Mt Eden is one of the most dynamic suburbs in central Auckland; there is no other suburb in Auckland that is more of a melting pot of international cultures – and feasts, naturally – than Mt Eden. Truth be told, a guide to Mt Eden restaurants may not appear to be a necessity. Wonderful, authentic foods of all origins are many aplenty, but take it from us; Mt Eden has got its fair share of less-than-savoury restaurants – we’ve learnt this the hard way.

So just to be sure that all you Auckland locals aren’t getting your chomp down on the bitter nuggets interspersed around the true gems of Mt Eden restaurants, we here at View Auckland dish up a fail-proof restaurant guide to Mt Eden. We’ve picked the top eateries for all budgets and occasions, so when all else fails when in this side of Auckland, you know you’ll be able to fall back on our recommended Mt Eden Restaurants list.

Merediths


Mt Eden residents couldn't have scored a better fine dining local to have in the Mt Eden vicinity than Merediths Restaurant, we say! Michael Meredith, alumni of the equally prestigious The French Cafe had chosen Mt Eden of Auckland to house his restaurant venture, plating up some of the most imaginative and unusual, yet confoundingly delectable food you'll find not only in Mt Eden.

Merediths is in the pinnacle of Auckland fine dining, so while it isn't exactly everyday dining material, go ahead and save an outing to this Mt Eden restaurant for a special occasion instead; it guarantees to be a night to remember. We’d even go out on a limb to say that this Mt Eden restaurant is well worth travelling out to for, even if Mt Eden doesn’t happen to be your local.

Molten Restaurant


Despite the impressive and growing number of internationally renowned chefs New Zealand can pride itself on, Michael van de Elzen of Molten Restaurant remains one of View Auckland’s favourite Kiwi chef icons in the industry. One episode of The Food Truck - Michael's TV series that revolves around him converting some of the most diverse cuisines into a viable food truck business concept - is all it takes to understand the charm (and undeniable culinary talent) of this Mt Eden restaurant owner and head chef. But consistently great nosh aside, Molten Restaurant is - above all - worthy of a top Mt Eden restaurant crown simply because it's never overbearing, always unassuming and genuinely genial every single time we're there, both in the honesty of its food and the friendly warmth of its delightful floor staff.

Ras Vatika Indian Vegetarian Cafe

There’s nothing like further shaking up the line-up of modern Western and upmarket line of Mt Eden restaurants in our Recommended Mt Eden Restaurants list with a cheap and cheerful favourite of ours. Once a discreet eatery watching a steady stream of loyal Mt Eden locals drop by day in, day out, word had been getting out about the authentic Gujarati, South and North Indian food that Ras Vatika Indian Vegetarian Cafe prepares.

We've got mixed feelings about this Mt Eden restaurant’s sudden boost in popularity – although we feel like added publicity will only make it even more difficult than it already is now to grab a table at this nondescript Mt Eden local, we couldn't think of a more well-deserving, friendly and humble Mt Eden inhabitant to plug. Besides, love is meant to be shared now, isn't it?

Serafin Cafe


This Mt Eden restaurant’s claim to fame and rise in popularity was propagated by the controversy surrounding its inability to get its hands on a liquor license, thanks to the voiced fears of nearby residents who feared that the license would bring unwanted drunkards to their neighbourhood.

We sure hope this issue hasn't overshadowed the essence of their food, because this Auckland tapas restaurant whips up some of the most wonderfully authentic Spanish tapas in Auckland. Not a surprise, considering how both head chef and floor staff are native Barcelonans as well. Try the al dente paella to go alongside their simple yet perfectly executed tapas, and take our word for this: don’t leave before sampling their churros or torrijas!

Two Fifteen Bistro and Wine Bar


Owner and executive chef at Two Fifteen Bistro & Wine Bar, Jeremy Schmid retreats from the international culinary arena to settle down in the heart of Dominion Road, Mt Eden to open a restaurant that heralds the stripped back simplicity in back-to-basics foods and the importance of letting the best product and ingredients shine. Jeremy lives his dream here with Two Fifteen – a simple dream to fill every customer up with honest food that is treated with respect in the kitchen.

The food at this Mt Eden restaurant features basal and familiar dishes, but you'll have a hard time finding another restaurant in Mt Eden, Auckland that does the casual yet classy fare that Jeremy Schmid does any better. The string of awards that this Mt Eden restaurant reels in year after year has got to say something about Jeremy's food.

Alternative Mt Eden Restaurants:

Best All Day Mt Eden Cafe
Frasers Cafe & Espresso Bar
Our choice as being one of the best Mt Eden cafe slash restaurants in town – serving sizes and quality remains top-notch even after all these decades. And with this Mt Eden cafe being open until 11pm every night, this cafe makes the perfect night-craving queller for those in the Mt Eden neighbourhood.

Best Mt Eden Boutique Bar
Liquid Molten
This place brings the pub culture up a few notches, especially for a neighbourhood as laidback as Mt Eden. The pub food here actually has a semblance of edibility too, although that’s hardly surprising, considering its Molten pedigree.

Best Mt Eden Carnivorous Destination
Cazador Restaurant
Owner, chef and game hunting enthusiast Tony Lolaiy shares his love for the game at this Mt Eden restaurant (although some say far too much, judging from his over-enthusiasm for taxidermy décor). He’ll even cook up your prize catch if you bring it in – perfect for savouring and celebrating a game hunt minus the hassle.