New Zealand

Auckland

Last traveled · November 2025
City Snapshot
Best Months
Nov – Mar
Ideal Stay
3–4 days
Best For
Food, Wine, Nature
GF Friendliness
8/10
Language
English
English
Fluent
City Size
Large (1.7M)
Currency
NZD ($)
On This Page

Where to Stay

Recommended
Auckland skyline with Sky Tower
Where I stayed

InterContinental Auckland by IHG

City Centre · Princes Wharf
Post-Visit Notes
Breakfast for 2 was included with my stay — was at one of their restaurants on-site with a buffet and select menu items. Was very good and they even had GF bread (I did not end up eating it).
Waterfront Location GF Breakfast Options Restaurant On-site
Book on Hotels.com

Gluten-Free Survival Guide

Key Phrases
"Gluten-free, please" English-speaking
"I have coeliac disease" NZ spelling — widely understood
"Is this safe for coeliacs?" Direct safety question
Grocery Stores
  • Pak’nSave — 17 locations, dedicated GF sections
  • New World — 26 locations, GF products
  • Countdown/Woolworths — GF products alongside mainstream
  • Farro — 6 locations, specializes in GF/organic
  • Gluten Free Grocer (Mt Eden) — 100% GF store
Safe Cuisines
  • Māori hāngī — earth-oven cooking, naturally GF
  • Seafood — fresh New Zealand catch
  • Vietnamese — rice-based dishes
Tip
Look for the Crossed Grain logo — official Coeliac New Zealand certification on 300+ products.
Score Breakdown
Dedicated GF restaurants
Menu labeling
Staff knowledge & safety
Density of GF dining
Grocery availability
8/10 Overall GF Score
Easy

GF Friendly Restaurants

20 spots
GF Score 5/5 4/5 3/5 Hotel

Giapo

100% GF
Ice Cream / Dessert
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
100% dedicated GF facility. All ice cream is gluten-free.
What to Order
Creative artisan GF ice cream, award-winning hokey pokey.
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Hello Beasty

GF Options
Japanese / Korean Fusion
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
Separate GF menu with items marked ‘c’ for coeliac safe. No dedicated fryer.
What to Order
GF sashimi, sushi, curry, dessert.
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

The Good Luck Coconut

GF Options
Pacific / Asian Fusion
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
GF menu available.
What to Order
GF fries, sharing plates, cocktails.
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant

GF Options
Fine Dining / Vineyard
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
GF food menu available.
What to Order
Fine dining with ocean views, award-winning wines.
Location
Waiheke Island
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free
Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant

I Love Crepes

GF Options
Crepes / Galettes
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
Accommodates GF dietary needs.
What to Order
Sweet and savory crepes/galettes.
Location
Waiheke Island · Oneroa
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

HNT Kitchen

100% GF
Healthy Bowls
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
100% dedicated GF facility. All bowls are naturally gluten-free.
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

The Chip Shop

100% GF
Fish & Chips
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
100% dedicated GF fish and chips shop. No gluten on premises.
Location
Onehunga
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

The GF Depot

100% GF
Cafe / Brunch
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
100% dedicated GF cafe. Everything on the menu is gluten-free.
Location
Meadowbank
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Little Bird Kitchen

100% GF
Vegan / Plant-Based
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
100% dedicated GF and plant-based kitchen. No gluten on premises.
Location
Ponsonby
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

The Attic Bar & Restaurant

100% GF
Bar & Grill
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
COELIAC NZ ACCREDITED. Chef and owners are celiac. No gluten fried in fryers.
Location
New Lynn
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Olas Arepas

100% GF
Venezuelan
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
100% GF arepas (corn-based), dedicated fryer.
Location
Ponsonby
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Village Wholefoods Cafe

100% GF
Wholefood Cafe
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
100% GF and refined sugar-free.
Location
Howick
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Botswana Butchery

GF Options
Steakhouse
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Wharfside restaurant with great steak and safe gluten-free practices.
Location
Wynyard Quarter · Quay St

Tony’s Original Steak & Seafood

GF Options
Steakhouse / Seafood
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
GF menu available. Mixed safety reports — communicate needs clearly.
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Nahm | Auckland

GF Options
Thai Street Food
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Thai street food with GF options available. Mixed safety — ask about soy sauce.
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

The Shelf

GF Options
Breakfast / Brunch Cafe
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Breakfast and lunch cafe with lots of GF and vegetarian options.
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Ebisu

GF Options
Japanese
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Has GF sushi options. Mixed safety — confirm soy sauce is GF-safe.
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Baduzzi

GF Options
Italian
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
In-house GF bread and pasta. Staff are knowledgeable about celiac needs.
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Orewa Beach Fish & Chips

GF Options
Fish & Chips
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
GF fish and chips available. Mixed safety — ask about dedicated fryer.
Location
Orewa
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Mekong Baby

GF Options
SE Asian Fusion
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
GF Asian food options. Mixed safety — communicate celiac needs clearly.
Location
Ponsonby
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Getting Around

Bus
AT Metro network covers the entire city. No cash — use AT HOP card or contactless payment. $50/week fare cap.
Auckland Transport (AT)
Train
Western, Southern, Eastern, and Onehunga lines. Airport: AirportLink bus to Puhinui Station then train (45 min total).
Ferry
Waiheke Island (35 min from downtown, Fullers360). Devonport ferry for North Head. 20+ sailings daily.
Fullers360
Walking
CBD is walkable. Wynyard Quarter, Viaduct, Queen Street all on foot. Ponsonby ~20 min walk from CBD.
Transit Tip
Get an AT HOP card at the airport or any convenience store — it saves at least 20% on every fare and caps at $50/week.

Landmarks & Must-See Spots

4 spots

Queen Street

Historic
Main shopping and dining boulevard running from Karangahape Rd down to the waterfront. The heart of Auckland's CBD.
City Centre
Went here
Queen Street, Auckland

Princes Wharf

Walk
Historic waterfront promenade with restaurants, bars, and views of Waitematā Harbour. Starting point for harbour cruises.
Viaduct Harbour
Went here
Princes Wharf, Auckland

Silo Park

Nature
Six repurposed cement silos turned cultural space in Wynyard Quarter. Art exhibitions, outdoor movies, street food markets, live music.
Wynyard Quarter · Jellicoe St
Traveler recommended
Silo Park, Auckland

North Head

Historic
Historic volcanic cone with 1800s British fort, tunnels, and disappearing gun emplacements. Panoramic views of Hauraki Gulf and city skyline. Accessible by ferry to Devonport.
Devonport
Traveler recommended
North Head, Devonport

Neighborhoods

CBD / City Centre

Urban Hub
The commercial heart with Queen Street shopping, Sky Tower, and most GF restaurants clustered here.

Wynyard Quarter

Waterfront
Revitalized harbourside precinct with Silo Park, seafood restaurants (Baduzzi, The Good Luck Coconut), and weekend markets.

Ponsonby

Trendy & Leafy
Auckland's cafe culture capital. Home to Little Bird Kitchen, Olas Arepas, and Mekong Baby. Boutique shopping on Ponsonby Rd.

Devonport

Village Charm
Charming harbourside village a short ferry ride from downtown. Historic North Head, galleries, and seaside walks.

Waiheke Island

Wine & Beaches
Auckland's island escape — boutique vineyards (Mudbrick), olive groves, golden beaches. 35-minute ferry from downtown.

Things to Do

Activities & Experiences

Hobbiton Movie Set

Paid
12-acre Lord of the Rings film set in Matamata. Includes hobbit holes, gardens, and a drink at The Green Dragon Inn. Full-day tour with transport from Auckland.
Full day ~$150 NZD
Book Tour
Hobbiton Movie Set

Mount Eden Summit

Free
196-meter volcanic cone with 360-degree views of Auckland. Multiple trails, 1–2 hour round trip. No booking needed.
1–2 hours Mount Eden

Sky Tower

Paid
New Zealand's tallest structure (328m). Observation decks, SkyBar, and optional SkyWalk/SkyJump.
~$35 NZD
Book Tickets

Rangitoto Island

Paid
Volcanic island with 7km summit track and lava caves. Ferry + hike combo, 4–5 hours total.
4–5 hours ~$70 NZD
Book Tour

Waiheke Island Wine Tour

Paid
Boutique vineyard tastings with food pairings and scenic island views. Full-day experience with ferry.
Full day ~$200 NZD
Book Tour

What to Pack

Summer in New Zealand (Nov–Dec)

Travel Tips

What I'd Do Differently
Have a tip or comment?
Found a great GF spot in Auckland? I'd love to hear from you.
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