customer - January, 2012)

• Gengy's - Manukau

  - 12 Lakewood st, Manukau Heights AUCK

  Overall 10 - Food 10, Ambience 10, Value 10, Service 10

  Been here a few times now,always the same.........brilliant, I tell all our friends and contacts about the place Well done to all staff & management   (colin - December, 2011)

• Neptune Cafe & Bar

  - Unit 1, Shed 23, Viaduct, Auckland Central (CBD Only) AUCK

  Overall 9.5 - Food 10, Ambience 9, Value 9, Service 10

  Great food great people great spot on water.Frequently eat there always pleased.Chef no1.   (chris orchard - December, 2011)

• Fish Pot Cafe

  - 99 B Tamaki drv, Mission Bay AUCK

  Overall 8.5 - Food 9, Ambience 8, Value 8, Service 9

  Beautiful Fish and Chips! can't wait to go back again!   (Wells - December, 2011)