New Zealand - Auckland

Auckland - AKL*updated 18Aug2012

New Zealand - Auckland
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Where crew stay:
The Crowne Plaza Auckland

Centrally located hotel, near the Auckland tower and its co-located to a shopping center with attached food court, though food has been reported not great. A short 15-20min walk any direction would comfortably encompass the entire Auckland City with most attractions the city has to offer.128 Albert Street, Auckland, 1030, New Zealand
ABBA Tip:- WIFI available but be aware of your Log-on. Unfortunately, it does not allow multiple devices to Logon at the same time. It is 4hrs OR 120MB whichever is used up first. So Remember to LOG OFF when you're done. Signal strength and speed are good.
- Countdown Supermarket located just around the hotel, open 7days a week 7am to 10pm for all of your shopping
needs.Click here for location

ABBA Shop

Get Pacific Duty Free Maneuka Honey at lower prices from the Korean Couple at Rendezous Hotel on Vincent Street. You can WHATSAPP them on any queries that you may have. Crew prices are listed behind the price tags shown. Its about 30-35% less than indicated.
ABBA Tip: Did you know that your 'lower grade Manuka honey' can develop a higher rating over time, due to it's natural bacteria growth after opening. Do not use metal spoons, as it is said to damage the honey.

Must Do:
Danny-Doolan

A definite must go! Live music 7-days a week. Live Music really starts from about 10pm and stretches all the way to the wee hours of the morning, depending on the crowd. Good beer is a given, but company, even better.

One of the best 2 man band I've ever heard playing. Awesome tunes and totally complementing one another. They have a great rapport with one another and the crowd, cracking jokes and treating crowds to shots and dedications. Definitely a fun hang out! Located at the Viaduct, there are many other nice eateries and pubs along this harbor.

Click here for details on Danny-Doolan

Click here for ABBA location of Danny-Doolan

Can Do:
Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum

Located scenically along the river side, the New Zealand Maritime Museum offers a varied selection of artifacts.

Ranging from detailed model ships,art works, great replica sets, to augmented reality displays. Watch out for special additions to the attractions at the Maritime Museum.
Click here for ABBA Details on the Maritime Museum Quay Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Auckland Fish Market and Bistros in front

This entire area is a new addition to the Auckland city scape.
The Auckland Fish Market isn't anything to scream about but its a nice location for a morning cuppa and great atmosphere for dinner. The bistros in front of the fish market offers Tapas, to steaks, desserts and coffees.
Corner of Daldy St & Madden St, Freemans Bay 1001

Waterfront Auckland Silo Park

Also a new addition to the Auckland cityscape, just further down the bay from the Auckland Fish Market, the Silo Park. A small park space, but has make shift stalls on the weekends. Look out for the events that are available.
Click here for ABBA details for Silo Park

ABBA Eats:

 Monsoon Poon

Catch the Asian Persuasion at this SE Asian fusion diner. Edgy, modern, and great flavors. Gander the signed plates mounted on the walls, commemorating visits from the Pussy Cat Dolls and Tyra Banks to name a few.

Great service, quick food served up and in no way sacrificing on quality.

Ordered:

Set Meal, Flavors Of South East Asia

Thai Yellow Chicken *Well-balanced flavor curry, 

not overladen with coconut milk. A popular choice.

Indonesian Beef Rendang *Beautifully braised meat, with pieces falling

 apart so delicately. A good contrast of sweetness and warm spice. Another popular dish.

Kashmir Vegetable curry

Malabar Fish *Fish was a little on the dry side, but simmered

 in a warm, subtly-spiced curry which paired beautiful with jasmine rice.

With Jasmine Rice & Poppadom

Including a complementary glass of Sauvignon Blanch or Pinot Noir

NZD30

Click here for ABBA location of Monsoon Poon 11-27 Custom Street West 

 
The Middle East Cafe

Ever wondered what Chawarma was when Tony Stark Iron Man suggested a great place to eat in the end of Avengers the movie?

Look no further. A quaint, middle east theme-decorated store, located right beside the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Nominated as Best Of Auckland 2011 CBD quick bites, It serves, mouth-watering, middle-eastern food, delivering big flavors in small packages. 

Ordered:

Lamb Chawarma
*Lamb from the spit, in a warm toasted bun
Lamb was full flavored and well seasoned. Their bus had great aroma and were perfectly toasted. 

To add the cherry on top of this mini work of art, is the home made Aioli Dip. Great garlic greatness!
NZD9.50

Open for Lunch Mon-Fri 11am-3pm Closed SAT/SUN
Open for Dinner Mon 5.15pm-9pm Tue-Sat 5.15pm-10pm Sun 5pm-9pm

Click here for ABBA details on The Middle East Cafe 23 Wellesley Street, AKL 1010
Click here for ABBA equivalent of a Chawarma eats in Melbourne: Stalactites

Elliott Stables

Elliott Stables is a homestyle dining area, which offers a wide variety of eateries to select from.
Located at the back of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, a range of cuisines from, Italian, Mexican, Spanish and many more line this relatively large dining area.

A great chill-out place, with rustic decor. Excellent for large groups and family style dining.

-No food reviews as of yet-

Click here for ABBA Location of Elliott Stables 39-41 Elliot Street Auckland Zealand

Char Grill
*Open 24hrs*

A short walk, and open 24hours are the best combination for the hungry and jet-lagged.
Char Grill, serves up pizzas, kebabs and burgers at reasonable prices.

Ordered:

Lingini Pizza NZD14 *Good spread of cheese, with
sweet capsicum and a warm undertone spice fro the chili. Excellent.*

Ostrich Burger NZD11.50 *Taste like a New York Philly Steak Sandwich*

Kurama Chips & Dip NZD6.50 *Simple sweet potato chips. The "healthier" option.*

Click here for ABBA location of Char Grill 51D Hobson Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

The White Lady

For late night eats The White Lady, listed in lonely planet as one of the many things to do in Auckland. The white lady is a mobile trailer, serving up great burgers and hotdogs to hungry patrons from late in the evenings till the next morning.

Burgers are juicy and hugely portioned, as are the dogs with caramelized onions and cheese combo are a killer combo. They even have vegetarian burgers, leaving no one out from this great late night food joint.Burgers and Hotdogs range from NZD19-6.

The Occidental

Down a short pub grub street, Occidental serves up perfectly steamed green mussels in, lobster and brandy, celery and onions, Cajun style and many more sauces. Free flow of chips with orders of mussels. There also serves up steaks and shanks for non-seafood lovers.

Their huge selection of Belgian beers, wines would definitely quench any thirsty traveler.
1kg Mussels dishes go for about NZD20++ each and beers around NZD8.
Click here for ABBA Location 6/8 Vulcan Lane, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand

Mai Thai

Located just across the hotel with quaint decor. À la carte menu offers crew a 10% discount. Good lunch menu with all the classics but not applicable for discount. Prices for the lunch special range around the NZD15 range. Curries and individual dishes go for about NZD25.
Mai Thai, 57 Victoria St W, Auckland, 1010, Auckland, New Zealand