Auckland Restaurant Month: a Guide

So, you may have heard that this month is Auckland Restaurant Month in the CBD. The team at Big Little City have pulled together an incredible list of deals, set menus and special events that make us want to run downtown with our rumbling tums and eat eat EAT.

There is just so much going on that it's almost difficult to tell where to start. So we checked out all the options and have come up with a pretty concise guide of things we think will be extra amazing. Have a read of this, and then head over to the Big Little City to find out more, if our list isn't long enough to satisfy you.

Events:

Hotel deBrett's Wine and Game dinner
We're big fans of Kitchen at Hotel deBrett, it's just a beautiful and welcoming place. On the 22nd of August they're creating a four course game inspired dinner with matching wines from Foxes Island wine. The Kitchen team are working with Foxes Island winemaker, John Belsham, to create a culinary experience you won't forget. Tickets cost $150. Click here for more info.

A shared family dinner at Soul Bar
People tell us all the time how difficult it can be to go out to a restaurant when they have kids, but every Sunday this month it's suddenly becoming a lot less stressful thanks to the team at Soul Bar. Take your seats at 6pm and they'll serve you a five course Italian-inspired family meal with a glass of Prosecco on arrival. It costs $75 for adults and $30 for kids 14 and under. Bonus: you'll still be able to have the kids in bed by 9pm. Click here for more info.

A world of flavour at Britomart
We love a good wandering adventure, so this progressive dinner at Britomart on the 2nd of August sounds a little bit too much like a dream come true. It starts of at Tyler Street Garage, where you'll enjoy cocktails and canapes. From there you'll be dispersed to one of three different restaurants, where you'll enjoy one course before continuing on to the next. During the evening you'll be feasting on dishes at Cafe Hanoi, District Dining and Ebisu, before finishing up at 1885 for a nightcap before heading home. This five course wonder costs just $150 and includes cocktails and free valet parking. Bargain. Click here for more info.

Mad Hatter's cocktail party
The Victoria Park Market precinct is combining the awesomeness of Clooney, Libertine and La Zeppa for this amazing event on the 30th of August. You'll find yourself drinking creations like Mock Turtle Soup-tinis and eating Bag of Ham sandwiches and Hay. Sound kooky? It will be. Sound fun? YES. Probably best of all, you're encouraged to dress the part for this event. Wear a hat! Tickets cost $140 and include cocktails and canapes at all three locations. Click here for more info.

Best of the set menus
Many of the great restaurants in the CBD are offering special set menus just for the month of August, these are a few of our favourites.

Ima
You shouldn't need an excuse to go and visit Yael, but here is one anyway. This month, she's offering a two course set menu for just $40. Start off with a mind-blowing mezze platter, and then choose one of her two most popular dishes for your main: Lebanese Lamb Shoulder or Slow-cooked Moroccan Chicken.

Tyler Street Garage
This place remains one of our favourite places to go for a drink or lunch in Britomart. It's consistently great. This month they're offering a two course set menu available for dinner or lunch for just $30. Options include the snapper ceviche and the pulled pork sliders. YUM.

l'Assiette
Lovely lovely l'assiette has a two course menu on offer including a glass of French bubbles for only $29. This means you can feast on traditional beef bourgignon and a lemon tart for one pretty impressive price. Oui. Oui. Oui.

O'Connell Street Bistro
It's an enduring institution in the CBD and this month they're offering a special two or three course set menu for lunch or dinner. You'll be munching on the likes of chicken liver parfait with celeriac remoulade and risotto with seared prawns and roasted fennel. Two courses: $36.50. Three courses: $42.50.

District Dining
This place is loved by all who go to it, and for good reason - it's shared dining at its best. This month you can enjoy a set menu for $35 per person; dishes include crispy skin market fish, lamb shoulder shepherd's pie and confit chicken Maryland.

Clooney
We're going to use Auckland Restaurant Month as an excuse to be extra indulgent and head to Clooney for dinner. Get together a group of four or more people, book in for the 6 or 9 course tasting menu, and they'll give you a complimentary bottle of Moet to go with it. Nice.

Trust us, there's so much more going on during Auckland Restaurant month than we've written about here... if you want more information, Big Little City is the place to find it. Happy eating!