Top Restaurants in Birkenhead
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Where to Eat in Birkenhead: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Discover the best restaurant in Birkenhead, New Zealand including Revive Cafe, The Grove, Clooney Restaurant, Giapo, SidArt, Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar, Al Forno, Blitza, Little Bird Organics and The Unbakery, Bungalo Cafe
Things to do in Birkenhead
1. Revive Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Revive Cafe is where Auckland's health conscious head in search of great food. Packed full of plant-based wholefoods, their tasty treats will leave you feeling great and full of energy to face the day. The amazing breakfast option, salad bar, tasty hot-pots and meals, changes everyday so you'll never be short of options when it comes to choosing healthy fast food. Revive are at the rescue and are ready to remedy all your food dilemmas. Open for Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Catering and on line Delivery - see website
Reviewed By smilingbluesky - Broxbourne, United Kingdom
Good range of veggie and vegan food and reasonably priced. Salads
and hot food, eat in or takeaway - shame about the plastic cutlery though !
2. The Grove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Graham G
My wife and I recently had a special anniversary dinner at this restaurant. We had travelled from Australia and booked this place on its reputation as a fine dining establishment. We were excited to be here, and to have this opportunity. We were met and warmly welcomed to the place. After a nice introductory drink at the bar we went to our table and chose both the large dégustation and matching local wines. We were on holidays, celebrating and we had time. It was disappointing however to not get our first “matching” wine till we had finished our first course. On a number of occasions we felt a need to stack the plates from our last course because the next course had been delivered before the table was readied. Some of the service was really lovely, open and engaging and we really appreciated the complementary celebratory chocolates. The “explanations” about the matching wines however was very quick, did not discuss why the wine was chosen, and was delivered quickly in a noisy setting that did not allow much real communication. When we had such high expectations; when the restaurant promised so much; when much of the service (though not all) was brusque; when we paid the high (but expected) price; it was unfortunately a lesser experience than was hoped for.
3. Clooney Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 839 reviews
We entertain with fine food and personable service that imparts knowledge and storytelling. Our focus is to showcase the New Zealand ingredients we use and their regional diversity. This comes to life in preparation and presentation. We are not a restaurant with a defined technique; we are guided by what best represents our ingredients. We cook precisely executed and boldly flavoured dishes that are unified and balanced, dishes that embody progression and purpose. We have an intimate relationship with the growers of our ingredients and where we can we tend and grow our own. We care about running an ethical, sustainable business where people love to eat, and our staff are proud to work.
Reviewed By Karl E - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Since our last visit one year ago, Clooney has had a change of head chef. How can one summarize the new Clooney experience? Perhaps with metaphor.
Chef took Heston Bloominthal's latest book. He tore out the pages and shredded them finely. Then he vac sealed them, and cooked them for six hours at 60 degrees Sous Verde. He carefully removed the dust jacket. The front of the jacket he roasted at a very high temperature and sculpted it into a bowl. The back of the jacket he immolated at 1000 degrees and turned it into ash. He then diced the hard cover and added it to a stock infused with the ashes of the dust jacket. He simmered the cover slowly for three hours until the diced cover become very very soft. The softened cover with the Sous Verde back jacket was then neatly mixed and heaped in the sculpted dust jacket bowl, and lightly sauced with a reduction of the ash/cover stock. We reccommend you taste this meal with a Waiheke Chardonney, which has hints of Millionaire's helicopter emissions and hippies.
Alternatively, I could say that Clooney has gone from being our favourite restaraunt in the world, to an also ran. Where there used to be a mind blowing mixture of textures and flavours, now it's just a... disappointment. The old Clooney was unique, it challenged the palette. Colours, flavours, textures used clever contrasts or complements. Wait staff used to explain their chef was "insane or inspired genius". I don't know what they say now. But "pedestrian" might come close. "Blumenthal without the adventure" is another option.
Specifically, there were a handful of the 13... yes 13... dishes that could be considered good going on great, but no where near excellent. Certainly nothing mind blowing. Half the degustation menu at Clooney used to be in the excellent to mind blowing category.
For the new Chef, particular stand outs for mediocrity included the "chicken tail, butter milk salmon roe" that seemed inspired by KFC. The grilled corn with cafe de kiwi butter" could be purchased in greater volume from a street food stall. Corn on a cob, but tiny. The "carrot, cashew nut, vinaigrette" was like drinking a can of carrot juice. The "hay smoked te mana lamb rump, kumara falling leaves" which is sold as "a ten year journey to create wagyu lamb" is basically a barely edible oversized chump chop dominated by globules of barely edible fat. It's the sort of dish you'd expect from a dodgy chop house smelling of lard in Greymouth, not a fine dining establishment in Auckland.
In short, devastatingly disappointing.
Andnow a message from the wife "Clooney used to be world class for the work they did with texture and contrast." "Used to be" is the operative phrase.
Hopefully the new Chef leaves. We might come back if they did.
4. Giapo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
A New Zealand Experience, Imaginative Ice Creams, World Class Service In The Heart of Auckland City.
Reviewed By Ruthie M - Richardson, Texas
This ice cream shop is more of a destination/experience than an ice cream shop. The unusual flavors of ice cream are wonderfully creamy. The ice cream cones are amazingly creative. The shop is beautiful, modern, clean, small. The bathroom is a long walk around the corner, very inconvenient. The prices are high. You're in New Zealand so go ahead and splurge on a fun cone or popover and an amazing ice cream. It's worth it. I had an especially wonderful coconut milk ice cream in a chocolate lined popover.
5. SidArt
Overall Ratings
5 based on 768 reviews
SIDART Restaurant is an award winning fine dining restaurant located in the Three Lamps Plaza, 283 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland. We are open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner from 6pm and Friday's for lunch. We are closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Reviewed By canadianelise - Auckland Central, New Zealand
As the first of seven courses appeared Sky Tower was golden. While I didn’t love all of the courses, the mains were beyond divine, especially the duck and wagyu. Wine pairing was perfect, one bottle I wanted to steal off the shelf and take it with me. The setting is lovely, quiet and small, just how I like my fine dining. Great place for special occasions.
6. Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
New concept by famous Al Brownoysters, bistro food and great wines
Reviewed By Upyacloaca
Absolute rubbish service. Your staff should be ashamed of themselves for their unprofessional attitude towards customer service and working in general. As a customer it is disgraceful how we were treated, our orders not taken and moved along like cattle. We had overseas guests with us and their impression of New Zealand customer service was less that flattering. To the rude blonde staff member at the counter- you suck- you do a great disservice to New Zealand.
What the hell is wrong with your staff?? Stupid people.
7. Al Forno
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Al Forno Italian Restaurant in Auckland serves traditional Italian dishes along with a excellent selection of wine, beer and non alcoholic beverages.
Reviewed By Kylie N
For a few years now I’ve had a friend recommend to go here but just haven’t made around to actually doing so, but have dined all around everywhere else in Takapuna. The food tonight was absolutely amazing. The stand out meal for me tonight was the calamari. The flavours and perfectly cooked calamari is really hard to find
And it was delish. I also want to say that the staff were fantastic. Everyone was engaging when you looked at them, the service was on point. I’m excited to recommend this place to my friends and to bring my work here for another Friday for some cold beers and amazing pizzas. Great place with better food and even better staff.
8. Blitza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Blitza pizza and pasta restaurant
Reviewed By NZTraveller061 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
We have been going to this restaraunt for years. The Pizzas are delicious and the variety great.They have something for all tastes.If Pizza is not for you the Slouvaki is excellent.They also have chips and garlic bread etc.Great for family and friendly service too.We no longer live in the area but still make it our place for family.
9. Little Bird Organics and The Unbakery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
A little birdie told us food should be three things:mostly raw, definitely organic and full of goodness. So here at little bird we do just that and with all that combined, the result is pure deliciousness. Why raw? Raw foods are in their purest state- no heating above 46'C. This ensures the food retains all its enzymes and nutrients and its life force, which means every bite contain more goodness for your body. Organic foods are grown without harmful chemicals. No chemicals in the food means no chemicals in your food or environment. Goodness, because food should be good for you, packed with all the nutrition you need to feel fabulous. Goodness tastes good too. We are completely gluten and dairy free and proudly serve plant based menus that suit anybody really as well as vegans, vegetarians and healthy minded people looking for an easy way to include more goodness and nutrition in their diet.
Reviewed By BigZed52
I had lunch here today along with Mr 52 and 8 family members. We were greeted warmly by the charming Maitre d' and seated on a large table which I'd arranged the day before. It was very busy, but the staff were attentive and efficient.
I ordered one of the daily specials which was courgette linguini with basil, avocado, snow peas, rocket and "parmesan" cheese. It was absolutely delicious. Mr 52 ordered mushrooms and cashew cream on "bread' - also delicious. Others in the party ordered the kimchi burger, and mushroom burgers. All were delicious. None of us could believe we were eating not only vegan food, but raw food.
The icing on the cake, so to speak, were the desserts. My pick is the passionfruit cheesecake. Unbelievably good. So creamy, the flavour intense. We also tried strawberry cheesecake (wonderful), and a raspberry and ginger slice (delicious).
I can't recommend this cafe highly enough. Brilliant service, and unforgettable food. I only wish we lived in Auckland and could go there regularly.
10. Bungalo Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By Intrepid256 - Florence, Alabama
Had light breakfast here before hitting road. Had seen review on Trip Advisor and was fascinated by their barista’s artistry. Very nice cafe with good variety of breakfast items. I had the bread and butter loaf/pudding? that was delicious. They used a variety of seeded day old bread which add an interesting texture and taste. My companion was very pleased with their muesli and said it was very similar to some she had in Europe. The staff was friendly and helpful. I believe they are only open for breakfast and lunch.
