Denizen’s definitive guide to the best takeaways to try during lockdown

Culprit

While lockdown is never good news, one silver lining is the reappearance of Culprit’s irresistible ‘Culprit @Home’ offering. From Thursday 4th March until Saturday 6th March, Culprit’s three-course deluxe meal kit (with a Little Culprit cocktail base, figs and cured pork, Culprit’s famous roast duck and peanut slab trifle for dessert, along with several tasty extras) will be available for pickup and delivery (within a 5km radius). 

Order online here

Cantine and Star Superette

The Bar Celeste team have you covered across not just one but two businesses. Their delightfully gluttonous Cantine burgers are sure to satiate the meanest burger craving — find Celeste’s famous Filet O’Market Fish and the hamburger-style Smashburger in the mix, as well as suitably indulgent sides. Star Superette has your drinks covered with a great selection of natural and organic wines as well as spirits and beers, plus a super handy one-hour delivery service for metro areas if you need a drink, stat.

Find Cantine here and Star Superette here

Lilian

Lilian is offering contactless pickup from 5pm – 9pm, Wednesday 3rd March to Saturday 6th March. Find the likes of its delicious woodfired pizzas, lamb ribs with black garlic and more tasty accompaniments to keep hungry tummies happy. Call or text 021498427 to place an order and schedule a time to collect it.

Follow @lilian.akl for menu details and updates

Andiamo

Andiamo To Go is back, offering a tasty takeaway menu with contactless pickup available from Monday 1st March. Find the likes of chilli fried calamari, cacio e pepe, chicken saltimbocca and tiramisu for dessert if you feel so inclined. Orders can be placed between 4pm – 8pm, with contactless pickup available from 5pm. ⁠Contactless delivery is also now available, serving Herne Bay, Saint Mary’s Bay, Ponsonby, Westmere, Grey Lynn and Freemans Bay for $7.50. 

Phone 09 378 7811 between 4pm and 8pm to place your order and make payment.

Find the full menu here

Williams Eatery

This Wynyard Quarter cafe has us sorted for lunch with mouth-watering sweet and savoury goods, plus Flight Coffee for a much-needed caffeine fix. Whether a cheesy egg bun is more your style, or a Lebanese pita, stuffed with either falafel or chicken shawarma, pickles, hummus and salad, we recommend paying these guys a visit between 10am and 1:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Visit G03/85 Daldy Street and follow @williamseatery for updates

Homeland

Order from the ‘Homeland@Home’ menu, and pick up from the Wynyard Quarter restaurant to reheat or serve chilled. Order from a delicious array of salads and starters like creamed Chatham Islands pāua in a pouch (to serve on your own toast) or mains like wood-roast Greenlea beef short rib — plus sides and desserts. Contactless payment and pick-up between noon and 6pm daily.

Find the menu and ordering details here

Burger Boy

Satiate any burger craving, any time of day, with Viaduct Harbour joint Burger Boy’s selection of simple yet smashable burgers. It’s open seven days from 7am for breakfast buns like the BLT or the Vege Butty (free-range eggs with hash browns, veges and mayo); and the rest of the selection is available until as late as, well, possible. Available for contactless pickup and also delivery via Uber Eats.

Order online here 

Hello Beasty

Viaduct Harbour’s Hello Beasty has created a menu of dinner packs for between two and four people, which include all the dishes you could desire for a scrumptious feast. Receive a delicious main like chargrilled Sichuan lamb shoulder with sides like broccolini, spring onion flat breads and rice. Vegetarian options are available, plus individual dishes and sides.

Order online here and follow @eatupbeasty for updates

Ockhee

Open Tuesday to Sunday for contactless pick-ups, Ponsonby Road Korean spot Ockhee has us sorted all day long with its healthy yet hearty dishes. From Dubbap and Bibimbaps, to noodle salads, some of the best fried chicken we’ve tasted, and much more, find Ockhee’s lockdown menu here.

Call 09 217 2020 or visit 171 Ponsonby Road

Ebisu

Ebisu is offering a curated range of its signature dishes for contactless pickup from Wednesday 3rd March. Fans of Ebisu’s exceptional Japanese fare will be delighted to find dishes such as beef tataki, prawn dumplings and several excellent sushi options on offer. Children will be well looked after with the kid’s sushi platter also available. 

Order online here

Lobster & Tap

Love lobster? You’re in luck. Lobster & Tap’s luxurious lockdown offerings are available for contactless curbside pickup, including a Lobster Roll Kit (designed to create two, four or six classic or hot buttered rolls), a choice of solo rolls or tasty combos including chips plus coleslaw and a pickle. Available for contactless pickup and delivery via Uber Eats from midday – 7pm daily from Monday 1st March.

Order online here

Clay

Natural wine bar Clay has both pick-ups and takeaways available from 5pm, Tuesday 2nd March to Saturday 6th March. Schedule a pizza night with its moreish sourdough pizzas, offering original toppings like spicy arrabiata and mozzarella, or béchamel with broken sausage and caramelised onion. Finish with a heavenly tiramisu for dessert, and it goes without saying the team is also providing its huge variety of organic and biodynamic wines and beers for purchase.

Order online here

Gemmayze Street

Lebanese eatery Gemmayze Street is dishing up its silky smooth hummus and oh-so tender lamb shoulder once again after being shut since late last year for renovations. Available from Tuesday 2nd March, this dinner offering includes the likes of fish pide sandwiches, short rib with saffron rice and octopus with fried potatoes.

Order online here

Satya

Satya South Indian Restaurant is bringing you its famous pani puri, along with a plethora of delicious curries, starters and masala dosa, via pick up and delivery from its Ponsonby, Sandringham and Mt Eden restaurants.  

Order online here

East Street Hall

The popular dining and dancing destination won’t be depriving us of its scrumptious Jewish Israeli fare during Level 3 lockdown. East Street Hall Deli will be open for takeaways from Wednesday 3rd March to Saturday 6th of March, offering freshly made pitas, chicken shish, Mediterranean salads, dips, fries and sauces. Pre-orders can be made by phoning (09) 300 3237 between 4pm and 8pm each day, with the pick-up window between 5pm and 9pm at number 5 East Street.

Follow @east_street_hall for menu details and updates

Pici

The pasta heroes at Pici have announced the arrival of its very own pasta kits, a welcome addition to any household craving the comforting taste of handmade pasta. On the menu, you can expect the likes of rigatoni with pork and sausage fennel ragu and vegan-friendly spaghettini with sweet cherry tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil. Available for pickup and delivery.

Order online here

1947 Eatery

Inner-city favourite 1947 Eatery has got your curry cravings under control, with a menu full of its most popular dishes available for pick up and delivery. Try something from the tandoor or the famous bang bang butter chicken — and the street samosa chaat and garlic naan is a must. 

Order online here

Barbarino’s Spaghetteria

Find all matter of delicious Italian goodness at neighbourhood favourite Barbarino’s (think eggplant parmigiana, pizza and enough pasta to poke a stick at) available for takeaway or delivery via Uber Eats.

Order online here

White and Wong’s

Modern Asian eatery White and Wong’s has its Princes Wharf location open for contactless pick-ups, from 5pm on Monday 1st March. From dumplings to warming soups, starters like Peking duck, mains like curry and BBQ’d meats, and much more, you’re in for an at-home feast thanks to the restaurant’s extensive menu.

Order online here

Nishiki

Pretending you’re at a classic BYO with your bubble is easy now Japanese favourite Nishiki is dishing up its menu for contactless takeaway. Load up on fresh sushi, sashimi, tempura and don’t forget the miso dengaku (cheesy miso eggplant). 

Order online here

Saan

Should a craving for authentic Northern Thai cuisine hit you, look no further than Saan on Ponsonby Road. Offering its fragrant tiger prawn Pad Thai, Mussaman lamb curry, crispy pork belly, and wok-seared eggplant and tofu (to name a few), both contactless pick-up and delivery via Uber Eats are available.

Order online here

Bang Bang Kitchen

Add some bang to your bubble with Bang Bang Kitchen’s flavourful range of Hawker-inspired dishes. Discerning diners will know to add the crispy pork and crab fried rice to cart immediately, along with one of its irresistible sides like crispy fried chicken and fried squid. Available for contactless pickup and delivery via Uber Eats from Monday 1st March. 

Order online here

Amano

Amano’s bakery window is open from 7am – 3pm daily, offering up its award-winning treats for contactless pick-up. Find sourdough and ciabatta sitting alongside pastries, cakes, tarts and some of the tastiest sandwiches around, plus hot cross buns.

Follow @amano_nz for updates

Jervois Steak House

Our favourite steak house is offering contactless pick-up. With a curated takeaway menu of all your favourites, you won’t find a better steak anywhere else. Available from Monday 1st March from 5pm for dinner, and orders can be placed between 4pm – 8pm.

Phone 09 376 2049 to place your order and payment.⁠

Lowbrow

Have you been fiending Lowbrow’s fried chicken? Get your hands on the best (not so) dirty bird in town (as well as their famous sandos, sides and salads) with contactless pick up available from St Kevins Arcade, as well as delivery.

Order online here

Cassia

The clever team at Cassia have released a new take-home menu, with exciting new options to indulge in (think chicken tikka slider kits, DIY marinated lamb chops and their signature journey menus to be enjoyed at home). Preorder now for contactless pickup between 4pm – 8pm, Thursday 4th March to Sunday 7th March.

Order online here

Market Galley

Get your seafood fix with Market Galley’s range of top quality takeaways, which includes classic fish and chips, burgers and a bumper family box filled with beer-battered fish and chips, salt and pepper squid, poached prawns and sauces. Available for contactless pickup and delivery via Uber Eats from 11am – 7pm daily from Monday 1st March. 

Order online here

Cazador Delicatessen

Fans of Cazador’s expertly prepared game meats will be pleased Cazador Delicatessen is open for contactless pickup from 8am – 2pm daily, serving up coffee, sandwiches, pies, pantry items, fresh bread and, of course, its famed charcuterie. If you want to have a backyard picnic with your bubble, one of its hampers never goes amiss.

Order online here

Cotto

Praise the pasta gods, Cotto is poised to bring back its takeaway offering, with the K’Road eatery set to be open from Monday 1st March to Saturday 6th March, 5pm – 10pm. Menu and ordering details to come.

Follow @cotto_krd for more updates

Azabu

Those with a hankering for Azabu’s supremely fresh Peruvian-Japanese fare will be pleased to hear a selection of its most popular dishes will be coming to a plate near you. Find favourites such as sushi and sashimi platters, prawn dumplings and free-range chicken karaage up for grabs, alongside cocktail kits, wine and sake. Available for contactless pickup from 4pm – 7pm Monday 1st March at Azabu Ponsonby, preorder now for contactless pickup at Azabu Mission Bay from Wednesday 3rd March. 

Order online here

Pasture

Parnell restaurant Pasture is offering up loaves of its much-lauded sourdough alongside oysters, aged tuna, smoked eel and more gourmet treats for contactless pickup from its 235 Parnell Road storefront (where brother venture Boxer usually operates).

Follow @pasture_akl for more updates

The Engine Room

North Shore stalwart The Engine Room will be serving up click and collect takeaways later this week, with details set to be released soon. 

Visit The Engine Room’s website for updates

Ozone Coffee Roasters

Grey Lynn’s Ozone is serving up a contactless takeaway brunch menu from 7am – 2pm, seven days a week. Simply scope out the menus online and take your pick from the likes of field mushrooms on toast, smoked fish kedgeree or a bacon sarnie, then give them a buzz to place your order. Coffee, juices and smoothies are also available.

Find ordering instructions and menus online here

Annabel's

Ponsonby’s favourite local watering hole, Annabel’s, is now offering a vibrant selection of wines, available to buy online or via free click and collect from the wine bar. There’s also a daytime-appropriate selection of to-go treats, such as orange semolina cake, available to purchase in store.

Delivery is an additional $7 per order and is available in a 5km radius of Annabel’s and will be received within 3-4 days of purchase.

Order online here

Giapo

Sweet tooths rejoice, Giapo’s signature ice cream, with hand-rolled freshly made waffle cones, ice cream by the slice or 500ml tubs of ice cream can be pre-ordered for click and collect or  delivery using the brand’s own app. 

Order via the Giapo app here

Burger Burger

Auckland’s beloved burger joint Burger Burger is offering its full burger menu including specials, sides like potato skins and charred broccoli, plus milkshakes and sodas for contactless pickup from its Ponsonby, Newmarket and Takapuna locations. Its Commercial Bay location is closed, for now.

Order online here

Miann

From luxe birthday cakes, decadent doughnuts, creme brûlée, macarons and dessert feasts to gelato and gateaux (hey, the rules are all gone now, right?), Level 3 lockdown is a whole lot sweeter with contactless pick up from Miann’s Fort St, Morningside and Britomart locations, plus the incentive that if you order six petite gateaux, two are free. You can also find a range of housemade chocolate available for delivery via their ‘Chocolate Shop’.

Order online here

Lillius

Lillius has brought back its popular Lillius on Toast offering, which celebrates its popular house-made bread and butter. Designed to be a delicious snack, lunch or light dinner, you’ll find the likes of sourdough, focaccia and walnut loaf alongside creamed sweetcorn, chicken liver parfait and market fish ceviche. Available for contactless pickup from 12pm – 4pm, Thursday 4th March to Sunday 7th March.

Order online here

Fishboy Mission Bay

Don’t let lockdown get in the way of a fish ‘n’ chip craving — Fishboy is open daily from 12pm and is offering both online and phone orders for contactless pick-up only. They’re also on Ubereats, but we recommend ordering straight from the source as it’s better for everyone.

Phone 09 521 3532 or order online here