


HOLLYWOOD TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
HOLLYWOOD TRAVEL DESTINATIONS:
Auckland Guide
Sponsored By:
Hike Mount Eden, splurge on a four-course tasting menu and see where Auckland comedians got their start in New Zealand.
The Hot Spots
Explore the map above to see all of The Hollywood Reporter's recommended Auckland hot spots. See a full-screen version here.

Morning

Rosie huntington-whiteley
8:30 AM - Grab a Smoothie From Dear Jervois
Take a cue from a star and start your day with a spirulina smoothie in Herne Bay. The model and actress posted a shot of her superfood-packed breakfast on Instagram while in Auckland with fiance Jason Statham, who was in town filming the sc-fi flick Meg. Additional breakfast highlights at this neighborhood spot include gluten-free waffles with bacon and caramelized banana, and the acai bowl with house-made muesli, kiwi, banana, goji berry, toasted coconut and chia seed. (234 Jervois Road)

rhys darby
10 AM - Soak Up the Sun at Mission Bay
“Life’s a beach in Auckland so you might as well go to one,” says the Auckland-born and -raised actor. “You can buy premium fish and chips and eat them from the paper on the beach at Mission Bay.” Savor the view while you're there, he says, as it includes the volcanic island, Rangitoto. Its cone-shape rising 850 feet above sea level is hard to miss. (Mission Bay)
"Life's a beach in Auckland so you might as well go to one." - Rhys Darby
Afternoon

karen walker
1 PM - Lunch at The French Cafe
When the ready-to-wear and accessories designer is in the mood for a “slow and luxurious” dining experience, the Auckland native heads to CBD (Central Business District). "The beetroot tart is my must, but honestly, they never put a foot wrong with the food," she says of this spot run by executive chef Simon Wright and his wife, manager Creghan Molloy-Wright. The modern European-inspired tasting menu is “always a delight,” says Walker. For groups, the private dining room, which looks onto an open kitchen, is “super.” (210 Symonds St., Eden Terrace)

oprah
3 PM - Break a Sweat on Mount Eden
Burn off lunch with a hike to the top of Mount Eden’s volcanic cone, which sits 643 feet above sea level and is the city’s highest natural point. Also, where Oprah has been spied power-walking when in town. Then brush up on local horticulture at the nearby award-winning Eden Garden. (67 Mount Eden Road)

Lorde
5:30 PM - Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar
This dessert spot counts the Auckland songstress among its legion of fans. From a new takeaway window on Karangahape Road, the cookie shop turns out crowdpleasing flavors — including Nutella, cinnamon donut and a newly introduced vegan range. Track down the roving Mo Bus on social media for milk and cookies popping up around town. (34 Princes St.)
Evening

matt lambert
8 PM - Savor a Meal at Meredith's
When the chef of New York’s Michelin-starred Musket Room heads back to his hometown, he makes a point to dine here. “Michael Meredith is the best chef in the country,” he says. “He’s a creative dude, and the food is always on point.” But it's not just the chef's spin on contemporary New Zealand fare that has left a lasting impression on Lambert. Once a week, Meredith throws a four-course tasting menu Dine by Donation lunch, with all proceeds benefitting a local charity. Says Lambert, "Aside from being amazing at what he does, Michael is a great person." (365 Dominion Road, Mount Eden)

Rhys Darby
10 PM - Laugh It Up at The Classic Comedy and Bar
For a dose of local humor, the Auckland actor suggests the country’s only full-time professional comedy club. “The bar is filled with photos of comics, both local and international, that have visited," says the Trolls star, who adds that any night of the week is filled with regulars having a drink and a laugh. "On weekends you can catch the best local acts, and during the week the hilarious amateurs. This place is, of course, where I honed my comedy skills all those years ago." (321 Queen St.)