A vegetarian paradise in Auckland

Living in the Inner West of Sydney, we have it pretty good when it comes to vegetarian and vegan food. When we travel, it often requires a little more work – especially when you don’t know the local layout.

This wasn’t a problem on a recent visit to Aotearoa New Zealand though. Staying in central Auckland, there was no chance that this pair of vegetarian wanderers were going to go hungry. In fact, I’d probably go so far as to say this was one of the best

From quick eats to all-you-can-eat events and sweet treats, here’s our picks for having a herbivore’s delight in the "Big Little City".

Vegan feast: East

This spot appeared on virtually every list we found—and for good reason: all vegan yum cha. (It fills the void left by Bodhi in Sydney when it closed a few years ago). Located on Nelson Street in Auckland’s CBD, just a short stroll from the Sky Tower, it’s the perfect place for an extended lunch, where it’s nearly impossible not to order everything. Drawing inspiration from across Asia, the menu features delights like Vietnamese spring rolls, Gochujang cauliflower, lotus root and chestnut wontons, and an array of steamed and fried yum cha offerings. So... when’s the next flight to Auckland?

63-67 Nelson Street, Auckland Central, Auckland | Website

Night out: Hello Beasty

It’s rare to find a cool waterside spot that not only boasts two hats in the Cuisine Good Food Awards but also offers a separate vegetarian menu. Whether you’re seated at a table or, like us, overlooking the bustling kitchen, you’ll want to try it all. We could have devoured a family bucket of the spicy gochujang-glazed ‘KFC’ Korean fried cauliflower, and anything drenched in Schezwan tomato and sesame sauce is equally worth a stop.

95-97 Customs Street West, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland | Website

Cheap eats: Sunflower Thai Vegan

Inconspicuously tucked away in an arcade on High Street, this reliable spot for a quick and casual bite is easy to miss—but worth seeking out. Serving all-vegan takes on Thai classics alongside special dishes like teriyaki ‘shroom on rice and hoisin duck bao buns, it’s nearly impossible to resist ordering more than a couple of plates.

6/50 High Street, Auckland Central, Auckland | Facebook

Breakfast: Odette’s Kitchen

You know when you’re looking for one thing and stumble on something wonderful? That was us with this Mediterranean-influenced kitchen in the foodie-centric City Works Depot. While open all day, we hit up Odette’s for a breakfast/brunch. One of our favourites was the Menemen – a chilli scrambled eggs, tomato chilli ragu, pecorino and some toast. Super friendly and in a wonderfully appointed location.

Shed 5, City Works Depot 90 Wellesley St, Auckland | Website

BONUS PICKS: If there’s a comfort breakfast bite we like more than smashed avo, it’s a bagel and schmear. There’s a bunch of bagel joints in Central Auckland (including the Best Ugly Bagels chain), but we really enjoyed the NYC-style Federal Delicatessen across from the Sky Tower. Come for breakfast, stay for the pie.

A variety of petit gateau including one shaped like a mushroom with a bright red top

Something sweet: Miann

The cakes here are so beautiful you may not want to eat them. I’m not even joking when I say that we may have called in here every day during a week in Auckland. The lovingly crafted petit gateau – including the mousse-filled Magic Mushroom – were matched only by the viral Matcha Mont Blanc cone that you can watch being prepared before your hungry eyes.

Arthur Nathan Lobby, 37 Galway. Street, Britomart, Auckland (also in Ponsonby) | Website

Other eats and beers

While this is just a snapshot of some of our favourites, there were stacks of other places we enjoyed a bite and a beer. One of our first stops, in fact, was Brew on Quay, a craft beer bar with enough vege delights to keep us satiated. We loved 16 Tun for very similar reasons, especially when there’s an Impossible Meat Smashburger on the menu.

There’s also Wise Boys, a plant-based burger chain that we didn’t get to try on this trip, but can’t wait to try next time we’re over the Tasman. Also, who knew that downtown Auckland is filled with Mexican and Tex-Mex delights?