Quick answer
Auckland is known as the "City of Sails" — and where there are boats, there's exceptional seafood. The Waitemata Harbour and surrounding waters deliver some of New Zealand's finest catches to tables across the city, from premium crayfish (NZ rock lobster) to seasonal Bluff oysters and local snapper.
- Best overall
- Sails Restaurant
- Top pick
- Sails Restaurant
Top verdicts
- Sails Restaurant: Special occasions, crayfish lovers, harbour views
- Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar: Fresh oysters, casual dining, food lovers
- Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill: Harbour views, classic seafood, business lunches
The city's seafood scene spans from white-tablecloth fine dining at Westhaven Marina and the Viaduct to bustling fish markets where you can have your catch cooked to order. Whether you're seeking roasted crayfish with harbour views, freshly shucked oysters at a walk-in eatery, or the city's best fish and chips by the beach, Auckland delivers.
Area map
All 10 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sails Restaurant | fine-dining | high | Westhaven Marina |
| 2 | Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar | oyster-bar | mid | Auckland CBD |
| 3 | Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill | fine-dining | high | Auckland CBD |
| 4 | FISH Restaurant | fine-dining | high | Princes Wharf |
| 5 | Swashbucklers Restaurant & Bar | casual | mid | Westhaven Marina |
| 6 | Soul Bar & Bistro | bistro | high | Viaduct Harbour |
| 7 | Oyster & Chop | oyster-bar | high | Viaduct Harbour |
| 8 | The Crab Shack | casual | mid | Princes Wharf |
| 9 | Oceanz Seafood Mission Bay | fish-chips | low | Mission Bay |
| 10 | Auckland Fish Market | market | low | Wynyard Quarter |
1Sails Restaurant
Fine DiningQuick comparison
- Best for
- Special occasions, crayfish lovers, harbour views
- Strengths
- Known for Fine Dining · Westhaven Marina
- Limitations
- Closed Monday–Tuesday · Premium pricing · Booking essential
- Price / value
- $$$
- Why it made the list
- Consistently ranked Auckland's best seafood restaurant by local critics and visitors alike.
- What to order
- Roasted crayfish with garlic butter, or the seasonal seafood platter for two.
🕐 Opening hours
2Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar
Oyster BarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Fresh oysters, casual dining, food lovers
- Strengths
- Known for Oyster Bar · Auckland CBD
- Limitations
- No reservations — walk-ins only with waitlist · Can be loud
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Consistently ranked among Auckland's best, with Al Brown's reputation and fresh-off-the-boat seafood.
- What to order
- Dozen oysters to start, then the famous fish sliders. Share several small plates.
3Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill
Fine DiningQuick comparison
- Best for
- Harbour views, classic seafood, business lunches
- Strengths
- Known for Fine Dining · Auckland CBD
- Limitations
- Tourist-heavy · Premium pricing · Can feel corporate
- Price / value
- $$$
- Why it made the list
- 30 years of excellence in the most iconic waterfront location in Auckland.
- What to order
- The signature seafood platter with crayfish, oysters, prawns, and mussels.
4FISH Restaurant
WaterfrontQuick comparison
- Best for
- Unique harbour location, sustainable seafood, hotel dining
- Strengths
- Known for Waterfront · Princes Wharf
- Limitations
- Closed Monday–Tuesday · Hotel restaurant feel · Premium pricing
- Price / value
- $$$
- Why it made the list
- The most unique waterfront location in Auckland with top-tier sustainable seafood.
- What to order
- Market fish of the day, Bluff oysters (in season), or the FISH signature platter.
5Swashbucklers Restaurant & Bar
Casual DiningQuick comparison
- Best for
- Families, casual waterfront dining, good value
- Strengths
- Known for Casual Dining · Westhaven Marina
- Limitations
- Not fine dining · Can get busy on weekends · Limited parking
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Locals' favourite for 25+ years. Authentic Kiwi seafood experience without the pretence.
- What to order
- The Swashbucklers seafood platter or fish of the day with chips.
6Soul Bar & Bistro
BistroQuick comparison
- Best for
- Sunset drinks, date nights, late-night dining
- Strengths
- Known for Bistro · Viaduct Harbour
- Limitations
- Can be loud · Tourist crowds · Premium pricing
- Price / value
- $$$
- Why it made the list
- The best terrace in Auckland with reliable seafood and an unbeatable atmosphere.
- What to order
- Salt-and-pepper squid, oysters, crayfish linguine, and a glass of local wine.
7Oyster & Chop
Oyster BarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Oyster lovers, surf-and-turf, happy hour deals
- Strengths
- Known for Oyster Bar · Viaduct Harbour
- Limitations
- Pricey outside happy hour · Limited vegetarian options
- Price / value
- $$$
- Why it made the list
- Auckland's dedicated oyster and steak specialist with the best happy hour deals on the Viaduct.
- What to order
- A dozen oysters during happy hour, followed by the ribeye or seafood platter.
8The Crab Shack
Casual DiningQuick comparison
- Best for
- Crab lovers, group dining, fun atmosphere
- Strengths
- Known for Casual Dining · Princes Wharf
- Limitations
- Messy dining · Can be loud · Limited non-crab options
- Price / value
- $$
- Why it made the list
- Auckland's dedicated crab restaurant with a fun, casual atmosphere.
- What to order
- The signature crab bucket, green-lipped mussels, or the seafood platter for sharing.
9Oceanz Seafood Mission Bay
Fish & ChipsQuick comparison
- Best for
- Fish and chips, casual beachside meal, budget-friendly
- Strengths
- Known for Fish & Chips · Mission Bay
- Limitations
- Casual takeaway · Limited seating · Closed Mondays
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- Best fish and chips in Auckland according to locals, with a perfect beachside setting.
- What to order
- Snapper or tarakihi with chips, or the seafood basket. Eat on the beach.
🕐 Opening hours
10Auckland Fish Market
Fish MarketQuick comparison
- Best for
- Freshest catch, casual atmosphere, buying fish to cook at home
- Strengths
- Known for Fish Market · Wynyard Quarter
- Limitations
- Casual/market atmosphere · Can be crowded · Variable quality between stalls
- Price / value
- $
- Why it made the list
- The heart of Auckland's seafood scene. Freshest fish, affordable prices, and a true market experience.
- What to order
- Fresh kina (sea urchin), green-lipped mussels, or have snapper cooked to order with chips.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best seafood restaurant in Auckland?
Sails Restaurant overlooking Westhaven Marina is widely considered Auckland's best fine-dining seafood destination, famous for its roasted crayfish and harbour views. For a more casual oyster experience, Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar on Federal Street is consistently ranked among the city's best.
Where can I get fresh oysters in Auckland?
Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar on Federal Street has one of Auckland's best oyster bars, shucked to order. Oyster & Chop at Viaduct Harbour also specialises in fresh New Zealand oysters with daily happy hour specials between 3pm and 6pm. Both serve Bluff oysters when in season (March–August).
Is the Auckland Fish Market worth visiting?
Yes — the Auckland Fish Market on Jellicoe Street in Wynyard Quarter is a vibrant indoor-outdoor hub with fresh fish stalls and casual seafood counters. Locals recommend buying fresh kina (sea urchin) or having fish cooked to order. It's more casual and affordable than waterfront restaurants.
What is the best waterfront seafood restaurant in Auckland?
FISH Restaurant at the Hilton on Princes Wharf sits 300 metres out to sea with unparalleled Waitemata Harbour views. Harbourside Ocean Bar Grill in the Ferry Building and Sails Restaurant at Westhaven Marina are also excellent waterfront options with premium seafood menus.
Where do Auckland locals eat seafood?
Locals consistently recommend Swashbucklers at Westhaven Marina for its relaxed maritime vibe and great-value seafood platters, Depot for oysters and shared plates, and the Auckland Fish Market for the freshest catch at reasonable prices. For fish and chips, Oceanz Seafood at Mission Bay is a local favourite.
What seafood is unique to Auckland and New Zealand?
Look for crayfish (NZ rock lobster), pāua (abalone), kina (sea urchin), Bluff oysters (seasonal, March–August), green-lipped mussels, whitebait, and snapper — all uniquely New Zealand. Many of Auckland's top restaurants feature these on their menus, with Sails and Harbourside being particularly renowned for crayfish.