Discover Ultimate Things to Do (& Eat) in Ponsonby, Auckland's Hippest Neighborhood

The essential guide to Ponsonby, Auckland’s hippest neighbourhood.

a historic building at an intersection in ponsonby auckland

Ponsonby is a trendy Auckland neighbourhood close to the city centre — from parts of Ponsonby Road, you have a stunning view of the Sky Tower.

Ponsonby Road is lined with some of Auckland's best bars and restaurants, as well as independent bookshops and New Zealand designer boutiques.

With its vibrant and creative atmosphere, it’s hard to beat Ponsonby Road as a shopping and dining destination.

I called Ponsonby home for four years. Here are a few of my favourite haunts.

jump ahead.
Best things to do in Ponsonby
Where to shop in Ponsonby
Best Ponsonby restaurants
Best bars in Ponsonby
Best ice cream

The best things to do in Ponsonby

Ponsonby Road is most famous for the number of outstanding restaurants you can find there, but there are also plenty of fun things to do that don’t revolve around food.

Maybe slot one or two of these activities in between lunch and dinner.

Go thrift shopping

Op shopping, thrift shopping, second-hand shopping - whatever you want to call it, Ponsonby is an excellent place to do it.

The thrift stores along Ponsonby Road are more upmarket than a lot of charity shops, but this means you can score designer threads for a lot less than brand new.

My favourite places are Tatty’s (there are two shops on Ponsonby road) and Encore Designer Recycle.

Go for a yoga class at Sala

Sala is all about energy, and you’ll feel the good energies as soon as you walk in the door. Going to a yoga class in the effortlessly stylish eclipse room will leave you walking on air.

Listen to live music at Grand Central

Grand Central feels like the last vestige of ‘cool’ Ponsonby – a little bit gritty, with falling-apart couches out the back, a sticky floor, and a tiny stage where bands thrash about many nights of the week.

Grab a locally-brewed beer and sing along, this is one of the most fun places to be in Ponsonby.

Browse for books in The Open Book

The Open Book is possibly the cutest place in Ponsonby. Set in a classic villa that sits up on a lawn - in the middle of Ponsonby, no less - this second-hand book shop is lovingly created.

There are seven themed rooms, ranging from general fiction to performing arts and other languages.

This is so much more than just a bookshop, though. There are comfy chairs you can settle into while you browse the tomes. You can help yourself to coffee. There’s even a garden out the back where you can read.

The Open Book is one of Ponsonby’s best secret spots and a truly wonderful experience for bookworms.

Browse art from local artists

An essential stop in Ponsonby is Studio One Toi Tū, a community arts centre at 1 Ponsonby Road.

Studio One Toi Tū provides dedicated art studios and workshop spaces that cater to various art forms such as painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, digital arts, and more.

The art space also hosts regular art exhibitions, showcasing the work of both emerging and established artists. It’s well worth checking what’s on their schedule — there are some real talents here.

Another great spot to check out local art is Endemic World, a gallery specialising in prints from New Zealand artists.

Go to an improv comedy show at Covert Theatre

The largest improv comedy theatre in New Zealand is tucked away on Mackelvie Street.

Tickets at Covert Theatre are usually around $20 for a show, which is great value for the quality of laughs you’ll get.

If you’re interested in challenging yourself or improving your public speaking, you can also sign up for improv workshops.

Where to shop

Ponsonby Road is lined with designer stores and independent boutiques. This makes Ponsonby a great showcase for New Zealand creative talent and an awesome destination for souvenir shopping.

Here are some of the most interesting places to shop in Ponsonby.

Curio Noir

Curionoir is one of the most intriguing shops on Ponsonby Road. A heavy red velvet curtain hangs across the window and the shop’s name is picked out in gold lettering. The storefront wears an aura of dark mystery and the interior doesn’t disappoint.

Step inside and you will be greeted by wooden apothecary-style shelves and heavenly scents. Curio Noir sells, among other things like candles and jewellery, unique unisex perfumes.

If you need a gift for someone special, this is a must-visit store. I also think the uniqueness of these perfumes make them an excellent New Zealand souvenir.

The incredible styling of Curio Noir make it one of the coolest shops in Ponsonby.

The Women’s Bookshop

The Women’s Bookshop promotes women’s writing, as well as issues and interests specific to women. It’s an independent bookshop run by a team of outstanding women, and it fosters a sense of community on Ponsonby Road.

There is also a large section devoted to LGBTQIA+ books, authors, and readers.

Flotsam and Jetsam

vintage trinkets arranged on a wooden box

Flotsam and Jetsam is an antiques and bric a brac shop in a row of historic buildings on Ponsonby Road.

It’s piled high with all kinds of homewares and other goods, which are all extremely aesthetic. Fossick through old photographs, hunt for the perfect wooden box to put your plants in, or walk out with a gorgeous old candlestick.

There is nothing in Flotsam and Jetsam that you strictly need, but plenty of things you will want.

Everyday Needs

Everyday Needs is a beautiful homewares store for people who want to shop sustainably.

The shelves are lined with carefully curated objects that are as stylish as they are functional.

It’s worth a visit to this store just to see some of the incredible items from New Zealand’s creatives and makers.

The best places to eat in Ponsonby

Ponsonby has no shortage of restaurants and most of them are outstanding. These are a couple of my go to restaurants along Ponsonby road.

Looking for somewhere to get coffee instead? Check out my recommendations for Ponsonby cafes.

Daphnes

Styled after a Greek taverna, Daphnes has a moody dark interior and a menu designed for sharing.

Mekong Baby

Southeast Asian fusion is a broad term for the delicious dishes served up at Mekong Baby. It’s on the pricy side for curry, but you won’t be disappointed.

Olas Arepas

Flat, cornmeal buns packed with fresh ingredients - Olas Arepas give me much nostalgia for my time living in Colombia. This is the go to spot for Latin flavours in Ponsonby.

Prego

Prego is a true Ponsonby institution – they’ve been around since 1986. The things this restaurant must have seen.

It’s a fairly homey Italian restaurant serving up classic dishes. It’s surprisingly unpretentious. You can expect it to be busy, fast-paced, and fun.

The bathrooms at Prego are epic – you’ll have to visit to find out why.

Bali Nights

It’s on a fairly industrial block, but Bali Nights manages to be cute and cosy inside. Neon lights and plastic covered tables

Khu Khu

Khu Khu Thai serves up vegan versions of classic Thai dishes, from duck to Pad Thai.

You’ll need to book in advance most nights, as it’s tiny and popular. Also note that they aren’t licensed, so you won’t be able to buy alcohol here.

The best bars in Ponsonby

Ponsonby is a stellar spot for a night out. You can grab a glass of wine and some delightful nibbles at these Ponsonby bars.

Annabel’s

A gorgeous little wine bar with strong European vibes and an impressive wine list.

Beau

Small and unpretentious, Beau is a couple of doors down from Annabel’s. The food here is just as good as the wine.

The warm sourdough and cultured butter is simple and excellent. They also have a list of stellar French cheeses.

Conch

Conch is an absolute classic and a stalwart of Ponsonby Road.

This bar and restaurant was closed for much of 2022 due to a fire, but managed to make a comeback is still serving up South American inspired food and New Zealand craft beer and organic wines.

Conch has its roots as a record store and still has a distinct cool quality. It has the perfect amount of dim lighting (i.e. it’s a top pick for first dates) and cosy wooden booths in the open air section out the back.

The food is delicious — you can’t go wrong with a portion of crispy yucca chips to go with your beverage.

The best ice cream in Ponsonby

Because you can’t walk down Ponsonby Road and not get a cone. Whether as a sunny afternoon snack or a date night dessert, you can find exquisite ice cream in Ponsonby.

Island gelato

Get a taste of Waiheke Island life on Ponsonby Road with Island Gelato. Creative, summery, and unbelievably delicious, this local ice cream company is a delectable treat.

Dive into a triple cone, you deserve it.

Duck Island

Founded by chefs and ice cream enthusiasts, Duck Island comes from Hamilton but has taken Auckland by storm.

Their ice cream inspires wild loyalty in anyone who tries it. There’s a reason there is almost always a line out the door of the Duck Island Ponsonby ice cream shop.

Small batches, unusual flavours and seasonal ingredients are a recipe for delicious — and sometimes surprising — ice cream.

Flavours range from vegan chocolate cherry chunk to vegan strawberry coconut lime leaf and blueberry buttermilk gooey butter cake.

Thanks for reading! I hope you found some inspiration for your visit to Ponsonby Road.

If you’re visiting Auckland, you might also find these reads helpful:

A guide to Karangahape Road, just around the corner from Ponsonby
The best bakeries in Auckland (including Daily Bread in Ponsonby)
Great cafes in Grey Lynn, only a short walk from Ponsonby

Everywhere you need to eat, drink & shop in Ponsonby