Offering the perfect excuse to get out and taste some fantastic dishes this winter, the city’s celebration of chefs, cultures and foodie delights is back once again.
The just-released schedule features a number of creative dining experiences that are sure to be popular amongst the month-long celebration, marking its 15th year in 2025. Bookings are available now for a number of key events.
One cool collaborative moment sees the arrival of head chef Alex Prichard and beverage director Matty Opai from Sydney’s iconic Icebergs’ restaurant, setting up shop at Soul Bar for one night only to bring Icebergs’ delicious dining to Auckland’s waterfront.
In another event that brings top trans-Tasman talent together, Advieh Auckland’s Gareth Stewart teams up with Adelaide rising-star Robin Wagner to create a six-course meal with paired wines and cocktails.
Whether you want to sit back and enjoy up the expertise as top chefs turn out world-class fine dining, or want noisy and jubilant vibes, there are rooftop dining trails, pasta parties, themed dining events and hands-on taco-making on the packed schedule. There’s even the opportunity to have kids join in the fun.
In order to deliver budget-conscious eating options, Auckland Restaurant Month’s beloved signature set price menus return, with over 100 restaurants offering special set menus at $30, $45 and $55+ over the month of August.
One fun new approach invites diners to try progressive dining – exploring global flavours across three different restaurants in one night. The ‘Culinary Passport’ series of events 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.
Auckland Restaurant Month’s Highlights in August 2025
Signature Events & Chef Collaborations:
Icebergs at Soul Bar
Soul Bar kicks off Restaurant Month in style, teaming up with Sydney’s iconic Icebergs Dining Room and Bar for a one-night-only celebration of coastal elegance and bold flavour. Head Chef Alex Prichard and Beverage Director Matty Opai bring Icebergs’ signature laid-back luxury to Auckland’s waterfront, serving up a four-course menu paired with standout cocktails and wines.
The Burnt Butter Table x Esther
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.
Speakeasy Soirée with Clued Up & La Zeppa
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.
Advieh x Gareth Stewart & Robin Wagner
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.
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
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
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.
Feast from the East
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.
Flavours of the City: Unique, Playful and Culture-Rich
Chow Luck Club Walking Tours
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.
Tacoteca Masa Class
Roll up your sleeves and dive into the bold flavours of Mexico at this hands-on masa-making class with Chef Ivan from Tacoteca.
K-Culture & Cuisine
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.
Sunday Truffle Lunch
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.
Tacoteca Little Chefs Edition
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.
The Great Noodle Run
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.
Additional Restaurant Own Events:
Beast & Butterflies Trust the Chef Dining Experience
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.
Trivet Front Row Experience
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.
St Alice High Tea
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.
Sour Bar Soul Cha
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.
For more details and a full list of participating restaurants and events, visit Heart of the City’s Auckland Restaurant Month.
