Leading Auckland publications tell us why Parnell is The Space to Be, from endless hospitality options to leading design.
Explore some of our press coverage for 2023.
Take a trip to Auckland’s oldest suburb, wander the historic buildings and beautiful shops, and embrace the Christmas magic of Parnell with these curated recommendations from Neat Places.
It’s that time of year again, the most wonderful one. The days are longer, summer is upon us, and Christmas is right around the corner. Whether you choose to celebrate with friends and family or simply by treating yourself—Parnell is the perfect place to go for all your festive wants and needs. So take a trip to Auckland’s oldest suburb, wander the historic buildings and beautiful shops (stopping for a delicious drink or bite to eat here and there), and embrace the Christmas magic of Parnell.
Now in its third year, Viva’s Top 50 Auckland Restaurants is a highly anticipated food feature that acts as a dining out guide for the whole year, ideal for referring to again and again, whenever you have dinner plans.
Parnell restaurant Cibo has been selected for this prestigious list. Jesse Mulligan, one of the judges of this list, has previously reviewed Cibo for Viva Magazine.
With summer approaching and end of year events on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to spruce up your look with a manicure and pedicure. Denizen recently curated their guide to Auckland’s best nail salons, and two Parnell spots The Beauty Bar & Endota have made their list.
Parnell restaurant Cibo has been selected for this prestigious list. Jesse Mulligan, one of the judges of this list, has previously reviewed Cibo for Viva Magazine.
With summer approaching and end of year events on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to spruce up your look with a manicure and pedicure. As the weather brightens and the evenings lighten, it’s time to consider your outdoor entertainment areas. Denizen collated a list of essential pieces that are sure to elevate the summer entertaining season that lies ahead, including Matisse, Dawson & Co and Design Warehouse in Parnell!
Discover Auckland 27 September 2023
Explore Parnell’s top-notch restaurants and experience a culinary adventure in our historic Auckland neighbourhood, as curated by Discover Auckland.
These are just a sample of the many great places in Parnell to eat and drink.
Neat Places, 27 September 2023
Parnell is one of Auckland’s oldest and most picturesque suburbs. It effortlessly blends history with contemporary charm, and it exudes a vibe that compels visitors to return.
Whether you’re a local looking to rediscover your neighbourhood or a visitor eager to explore the heart of Auckland’s art and culture scene, Parnell is one of our favourite places to eat, drink, shop, and wander. Treat this guide by Neat Places as your local passport and embark on a journey through this quaint central Auckland suburb.
Discover Auckland 26 September 2023
With its abundant, vibrant gardens and captivating walking trails, Auckland is a true botanical paradise, ready to treat you to a wide variety of floral landscapes. So, put on your walking shoes, don’t forget your camera, and let’s set out on an adventure to uncover Parnell’s most stunning flower-filled walks, as curated by Discover Auckland!
Due to open late October, Tala is taking shape in the old Pasture site and the restaurant’s open fire was one of the key selling points for Henry and Debby. They knew the site had potential after visiting Pasture ahead of a Tala pop-up they planned to host there this year. The pop-ups didn’t happen after Pasture unexpectedly shut in June, but they were able to secure the lease through the landlord, who wanted the site to remain a restaurant.
Tala will sit at that high end too, with a Samoan-inspired menu derived from Henry’s childhood but “revisited and refined” through modern cooking techniques.
New Zealand Herald, 4 September 2023
Haya Khan started Masala Bazaar to support her own business, Masala Scents, as well as other women in Aotearoaa’s South Asian business community.
After opening the first store in Parnell last year, Khan has expanded the business to include Masala Studio, which supports other women in getting their businesses off the ground. She says the business has become a safe space for women to come together to represent themselves and their cultures authentically.
This interview was first published in NZ Herald.
Denizen launched this years Hospo Heroes, asking all of you to vote for your favourite destinations and dishes. Here, we unveil the winners of this year’s Denizen Hospo Heroes, including the Best New Openings, the Best Bars, the Best Dishes and the Best Restaurants, as voted by you, our dedicated readers. Featuring Parnell’s Faradays Bar.
Motorhome Republic 29 August 2023
A splendid jewel is found at the heart of Auckland, New Zealand—the delightful suburb of Parnell.
This historic and picturesque neighbourhood effortlessly combines old-world allure with modern vibrancy, making it a must-visit destination for locals and travellers alike. If you’re looking for a place that offers a blend of culture, cuisine, and captivating sights during your Auckland motorhome rental road trip, Parnell is your ultimate go-to. Here are 7 reasons why Parnell is a true jewel of NZ, as curated by GoSee Travel.
While typically, flowers are favoured for special occasions, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and for cheering someone up who might be having a bad day, they are also just beautiful to have around the house — the best way to bring life to a space (particularly while the weather remains decidedly wintry). So, in the name of encouraging you to get out and pick up some fresh flowers for no other reason than to simply infuse your home with some fresh colour, we have rounded up the best florists in Auckland, including Parnell’s Grace + Flora and Flowers After Hours.
Discover Auckland, 22 August 2023
Parnell is where you’ll find New Zealand’s largest collection of authentic, locally made products. From art to jewellery to one-off trinkets, visit the Auckland Museum Store, Black Door Gallery, Kiwa Art, and The Fantail House. in Parnell for Auckland’s best Kiwiana and NZ made gifts.
Few brands capture the imagination of global ‘It’ girls like Celine. From its storied history to its renowned designer tenures to the way it evokes that effortlessly chic French style, Celine is the brand on everyone’s lips. Now, Celine has landed exclusively at Faradays (to shop in-store only) with its sought-after womenswear collection available to us here for the first time, alongside coveted bags, accessories and more.
A new pathway in Pukekawa / Auckland Domain creates a direct route through to Parnell Train Station.
A combination of newly paved path and fresh wooden boardwalks connects up with the pre-existing “Lovers Walk” and also continues on past the station to Carlaw Park Student Village, improving access to Auckland University students.
Waitematā Local Board chair and Pukekawa / Auckland Domain Committee member Genevieve Sage says: “This is a great new path that simplifies the journey for students and commuters who are coming through the park. It also gives another option for walkers who regularly take a stroll in the Domain, as well as visitors to the museum.”
While there are always birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and a number of milestones to celebrate with cake, freedom is the realisation that there actually doesn’t have to be any celebration on the horizon to indulge in a slice of cake. That said, Auckland is blessed with a v variety of cakeries and clever pastry chefs who are offering the kinds of cakes we would order with or without an excuse. Whether you have an occasion to mark or not, these are the best cakes in Auckland including Parnell’s Noughts & Crosses.
Nothing cheers us up more on a cold day (any day, to be fair) than wrapping our mitts around a mug of hot chocolate. This sweet elixir is as good for the spirit as it is for the taste buds—leaving you with a smile on your dial (and possibly a milk moustache) on even the bleakest of days.
Here’s where to indulge in the best hot chocolates in Auckland including three Parnell favourites Rosies, Winona Forever & Chocolate Boutique.
For former HR executive Karen Hussey owning her own business has been everything she imagined it would be – and everything she didn’t.
Flowers After Hours changed hands a year ago and despite facing a depressed market, navigating a cost of living crisis, natural disasters and flower supply issues, the small Auckland florist has had its largest year of growth and is poised to expand .
Tāmaki Makaurau has no shortage of delectable Thai restaurants, ranging from old-school authentic to contemporary fusion. Although you may have an undying loyalty to your neighbourhood Thai joint, Denizen have taken the liberty of rounding up the restaurants they rate for you to venture further afield and fire up your tastebuds. Without ado, consult their definitive guide to the best Thai restaurants in Auckland including Parnell’s Blue Elephant Thai.
Viva staff recently visited Parnell’s very own sweet spot Atelier Shu in Faraday St and said that there are a few great mini cakes on offer, but its New York Cheesecake is not to be missed with its creamy fresh filling. You can opt for one if its freshly brewed teas, but the grapefruit and earl grey ice tea with lots of ice was a refreshing complement to cut right through the indulgence.
In this fortnightly series, Viva’s resident dining-out editor shares his sage advice on exactly where to eat. He’s eaten a lot of bad meals so you don’t have to.
Asked where best to dine for fussy eaters he suggested Gerome, as it does fantastic refined Greek cuisine in Parnell — and his spies tell him it’s in great form right now. We couldn’t agree more.
A cheesy, comforting and divisive baked good, these are some of our favourites.
An object of national obsession — some people even call themselves #sconnisseurs — and one reliably found on cafe benches around Tāmaki Makaurau, the humble cheese scone is a comforting and divisive baked good. Everyone has their favourite, whether a trusted neighbourhood spot, or further afield, a pilgrimage that they’re willing to schlep across our congested city for. Featuring Parnell’s Foundation On George.
Books & Publishing 24 July 2023
The winners of the Aotearoa Book Trade Industry Awards, held 24 July in Rotorua, have been announced.
Auckland bookstore Lamplight Books won the Bookshop of the Year award. Judges described the bookshop as a ‘beautiful, browsable space filled to the ceiling with books’. The store opened in June 2021 amid pandemic restrictions, but has flourished despite the difficult trading conditions.
Restaurant & Cafe 17 July 2023
Over the past five years, the Parnell Business Association has sponsored a winter light installation, usually located in Heard Park. This year’s installation was titled ‘Deep Thought,’ a large, golden walk-through attraction, which was illuminated with multi-coloured lights at night. The shape of ‘Deep Thought’ was an icosahedron, which has been revered as a symbol that represents the element of water, chosen to align with Matariki celebrations. CEO of the Parnell Business Association, Cheryl Adamson, said that the installation is a great way to attract people to the park during the time of year.
With the second week of the winter break underway, many parents, guardians and caregivers out there will be running low on ideas, inspiration, and yes, probably patience.
If you’re searching for activities to keep your sprog/s entertained just a little bit longer, look no further. Here’s several (not-sold-out) ideas for family fun that won’t break the bank, and could even be educational, including the Auckland Museum in Parnell.
The way people do their jobs has completely changed with the embrace of hybrid work, but there is another work trend that is not talked about as often: the co-working space.
Over the past 10 years, Auckland has seen several co-working spaces emerge, giving businesses another option for locating their staff.
We took a look at some of the shared office spaces in Auckland and what they can offer – including Parnell’s Thinkspace
Startup incubator Outset Ventures is looking to attract institutional investors into its new $50 million fund. The company, formerly known as Level 2, describes itself as New Zealand’s largest science and engineering hub and early-stage investment fund. Its Fund II will invest in a portfolio of about 25 companies ranging from pre-seed through to the series B stage.Within the walls of an old wool store in a quiet residential street in Parnell, Auckland, sits a hive of deep-tech activity hoping to be the next RocketLab or LanzaTech.
Hiding in plain sight on the edge of Parnell Rose Gardens is the Luxerose Café.
If you’re looking for a bright and homely, parkside hangout, that offers everything from coffee and canapés, brunch, lunch, to high tea and events, look no further.
Growing up as a hijabi in Auckland, Aneeza Hussain says shopping for the right clothes was always a challenge. In 2021, she started Posh Boutique – an online modest-wear retailer curated for young women in Aotearoa, now featured at Parnell Rd’s Masala Bazaar.
After two years in business, Hussain has been inundated with more demand from home and overseas for modest fashion and says global fashion trends are finally catching up.
Auckland for Kids pick of the top 25 things to do in the July school holidays 2023 with your family and children in Auckland, New Zealand. Lot’s of these are FREE or low cost too!
Lots of which are located in Parnell, including the Auckland Museum, Auckland Domain and Deep Thought and Heard Park.
Congratulations to this year’s Retail Award winner – Faradays by Cheshire Architects.
Faradays is a store that not only complements its beautiful heritage architecture but takes it to new heights, embodying a contemporary take on a 1920s’ department store retail experience. A strong, confident concept that borrows from and is influenced by artists Christo, Jeanne-Claude and Lucio Fontana is translated into organic forms that guide the shopper experience and showcase the product.
Across international fashion, there has been one name whispered by those in the know as the designer to watch and covet: Jonathan Anderson. Since taking the reins at Loewe, this young visionary has turned this brand into one of the most sought-after and groundbreaking in the luxury fashion landscape. Lucky for us then, that Loewe’s incredible, Jonathan Anderson-designed pieces are available locally (and exclusively) at Faradays in Parnell, with the new SS23 pieces having just landed in store.
Get the gang together. Here are our picks of the best places to dine in Auckland when you’re with a group. Included in the group is Parnell’s Cibo.
When you’re assigned the task of organising the next group outing, choosing somewhere that’s going to please everyone can be difficult. Auckland may have an abundance of options, but it doesn’t mean they are all good ones!
It is an outdated thought that a wedding is purely about the bride. Yes, a few decades ago the bride might have taken it upon herself to organise the venue, send out invitations, finesse the catering, write the vows, book the photographer and have an exceptional dress made, while her husband-to-be simply slapped on a black suit and showed up on time; but that isn’t the case any more. One person who knows this better than most is Edward von Dadelszen of Dadelszen. Denizen spoke to him recently regarding this shift.
Helping you make considered purchases and cut through all that algorithmic online noise, Retail Therapy is Viva’s guide to what’s new and notable in the fashion world, from fresh deliveries from luxury brands to just-in capsules from local fashion designers, there’s a lot to love this week, including Fresh Loewe at Faraday’s. ‘It’ girl-approved, arty and avante-garde, and commercially successful, Loewe continues to establish an alternate lexicon for luxury brands. Its new collection, the anthurium-heavy spring-summer 2023 designs, has just landed in Aotearoa at Faraday’s this week.
Sample the 2022 burger of the year at Chaat Street: For a very short time, Aucklanders can enjoy a taste of the capital’s victorious burger. Chaat Street’s ‘Dabeli’ features potato and peanut, tamarind, coriander and red onion, encased in a tender masala-butter brioche bun, and will be available at the restaurant’s recently opened premises in Parnell (also the only place to try the ultra-limited Garage Project collaboration, the ‘All India Permit’ chaat-influenced pale ale) but only until Sunday, June 25.
Featuring everything from fried chicken and hotdogs to classic Korean BBQ, check out the list below for your comprehensive guide to Auckland’s favourite Korean restaurants including Parnell’s Simon & Lee.
A good book will transport you to other worlds, but a good bookstore will take you to whole new galaxies. One of the better things to come out of the pandemic was the opening of Lamplight Books. This gorgeous, independent bookstore on Parnell Road, launched by friends Melanie O’Laughlin and Courtney Smith, Lamplight boasts an exquisite fit-out by Buster Caldwell of Wonder Group, in which the store’s considered and curated titles — which span new releases, best-sellers, all of the classics, Te Ao Māori titles and so much more. This is the kind of bookshop in which we could happily browse for hours.
With 10 years’ experience, Cheryl understands the challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs in the region. She has driven successful initiatives, including events, marketing campaigns, and advocacy efforts, and her dedication and support of the business community have earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues and stakeholders in Parnell and beyond.
The first stage of Generus Living Group’s latest high-end retirement village, The Foundation, is due for completion in September this year. Designed by Peddlethorp, the Parnell project is located opposite Pukekawa Auckland Domain and the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Constance writes about where she finds inspiration, her design ethos, and this year’s exciting plans for the beautiful luxury multi-brand store and wine bar Faradays based in Parnell, which she opened with her husband and co-founder, Eddie, in late 2021.
Haya Khan was a law student working at Farmer’s when she fell in love with scented candles.
After struggling to find any with rich South Asian scents – and realising a 9-to-5 job wasn’t for her – Khan now runs a home fragrance company.
Masala Scents is just one of many Kiwi South Asian brands stocked at Masala Bazaar – a tiny retail shop in Parnell.
New Zealand-made beds made with New Zealand-sourced and sustainable materials. We’re the only bed business where you can book an appointment to test drive our Comfi beds without anyone in store. We’re the first online New Zealand luxury bed business that gives beds to families in need. The simplicity of choice of our product range also sets us apart as we have specifically designed our range to remove confusion.
When seeking out jewellery for life’s more subtle moments, there is something to be said for the considered addition of diamonds. A truly timeless stone with a storied history hasn’t always been the obvious choice for exquisite casual wear. But thoughtful design and an everyday aesthetic, like those found in Sutcliffe’s Rosa Adorata, have us convinced.
A year and a half after opening the doors at No. Eight Faraday Street, friend of Denizen and Faradays Co-Founder and Creative Director, Constance von Dadelszen, gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of an entrepreneur in the world of luxury.
A podcast supported by MAS is helping to care for those working in the caring professions.
For Megan Alderson, of The Strand Vet there’s a central truth to the challenges facing the veterinary industry: a lack of self-compassion.
Who makes Auckland’s best hot cross buns? Or more importantly, who makes the buns that you’ll love the most? The Viva team have been on a mission to taste test some of the city’s finest specimens, canvassing their fruit and spice levels, texture, aroma and taste. Featuring Parnell’s Vaniyé Patisserie.
Nestled in one of Auckland’s most historically significant suburbs and surrounded by exceptional culture and hospitality, Arthaus Parnell is a new luxury development taking shape on Parnell Road.
So, you feel like pizza tonight, and it has to be a great one, but you’re dining with someone who would prefer to lay off the pizza dough. We’ve got you covered. Featuring Parnell’s every popular Non Solo Pizza.
The staff here are all lovely and the place is packed.
The highlight was the dessert — a subtle but unmistakable saffron ice cream, served with baklava soaked in something honeyed and delicious.
If you are wanting authentic grub in busy and beautifully decorated surrounds, Rumi is your place.
In the lead-up to Easter, we’ve eaten our way through a comprehensive selection of some of the best hot cross buns in Auckland including Parnell’s Vaniyé, these batches of hot cross buns are so hot, they are selling out as quickly as they come out of the oven. Baked by owner Sonia Haumonté and her team, the old-fashioned-style buns are made with rye flour and care, for a dense and full-of-flavour mouthful.
Nicholas Stevens and Gary Lawson (of Stevens Lawsons Architects), awarded the 2022 Gold Medal by Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects, reflect on 20 years of their practice: the way architecture expresses identity and how individuals and communities identify with buildings.
Wellington-born Indian street food restaurant Chaat Street opened its Auckland outpost in 2023.
Co-owner and chef Vaibhav Vishen looked for a place that had a “Wellington kind of vibe”, and found what he was looking for in Parnell – at the top end of Parnell Road, fronted by a large Norfolk pine.
Look out for Chaat Street’s signature red and turquoise accents at a site in Parnell, and head along for sharing dishes from all over India – such as keema pav, spiced lamb mince served with buttery slider buns; and chole bhatore, fried flatbread with spiced, braised chickpeas.
It’s the fifth annual National Farmers’ Market Week from Saturday, March 11 to Sunday, March 19, so we thought it an apt time to check out three of Auckland’s best. Including the gourmet wonders of Parnell’s Farmers’ Market located at 545 Parnell Road and has been available to devour every Saturday since 2007.
Get ready to tantalise your taste buds with an authentic Indian street food experience like no other. Chaat Street Auckland is set to take Parnell’s main strip by storm this week, with its doors set to open this Saturday. Adopting a modern, tapas-style approach to traditional street food.
Fish and chips is one of those simple pleasures at the core of our Kiwi culture, particularly enjoyed on the beach. Serving up some seriously gratifying situations, we’ve matched Auckland’s best fish and chip purveyors with the most scenic spots around town to devour them including Parnell’s Catch a Fish (eaten at Judges Bay)
Everything we ate there was almost puzzling in its perfection — the sort of thing you have to unpack in your head afterwards. With a surprisingly fulsome food menu, beginning with light baking and snacks and progressing toward intense, meaty mouthfuls. Highlights include the grilled cheese to the most extraordinary of all, the spring puff.
Alpha is ultimately an experience as much as a meal.
We’ve said it once but we’ll say it again, there is nothing quite like the experience of settling into Faraday’s Bar for a delicious bite and something to drink — particularly after a day of shopping. Nestled along one side of the luxury department store, Faradays, in Parnell, this dining destination is the epitome of elegance, from its exquisite table settings and impeccable service to its carefully-considered menu and impressive wine list.
Cuisine Magazine has been compiling a list of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most influential and inspiring women in food and drink, and we’re delighted to see one of our business owners Catherine from Epicure Trading mentioned.
Exercise is an intensely personal endeavour. We all have our own goals, preferred style of movement and fitness levels, and the type of training we respond to varies greatly. These are the best gyms in Auckland that will help you become your best physical self. Featuring Parnell Xi Labs.
The new thing drawing people to blue chip suburb – and it’s not the school zones.
Any listing for a Parnell property will undoubtedly highlight its enviable double Grammar zone location – but more recently agents are noticing the central suburb in becoming popular for its café and restaurant vibe too.
The simplest but most effective way to show that you care this Valentine’s Day is by treating your significant other to a night out at one of Auckland’s most romantic restaurants. Featuring Parnell’s Pasture, Alpha, Boxer, Faradays Bar & Non Solo Pizza
Explore much-loved dishes that can only be found in Auckland, as nominated by Aucklanders in 2022 including Parnell’s Oh Calcutta and Alpha.
