Back for its fifth delicious year, Iconic Auckland Eats has once again dished out its ultimate list of must-try dishes across Tāmaki Makaurau — and it’s the kind of culinary roll call that will make your taste buds cheer. Think crispy, spicy, saucy, nostalgic, and everything in between.
Curated by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and nominated by everyday Aucklanders, the Top 100 Iconic Eats list features 77 dishes making their debut, and 39 fresh businesses elbowing their way into the city’s food hall of fame. And yes, the Indian representation is spicy, nostalgic, and just downright iconic.
News from The Indian Weekender delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe Now!
So, loosen your belt and grab your foodie mates — here are the Indian dishes that made it to Auckland’s elite food list this year:
1. Dahi Puri – Mumbaiwala, Ponsonby
Street food? More like street royalty.
This crunchy, tangy, sweet-and-spicy mouthful is what dreams (and every Indian childhood memory) are made of. Mumbaiwala’s Dahi Puri was described as a “literal flavour bomb” by Brittany Bastings -- and who are we to disagree?
“When people think of Indian food, they often imagine rich, warm curries,” the list notes. “But Mumbaiwala’s street food is something else entirely. Light, bite-sized, and unbelievably tasty. Easily one of the best dishes in Auckland.”
We can already hear desi Aucklanders nodding in agreement — and drooling.
Photo: Iconic Auckland Eats
2. Goat Champaran – GOAT by Sid Chopra, CBD
From the GOAT by the GOAT, quite literally.
Sid Chopra, who has also shared his food journey in a special column with The Indian Weekender, is no stranger to recreating magic on a plate. His past masterpieces — Kaladi Kulcha from Jammu, Afghani Tawa Chicken, Tabaak Maaz — have already made waves. Now, this aromatic Goat Champaran is the latest reminder that nostalgia and nuance can sit happily on the same plate.
The dish was nominated by Khushbu Maheshwari, who called it a childhood memory served on a plate. Is that... emotion we’re tasting?
Located at 12 Wyndham Street, GOAT is no stranger to Indian fine-dining fanfare, and this dish just further cements its reputation as a place where memories are cooked — not just meals.
Photo: Iconic Auckland Eats
3. Pani Puri – Cassia, Federal Street
Repeat after us: there’s no such thing as just one pani puri.
Cassia’s ever-sophisticated twist on the humble street snack continues to wow diners and voters alike. Allison Enright, who nominated the dish, said: “This dish exemplifies Sid Sarawat's extraordinary skill, taking a traditional dish and delivering taste & drama in a fantastic setting.”
Drama, taste, and a waterfall of nostalgia — if we could vote again, we would.
Cassia, by the award-winning Chef Sid Sahrawat, remains a favourite for those seeking Indian food with a touch of flair (and a whole lot of flavour).
Photo: Iconic Auckland Eats
4. Lamb Biryani – Paradise, Sandringham
If Auckland had a biryani mothership, it would be Paradise.
If the smell doesn’t lure you in, the queue outside Paradise certainly will.
Long queues, wafting aromas, and satisfied silence — Paradise's Lamb Biryani has long been Auckland’s best-kept secret, and it’s now officially Iconic (as if it needed validation).
Hasan Khan, who awarded the dish, summed it up perfectly: “You can't buy happiness, but you can buy Lamb Biryani from Paradise, and that's pretty much the same thing.”
Mic drop.
Honestly, we’ve all done it — made elaborate Friday night plans, dressed up, maybe even halfway out the door… only to smell that unmistakable whiff of biryani from Paradise and abandon every single plan. Because when it’s Paradise, everything else can wait.
Located at 581 Sandringham Road, this beloved biryani hotspot continues to reign supreme.
The full list of Iconic Auckland Eats 2025 is a feast of global flavours — from churros con chocolate to Vietnamese spare rib soup, lamb belly pintxos, Malaysian nasi lemak, tuna ceviche, and even world-famous hokey pokey from Giapo.
The idea behind the list? Celebrate food that tells stories — of culture, migration, innovation, and comfort. And judging by the nominations, Aucklanders are a passionate bunch with very opinionated palates.
Photo: Iconic Auckland Eats
Here’s a little extra flavour for you – the full list of top 100 Iconic Auckland Eats 2025 –
Agak Agak Food: Malaysian nasi campur
Ahi: Tuna hūhunu
Ailimteh: Nasi lemak bungkus
Alma: Beef tongue, preserved lemon, olive
Amano: Chitarra, scampi, tomato and chilli
Apéro: Seared lamb rump, jus with carrot purée and kasundi
Aryeh: Black and white thoughts
Ashby Pies: Beef cheek and cheese pie
Azabu: Volcano sushi rolls
Bali Nights: Ikan bakar jimbaran
Banh Mi Boy: Lemongrass chicken banh mi
Bar Magda: Noel’s charcoal steak, soy butter, scallion
Bari’s Pizza: Deluxe pepperoni pizza
Beast and Butterflies: Market fish of the day, scampi bisque, mussels, prawns, burnt tomatoes, fennel
Bestie Cafe: Towpath cheese toastie
BFC Korean Chicken: Seasoned cup chicken
Boda: Eggplant bibimbap
Bossi: Olive fritte
Bridgehouse Warkworth: Fresh steamed mussels
Broke Boy Taco: Birria tacos
Bunga Raya: X.O. chicken
Burnt Butter Diner: Chilli fried eggs
Candela: Lamb belly pintxo with mojo verde
Carmel Israeli Street Food: Crispy falafel pita
Casita Miro: Churros con chocolate
Cassia: Pani puri
Cheese On Toast: Bacon jam toastie
Cibo: West Coast whitebait omelette with ginger, soy and lime butter
Cocoro: The sashimi platter
Depot: Fish sliders
Duo: Raw fish on toast
Eden Noodles: Dumplings in spicy sauce
Esther: Puff bread and taramasalata
Farina: Padella Isabella
Farm House Cafe: Pimp my cheese scone, Benedict
Fatima’s: Lamb chawarma
Federal Delicatessen: Chicken salad sandwich
First Mates, Last Laugh: Pan-fried John Dory
FishSmith: Battered Westmere Butchery pork sausage
Forest: Smoked purple kūmara, caper brine glaze, Marmite cream, rosemary greens, paprika
Forester Bar and Grill: Skin-on snapper
Fort Greene: The Reuben
Frat’s Pizza: Hawaiian pizza
Gemmayze Street: Babaganouj
Gerome: Rolled baklava, Greek nuts, gooseberry compote, metaxa syrup, mascarpone
Giapo: World famous hokey pokey
GOAT By Sid Chopra: GOAT champaran
Hapunan: Adobo del diablo
Hello Beasty: Prawn and crab toast
Hill House Cafe: Pimp My Scone, The OG
Huami: Fruit wood roasted Peking duck
INCA: Spicy tuna tostada
Ipoh Malaysian Cuisine: Lorbak
Izu: Tuna ceviche
Jia Qi Sweets: Dragon’s Beard Candy
Khu Khu: Kūmara spring roll
Kingi: Hot smoked kahawai from Little Barrier with horseradish
Lebanese Grocer: Chicken shawarma
Leigh Eats: Fish and chips
Lot Nineteen: Cinnamon rolls
Lucky Gs: Thigh guy
Mae Nam Khong: Drunken spicy duck
Mairangi Bay Bakery: Braised beef short rib pie
MASU by Nic Watt: Wagyu kimchi gyoza, pickled cucumber, soy vinegar
Mekong Baby: Braised crispy pork belly, caramelised chilli and soy, Asian slaw
Metita: Handpicked beef scotch, 55-day dry-aged, palusami puree, ravigote
Mint As Waiheke Island, Burgers and Shakes: Mint as burger
Moxie Restaurant: Beef Wellington, potato and truffle foam, pumpkin seed and parsley pesto
Mumbaiwala: Dahi puri
Nanam: Lechon
Ockhee: Tofu BBQ gui
Ohui Restaurant: Pāua tortellini
Onslow: Chatham Islands crayfish eclair, organic egg, spiced bisque, herbs
Our Land: East Coast brisket
Paradise: Lamb biryani
Peach’s Hot Chicken: Peanut butter mousse pie
Pici: Pici cacio e pepe
Prego: Risotto all’anatra
Ragtag: Duck carnitas tacos
Ramen Takara: Jade ramen
Red Crab: Sweet and sour chicken
Rhu: Honey toast with whipped yoghurt and nectarines
Richoux Patisserie: Steak, jalapeno and cheese pie
San Ray: Quinoa toast with smoked fish and pickled egg
Shelley’s Kitchen: Malaysian spiral curry puffs
SkyBar: Gold bar
Smiths Matakana: Chef’s loaded fries
Sugar at Chelsea Bay: Raspberry lamington
Tacoteca: Ora King Salmon aguachile
Tala: Raw ramen
Tempero: Pao de queijo
The ‘Ansum Pasty Company: Proper Cornish pasty
The Blue Breeze Inn: Steamed bao bun with roasted pork belly and pickled cucumber
The Engine Room: Twice baked goats cheese souffle
The Glass House Brick Bay: Leigh skin-on snapper
The Local Waiheke: Fish taco
The Lodge: Passionfruit drizzled pavlova
The Sugar Dealer: Raspberry cheesecake brownie
Tiger Bar and Restaurant: Korean fried cauliflower, gochujang glaze, sesame, kimchi
Vietnam Cafe: Spare ribs rice noodles soup
News from The Indian Weekender delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe Now!
ISSUE
Leave a Comment