What’s On Aug 1-9: The Restaurant Month 2026 Dinners Worth Booking This Week in Auckland
Auckland Restaurant Month is back, serving up a packed menu of culinary experiences that celebrate the city’s vibrant dining scene.
The hospitality industry has faced a challenging few years, with a string of high-profile closures dominating headlines. That's why this year's Restaurant Month – now in its 16th edition – feels especially significant. It's a timely reminder to support local restaurants and the people behind them. After all, where do we go to celebrate a special occasion or catch up with the people we love? Yup – out to eat.
What On’s During Auckland Restaurant Month Opening Week
With festivities kicking off on August 1, we've rounded up five standout events from Auckland Restaurant Month's opening week. Best Restaurants is the official content partner, so we'll be here to bring you all the table talk.
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Read moreSunday, August 2, 12pm. $75pp (sold out)
So nice, they did it twice. Tacoteca's Masa Masterclass sold out last year, and history has repeated itself. Although tickets are no longer available, this hands-on class is sure to be one of the week's highlights. Guests will master the art of masa (maize dough), a humble but versatile ingredient that can be made into tortillas, gorditas, tostadas and tamales. -
Read moreSunday, August 2, 12pm & 3pm, $150pp
Acclaimed Brisbane restaurant Agnes – winner of Gourmet Traveller's Restaurant of the Year Award – is heading to Auckland for a one-off collaboration with Josh Emett’s Gilt Brasserie. Agnes executive chef Ben Williamson and Emett will present a shared four-course menu that combines their distinctive approaches to cooking. Expect exceptional produce, bold flavours and generous hospitality. -
Read moreTuesday, August 4, 6pm, $75pp
A mainstay of Auckland’s vegan dining scene, Khu Khu is showcasing its plant-based approach to Thai cuisine with an evening of connection and creativity (and yes, a few cold ones). Guests will enjoy a guided drawing session with contemporary artist Roberta Queiroga, before coming together over a flavourful feast and Urbanaut Brewing Co. beers to hear how Khu Khu came to be. -
A Taste of Japan: Eight Dishes & A Grand Buffet
71 Mayoral Drive, Grand millennium, Auckland CentralRead moreFridays and Saturdays, August 1-31, from 5:30pm, $159pp
Throughout Restaurant Month, Katsura Japanese Cuisine will host a series of intimate omakase experiences – the perfect way to start the weekend or spend a cosy Saturday night. Each dinner features eight dishes inspired by traditional Japanese cuisine (think teppanyaki, tokusei miso ramen, tempura and mochi), plus access to a generous buffet. With just 10 seats available each night, it’s also a great excuse to make new foodie friends.Auckland Restaurant Month is back!Keep an eye on Best Restaurants NZ and the full events calendar throughout the month for all the table talk.
The Menus
Can't make one of the events? More than 100 participating restaurants have also created exclusive set menus for you to sample throughout Restaurant Month, priced at $30, $45 or $55+. From indulgent comfort-food feasts to refined three-course fare, there's a menu for every occasion. Browse the full lineup here, or start with three of our picks below. You can’t try these at home!
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One-course lunch at kingi - $30
Tuawhiti Lane, 29 Galway Street, BritomartRead moreChoose from steak frites with truffle jus and watercress; fish and chips with green cabbage and tartare; the Kingi burger with tuna, pickles, mizuna and mayo; or forest mushrooms with casarecce, velouté and Grana Padano. See the menu here.
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Three-course lunch or dinner at Origine - $45
172 Quay Street, Commercial Bay Level 2, Auckland CentralRead moreStart with duck liver parfait, whipped duck parfait, toasted brioche, tamarillo chutney, spiced walnut crumble. For main, slow-roasted lamb shoulder, agria potato gnocchi, buttered leeks, Ahi garden carrots, mint chimichurri. To finish, enjoy Origine’s chocolate mousse, dulce de leche, mandarin, Kakariki olive oil. See the full menu here.
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Read moreSome snacks to get your started - enjoy socca, brie and cranberry; venison and pork corndog with sour cherry ketchup. For mains, your choice of market fish with pernod velouté and herb salad, or braised venison, beetroot and cashew curry. To finish on a sweet note, your choice of dark chocolate mousse with white chocolate meringue, prune and milk chocolate crumb, or olive oil and sea salt semifreddo. See the full menu here.
Book Now
With 22 events, exclusive set menus, one-off collaborations and more than 100 restaurants across 31 days, August is booked and busy. To ensure you get a seat at the table, start planning now.
The city will be brimming with the best chefs, menus and experiences throughout August. Discover the best restaurants in Auckland to visit this month and beyond.