A quaint yet lively spot with plenty to keep you busy, Parnell is a historic suburb brimming with epic eateries, design destinations, picturesque parks and more. Denizen looked at our central suburb’s best spots for food and drink—from quaint cafés to elevated eateries, breweries to bistros, and everything in between.
Rhu opened its doors earlier this year and has since, very swiftly, established itself as a place that should be on everyone’s radar. Set in the Parnell space that once housed Alpha, Rhu is an all-day eatery serving impeccably crafted but refreshingly uncomplicated fare that reimagines classic dishes with finesse and flavour. Open all-day, from brunch to dinner and a nightcap, here, you’ll find inventive yet inviting menu, largely centred on seafood and fresh produce.
A beautiful Greek dining experience in the heart of Parnell village, Gerome heroes modern greek Cuisine utilising the best of New Zealand produce. Here, meat, fish and seafood and fresh vegetables are cooked on the chargrill and wood-fired, paired with Aegean cheeses and herbs to offer a truly vibrant dining experience. Take it from us: the Spanakopita is an essential addition to any table, and the seats upstairs are worth fighting for.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better spot to while away a sun-soaked afternoon than Parnell’s Non Solo Pizza. Everyone’s favourite Italian institution, Non Solo Pizza has been around for more than two decades, serving easy yet elevated Italian fare and simple, fresh flavours. The long lunch here is world famous, as is the aperitivo, and every visit is just as enjoyable as the last. Nab a coveted seat in the garden bar, if you can.
Twofold in Parnell brings a fresh twist to the classic pub experience, blending retro Americana charm with a curated drink selection, including tap beers, wines, and inventive cocktails. With an approachable menu of bright bites, hearty plates, and elevated bar snacks, this light-filled spot is perfect for gathering with friends, indulging in great flavours, and unwinding in a laid-back setting.
→ Meet Twofold—a new, retro-modern brewery and eatery taking up a coveted spot in Parnell
Set opposite the rose gardens in Parnell, Rosie is perhaps Parnell’s best-known café, famous for turning out some of the best food in town. From breakfast to brunch, lunch to dinner and drinks, no matter when you visit, you’re bound to be pleasantly surprised and leave well-satiated.
And, if you’re short on time, head next door to Rosie’s grab-and-go offshoot, Little Rosie, where you’ll find a vast array of tasty morsels—from fresh sandwiches and rolls to sweet treats and expertly prepared coffee.
Located in one of the city’s most iconic heritage buildings with views across Fraser Park, 46 & York is an Auckland institution, and a great one at that. With an unpretentious, always lively vibe, a number of sun-soaked outdoor tables, crowd-pleasing fare, and an extensive drinks list with something for everyone—from craft beer to local wines and cocktails that change with the seasons, 46 & York is a spot that should be on everyone’s radar.
Bringing modern Samoan cuisine to discerning Auckland diners, Tala, helmed by lauded Chef Henry Onesemo, showcases traditional Samoan flavours in an immersive setting, paying homage to the Chef’s native South Pacific. Purposefully intimate—with just 28 spots in total, here, diners watch on as Henry and his team prepare food on an Umu (open fire), as they offer fresh insight into Samoa’s traditional dishes and hospitality.
“Vibes, vibes, vibes indeed” is what you’ll find at Young Dandy, a laid-back café in the heart of Parnell that opened its doors this June. That, and an entirely welcoming spot that turns out epic food and great coffee, with consistently excellent service. On the food front, the focus is on everyday food, done well. As such, you’ll find breakfast and brunch classics that we all know and love, with the addition of lunch specials to appeal to the local business community. The coffee is some of the best in town, too.
Boasting a comprehensive cocktail list and an intimate setting with a touch of eclectic character, this Parnell Road bar is ideal for a cosy drink. Brimming with sumptuous, old world charm and boasting one of the best cocktails in town (if you can find the covert entrance), this is the perfect spot for a pre- or post-date tipple—where revellers are encouraged to don their finest wares and get lost in the whimsy.
Nestled away in an old chocolate factory in Parnell, stalwart eatery Cibo is an intimate, cosy space to settle in for a long lunch or delicious dinner. Whether tucking into a nook in the private courtyard or ensconced in the warm hospitality inside, diners at Cibo always feel like the most important person in the room, indulging in elegant, seasonal cuisine and fantastic drinks to match.
This café and bagelry has three locations city-wide, and its Parnell spot is always humming at brunch time—so irresistible are the made-to-order bagels. Peruse the large selection of New York-style grilled bagels with delicious sweet and savoury toppings, and get your caffeine hit with a cup of in-house roasted coffee.
The award-winning Parnell pastry and baked-goods experts have delectable pastries mastered—the cabinet ever-brimming with seasonally-inspired pastries (alongside the classics), and some of the most beautifully crafted cakes and sweet treats in town. You’ll also find filled rolls (in house-made baguettes, of course), flavourful quiches, and savoury tarts too, all of which is a perfect precursor to a decadent morsel.
Parnell fusion eatery Simon & Lee has become a go-to for satisfying fried chicken cravings. The Korean-inspired spot sure knows how to fry up an extra-crispy morsel, and brings together contemporary classics and modern Korean cuisine to deliver a food and drink experience like no other. The food, coffee and drink offerings are forever changing, making every visit a delight. Just don’t leave without first indulging in the Korean fried chicken nibbles.
What began as a humble tapas bar on Parnell’s Faraday Street is now one of the city’s most-loved neighbourhood eateries, consistently serving elevated Spanish-influenced fare. From homely favourites such as patatas bravas to inventive tapas and flavourful share plates (with a few decadent desserts thrown in for good measure), Barulho is a great place to perch for a convivial catch up with friends as much as it is for a romantic date night. They do food to go, too, if you’re looking to impress guests.
Tucked away in a subterranean spot on Parnell Road, this under-the-radar Japanese eatery turns out what might just be the best sushi in town. If you can go past the teriyaki chicken rolls, you’ll also find the freshest sashimi and delectable bento boxes, paired with ever-friendly service. A destination worth seeking out, in our opinion.
Come for the cabinet treats, stay for brunch at Parnell’s popular Winona Forever cafe. Alongside offerings like soft shell crab chilli scrambled egg, you’ll find the insanely decadent seasonal Eton ‘rifle’, served with burnt maple bread, banoffee, dulce la leche panna cotta, and other brunch and lunch favourites with a tasty twist.
With undeniably perfect coffee and cabinet fare from the likes of Scratch Bakers, Daily Bread and Bread & Butter, Parnell’s two Red Rabbit outposts are hard to go past. The St Georges Bay Road locale is home to both a coffee bar and full-service café with a cook-to-order kitchen, tasty cabinet food and sweet treats, while the Espresso Bar on Parnell Road—an offspring of Red Rabbit Eatery—focuses on coffee and cabinet food.
This article was first published in Denizen. Click here to read the original story.
