It's official—Onehunga is one of Auckland's most hip albeit underrated suburbs. Studded with historic buildings and delightful villas, this charming neighbourhood has really amped things up in recent years on the eating-out front, with a host of top-notch bars, restaurants and cafés coming to the fore. From pretty cocktails to Detroit-style pizza, it's a bonafide foodie destination.
Add to that some sweet attractions you won't find anywhere else in Auckland (Dress Smart and Rixen NZ, aka the city's only cable wakeboarding park), there's certainly no shortage of things to do. So here it is—your guide to all the best things to eat, drink and do in Onehunga.
Onehunga's Best Restaurants, Bars And Cafes
The Bramble
284 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland
Image credit: The Bramble | Instagram
Ask Onehunga residents where they like to drink, and chances are they'll say The Bramble. This cute bar located on the outside of Onehunga Mall has been socially lubricating the locals for nearly 15 years, and it's easy to see why.
Their cocktails are particularly outstanding and have been known to include everything from raisin-infused rum and crushed Oreos, to salted caramel vodka and miniature pavs. Definitely one for the 'Gram.
Chi-Chi Kitchen
1C Rawhiti Road, Onehunga, Auckland
Hidden at the end of an unassuming parade of shops, Chi-Chi Kitchen is one of the best spots for authentic Vietnamese fare this side of the city. A small family-run business that focuses on fresh, flavoursome food, dine in or take away their beef pho, Vietnamese salad with tofu and their hefty summer rolls which are all standouts and not to be missed.
SLABS
178/182 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland
Image credit: SLABS | Instagram
Do your taste buds a favour and pay a visit SLABS Pizza, where square Detroit-style pizzas, cooked in traditional blue-steel pans to create a signature caramelised cheese crust, are the name of the game.
These bad boys are available by the slice or slab in a range of mouthwatering flavours, including our personal fave—the Italian sausage (a drool-worthy combo of cheese, broccolini, red pesto and Italian sausage). And as if that wasn't enough, you can even get dipping sauce for your crust, along with meatballs and chicken wings for sides. Hells yeah.
Everybody Eats
306 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland
Image credit: Everybody Eats | Facebook
We have a whole lotta love for Everybody Eats. This pay-as-you-feel eatery—which also has a branch in Wellington, and runs regular pop-ups—is all about making delish, restaurant-quality food out of ingredients that would otherwise go to waste and the best part is, everyone is welcome.
We love seeing what clever creations the chefs come up with, with a different three-course menu, including vegetarian options, announced each day (anyone for a crispy hoki, gribiche, American cheese and dill sando with fried potatoes, followed by chocolate and coconut snowballs with rice puffs?).
Lunchroom
297 Church Street, Onehunga, Auckland
Onehunga residents, you're a lucky bunch to have a spot like Lunchroom in your midst. Despite the name, this one is far from your average lunch bar and is knocking it outta the park with next-level doughnuts, sammies, cakes—and some of Auckland's best pies, including a best-selling corned beef and silverbeet number.
Sweet And Me
235 Church Street, Onehunga, Auckland
Image credit: Sweet And Me | Instagram
For Onehunga's best sweet treats, there's only one place you need to know about, and that's Sweet And Me. This epic cakery serves all sorts of sugary magic, inspired by owner and head cake-maker, Bertrand Jang's South Pacific upbringing.
Think pineapple pie cake, cocoa-flavoured bread and butter pudding, coconut buns, and traditional masi macarons, decorated with patterns unique to Bertrand's father's village in Fiji. They also make some rather epic custom cakes, should you have a special occasion coming up.
Mr T's Baked Goods & Eatery
210 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland
Image credit: Mr T's | Facebook
Much-loved bakery and café, Mr T's merges classic treats with Vietnamese-style dishes and is especially loved for its mouthwatering pies. Yip, we'll be damned if there's anything better than tucking into one of their perfectly bronzed, piping hot steak and cheese numbers on a cold winter's day but failing that, we'll settle for one of their bánh mì, or a big ol' bowl of bún nem nướng (aka homemade pork and prawn meatballs on vermicelli noodles). P.S. Their sourdough is world-famous in Onehunga.
Food me-n-u Cafe
187 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland
Run by a former Hilton chef, Food me-n-u is another solid pick. Their breakfasts are particularly noteworthy and include buttermilk pancakes with praline butter, maple cream and raspberry crumb, and one hell of a take on bubble and squeak (read: Spanish chorizo, potatoes, honey-cured bacon, sauteed onion and wilted rocket served with a poached egg and sourdough). Special shout-out to the milkshakes—the peanut butter brownie is tops.
iTi Espresso Bar
163 Trafalgar Street, Onehunga, Auckland
iTi Espresso Bar reckons they serve the best coffee in Onehunga, and we can't say we disagree. Visit their cute lil' spot on Trafalgar Street for a quality brew made with Eighthirty coffee, along with home-baked treats in the form of muffins, pastries, and scones to rival your Nana's.
Lot Nineteen
19 Church Street, Onehunga, Auckland
Image credit: Lot Nineteen
Lot Nineteen first came to our attention for their cinnamon rolls, which have been declared the tastiest in the land by many a cinny fan. Gloriously fluffy and slathered in glossy frosting, we wish we could smoosh our faces with one of these every day (sadly, they are only available Wednesday through Saturday).
Furthermore, Biscoff and cookies-and-cream versions have been known to make the menu (gasp), while an assortment of other treats—think brownies, pepperoni rolls, and almond and raspberry croissants—and of course, coffee, are also available from this itsy bitsy trailer on Church Street.
Japanese Sashimi Bar Ajimi
2/258 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland
You need only look at how busy Japanese Sashimi Bar Ajimi is, to gauge the quality of their food. That said, pull up a pew (or in this case, a crate) and settle in for a feast of traditional Izakaya treats.
Naturally, there's plenty of mouthwatering sashimi for you to get amongst, but don't stop there—there are dumplings, sushi, fried chicken, and matcha ice cream for afters. Of course, it'd be rude not to also indulge in some sake, or at the very least a glass of Sapporo beer.
Good Dog Bad Dog
178-182 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland
And finally, no round-up of Onehunga would be complete without mentioning Good Dog Bad Dog. Home to what are best described as 'hotdogs on steroids', these guys specialise in ridiculously delicious snags dripping in mac 'n' cheese, chilli and more.
And if dogs ain't your thing, don't stress—they've got fried chicken hoagies, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and deep-fried Oreos, too.
The Best Things To Do In Onehunga
Dress Smart
151 Arthur Street, Onehunga, Auckland
Image credit: Vans Dress Smart | Facebook
Bag yourself a bargain at Dress Smart, New Zealand's largest outlet shopping destination. Take your pick of more than 100 local and international brands including Bonds, Decjuba, Converse, Levi's, Country Road and Puma, as well as New Zealand's first-ever Vans outlet. Plus, they have some solid food options to refuel with while you're there—our money's on dumplings from The Rolling Pin.
Enchanted Forest Mini Golf
61 Selwyn St, Onehunga, Auckland
Onehunga is also home to one of Auckland's best mini golf courses—Enchanted Forest Mini Golf. Putt your stuff around 18 holes of fantastically-themed golfing goodness including Troll's Plateau and the Totem of Destiny, located within an ethereal, garden setting.
And because the course has been designed by legit golfers, you know it's gonna be good. Celebrate your victory (because of course, you're gonna win) with a feast prepared on one of their handy onsite BBQs.
Onehunga Bay Reserve
71-91 Beachcroft Avenue, Onehunga, Auckland
Onehunga Bay Reserve is a treat for all (and by all, we mean dogs too). The council has been hard at work over these ways in recent years—a $30 million development was completed at the end of 2015, creating 6.8 hectares of parkland between State Highway 20 and the Manukau Harbour.
The area has it all: beaches, a boat ramp, a playground, pedestrian bridges, a skate ramp and the lagoon mentioned above, which we're told is home to a family of friendly stingrays.
Wanna know what's good north of the bridge? Check out the best things to eat, drink and do in Devonport.
Main image credit: John Sprague JDS Imagery