2,130 reviews
#1 of 2,228 Restaurants in Auckland Central££££, European, New Zealand, Vegetarian friendly+64 9-368 4129+ Add websiteWrite a ReviewImprove this listing
Hours
Mon
17:45 - 0:00
Tue
17:45 - 0:00
Wed
17:45 - 0:00
Thu
17:45 - 0:00
Fri
17:45 - 0:00
Sat
17:45 - 0:00
What is Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best?
This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travellers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice Best of the Best 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, European, New Zealand, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
“Ben Bayly's Te Matuku Oyster - the best of the lot - was a hunk of fresh succ...”
“... aged beef bone marrow, chamomile sorbet which included crushing the flavo...”
“It's hard to pick a fav dish but if I was pushed it would be the oysters.”
“... 6 courses with a spectacular dry-ice palate-cleansing sorbet in the middle.”
Is this restaurant good for scenic view?
Details
About
Fine dining restaurant in the heart of Auckland city, serving a degustation menu of modern New Zealand cuisine
PRICE RANGE
£90.00 – £109.00
CUISINES
European, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Valet Parking, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Non-smoking restaurants, Gift Cards Available
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5.0
2,130 reviews
Excellent
1,795
Very good
216
Average
81
Poor
27
Terrible
12
SFmama_11
San Francisco90 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
The Grove is an elegant restaurant with an outstanding menu. There are 3 levels of degustation menu from 4 to 7 courses. We had the 5 course menu and shared a wine pairing. The dishes are small and exquisitely assembled from local, seasonal fare, each nestled on an artistic plate. As we were there is the summer, there were delicious fresh fruits and vegetables like sweet corn, plums, and tomatoes. The waiters were very attentive, arriving to bring each course in turn as it was ready. We also enjoyed the parade of new-to-us wines with each course. Like many NZ restaurants, however, some of the waiters were difficult to understand so we had to ask them to repeat the explanations of the dish being presented. The Grove is an expensive, elegant place for a special night out.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alanhomer
Whitehaven96 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
What a fantastic experience. Ours started before we even arrived! There was a problem with the online booking system that allowed us to book on a date where the restaurant wasn’t open. The restaurant contacted me personally and apologised, we rearranged for an alternative date and we were offered a complementary glass of champagne on arrival by way of apology. The rest of the service followed on the same way, attentive but not intrusive and very friendly. The food was exceptional and we particularly loved the opportunity to try native NZ ingredients. I’ve eaten in a number of 1 and 2 star Michelin restaurants and The Grove is up there with the best of them. If I ever make it back to Auckland it’s the first place I will go. Awesome food, great experience and fantastic value for money for the quality. That you!
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
niamhs456
County Cork540 contributions
Jul 2020 • couples
Great sunday lunch !!
We chose to do the two courses of starter and a main . I had the duck liver parfait ,super meaty and tasty mix of nuts and cherries with it but I admit a little break instead of the wafers shaved near it would have been perfect. My husband had the mushrooms on toast that we a nice creamy ,balsamic mix . Portions were good too, a little larger than the normal dinner options .
For mains he had the fish which was lovely ,well cooked and light .I had the beef which was cooked amazingly with gravy ,a spoon of puree and alot of horseradish that I dont think anyone could eat all of but nice to have the option ,the Yorkshire pudding is full of soft onions perfect to pour gravy into. All of this is served with roast potatoes and vegetables to share so we were stuffed after this course. While we didnt have dessert they looked amazing and nicely portions ,inparticular the chocolate cake.we chose to have coffee instead and it was really rich and strong ,probably the only extra thing I could have eaten
Lovley atmosphere for sunday dinner, great for a easy sunday dinner as the service is slower than other dinners which is good to know in advance
Staff are super attentive and helpful too keeping glasses full ,cleaning the table etc
Highly recommend this for a chill tasty sunday dinner treat
Written 27 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IanB1965
Auckland Central429 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
We’ve been here a lot and it was not as good tonight.
We had the degustation and the food was good but not much of it.
The service was slow and inattentive. Menus and drinks took a long time, no offer to refill drinks and the 4 courses took 2 1/2 hours.
Written 5 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sjcho1118
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • none
Food and wine were all great, nice venue but the cost seemed way too expensive, especially when there wasn't a cost specified in the menu(Valentine's special) and came as a little shock to me right as I was about to pay after a very pleasing experience which was a huge shame.
The cost specified on the website was not close to this price even considering the Valentine's special and I guess it was also my fault for not reading the "wine degustation" part carefully but it seemed like the cost for the wine degustation was the total cost for the course, not an additional cost. Well-known wine degustation restaurants such as Mudbrick in Waiheke was literally about half the cost.
Apart from this, service was great and food was great. The lack of information about the cost did ruin a what could've been a very pleasing experience. This wouldn't be a problem for wealthy people though so I do recommend it for most people. It's just difficult as a low-middle class person who was saving up for a special occasion to get double the cost of what was expected.
Thank you for great food and service.
Review collected in partnership with www.restauranthub.co.nz
This business uses tools provided by Tripadvisor (or one of its official Review Collection Partners) to encourage and collect guest reviews, including this one.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
louis p
Melbourne1 contribution
Feb 2020 • solo
I am so happy to write this revue
If your are looking for a fine dining experience or just a amazing dinner for a special occasion, the Grove is the best in Auckland.
I did a few fine dining but this experience is definitely the best
The service on the floor is perfect and not impersonal, everyone is looking after you. t
The wine match is so incredible, there is so much research behind it and also two amazing Italian somelier.
And the food UNREAL!! You will never taste something like that again
Trust me and don't miss it....
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
holyisle
131 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
When you enquire 40 minutes after being seated, having consumed the canapes, as to the progress of your "pre dinner" drinks and get an unbelievably passive aggressive, sarcastic response from the owner it is difficult to salvage the mood of the evening. So rude was he, that I hadn't been the guest, I might have left at that point. One of the drinks was incorrect when they arrived . After consuming these we then had to request the food menus and were given two copies of the degustation menu to share amongst four of us and not offered the a la carte menu at all. Having ordered we then had to again request a wine list, and the wine arrived after the food. With the exception of one young man who stood out as being a professional, personable and understandable waiter, the rest of the service was below average to atrocious. When we went to pay the bill the owner only got the correct bill on the third attempt. One can only wonder if he was entirely well. The food itself was enjoyable but an evening at a restaurant is more than just the food.
Written 11 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allison
Whangarei25 contributions
Jan 2021 • couples
Quite simply the best meal we have ever eaten! My husband and I opted for the 7 course degustation menu - which is more like 11 once you’ve had the complimentary snacks pre dinner and petit fours post dinner! This being said, we left feeling ‘happy full’ as opposed to the uncomfortable feeling you have when you overeat.
Every dish was sublime, from the fusion of flavours and textures to the presentation. Each portion was just enough and each dish was like a taste explosion!
We dined on a Thursday evening which, particularly post-Christmas, was probably a quiet evening. However, this made the experience far more intimate. Our wait-staff were sensational. Not only were they extremely knowledgable about the food they really made us feel important without feeling overwhelmed.
This is not a restaurant you go to if you are looking for a quick, budget friendly meal. It is a place where the whole dining experience should be enjoyed and we did not grudge the bill at the end. We look forward to returning to The Grove for more special occasions and hope to share the experience with as many friends and family as we can.
The Grove is a culinary experience everyone should enjoy at least once...but then you’re hooked!
Written 22 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie R
53 contributions
May 2020 • couples
Inspired! Our first Covid Level 3 takeaway experience. We thought - lets go for the best. Indeed! Easy to order, great no nonsense minimal prep delicious menu, perfect execution and an accompanying quiz to keep us entertained whilst cooking everything (easy....the cooking that is not the quiz!). Mushroom and chestnut soup, beef cheeks wellington, hot chocolate tart with orange caramel and burnt toffee icecream. Bargain gourmet 3 course dinner and easy contactless pick up. The Grove....we love you even more than we did before. 😃
Written 1 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RossY415
Brisbane526 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
We have been meaning to eat here for years and our anticipation was justified. It was a generous meal with incredible attention to detail. The service is both polished and relaxed, the room delightful. The process was ceremonial with the 7 course degustation being revealed as you ate. We did not have the wine match however sought advice on whether what wine would work from the upcoming courses from the staff. The wine list is exceptional with some seriously high end options. The four amuse bouche were tantalising and set the standard for what was to come. The courses included the best scampi I have ever had and perfectly cooked goat. The only minor issue was with the green pea ice-cream which was delicious but didn't in my view need the few raw green peas as a garnish that somehow lost their sweetness alongside the ice-cream and became too savory a contrast. However when you get down to that level of detail you know that you have had a real treat. This is a world class dining experience in every sense that is up with the best dining experiences we have had in major US and European cities. As a post script it would have been nice to have been offered the menu that we had just experienced at the end of the meal, I should have thought to ask.
Written 16 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca908
Shelly Park43 contributions
Sept 2020 • friends
Oh lordy what a meal, a perfect long lunch with generous portions and deliciousness in every bite.
Their special restaurant month menu was perfect; familiar food with a twist and expertly presented and served.
Faultless food and service, perfect ambiance.
Cant wait to go back
Written 13 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniella P
Auckland3 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
My husband and I are big foodies, but thanks to our little one, we don't get the chance to dine out often anymore. It was therefore extra special to dine at the Grove and be blown away by the excellent service and food we received. If you're looking for a fantastic atmosphere, an owner-run operation, delicious food and a special night out, the Grove is the place to go. We appreciated the little details - amazing presentation, snacks on arrival, delicious mocktails made to order with fresh fruit. The owner himself greeted us on arrival and ensured all the tables (including us) were expertly taken care of, The meals are small and pricey, but they are gobsmackingly delicious.
We LOVED our night out and can't wait to go back again.
Written 2 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia U
Auckland2 contributions
Mar 2021 • couples
We went there to celebrate my husbands birthday, and did settle for 7 course degustation menu, since there was no A la carte option. Stayed there for 3 hr receiving a spoon full of cold and tesless stuff on a large plate)))) once every 30 minute. Only raviolo dishetto ( because it’s tiny too) was nice.
Sadly most dishes weren’t testy.
Final touch which make us cringe were the ice popsicles (they called it a special celebration treat) that were handed to us when we were leaving the restaurant, after paying a significant bill.
Overall it was boring and test-less dinner.
I don’t recommend!
Written 1 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elliegray17
Auckland Central20 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
On Friday 4 September we visited The Grove restaurant in Auckland to celebrate our Anniversary. It was a superb experience with every morsel of our 7-course degustation, not to mention the generous complimentary snacks, absolutely delicious. The warmth of welcome and service throughout was impeccable. We were asked if this was a special occasion and when we shared that it was our anniversary, we were presented with a wax-sealed envelope containing a card signed by all the staff. It was a very special gesture. If you want to experience culinary perfection, in fact perfection in every sense, go to The Grove.
Review collected in partnership with www.restauranthub.co.nz
This business uses tools provided by Tripadvisor (or one of its official Review Collection Partners) to encourage and collect guest reviews, including this one.
Written 14 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Imukat Arabo
Auckland178 contributions
Mar 2021 • couples
My partner and I went there last March, and our minds were totally blown away.
They are located in the busy CBD area, but you can forget the outside hectic noises once you step into the inside, where you can find cozy, relaxing and professional environment. Their all staff were friendly welcoming us, and we felt it was okay to be there even though they are a top notch and we are a downsizing people.
Their food was just breathtaking. We were impressed with every single dishes. My partner asked vegetarian menu in advance, but they perfectly got it right. These kind of restaurants often prepare completely different vegetarian menu, or tasteless food, but they just changed slightly from the original, and he was impressed. We also did wine paring with the course, but we totally enjoyed the chemistry that they offered.
We were there to celebrate our engagement, and even though we casually mentioned it when we sit down to the table, they gave us a complimentary sweets. WTF. Applause.
They are absolutely the best fine dining restaurant. I can’t wait to go back!!
𓀠 𓀡 𓀠 𓀡 𓀠 𓀡 𓀠 𓀡
パートナーと2人で3月頃に行ったのですが、もう感動しっぱなしでした。
喧騒の慌ただしい街中に位置するのですが、お店に入った途端そんなことなど忘れるほどの落ち着いていて、でもプロ感佇む雰囲気。スタッフ皆さんフレンドリーで迎えてくださり、こんな一流レストランにこんな糞みたいなウチらがいても良いんだぁって思わせてくれます。
料理はもう息を呑むほどの美味さ。全てに感動ですよ。パートナーはベジタリアンのコースを頼んだのですが、え、完璧。こーゆーところって、ベジタリアン用に完全に違う料理を作ったり、味付け薄めな料理だったりを準備するのですが、ここはもうオリジナルから少し手を加えて、見た目も同じのベジタリアン料理で、彼はもう感動しっぱなし。ワインマッチングもしたのですが、もう料理との化学反応が神。
婚約祝いで行って、それとなーく席に着いた時にお話ししただけで、お祝いのデザートまで用意してくれまして、感無量。
オークランドで確実に1番のファインダイニング・レストランです。是非行ってみてください。
Written 6 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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