The holidays are here which means a well-deserved break for all of us, including those in the hospitality industry. Fortunately, there are a handful of establishments keeping their doors open over the break, so if you do find yourself wondering where you can go for a bite out in Auckland, these are the places to visit.
Soul Bar & Bistro
Aside from Christmas Day, Soul Bar & Bistro’s hours are remaining more-or-less normal. Closing for Christmas Day, Soul is back open on Boxing Day, with the bar open from 11am and DJs kicking in from 5pm through to the wee hours to keep the festive spirit going — no entry fee required. On New Year’s Day, the team at Soul will be taking a few hours off before getting straight back into action from 5pm for its first dinner service of 2021. The bar will be open for drinks and snacks from 4pm.
Euro Bar & Restaurant
This waterfront favourite will only be closing on the 25th and 26th of December, plus 1st January at lunchtime, opening at 5pm on the first day of 2021. It’s open at all other times over the holiday season, giving you ample time to pop in for a bite of its delicious and recently revamped sharing menu.
Commercial Bay
Lucky for us, the outstanding culinary options housed within downtown shopping precinct Commercial Bay are staying open through the holidays — with many even open on Christmas Day. Head into the air conditioned comfort of the complex and dine at Ahi, The Poni Room, Gochu, Saxon + Parole, Harbour Eats food hall — and many more.
Huami
Home to some of the city’s most premium Chinese food, Huami isn’t slowing down these holidays either, and will be running its regular hours of lunch from 11:30am until 2:30pm Wednesday to Sunday and dinner from 5:30pm until 9:30pm every day.
Prego
Consistently providing delicious food and stellar service, Prego is an Auckland stalwart and we are incredibly thankful that the restaurant will only be taking a two-day break on the 25th and 26th of December. From the 27th December until New Year’s Eve, Prego will be open from midday until late, and will open at 5pm on New Year’s Day after which normal service will resume.
Blue Breeze Inn
Fans of Blue Breeze Inn’s moreish Asian-fusion fare need not worry, the Ponsonby eatery is only closing on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and the 1st and 2nd of January. Otherwise, it will be open during its normal hours right through holiday season.
Odettes Eatery
Searching for a brunch spot can be a challenge over the holiday season, however, Odettes Eatery is here to save the day. Dinner service will end on 23rd December, with the eatery only open for brunch from 7am until 3pm on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day Odettes is closed, then from Boxing Day until 17th January it’s open for brunch from 8am until 3pm daily, with no public holiday surcharge. Normal hours resume 18th January 2021.
Amano
Getting a table at Amano is not an easy task, so while most people are out of town, use this time as an opportunity to dine at the modern Italian restaurant. Amano will be closed on Christmas and Boxing Days, before returning to its regular hours for the rest of 2020. On the 1st and 2nd of January, the restaurant will open at 8am instead of 6:30am, but aside from that, everything is business as usual.
Gusto at The Grand
This SkyCity Italian restaurant is completely unfazed this holiday season, with its hours remaining exactly the same. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, we’ll be able to indulge in the Orgy of Mushrooms gnocchi whenever we please.
Restaurants and bars worth noting that are closed over the holidays:
Andiamo: Closed 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th December, open 29th, 30th and 31st, closed from 1st – reopening 5th of January.
Annabel’s: Closed from 24th December — reopening 6th January.
Azabu Ponsonby: Closed 25th December — reopening 6th January.
Azabu Mission Bay: Closed 25th – 28th December, open 29th – 31st December, closed 1st January – reopening 6th January.
Cassia: Open for lunch only on 24th December, closed 25th — 28th December, open for dinner 29th — 31st December, closed 1st — reopening 5th January normal hours.
Clay: Closed from 22nd December – reopening 11th January.
Cotto: Closed from 24th of December, reopening 6th January.
East St Hall: Closed from 24th — 31st December, open for New Year’s Eve party. Closed from 1st — reopening 6th January.
Ebisu: Closed 25th – 28th December, open 29th – 31st December, closed from 1st – reopening 13th January.
Honey Bones: Closed from 24th December — reopening 12th January.
Hotel Ponsonby: Closed from 24th December — reopening 9th January.
Jervois Steak House: Closed 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th December, open 29th, 30th and 31st, closed from 1st – reopening 5th of January.
Lilian: Closed from 24th December — reopening 14th January.
NSP: Closed 25th December – reopening 6th January.
Ostro: Closed 25th – 28th December, open 29th – 31st, closed 1st January – reopening 13th January.
Ponsonby Road Bistro: Closed from 23rd December – reopening 7th January.
Sidart: Open for lunch only on 24th December, closed 25th — 28th December, open for dinner 29th — 31st December, closed 1st — reopening 5th January normal hours.
Sid at The French Café: Open for lunch only on 24th December, closed 25th — 28th December, open for dinner 29th — 31st December, closed 1st — reopening 5th January normal hours.
The Blue Breeze Inn: Closed 25th — 26th December, and 1st — 2nd January.
The Golden Nest at Woodpecker Hill: Closed from 25th December — reopening 5th January.
