About Best Auckland
Curated by people
who actually live here
Best Auckland is an independent guide to the best places, experiences and things to do in Tāmaki Makaurau. No algorithms. No sponsored placements. Just honest recommendations from someone who calls this city home.
Why we built
Best Auckland
Auckland is one of the most liveable cities in the world — but finding the genuinely good stuff has always required knowing someone who knows someone.
Best Auckland exists to close that gap. A curated directory of places that have earned their spot — not because they paid for it, but because they’re actually good.
We’re building the guide we always wished existed. One honest recommendation at a time.
How we decide what’s best
We go ourselves
Every listing on Best Auckland has been visited, eaten at, experienced or thoroughly researched by us. We don’t list places we haven’t vetted.
Earned, not bought
Getting onto Best Auckland is based on merit — we don’t accept payment to add a listing. Businesses can pay for enhanced visibility once they’re listed, but that never changes our editorial opinion of them.
Honest over polite
We write what we actually think. If something is worth knowing — the parking situation, the wait time, the dish to skip — we’ll tell you.
Who’s behind it
Best Auckland was founded by Abby — an Aucklander, solo mum, and former VFX supervisor who spent years working on productions around the world before coming home and realising she’d been taking this city for granted.
The site is independently owned and operated. We’re not backed by a media company, a tourism board or a venture fund. What you read here is what we genuinely think.
Want to list your business?
If you run a great Auckland business and think it belongs on Best Auckland, we’d love to hear from you. We review every submission and add listings on merit. There’s no fee to be considered.
Premium listing options — including enhanced profiles, featured placement and directory backlinks — are available for businesses that want more visibility. Get in touch to find out more.
Submit a place
Know somewhere great?
Send us the name, suburb and why it deserves a spot. We’ll check it out.