One of the great things about staying in the heart of Auckland’s CBD is that you’ll be able to dine at what are considered to be, the best restaurants in New Zealand.
Our own Cooke’s Restaurant and Bar led by award-winning chef Jinu Abraham is a fine choice of course, with a modern menu inspired by nourishing whole foods, but we thought we’d also recommend some other fantastic choices, all within 10 minutes walk of the Hotel Grand Windsor, so you can see just how good the options are around us!
1. Cassia
For those with a taste for South Asian cuisine, Cassia on Fort Lane is an absolute must as a passionate tribute to modern Indian dining.
Awarded the Metro Peugeot Restaurant of the Year Award in both 2016 and 2017, Cassia marries fresh local produce with authentic imported spices with flavour combinations that take their dishes to the next level.
The food is beautifully presented and so pleasing on the eye and the classics like Tandoori Fish, Pan Puri and Lamb Chops are mouthwatering.
Cassia is a 2 minute walk from the Hotel Grand Windsor.
2. Ortolana
Ortolana is a contemporary bistro set within an elegant, sun-filled conservatory in the Pavilions at Britomart. The name Ortolana means ‘Market Gardener’ in Italian and is symbolic of their use of the best seasonal, local produce from their own farm and from other local growers.
Ortolana offers an all-day, European-inspired menu and is an especially popular place for brunch. Their piadina is a fantastic starter choice whilst diners rave about the chicken cotoletta.
Ortolana is a 5 minute walk from the Hotel Grand Windsor.
3. The Grove
For the ultimate foodie, it’s hard to look past The Grove on Wyndham Street, a fine dining degustation experience featuring modern New Zealand food with a French twist.
The 7-course full degustation menu itself is full of wonderful surprises but one thing you can expect is to enjoy delicately crafted cuisine, packed full of flavour from the freshest seasonal ingredients.
You’ll also enjoy the wine matchings of premier labels by the glass.
The Grove is a 5 minute walk from the Hotel Grand Windsor.
4. The Sugar Club
The Sugar Club is a Peter Gordon restaurant and the quality of the food is matched only by the quality of the experience – situated on level 53 of the Auckland Sky Tower, this restaurant sets exceedingly high standards in service and their menu will not disappoint.
The menu is an example of fusion done well and incorporates culinary styles from Europe and Asia. With breathtaking views of the city and Hauraki Gulf, illuminated beautifully by the street lights at night, it’s an especially romantic place to share with your special someone.
The Sugar Club is a 9 minute walk from the Hotel Grand Windsor.
5. Depot
Another celebrity chef-owned restaurant, Depot, is situated on Federal Street right next to the Sky Tower and is owned and run by New Zealand Masterchef, Al Brown.
Depot is a place with a lively atmosphere stemming from the energetic kitchen and its own popularity. They have a no reservations policy so it can be tricky to get a table but if you do, it will be worth the wait. The food at Depot clearly matches Al Brown’s outlook towards food: local, in season, beautifully cooked cuisine to be enjoyed with friends. Most of the cooking is over charcoal and the flavours are exquisite!
Depot is a 10 minute walk from the Hotel Grand Windsor.
A hub of fine dining and memorable experiences
As you can see for yourself, there are some great options here and even more, our Concierge team can tell you about when you arrive for your stay at the Hotel Grand Windsor.
We’ll only make recommendations that match our own level of excellence to make sure every aspect of your stay is as good as the next.
