The Chow Luck Club Walking Food Tours may have all sold out, but there’s plenty on offer at this year’s Heart of the City Auckland Restaurant Month.
In August, the city centre will be transformed into a dining destination celebrating its thriving food scene with the annual event returning for its milestone 15th year.
The 2025 edition will run from 1-31 August, featuring more than 100 participating restaurants, chef collaborations, bespoke events and the return of its popular set price menus across $30, $45, $55+ price points.
“For 15 years, Restaurant Month has brought our city centre to life in the most delicious way,” says Viv Beck, Heart of the City Chief Executive.
“It’s a celebration of everything that makes this part of Auckland special, the creativity of our chefs, the diversity of our hospitality, and the unique experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else.”
Beck says this year’s line was its “boldest yet” and “a fantastic reason to explore the city, support local and share something memorable”.
Auckland’s rich cultural fabric and increasingly diverse international community are best exemplified in the city’s food scene, which brings together tastes from around the globe.
Chow Luck Club’s walking tours, led by co-founder Lincoln Tan, an avid foodie and former senior diversity journalist at The New Zealand Herald, will take participants to 10 delicious eateries and bars.
The tours, now in their fourth edition, will run over three Saturdays, August 2, 16 and 30, and have sold out days after they were put up online.
Participants will not only be tasting the signature dishes, but also meet, chat with the people behind the dishes and these eateries, and hear the stories that bind them.
A top, not-to-be-missed event is also the collaboration between head chef Alex Prichard and beverage director Matty Opai from Sydney’s legendary Iceberg’s Restaurant, who will be bringing Iceberg to Auckland’s waterfront for a one-night-only event.
Another collab to watch is between Advieh Auckland’s Gareth Stewart and Robin Wagner, who will be flying in from Adelaide, to create a six-course dinner with wine and cocktail pairing.
There’s something for everyone this Restaurant Month, from world-class fine dining, hands-on workshops, to opportunities for families and kids to join in the fun.
For those who missed out on the Chow Luck Club walking tours, another great way to explore global flavours in the city is the ‘Culinary Passport’ series of events.
Here guests will be taken on a progressive dining experience through three handpicked restaurants, complete with dining passport, matched drinks and surprises along the multi-stop journey.
Restaurant Month Signature Events
Chow Luck Club Walking Tours | 2, 16 & 30 August | 2:00 – 5:00 pm | Price: $88 PP
Forget the map - follow your tastebuds. Join journalist and avid foodie Lincoln Tan for a three-hour flavour expedition through the city, uncovering the stories, people and dishes that make Auckland one of the most diverse dining destinations in the world. From the bold Ethiopian spice of Addis to the silky gelato science of Giapo, you’ll graze your way through hidden bars, cult classics and fresh favourites including Zeta, Bing Girl, Hi Toastie, Truth or Dare, Metita, I Am Solo, and more. It’s part food crawl, part city adventure - and all delicious. Bring comfortable walking shoes and a good appetite.
Icebergs at Soul Bar | 6 August | 6:30 pm | Price: $170 PP | Capacity: 120 pax
Soul Bar kicks off Restaurant Month in style, teaming up with Sydney’s iconic Icebergs Dining Room and Bar for a one-night-only celebration of coastal elegance and bold flavour. Head Chef Alex Prichard and Beverage Director Matty Opai bring Icebergs’ signature laid-back luxury to Auckland’s waterfront, serving up a four-course menu paired with standout cocktails and wines. The evening begins with a lively reception and unfolds into a night of vibrant food, drink, and unmistakable Soul spirit. Includes four course menu, cocktails and wines.
The Burnt Butter Table x Esther | 12 August | 6 pm | Price: $159 PP | Capacity: 120 pax
Esther is serving up a night to remember as beloved food blogger Emilie Pullar of The Burnt Butter Table teams up with legendary chef Sean Connolly for a one-off celebration of handmade pasta and bold, beautiful flavour. Emilie’s signature sauces and cult-favourite creations will meet Sean’s Mediterranean flair in a collaborative three-course sharing menu, paired with wines and served with plenty of heart. Expect stories, tips, a roaming cocktail cart, and the kind of relaxed, joy-filled energy that only two passionate cooks can bring. It’s part pasta masterclass, part dinner party - and all delicious. Includes three course sharing menu, 1 cocktail, 1 wine paired with each course.
Speakeasy Soirée with Clued Up & La Zeppa | 16 August | 6:30 pm | Price: $150 PP | Capacity: 100 pax
La Zeppa transforms into a glittering 1920s speakeasy for one night only - where jazz flows, secrets swirl, and the champagne isn’t the only thing with a twist. This immersive dining experience invites guests to step into a world of vintage glamour and playful deception, as professional actors weave a story full of intrigue between courses of a lavish four-course menu, paired with wines and spirits. Come dressed to impress and prepare for an evening of surprises, suspense, and seriously good food. Includes four course menu, cocktails & wines.
Advieh x Gareth Stewart & Robin Wagner | 27 August | 6:30 pm | Price: $180 PP | Capacity: 80 pax
Two culinary forces unite for one extraordinary evening at Advieh, as Auckland’s Gareth Stewart welcomes Adelaide’s rising star Robin Wagner into his kitchen for a six-course celebration of creativity, seasonality and bold trans-Tasman flair. Blending Gareth’s grounded, produce-led approach with Robin’s expressive modern Australian style, the one-night-only menu will bring together local soul and European edge, with paired wines, cocktails, and a shared spirit of innovation that promises something truly special. Includes six-course menu, cocktails & wines.
Culinary Passports
This Series invites diners to explore the city one plate at a time through a trio of curated progressive dinners. Each event takes guests on a multi-stop journey through three handpicked restaurants, complete with a stamped dining passport, matched drinks, and surprise elements along the way. With each night themed around a different corner of the globe, this series delivers an immersive experience of flavour, discovery, and the joy of the unexpected.
Passage to India | 14 August | 6:30 pm | Price: $125 PP | Capacity: 90 pax
Spice, soul, and storytelling come together in Passage to India - a roving dinner that dives deep into the heart of Indian cuisine. Guests will rotate between Times of India, Goat, and 1947 Eatery - enjoying entrées, mains, and dessert across the three venues, with each stop spotlighting a different region, from the spice-laden dishes of Jammu & Kashmir to the bold vibrancy of West Bengal. Includes four-course menu, cocktails & wines.
Around the World at Commercial Bay | 20 August | 6:30 pm | Price: $140 PP | Capacity: 90 pax
Three restaurants, three cuisines, one unforgettable night. Around the World at Commercial Bay is a progressive dining adventure that whisks guests across three standout venues - Advieh, Reign & Pour, and Queens Rooftop - each showcasing a distinct culinary style. Guests will rotate between the restaurants, enjoying a four-course journey complete with matched wines and spirits. From bold Middle Eastern flavours to globally inspired gastropub fare and refined European plates with harbour views, each stop offers a unique taste of the precinct’s diverse dining scene. Includes four-course menu, cocktails & wines.
Feast from the East | 21 August | 6:30 pm | Price per trail: $90 PP | Capacity: 60 pax
Venture through the flavours of Asia with Feast from the East, a progressive dinner that delivers big on spice, character, and fun. Guests will rotate between Seoul Night, Mad Samurai, and Khu Khu Eatery, enjoying a four-course journey with matched wines and spirits. From refined Japanese-Korean fusion to bold Japanese street food and fiery vegan Thai, each stop offers a distinct regional flavour. Includes four-course menu, cocktails & wines.
Tacoteca Masa Class | 3 August | noon | Price: $75 PP | Capacity: 45 pax
Roll up your sleeves and dive into the bold flavours of Mexico at this hands-on masa-making class with Chef Ivan from Tacoteca. You’ll grind, press, and griddle your way to the perfect tortilla, then pile it high with punchy fillings and fresh guac - all while sipping two expertly matched margaritas. Expect music, mess, and a whole lot of fun in this flavour-filled night that celebrates the soul of Mexican street food. Includes your own four-course meal, alongside 2 cocktails.
K-Culture & Cuisine | 8 August | 7:00 pm | Price: $79 PP | Capacity: 85 pax
Step into a neon-lit night of K-culture at Hazy Tiger - where bold Korean flavours, K-pop beats, and viral games collide in an all-out celebration of Seoul style. Expect a three-course feast with drink pairings, dance tutorials from NZKDA, high-energy performances, and a live DJ to keep the party going. Whether you're here for the BBQ or the boy band moves, this is your backstage pass to a night of food, fun, and full-blown K-energy. Includes a three-course menu, 1 cocktail & 1 wine.
Sunday Truffle Lunch | 10 August | noon | Price: $150 PP | Capacity: 70 pax
Celebrate truffle season in true Italian style at Bossi, where Executive Chef Shaun Dowling presents a luxurious four-course menu spotlighting the rich, earthy elegance of fresh truffle. From delicate antipasti to handmade pasta and flavourful mains, each dish is layered with seasonal depth and designed to be savoured slowly, alongside expertly matched wines and cocktails. It’s a decadent, one-day-only dining experience in the heart of the city, and the ultimate winter indulgence. Includes four-course menu, cocktails & wines.
Tacoteca Little Chefs Edition | 17 August | noon | Price: $30 PP | Capacity: 20 children + adults
Tacoteca’s Little Chefs is a lively, hands-on Mexican cooking class where kids and grown-ups team up to press tortillas, build tacos, and mix guac from scratch - all under the playful guidance of Chef Ivan. It’s a joyful, mess-friendly kitchen adventure designed for families to laugh, learn, and cook together, with refreshing Alchemy & Tonic pairings to suit all ages. Fun, interactive, and full of flavour, it’s the ultimate foodie outing for whānau with a taste for adventure. (Includes four-course meal, alongside Alchemy & Tonic drinks).
The Great Noodle Run | 23 August | 1-5 pm | Price: $48 PP | Capacity: 50 pax
A fast-paced, flavour-packed scavenger hunt through Auckland’s city centre - guiding noodle lovers of all ages on a riddle-led trail to uncover hidden restaurants, each serving up a signature dish. Along the way, expect interactive games, playful surprises, and a whole lot of slurping. Perfect for families, date nights, or foodie crews, this is your chance to crack clues, discover the city, and taste your way through a secret noodle circuit. Includes four noodle dishes (1 dish per person, per restaurant)
Trust the Chef Dining Experience | Daily in August | Price: $79 | Capacity: 60 pax
Surrender the menu and let curiosity lead the way at Trust the Chef - an intimate, ever-changing dining experience at Beast & Butterflies. Guided by Chef Top Lorthae’s Asian heritage and global travels, each course is a seasonal surprise, crafted with bold flavours and a spirit of discovery. With just one menu and limited seats, this is your invitation to sit back, let go, and savour the unexpected. Includes three three-course menus and 1 wine paired with each course.
Front Row Experience | Every Friday for August | 6:30 pm | Price: $135 PP | Capacity: 11 pax
Step into the spotlight at Trivet, where the kitchen is centre stage and every course tells a story. This exclusive four-course degustation dinner puts you front row for a live culinary performance by Executive Chef Wallace Mulese, who’ll reimagine Trivet’s signature dishes into bold, bite-sized moments - each perfectly paired with a curated drink match. Intimate, interactive and unforgettable, it’s 120 minutes of pure edible theatre. Includes a four-course degustation dinner, each paired with a drink match.
High Tea | Every weekend in August | 11:30 am & 1:30 pm | Price: $79 PP | Capacity: 100 pax
St Alice is once again serving up their iconic spin on high tea — and this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and more delicious than ever. Every Saturday & Sunday, enjoy an afternoon of indulgence as St Alice transforms the traditional high tea into a vibrant celebration, complete with mouthwatering bites, cocktails, and sweeping harbour views. Think goats’ cheese & thyme croquettes, fried haloumi, cheddar & onion scones, Southland cheese rolls & more. Washed down with bottomless teapot-style cocktails, the perfect way to spend your weekend!
Soul Cha | 17 August | 11:00 am | Price: pay for what you pick | Capacity: 160
Yum cha, reimagined the Soul way. This one-off Sunday session flips the traditional format into a playful, bite-sized celebration of Soul’s greatest hits - think mini crispy oysters, teeny truffle fries, and other snackable versions of your favourite dishes, served straight to your table. Order a main to start, then let the roaming trays roll in. Pick what you like, tick it off your card, and settle up at the end. No set menu, no pressure - just a long, lazy lunch with big flavour and even bigger vibes.
Dine Your Way
Set Price Menus at 100+ Restaurants. Back for another year, the much-loved set price menu series is making it easier than ever to ditch the dishes and dine out in style. Throughout August, over 100 restaurants will offer special set menus at $30, $45, and $55+ - designed to tempt you out of the kitchen and into some of the best dining rooms in the city. It’s all about discovery, value, and making great food feel exciting and accessible. Participating restaurants span the full spectrum of the city’s dining scene - from icons like Ahi, Cassia, and Hello Beasty to neighbourhood favourites and hidden gems.
Full listings at: heartofthecity.co.nz
