Quick answer
Auckland's Night Markets have become a cornerstone of the city's food culture, bringing together cuisines from China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, India, and beyond — all at prices that won't break the bank.
- Best overall
- Pakuranga Night Market
- Top pick
- Pakuranga Night Market
Top verdicts
- Pakuranga Night Market: The ultimate Auckland night market experience with maximum variety
- Silo Park Night Market: Visitors staying central, harbour views, open-air atmosphere
- Mt Wellington Night Market: Tuesday night street food cravings, easy parking
Held in car parks beneath shopping centres across the city, these markets transform suburban Auckland into a buzzing street food paradise every evening. Expect sizzling skewers, steaming dumplings, Korean corndogs dripping with cheese, and sweet treats from churros to mochi — plus live entertainment from buskers, magicians, and dance troupes.
The markets operate on a rotating weekly schedule, so there's always one running somewhere in Auckland. Whether you're after the massive Saturday scene at Pakuranga, the central convenience of Silo Park, or the authentic Asian variety at Glenfield, this guide covers the 10 best locations to explore.
Area map
All 10 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pakuranga Night Market | Saturday | $ | Pakuranga Plaza, East Auckland |
| 2 | Silo Park Night Market | Fri-Sun | $ | Wynyard Quarter, Central Auckland |
| 3 | Mt Wellington Night Market | Tuesday | $ | 201 Mount Wellington Highway |
| 4 | Glenfield Night Market | Sunday | $ | Westfield Glenfield, 416 Glenfield Road |
| 5 | Botany Night Market | Wednesday | $ | Botany Town Centre, 588 Chapel Road |
| 6 | Henderson Night Market | Thursday | $ | 5 Vitasovich Avenue, Henderson |
| 7 | Papatoetoe Night Market | Friday | $ | 217 Great South Road, Hunters Plaza |
| 8 | Albany Night Market | Tuesday | $ | North Harbour Stadium, Stadium Drive |
| 9 | Silverdale Night Market | Sunday | $ | 61 Silverdale Street, Silverdale Centre |
| 10 | Kelston Night Market | Monday | $ | 16 West Coast Road, Kelston Mall |
1Pakuranga Night Market
SaturdayQuick comparison
- Best for
- The ultimate Auckland night market experience with maximum variety
- Strengths
- Known for Saturday · Pakuranga Plaza, East Auckland
- Limitations
- Very crowded at peak times (6-8pm) · Parking fills up fast
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- Auckland's largest and most popular night market with up to 200 stalls. The Saturday night institution since 2011, drawing crowds from across the city for its incredible variety and authentic Asian street food atmosphere.
- What to order
- Pakuranga Night Market is a featured pick in this guide.
2Silo Park Night Market
Fri-SunQuick comparison
- Best for
- Visitors staying central, harbour views, open-air atmosphere
- Strengths
- Known for Fri-Sun · Wynyard Quarter, Central Auckland
- Limitations
- Smaller than suburban markets · Parking can be expensive
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- The most visitor-friendly night market thanks to its central waterfront location. Open-air setting with harbour views, making it the only outdoor market option. Perfect for tourists staying in the CBD.
- What to order
- Silo Park Night Market is a featured pick in this guide.
3Mt Wellington Night Market
TuesdayQuick comparison
- Best for
- Tuesday night street food cravings, easy parking
- Strengths
- Known for Tuesday · 201 Mount Wellington Highway
- Limitations
- Indoor car park can get smoky · Tuesday only
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- The Tuesday night go-to for central Auckland. Located under Countdown at Sylvia Park area, it's one of the original night market locations and maintains strong variety and authentic atmosphere.
- What to order
- Mt Wellington Night Market is a featured pick in this guide.
4Glenfield Night Market
SundayQuick comparison
- Best for
- Authentic Asian street food variety, North Shore residents
- Strengths
- Known for Sunday · Westfield Glenfield, 416 Glenfield Road
- Limitations
- Can get crowded · North Shore location
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- The North Shore's Sunday night destination and a must-do for serious Asian food lovers. Known for having the widest variety of authentic Asian cuisines — Malaysian, Thai, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese all represented.
- What to order
- Glenfield Night Market is a featured pick in this guide.
5Botany Night Market
WednesdayQuick comparison
- Best for
- Midweek street food fix, East Auckland families
- Strengths
- Known for Wednesday · Botany Town Centre, 588 Chapel Road
- Limitations
- Smaller than Pakuranga · Wednesday only
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- Wednesday night option at Botany Town Centre under the Farmers carpark. Good for East Auckland residents who can't wait for the Saturday Pakuranga market. Solid variety and family-friendly atmosphere.
- What to order
- Botany Night Market is a featured pick in this guide.
6Henderson Night Market
ThursdayQuick comparison
- Best for
- West Auckland residents, diverse international cuisines
- Strengths
- Known for Thursday · 5 Vitasovich Avenue, Henderson
- Limitations
- Thursday only · West Auckland location
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- West Auckland's Thursday night destination under Kmart at Waitakere Plaza. Known for particularly diverse international offerings beyond just Asian — Argentinian, Turkish, Middle Eastern alongside the usual favourites.
- What to order
- Henderson Night Market is a featured pick in this guide.
7Papatoetoe Night Market
FridayQuick comparison
- Best for
- Friday night food crawl, late-night eats (runs until midnight)
- Strengths
- Known for Friday · 217 Great South Road, Hunters Plaza
- Limitations
- Underground car park · South Auckland location
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- Friday night option in South Auckland, located in the underground car park at Hunter's Corner. A solid choice to kick off the weekend with diverse international cuisine and a vibrant local atmosphere.
- What to order
- Papatoetoe Night Market is a featured pick in this guide.
8Albany Night Market
TuesdayQuick comparison
- Best for
- North Shore residents on Tuesday nights
- Strengths
- Known for Tuesday · North Harbour Stadium, Stadium Drive
- Limitations
- Newer market · Tuesday only
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- North Shore's Tuesday night option at North Harbour Stadium Car Park H. A newer addition to the night market circuit, bringing street food and cultural entertainment to the northern suburbs.
- What to order
- Albany Night Market is a featured pick in this guide.
9Silverdale Night Market
SundayQuick comparison
- Best for
- Hibiscus Coast and Rodney residents, avoiding city traffic
- Strengths
- Known for Sunday · 61 Silverdale Street, Silverdale Centre
- Limitations
- Smaller than central markets · Sunday only
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- The northern-most Auckland night market option, serving the Hibiscus Coast and Rodney communities. Located in the undercover carpark at Silverdale Centre near The Warehouse.
- What to order
- Silverdale Night Market is a featured pick in this guide.
10Kelston Night Market
MondayQuick comparison
- Best for
- Monday night food fix — the only Auckland market on Mondays
- Strengths
- Known for Monday · 16 West Coast Road, Kelston Mall
- Limitations
- Monday only · West Auckland location
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- The only Monday night market option in Auckland, making it perfect for starting your week with street food. Located under Countdown at Kelston Mall in Glen Eden — a solid West Auckland option.
- What to order
- Kelston Night Market is a featured pick in this guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are Auckland's Night Markets?
Auckland's Night Markets are a series of open-air evening markets held across various locations in the city, operating on different nights of the week. They feature a vast array of Asian street food stalls, live entertainment including buskers, magicians, and dance troupes, and sometimes local craft vendors, creating a vibrant cultural and culinary experience.
Which is the best night market in Auckland?
Pakuranga Night Market on Saturday is widely considered Auckland's best and largest, with up to 200 stalls. For visitors staying central, Silo Park at Wynyard Quarter (Friday-Sunday) offers the most convenient location with waterfront views. Glenfield Sunday Market is a favourite for authentic Asian street food variety.
What days do Auckland Night Markets run?
Auckland Night Markets run every day of the week at different locations: Monday (Kelston), Tuesday (Mt Wellington, Albany), Wednesday (Botany), Thursday (Henderson), Friday (Papatoetoe, Silo Park), Saturday (Pakuranga, Silo Park), Sunday (Silverdale, Silo Park, Glenfield). Most start between 5-6pm and run until 11pm-midnight.
What food can I find at Auckland Night Markets?
You'll find incredible variety: Chinese dumplings and BBQ skewers, Korean fried chicken and corndogs, Japanese takoyaki, Malaysian laksa, Thai curries, Vietnamese pho, Filipino BBQ, Indian chaat, Turkish gozleme, and countless desserts including churros, mochi, and bubble tea. Prices are budget-friendly, often under $10 per dish.
Do Auckland Night Markets accept card payments?
Most stalls accept both cash and EFTPOS (debit card) payments. However, bringing some cash is recommended, especially for smaller vendors or if card machines have connectivity issues. Silo Park tends to be more cashless-friendly than the suburban markets.
Is parking available at Auckland Night Markets?
Parking varies by location. Most suburban markets are held in shopping centre car parks with ample space, though it can fill up quickly on busy nights. Arriving by 5:30pm helps secure parking. For Silo Park, consider public transport or paid parking nearby as Wynyard Quarter can be competitive.
Are Auckland Night Markets family-friendly?
Absolutely! The markets are very family-friendly with a casual, lively atmosphere. Wide food variety pleases diverse tastes, and some locations feature kid-friendly entertainment like bouncy castles or face painting. The early evening hours (5-7pm) tend to be busiest with families before younger crowds arrive later.
What's the best time to visit Auckland Night Markets?
Arrive at 5:30pm when things are just getting rolling for the best parking and shortest queues. Alternatively, arrive after 7pm once younger family groups have departed for a more relaxed experience with easier seating. Peak crowds are typically 6-8pm.