A foodie's guide to Auckland's Viaduct

Venture down to Auckland's Viaduct and you'll discover a revived gastronomic hub.

Any Aucklander will tell you that once upon a time, the Viaduct marked the gold standard of dining.

Celebrated bars and eateries lined the popular seaside precinct, with visitors travelling from far and wide to sample the best on offer in the City of Sails.

However somewhere along the way, the Viaduct got a little left behind, as Auckland's city-fringe evolved into the gastronomic stronghold that it is today.

With the exception of some old favourites, the Viaduct appears to have regained its swagger, with a fresh new crop of openings commanding our attention.

1. The Lula Inn
Drawing inspiration from the South Pacific, The Lula Inn offers a vibrant drinking, dining and live entertainment experience. Perched in the heart of Princes Wharf (previously The Crew Club), Lula’s boasts a pacific-inspired interior and a refreshingly relaxed, off-duty charm.

Punters will be spoiled for choice with shared plates and an emphasis on locally-sourced produce. If you're planning a night out at Lula's, pack your dancing shoes along with your appetite. 

2. The Nightingale
Another new comer to the area, Nightingale is a brand new craft beer pop-up, offering everything from live music to stand-up comedy. The menu on offer boasts a hearty focus on casual comfort food, with dishes designed to complement the craft beer offerings.

3. Dr Rudi's Rooftop Brewing Co.
While Dr Rudi's is well-versed among the Friday night drinks crowd, this rooftop spot caters to a wide variety of punters. With one of the city's best views of the water, head to Dr Rudi's to enjoy Bright Lights, an Angus Muir-led installation – the first of its kind in New Zealand.

4. The Culpeper
Another eatery catering to a wide variety of crowds is The Culpeper. This seaside bar and eatery will be feeding hungry sports fans during the Official Lions Tour, offering a hearty selection of hot dogs that have us positively salivating.