Five Fantastic Places to Eat in Parnell
Here in Parnell, we’re lucky enough to have some of Auckland’s best restaurants on our doorstep.
Here in Parnell, we're lucky enough to have some of Auckland's best restaurants on our doorstep. Foodies travel from far and wide to check out Parnell's impressive selection of bars, bistros, cafés and restaurants, with dozens of enticing options lining Parnell Road, St Georges Bay Road and the surrounding neighbourhoods. The only problem? With so many irresistible options, the choice of where to eat can be a little overwhelming! So in the interest of saving you some time and making your decision just a little bit easier, we've gathered a list of the best places to eat in our neighborhood.
Barulho: Parnell Tapas with Flair
Barulho means ‘noise' in Portuguese, but don't let that put you off trying this Spanish gem! What began a few years ago as a humble tapas bar grew rapidly in popularity. The result? A stylish, buzzing Spanish/Portuguese restaurant with room for 100 diners. When it comes to the food, the focus is on quality, not quantity. The menu is relatively small but every delicious dish is perfectly balanced for maximum flavour. Open from midday Tuesday to Friday, and from 3pm on Saturday, Barulhi is a favourite Parnell lunch spot during the week.
Barulho is located towards the Rose Gardens on Watt Street, just a ten-minute walk from The Parnell Hotel.
Gladstones Café Restaurant: Comfort Food, Convenience and Character
Those looking for convenience, great service and a hearty meal will love Gladstones Café Restaurant in Parnell. Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can dine indoors amid the charm of the 1900s character building, or enjoy your meal outdoors on the sunny veranda. The menu serves up plenty of the classics we've all come to know and love - fish and chips, steaks, salads, burgers, pizza and pasta! There's bound to be a dish to suit even the fussiest of diners, and there's a kids menu to make family meals a breeze.
Bonus: As our in-house restaurant, Gladstones Restaurant is a zero-minute walk from The Parnell.
Cibo: Fine Dining for Food-loving Families
Cibo has been around for over 30 years and it's easy to see why this Parnell restaurant has stood the test of time. The elegant interior and breezy courtyard house a fusion of refined bistro food and fine dining. Fresh seasonal menus include dishes from an elevated surf n turf to sashimi and duck, as well as options for different dietary requirements.
Food is best shared with family and friends, and Cibo's family Sundays make this easy, with a Sunday family lunch menu, special children's three-course menu, homemade milkshakes, and 10% off all alcoholic beverages. The restaurant is situated in Parnell's old chocolate factory, so be sure to pay homage to its sweet beginnings by finishing off your meal with their famous pavlova.
Cibo is a ten-minute walk from The Parnell Hotel, and is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Friday, and for dinner on Saturdays.
Rumi: Auckland's Authentic Persian Eatery
For warming flavours in a comforting environment, family-run Persian restaurant Rumi is a fantastic choice. Dig into a shared mezze platter, or taste new dishes rich with spices, tantalising sauces, meats and vegetables. Rumi has a ‘’field to fork’’ approach, cooking their traditional recipes using ingredients from local farms, markets and small-scale sustainable producers, as well as their own small organic farm where they grow tomatoes, fresh herbs and some of their herbal teas.
Rumi is a two-minute drive or a 14-minute walk from The Parnell Hotel and Conference Center.
Cornelia: Award-winning Italian in the heart of Parnell
Craving Italian food in Parnell? Grab a table at Cornelia, a relaxed and rustic restaurant, awarded for its authentic Italian dishes. Owner Fabio hails from Rome, Italy, and worked in restaurants across the globe before bringing his passion for food and wine to Parnell. Offerings include simple, high quality dishes such as carpaccio, grilled octopus and bruschetta, alongside fine New Zealand wines. It's the perfect place to relax with a drink and a meal after a conference, or for long conversation-filled dinners with friends.
Cornelia is located on Gibraltar Crescent off Parnell Road, a two-minute drive or a 14-minute walk from The Parnell Hotel.