Exactly a year ago, two brothers and friends, Nirav Savaliya and Anand Patel, took a leap of faith.
“We had no restaurant experience, just a dream to bring the real taste of Honest from India to New Zealand and share it with our community,” they said.
Their journey began during one of the toughest times, when New Zealand was in a recession, the hospitality sector was collapsing, and many restaurants were shutting down. But while others were closing their doors, they decided to open theirs, driven by faith, courage, and a belief that honesty, hard work, and quality food would win hearts.
That’s how Honest Restaurant New Zealand was born at 3062 Great North Road, New Lynn, Auckland.
“With the blessings of HDH Prabodh Swamiji Maharaj, and the love and trust of our amazing customers, today we proudly celebrate this milestone,” they shared.
In their own words, the past year has been full of “challenges, learning, growth, and endless blessings.” Over the last 12 months, Honest Restaurant has served more than 50,000 customers, completed over 25,000 orders, hosted family gatherings and parties of up to 80 people, and earned recognition as New Zealand’s No. 1 vegetarian restaurant — known for its pure, fresh, and flavourful food.
Their kitchen is among the largest vegetarian kitchens in the country, featuring an 8-metre range hood and a modern setup designed for cleanliness, freshness, and consistency. “Every dish is made fresh daily — we never use frozen food,” the duo told The Indian Weekender.
Staying true to its Indian roots, Honest uses only Amul butter and Amul cheese — a taste that generations of Indians trust and love.
But what truly makes Honest special, they said, isn’t just the food — it’s the people behind it. “Our chefs, servers, and support staff work day and night, always smiling, always learning, and always putting our customers first. Every plate we serve carries their love, pride, and hard work.”
Beyond being a restaurant, Honest has become a community — one that supports the New Zealand economy by creating jobs for both locals and migrants. “Every meal we serve, every person we employ, and every happy face reminds us why we started this journey,” they said.
“This milestone belongs to everyone — our loyal customers, our hardworking team, our friends, and everyone who believed in us from day one,” Nirav and Anand added, thanking the community for making Honest Restaurant New Zealand a name that stands for trust, taste, and togetherness.
“Thank you for being part of our Honest family. Here’s to many more years of serving pure, fresh, and honest food made with love — and to continuing our mission to make New Zealand proud, one bite at a time.”