If you’ve been downtown Auckland lately, you’ll find that it’s got quite a different groove to it now.
With the City Rail Link nearing completion, and many new businesses opening or returning to the CBD, now is a good time to rediscover the city.
What better way to do that than through food—without paying a cent?
Free walking food tours by Chow Luck Club are the latest Auckland Council activation to reconnect Aucklanders with their mid city.
Two foodies, Chow Luck Club co-founder and former NZ Herald senior diversity journalist Lincoln Tan and recently retired NZ Police ethnic responsiveness manager Jessica Phuang will be taking groups to 16 eateries with delectable dishes to try.
They include Japanese, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern cuisines, pastry houses, dessert shops and burger stalls.
“The CBD is where I’ve been having my meals for more than 20 years that I’ve worked in the central city, and just so excited to be able to share them,” Lincoln said.
“Myself and Jessica will be leading these 60-minute tours that will explore hole-in-the-wall spots and family-run favourites through bold bites and local stories.”
Crowds today are centred largely in the Quay Street area where the ferry terminals are. Constant activations there continue to draw punters. The waterfront is already a truly happening space.
Midcity Queen Street, hard hit by the CRL road works and construction, is also slowly coming back to life.
It is in this area - once considered Auckland’s golden mile - that the food tours will be exploring.
Heart of the City pedestrian counts show a lift in foot traffic and spending in the city centre is rebounding.
Events such as NZ Fashion Week and Restaurant Month in August, where Chow Luck Club also hosts events that include walking food tours, have resulted in an increase in sales by 9% from the year prior, driven mainly by food and beverage sales.
Last month, foot traffic was up 5% from last year and up to 15% on Fridays.
Viv Beck, Heart of the City chief executive, said Restaurant Month in August was successful for many businesses that held events and promotions.
Several restaurant businesses, including popular Malaysian restaurant Uncle Man, Filipino HomeCooked Eatery and Chinese pancake specialists Bing Girl have reopened after closing shop and leaving the CBD during the pandemic.
The free walking tours are funded by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.
The tours will run on Saturday, 29 November at 10 am, 11:15 am, 1:15 pm, and 2:30 pm.
To book: https://shop.chowluckclub.com/products/midtown-bites
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