Aucklanders Double Down On Favourites AsIconic Auckland Eats Marks Six Years

Aucklanders have spoken, with more than 2400 public nominations shaping the Iconic Auckland Eats 2026 Top 100 dishes - a celebration of the food people return to, year after year, across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Iconic Auckland Eats is an annual initiative by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, in partnership with Restaurant Hub, New Zealand’s largest online restaurant booking network. Now in its sixth year, the programme celebrates dishes rather than restaurants, reflecting how Aucklanders eat – with food that fits into everyday life and stands the test of time.

This year’s list reflects strong loyalty alongside steady evolution. Seventy-nine dishes are new to the Top 100, with 31 of those coming from venues that have featured before, showing Aucklanders are open to trying new dishes – particularly from places they already know and trust.

A small number of dishes continue to define the list. Depot’s fish sliders and Sugar at Chelsea Bay’s raspberry lamingtons are the only two dishes to have featured in the Top 100 all six years, reflecting their enduring appeal and deep connection with Aucklanders.

Several other favourites have also returned after featuring across multiple years, including Carmel’s falafel pita, Bar Magda’s soy brown butter steak, Giapo’s hokey pokey ice cream, The Local Waiheke’s snapper and chips, East’s water chestnut wontons and Lot Nineteen’s sweet baked rolls – highlighting loyalty to comfort food, affordable staples and much-loved classics.

Annie Dundas, Director of Destination at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, says the programme reflects Auckland’s identity through the voices of its people.

“Iconic Auckland Eats is driven by the public. These are the dishes people come back to because they carry memory and meaning – where whānau gather, friendships form, and visitors are welcomed. Food is also one of the most powerful ways we share Auckland with the world. When travellers are seeking out local cuisine to understand a place, this list offers an authentic snapshot of the dishes Aucklanders genuinely love.”

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says the programme highlights the role hospitality plays in shaping the region.

“Iconic Auckland Eats celebrates the creativity and resilience of our hospitality sector. These businesses bring people together every day and play a vital role in Auckland’s vibrancy and economy.”

Mark Gregory, coowner of Restaurant Hub, says the list reflects a healthy balance within the sector.

“Loyalty doesn’t mean diners don’t want something new. It means they return to places and dishes they trust – and reward venues that evolve while staying true to what people love.”

Accessibility remains central to the list. Around twothirds of the Top 100 dishes sit in the low to midprice range, spanning neighbourhood favourites and destination dining, showing that iconic eating in Auckland is often part of everyday routines.

Nomination stories also highlighted how food helps people feel at home in Auckland. Judges noted entries from people who have moved to Tāmaki Makaurau and discovered dishes that remind them of where they grew up, underlining food’s role in comfort, connection and belonging.

The diversity of dishes reflects Auckland’s multicultural communities, from streetstyle staples to refined plates shaped by migration, innovation and longheld traditions.

The Top 100 was judged by Karen ThompsonSmith, Head of Tourism at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, alongside hospitality industry expert and The Kitchen Project Manager, Connie Clarkson, and Mark Gregory, coowner of Restaurant Hub, with nomination stories informing the selection of dishes that people return to across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Iconic Auckland Eats supports local hospitality businesses and contributes to Auckland’s visitor economy, encouraging locals and visitors alike to explore and share the dishes that define the region.

The Iconic Auckland Eats 2026 Top 100 dishes list is available at aucklandnz.com/iconic-eats.
Join the conversation using #IconicAucklandEats.

© Scoop Media