Restaurant Month 2025: Celebrating 15 years of dishing up the unexpected

Enjoy a feast of city-only experiences, global flavours and unmissable dining in the heart of the city.

This August marks a major milestone as the iconic Heart of the City Auckland Restaurant Month returns to the city for its 15th year - delivering a bold, diverse and flavour-packed celebration of the chefs, cultures, and experiences that define dining in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Running from 1–31 August, Heart of the City Auckland Restaurant Month 2025 features more than 100 participating restaurants, over 20 unique events, a record number of international and local culinary collaborations, and the return of its signature set price menus across $30, $45, and $55+ price points. It’s a full-spectrum celebration of food and culture, and a major moment on New Zealand’s culinary calendar.

“For 15 years, Restaurant Month has brought our city centre to life in the most delicious way,” says Viv Beck, Chief Executive of Heart of the City. “It’s a celebration of everything that makes this part of Auckland special -the creativity of our chefs, the diversity of our hospitality, and the unique experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else. This year’s line-up is our boldest yet, and a fantastic reason to explore the city, support local, and share something memorable.”

This year’s Restaurant Month invites you to step out and into something extraordinary - a line-up packed with experiences you simply can’t cook up at home. From cross-Tasman chef collaborations and rooftop dining trails to pasta parties, themed dining events and hands-on taco-making, the month-long celebration turns the city centre into a playground for food lovers. Whether you’re here for the flavours, the fun, or just a good excuse to get out, this is your invitation to eat well - and make it memorable.

Signature Events & Chef Collaborations:

The Burnt Butter Table x Esther | 12 August | 6 pm | Price: $159 PP | Capacity: 120 pax
Esther is serving up a night to remember as beloved food blogger Emilie Pullar of The Burnt Butter Table teams up with legendary chef Sean Connolly for a one-off celebration of handmade pasta and bold, beautiful flavour. Emilie’s signature sauces and cult-favourite creations will meet Sean’s Mediterranean flair in a collaborative three-course sharing menu, paired with wines and served with plenty of heart. Expect stories, tips, a roaming cocktail cart, and the kind of relaxed, joy-filled energy that only two passionate cooks can bring. It’s part pasta masterclass, part dinner party - and all delicious. Includes three course sharing menu, 1 cocktail, 1 wine paired with each course.

Speakeasy Soirée with Clued Up & La Zeppa | 16 August | 6:30 pm | Price: $150 PP | Capacity: 100 pax
La Zeppa transforms into a glittering 1920s speakeasy for one night only - where jazz flows, secrets swirl, and the champagne isn’t the only thing with a twist. This immersive dining experience invites guests to step into a world of vintage glamour and playful deception, as professional actors weave a story full of intrigue between courses of a lavish four-course menu, paired with wines and spirits. Come dressed to impress and prepare for an evening of surprises, suspense, and seriously good food. Includes four course menu, cocktails & wines.

Advieh x Gareth Stewart & Robin Wagner | 27 August | 6:30 pm | Price: $180 PP | Capacity: 80 pax
Two culinary forces unite for one extraordinary evening at Advieh, as Auckland’s Gareth Stewart welcomes Adelaide’s rising star Robin Wagner into his kitchen for a six-course celebration of creativity, seasonality and bold trans-Tasman flair. Blending Gareth’s grounded, produce-led approach with Robin’s expressive modern Australian style, the one-night-only menu will bring together local soul and European edge - with paired wines, cocktails, and a shared spirit of innovation that promises something truly special. Includes six course menu, cocktails & wines.

Culinary Passports: Dine the World Without Leaving the City
New for 2025, the Culinary Passport Series invites diners to explore the city one plate at a time through a trio of curated progressive dinners. Each event takes guests on a multi-stop journey through three handpicked restaurants, complete with a stamped dining passport, matched drinks, and surprise elements along the way. With each night themed around a different corner of the globe, this series delivers an immersive experience of flavour, discovery, and the joy of the unexpected.

Passage to India | 14 August | 6:30 pm | Price: $125 PP | Capacity: 90 pax
Spice, soul, and storytelling come together in Passage to India - a roving dinner that dives deep into the heart of Indian cuisine. Guests will rotate between Times of India, Goat, and 1947 Eatery - enjoying entrées, mains and dessert across the three venues, with each stop spotlighting a different region, from the spice-laden dishes of Jammu & Kashmir to the bold vibrancy of West Bengal. Includes four course menu, cocktails & wines.

Around the World at Commercial Bay | 20 August | 6:30 pm | Price: $140 PP | Capacity: 90 pax
Three restaurants, three cuisines, one unforgettable night. Around the World at Commercial Bay is a progressive dining adventure that whisks guests across three standout venues - Advieh, Reign & Pour, and Queens Rooftop - each showcasing a distinct culinary style. Guests will rotate between the restaurants, enjoying a four-course journey complete with matched wines and spirits. From bold Middle Eastern flavours to globally inspired gastropub fare and refined European plates with harbour views, each stop offers a unique taste of the precinct’s diverse dining scene. Includes four course menu, cocktails & wines.

Feast from the East | 21 August | 6:30 pm | Price per trail: $90 PP | Capacity: 60 pax
Venture through the flavours of Asia with Feast from the East, a progressive dinner that delivers big on spice, character, and fun. Guests will rotate between Seoul Night, Mad Samurai, and Khu Khu Eatery, enjoying a four-course journey with matched wines and spirits. From refined Japanese-Korean fusion to bold Japanese street food and fiery vegan Thai, each stop offers a distinct regional flavour. Includes four course menu, cocktails & wines.

Flavours of the City: Unique, Playful and Culture-Rich

Chow Luck Club Walking Tours | 2, 16 & 30 August | 2:00 – 5:00 pm | Price: $88 PP | Capacity: 25 pax
Forget the map - follow your tastebuds. Join journalist and avid foodie Lincoln Tan for a three-hour flavour expedition through the city, uncovering the stories, people and dishes that make Auckland one of the most diverse dining destinations in the world. From the bold Ethiopian spice of Addis to the silky gelato science of Giapo, you’ll graze your way through hidden bars, cult classics and fresh favourites including Zeta, Bing Girl, Hi Toastie, Truth or Dare, Metita, I Am Solo, and more. It’s part food crawl, part city adventure - and all delicious. Bring comfortable walking shoes and a good appetite.

Tacoteca Masa Class | 3 August | 12:00 pm | Price: $75 PP | Capacity: 45 pax
Roll up your sleeves and dive into the bold flavours of Mexico at this hands-on masa-making class with Chef Ivan from Tacoteca. You’ll grind, press and griddle your way to the perfect tortilla, then pile it high with punchy fillings and fresh guac - all while sipping two expertly matched margaritas. Expect music, mess, and a whole lot of fun in this flavour-filled night that celebrates the soul of Mexican street food. Includes your own four course meal, alongside 2 cocktails.

K-Culture & Cuisine | 8 August | 7:00 pm | Price: $79 PP | Capacity: 85 pax
Step into a neon-lit night of K-culture at Hazy Tiger - where bold Korean flavours, K-pop beats, and viral games collide in an all-out celebration of Seoul style. Expect a three-course feast with drink pairings, dance tutorials from NZKDA, high-energy performances, and a live DJ to keep the party going. Whether you're here for the BBQ or the boy band moves, this is your backstage pass to a night of food, fun, and full-blown K-energy. Includes three course menu, 1 cocktail & 1 wine.

Sunday Truffle Lunch | 10 August | 12:00pm | Price: $150 PP | Capacity: 70 pax
Celebrate truffle season in true Italian style at Bossi, where Executive Chef Shaun Dowling presents a luxurious four-course menu spotlighting the rich, earthy elegance of fresh truffle. From delicate antipasti to handmade pasta and flavourful mains, each dish is layered with seasonal depth and designed to be savoured slowly - alongside expertly matched wines and cocktails. It’s a decadent, one-day-only dining experience in the heart of the city, and the ultimate winter indulgence. Includes four course menu, cocktails & wines.

Tacoteca Little Chefs Edition | 17 August | 12:00 pm | Price: $30 PP | Capacity: 20 children + adults
Tacoteca’s Little Chefs is a lively, hands-on Mexican cooking class where kids and grown-ups team up to press tortillas, build tacos, and mix guac from scratch - all under the playful guidance of Chef Ivan. It’s a joyful, mess-friendly kitchen adventure designed for families to laugh, learn and cook together, with refreshing Alchemy & Tonic pairings to suit all ages. Fun, interactive, and full of flavour, it’s the ultimate foodie outing for whānau with a taste for adventure. (Includes your own four course meal, alongside Alchemy & Tonic drinks).

The Great Noodle Run | 23 August | 1-5 pm | Price: $48 PP | Capacity: 50 pax
A fast-paced, flavour-packed scavenger hunt through Auckland’s city centre - guiding noodle lovers of all ages on a riddle-led trail to uncover hidden restaurants, each serving up a signature dish. Along the way, expect interactive games, playful surprises and a whole lot of slurping. Perfect for families, date
nights or foodie crews, this is your chance to crack clues, discover the city, and taste your way through a secret noodle circuit. Includes four noodle dishes (1 dish per person, per restaurant).

Additional Restaurant Own Events:

Trust the Chef Dining Experience | Daily for the month of August | Price: $79 | Capacity: 60 pax
Surrender the menu and let curiosity lead the way at Trust the Chef - an intimate, ever-changing dining experience at Beast & Butterflies. Guided by Chef Top Lorthae’s Asian heritage and global travels, each course is a seasonal surprise, crafted with bold flavours and a spirit of discovery. With just one menu and limited seats, this is your invitation to sit back, let go, and savour the unexpected. Includes three course menu and 1 wine paired with each course.

Front Row Experience | Every Friday for the month of August | 6:30 pm | Price: $135 PP | Capacity: 11 pax
Step into the spotlight at Trivet, where the kitchen is centre stage and every course tells a story. This exclusive four-course degustation dinner puts you front row for a live culinary performance by Executive Chef Wallace Mulese, who’ll reimagine Trivet’s signature dishes into bold, bite-sized moments - each perfectly paired with a curated drink match. Intimate, interactive and unforgettable, it’s 120 minutes of pure edible theatre. Includes four course degustation dinner, each paired with a drink match.

High Tea | Every weekend for the month of August | 11:30 am & 1:30 pm | Price: $79 PP | Capacity: 100 pax
St Alice is once again serving up their iconic spin on high tea — and this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and more delicious than ever. Every Saturday & Sunday, enjoy an afternoon of indulgence as St Alice transforms the traditional high tea into a vibrant celebration, complete with mouthwatering bites, cocktails, and sweeping harbour views. Think goats’ cheese & thyme croquettes, fried haloumi, cheddar & onion scones, Southland cheese rolls & more. Washed down with bottomless teapot style cocktails, the perfect way to spend your weekend!

Soul Cha | 17 August | 11:00 am | Price: pay for what you pick | Capacity: 160
Yum cha, reimagined the Soul way. This one-off Sunday session flips the traditional format into a playful, bite-sized celebration of Soul’s greatest hits - think mini crispy oysters, teeny truffle fries, and other snackable versions of your favourite dishes, served straight to your table. Order a main to start, then let the roaming trays roll in. Pick what you like, tick it off your card, and settle up at the end. No set menu, no pressure - just a long, lazy lunch with big flavour and even bigger vibes.

Dine Your Way: Set Price Menus at 100+ Restaurants
Back for another year, the much-loved set price menu series is making it easier than ever to ditch the dishes and dine out in style. Throughout August, over 100 restaurants will offer special set menus at $30, $45 and $55+ - designed to tempt you out of the kitchen and into some of the best dining rooms in the city. It’s all about discovery, value, and making great food feel exciting and accessible.

Participating restaurants span the full spectrum of the city’s dining scene - from icons like Ahi, Cassia, and Hello Beasty to neighbourhood favourites and hidden gems. Full listings at: heartofthecity.co.nz

Why Restaurant Month Matters
Born in 2010 as a clever way to invite people into the city during winter, Restaurant Month has grown into one of the most anticipated fixtures on the national calendar. Now in its 15th year, it continues to energise the city centre - drawing people in, supporting local businesses, and shining a light on the chefs, venues and communities that shape the way Auckland eats.

It’s a month-long reminder of what makes the city centre unique: the diversity of its dining, the talent behind its kitchens, and the enjoyment that comes from discovering something new. For both locals and visitors, it’s an invitation to experience the heart of the city at its most vibrant and flavourful.

Come hungry. Leave with a story.
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