Reviews of The Grove Restaurant. (Restaurant) in Auckland (Auckland).

Name: The Grove Restaurant
Address: Saint Patricks Square, Wyndham Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand, Auckland, Auckland
Telephone: +64 9 368 4129
Price range: €€
Rating: 4.7

The Grove Restaurant

589 Reviews

181 Comments

Restaurant

Fine dining restaurant

Restaurant

Saint Patricks Square, Wyndham Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

View all the reviews

Description Map Open Hours Reviews Contact Photos

Description

Information of The Grove Restaurant, Restaurant in Auckland (Auckland)

Here you can see the location, open hours, popular times, contact, photos and real reviews done by the users.

This place has good reviews, this means that they treat their customers well and you’ll feel great with their services, recommended 100%!

Map

Open hours of The Grove Restaurant

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

5:30 p.m.–12 a.m.

Wednesday

5:30 p.m.–12 a.m.

Thursday

5:30 p.m.–12 a.m.

Friday

5:30 p.m.–12 a.m.

Saturday

5:30 p.m.–12 a.m.

Sunday

Closed

Reviews of The Grove Restaurant

A. F.

We celebrated our 37th wedding Anniversary at the Grove. The service was simply outstanding. Food was extremely tasty and delicious. Lot of surprises specially a beautiful gesture to give us a special card and complimentary sweets. Memorable experience. Thanks heaps grove for making our day a special one.

J. W.

Came here for our anniversary after a long lockdown. Great to see a nice vibe in this restaurant, and almost 70% around 7.45pm on a Tuesday. We picked the 6-course degustation menu and I must say, it was more like 10 courses because of the delicious hors d'oeuvres etc. Every dish was amazing, lots of flavour and well balanced which is fantastic because this restaurant dropped off our favourite list a few years back, and now it’s back on our top 10! The portion may seem small but we were full and very satisfied at the end. The service is very good as always.

D. W.

We had a 5 course degustation and the food was amazing. There were so many unexpected snacks that made the experience even better. The waiters we had all were great and did a thoroughly good job explaining everything to us.

S. G.

This is only the second time I have visited the restaurant due to the well-deserved prices for the degustation. The food is excellent, the decor rustic, the views largely missable. The intention is to visit seasonally when the menu changes. Unfortunately, this time, we had to stop at the 4th course as we were too full, our fault not the venue. We will return in Autumn 🍂 ❤️

C. L.

Had a great experience for lunch today. Service was top notch. Food came in timely manner. Best of all, food was amazing. Irish friends said the roast potatoes were some of the best. I'd say the sticky date pudding was the best. Guess you can decide for yourself

My partner and I were totally blown away. They are located in the busy central business district, but once you step inside, you forget the hustle and bustle outside, where you can find comfort, relaxation and professional service.

A. E.

Stunning! without a doubt the most creative and delicious food I've ever had. The staff are amazing, offering first class service. This is fine dining at its best

a. h.

Beautiful food and well presented. The wait time between courses was quite long. We actually enjoyed the complimentary dishes before the starter the most, and the main dish which was lamb based. We do enjoy fine dining and felt the set menu was a little on the dear side for the meals you receive. Pretty ambiance and great service!

M. D.

Superb culinary experience! 7-course degustation with pairings over three relaxed hours. Definitely Michelin star evening. Kudos to the attentive and gracious servers and preparers. Very highly recommended.

A. C.

One of the best fine dining restaurant in Auckland. Been there about 4 or 5 times, they always have impeccable service and outstanding food. Last visit was Sunday for a roast (special menu, 3 course deal for $85 lunch time) Didn’t disappoint, we had an amazing time.

Thanks the Grove team, had a nice birthday there. All dishes are full of artistic, deserves the Top 10 restaurant in Auckland.

Firstly, the staff are exceptional. Incredible service throughout. The food is stunning. There were one or two things not quite to our liking, but that is mostly down to specific taste. Recommend and will be back.

Superb fine dining experience and worth wine matching...amazing wine selection. Lovely staff that finished the perfect evening. Loved the additional touches with birthday card signed by staff. Thanks for a beautiful evening!

T. Z.

Great food. Everyone made us feel welcomed and exceptional service. Someone always appeared to be on standby whenever we needed anything. Food also came very fast which is great! The cocktails were superb!

N. H.

Amazing food and service! Can't recommend The Grove enough. All of the staff went out of there way to make our evening special, including a birthday card at the end of the meal. The cocktails were awesome!

B. S.

From start to finish it was an adventure and a delight to our palettes. We were impressed with the service and atmosphere. Absolute high class and professional. We did the 7 course degustation menu. Stunning looking plates!! Couldn’t rave about this place more. Last picture is the full menu.

F. C.

Amazing experience, food was delicious and the service excellent. Celebrated my partner's birthday and had a fantastic time. The staff made it a wonderful experience. Food was amazing and loved every dish which was rare given it is a degustation. I went all out with the 7 courses and was impressed by the balance and creativity of each dish.

G. W.

Attention, nearly over-the-top passion, atmosphere, plating, and even the bathroom experience are all reasons why The Grove instantly became the best fine dining spot in Auckland that I've experienced to date. To expand on a few of those points, they did everything right when it came to serving a multi-course meal such as never bringing you a new dish until you're finished with the last and the table cleared. Speaking of the degustation menu, we had no idea what would be on it and we were completely comfortable leaving our dining experience in the chef's hands. Each of the servers took the appreciated time to explain each dish, some being so passionate about what's on it that we almost had to giggle but it was fine. Lastly, I have to comment on how whenever we got up to use the loo, they all bow and move out of the way, and on top of that, I really could not have been happier to step onto a cushioned floor mat when using the urinal as to give my dress shoe'd feet some relieving comfort.

S. S.

Was there last year and it was very good, I didn’t have a reservation and they still made room for me. The staff was very handy and was knowledgeable about the menu. They were also very nice about asking about food allergies or different type of foods I don’t care for. I highly recommend this restaurant on your next trip to Auckland!

S. M.

Possibly the best fine dining in the city, it flies under the radar compared to the sid art crews offering but easily beats them on consistency and service. There is a 4 or 7 course option depending on how adventurous/hungry you are and there are plenty of little snacks along the way that make it seem a lot more... Their wine list is superb especially if you look at the "special" wines area which has some beauties at great value. If you have to visit one restaurant in Auckland, this is it!!!

F. B.

One of the best fine dining experience I've ever had! Friendly and professional staff will follow you in this 7 courses experience with paired wine. Flavours and creativity mixed together for a unique dinner experience

A. D.

Fantastic food and service. Love every part of it❤

G. C.

Dishes were fancy, but nothing really stood out. Flavours were mostly pretty average. Needed a steak knife to cut the steak. For what we paid I expected each dish to explode in my mouth

Incredible degustation menu. Creative, inventive, well thought out. Perfect wine pairings. Service exceptional. Staff knowledge very impressive. Ambience absolutely wonderful. Well deserved 3 hats!!!

Our experience at the grove was outstanding! So much attention to detail put into every element of every dish I was blown away! The staff were so lovely and welcoming! Would HIGHLY recommend! Worth every cent!

M. D. P.

The Grove is our first fine dining experience back in 2012 and it was an amazing experience. We’ve been back a few times since. If not for The Grove, we wouldn’t have ventured out to try places like Sidart, Clooney, French Cafe, Quay, and Dinner by Heston. This place place is a classic and it has produced some of the best chefs in Auckland. I’m a bit picky with food but I would eat anything that comes out if their kitchen.

T. M.

Always love this place for their degustation menu and their little snack surprises Tina May IG: justme.and.life Nzgirls.co.nz

C. M.

It's been a long time since my last visit, and it didn't disappoint. Fantastic menu and staff.

T. H.

What an absolutely delightful experience. Amazing food and service. The wait staff have great knowledge of the food beogn prepared. If you haven't experienced this kind of dining before I would highly recommend it!

S. F.

Exceptional Service, Exquisite Food, Elegant Setting. The Grove takes Fine Dining to the next level. Each meal of their 7 Course Degustation was intricately explained and immaculately structured, bursting with devine bold sensational flavours. The service from the moment we arrived was exceptional. This continued through the evening specially with our main waiter Fabian. The abundance and atmosphere of The Grove is truly Elegant, assisting in the Fine Dining Experience.

P. B.

Impeccable service, we did the vegetarian degustation and it was great food with amazing presentation. We had a great date here. Would highly recommend.

A. P.

This was our favourite place in Auckland while we visited! Went for our 21st Anniversary dinner and had the 4 course with wine pairing and it was spectacular! The flavours hit us with amazement, can’t explain...it was SO good. The courses are generous and filling, our waiter suggested 4 course if we didn’t want to feel too full, it was perfect!

Y. C.

Fine dining experience. Every dish is delicate and pay lots of attention to the details. Go for the wine pairing if you like your wine.

D. J.

Photos of some of the courses of our amazing custom degustation meal..... Great food & service! Have been before & did not disappoint. The place to go to feel special! Will definately be back! Thanks again 😊

M. M.

Great selection of wines, beautiful, relaxing, atmosphere. I went for the 7 course vegetarian meal. Presentation and size of the portions were perfect, I would say. The food was pretty light in taste, but amazing.

C. D.

Friendly staff, exceptional food and deliciously paired wine. We also appreciated the dietary alternatives that were so good it was impossible to feel as though anything was less than gourmet.

V. D.

One of the best restaurants in town. Good for couple and friends. Dishes are creative and surprisingly delicious. Will visit again.

D. A.

What an amazing unique degustation menu! We were so impressed by everything, each course was a delight for all senses. Staff were amazing too. One of the absolute highlights we've experienced in the Auckland restaurant scene so far.

N. K.

I LOVE this place. No bad things to say about it. Every single bite was breathtaking. Staffs are super nice and knowledgeable. Nice atmosphere. Perfect for date night.

Upmarket restaurant with excellent service no menu but had the 7 course option found the dumpling in oxtail broth not very good flavours a bit muddled with bitter aftertaste Quail & beef tender with excellent deserts

K. C.

Amazing food and awesome atmosphere. Took my wife here for her birthday and we selected the degustation menu, we were left amazed and satisfied. We were in awe of each new dish that came to the table, the the flavours were well balanced and creative. Highly recommend!

A. C.

My wife and I enjoy the evening here. Very food good and excellent wine pairing.

D. F.

I have never had better food or service, I honestly was skeptical at the time of not ordering my own food, but after giving them your allergies and preferences they serve you without having to worry about what to decide to eat, it just comes. And what good food it is, every bite was just fantastic, from amazing presentation involving dried ice, to the most succulent fish i have ever had. The grove is definitely the place to o if you want a wonderful night out without much worry and amazing service. Definitely recommend the grove.

G. “. B.

Wow. One of the most creative chefs offering unique servings of somewhat exotic dishes. Wines overpriced as usual.

P. M.

This place is consistently the best restaurant in Auckland, year after year. Never disappoints. Can wholeheartedly recommend to everyone, my favourite!

G. G.

My husband and I decided to celebrate our anniversary at The Grove and it was an excellent choice. The atmosphere was romantic and relaxed. We opted for the vegan tasting menu and I can’t express how amazing it was. Every dish was presented with such grace and a thorough description of everything and how the flavors complimented each other. Each dish was the perfect portion and all together made a very filling meal. The staff was incredibly sweet and made us feel at home. They even presented us with a congratulatory card signed by all of them! It was such a special evening and I highly recommend this experience to anyone considering splurging a bit. Absolutely worth it!

J. H.

Brilliant! Outstanding food, absolutely loved it. Would go back again in a heart beat and plan to when back in Auckland again.

The dining experience was first class. Excellent food and service, with knowledgeable and friendly staff. We will definitely look forward to attending again. 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.

C. I.

The longest meal that I have had. Took me 3 hours for a 8 course meal. Nice restaurant.

E. A.

My husband and I had amazing time here. I think it was the best fine dining experience I had in NZ! Each dishes were so carefully selected! Exceptional taste and presentation! And the desserts were ..really the best I have ever had! Thank you Grove staff!

One of the best dining experiences we have ever had. The food was incredible, the staff were friendly and knowledgable, and the wine pairing with our 7 course degustation took us around the world and back with some of the most delicious (and unusual) wines I have tried. We will definitely look forward to attending again.

C. Z.

Very friendly staff, 4+ hours to have 7 course was bit too long. Some dishes were really good, few was bit too salty. For the price we were left a little disappointed by what's being served, e.g alot of fatty meat for a thin slice of scotch fillet.

L. T.

Went with friends and had a great night, really interesting food combinations that youd never think of (unless youve thought about chocolate and marmite before). We had the full 7 course degustation.. but went for cocktails instead of the wine match, all very very good. They brought us extra plates to try that werent on the menu too! Lovely staff. Great treat.

Indian food is hard to reinvent - this restaurant is amazing. We chose to go through the journey menu - this is a fixed price option. To be honest it is worth every cent. Delicious food served by knowledgeable staff in a delightful way. I’m really grateful to support our local businesses and Cassia is doing their best to support local communities. DELICIOUS.

R. L.

Pros: Extremely delicious entres, first main and buns First main (mushroom) had some of the best sauce. I loved the oozing of the egg inside the mushroom. Excellent environment (very romantic) Excellent service Very clean Cons: Underwhelming third main (ribeye) and second dessert (the chocolate-tipped pops) Ribeye had a very hard texture that wasn't the most pleasant chew. The second dessert didn't have an elegant presentation and was very hard. Not a fan of the chocolate coating mixed with the sourness of the pop. Sorbet would've been more appropriate. Long waits in between dishes (can also be a pro if you like taking your time, but the waits were overkill in my opinion—took over 2 hours to finish the four-course degustation. Sid At The French Cafe did not take as long. Having said that, the pros outweigh the cons and I am still very satisfied! Will want to come here again!

L. T.

Along with all of the snacks, the 4-course degustation is plentiful. Very creative presentation and amazing food.

A. s.

Visited this amazing restaurant on 29/12/20 for my partner birthday. We decided on 6 course meal. From snacks until petite 4 , every bite was Jst amazing and full of flavours . It’s totally a worth visited and trying. It live to the expectations I have from a fine dine restaurant. My bad I didn’t ask the name of the waitress who served us ( asian lady ). She was amazing and very friendly . Worth visiting again.

J. S. L.

Fantastic dining experience

H. K.

Great and very international service, delicious Christmas 5 course dinner, all fantastic and imaginative, a great evening

R. W.

The most intricate and intimate presentation of food I have ever enjoyed. Each course had a unique aspect to it. For example, the stone bowl that had been refrigerated to keep the dish cold. The servers also had a story about how the dishes were prepared. Be aware this experience is not rushed. A seven-course meal took us three hours, and another 30 minutes for an absinthe fountain. We were thankful we started at the 6 pm reservation slot. Clear your calendar and enjoy your night here!

J. C.

Absolutely exceptional service. Okay decor. Some plates were great, some weren't as action packed with flavors as one would expect during a degustation. You have to do the absynthe fountain it's an absolute EXPERIENCE

R. P.

Our recent visit to the Grove Restaurant was nothing short of amazing. The Grove has a welcome feel from the moment you arrive outside. The lovely French themed setting with the soft lights immediately draws you in. We were treated to a six course degustation which was a mouth watering journey from start to finish. Every dish was exquisitely presented and every mouthful was a delight. The staff were informative and professional and the restaurant has a lovely ambience to it. I cannot recommend The Grove Restaurant highly enough, our family group had a fabulous evening and we will definitely be back.

B. M.

Thanks for the very interesting culinary experience. I recommend to everyone to try the full degustation menu blind to keep the element of surprise alive. The staff were very attentive and looked after us and did something special for a birthday occasion. Loved the old school card, calligraphy and wax seal. Thanks for your care and attention to detail that thoroughly deserves five stars

All aspects of the restaurant are great-food, staff, service and environment. Love it all.

J. M.

Fabulous food! One of the best tasting menus I've had.

T. R.

Great atmosphere and food, the 7 course menu plus all the extras was wonderful. Allow 3+ hours to enjoy the experience.

A. R.

Always incredible! Fantastic service, epic food. It’s very much a firstworldproblem but my only criticism would be the pacing of the wine pairing. You’re sat without a drink until the first course comes out which can take a while.

S. H.

Food & service superb, let down at the last. Celebrating a wedding, 2 guests gluten intolerant & groom with strong egg allergy. Everything excellent & all guests well catered for until the desserts when groom's dish had egg in it despite constant rechecking at order. Issue handled very well by the restaurant but the simple error has cost a star.

D. M.

Loved the food, service, wine but found the wait between courses a little long. We arrived at 6.30 and didn't finish until after 11. Would have been good in a group but was a bit long for the two of us. Will definitely be back to try the 5 course degustation instead of the 7. The food was absolutely stunning! Couldn't fault it!

Exceptional service and great food! Will definitely come back ：）

M. E.

Went for Sunday lunch set menu. Lovely starters, unfortunately the roast beef, green beans, brocollini and cauliflower were all cold. The gravy was hot and the potatoes but there wasn't enough of it. Asked for more gravy and it never arrived. Lovely flavours but temperature for roast is key and missed the mark. The restaurant itself was also very chilly (wearing 3 layers) which meant we didn't get the comforting experience we were hoping for.

V. I.

Lives up to its name...absolutely stunning. Classic, classy and contemporary... Would go back over and over again.

A. T.

Beautiful restaurant with fantastic service. My family went here on New Year's Eve and felt like we couldn't have picked a better place to dine. One of the best wine pairing selections! The highlight of the night was going outside to watch the New Years' fireworks. Truly a memorable night, thank you so much!

D. P.

Lovely restaurant with delectable delicacies. I drew jellyfish out of squid ink which was greatly appreciated by the staff

C. G.

Incredible, stunningly different each time. The 9 course degustation with wine pairing is a truly wonderful experience. The food was incredible; so delightfully surprising. So far, this establishment has the best service I’ve been lucky enough to receive. Our waiter was an outstanding professional; being engaging, interesting, and helpful. The timing of each course was so on point that the night felt like and endless stream of wonderful food and drink. Talking of drink, you have to try the Scarborough Fair cocktail if you like gin: it’s hands down the best cocktail I’ve had in my life.

J. O.

Highly recommend. Staff were awesome. Food was remarkable. Albeit this one dish with the baby corn was pretty starchy and not that pleasant. But you can't win them all. We stayed late, the last ones to leave, but wasn't a problem (well, weren't made to feel it was anyway!)

R. D.

Outstanding restaurant. Setting the standard for food quality and menu innovation, food quality with delightful flavours and presentation, outstanding wine list and excellent table service. The New Year's set menu covered 6 courses and included a choice of starters. The dining room is very comfortable and tables not so close that private conversation would be difficult. Highly recommended.

The different tastes were amazing & service was 1st class

this is one of my favs in Auckland, great food, service and an attention to detail not found in many restaurants. a dinning experience where you can be reassured of the best every time

S. J.

Fabulous food and service! Highly recommended!

On an impromptu visit to Auckland we ended up booking a table at the Grove only a few hours before actually dining there. Upon our arrival we were greeted with friendly service that took care of our rather soaked, due to the persistent rain, state. The great service continued all evening with expert service and explanations whilst serving the 5 course degustation menu. The venison course was simply divine. All in all yet another memorable visit to this great establishment in down town Auckland.

J. s.

The 9 course vegan desgustation menu was just incredible. The waitstaff were just amazing. Loved this place and will definitely be coming back.

D. T.

Very good service. Serves only degustation menu for dinner. Advance reservation essential.

J. M.

This place was fantastic. We did the 7 course meal, and every course was a home run. Not to mention because of the favorable exchange rate with USD we basically had a 40% discount compared to if this was in the states. The service was great, and everyone was knowledgeable. The only reason this didn’t get 5 stars was because it took us about 45 minutes from the time we finished our last course until we got the check - and we weren’t drinking alcohol or coffee. At one point I noticed people polishing silverware and wine glasses, so it almost seemed like they were interested in getting themselves out of there before us. That said - I would highly recommend. Everything was fantastic. Do yourself a favor and do the full 7 courses, you won’t regret it.

C. A.

Food delicious but SO expensive. Wine list prices ridiculous. We went for the least expensive bottle of wine at $76 surprise, surprise they were out of that one so was offered the next at$89 not much more I agree but in my view if these establishments are out of what they have advertised then they should offer the next one up at the same price. Won't be back.

C. R.

Absolute wow factor... should be 7 stars. Amazing cuisine and superb service... an experience beyond all expectations. Thank you.

A. X.

A truely superb dining experience. Each dish is unique and beautifully plated. From the starter snacks and bread through to dessert you are treated to a variety of delicious courses. The service was second to none, incredibly friendly and welcoming. We will definitely be returning.

E. S.

Very nice food experience. Kudos to the Sommelier for her wine's recommendations and wittresses for taking care of us. I have had the 5 courses menu, really loved all my dishes except the quail which was not to my taste. I would however strongly encourage them to disclose the menu to their customers upon arrival. My husband did not enjoy his experience at all because he was served food he didn't like. We were asked at the beginning of our meal if we had any dislikes but as you can imagine, it is mission impossible to draw an exhaustive list on the go. Our waitress did her upmost to improve his experience but it was somehow to late to save our evening...and everything could have been easily avoided if given a heads-up on the menu. So great experience overall if your table is prepared to eat everything but not so much if you have guests that are more picky.

Always great even the lockdown meals have been 5 stars!

I booked a table for my friend's birthday and the evening was perfect! We did the 5 course degustation and everything from the pre-dinner snacks, to the dessert was spectacular! Standout dish was a mushroom and potatoe dish - incredible flavours! The wine match was also amazing with some unusual and delicious wines from all over the world. Everything was meticulously explained by the service team who were all friendly and knowledgeable. Thanks for an amazing dining experience!

Very sophisticated venue, lovely decor and the wine selection is great. I had the tomahawk steak and it was all i could do, not to pick it up and gnaw on the bone. Best streak i have ever had. EVER.

E. S.

The Grove was like none other Than That had before! It was absolutely amazing. The staff are kind and actually care about what you like or dislike. They pair certain wines with certain meals. They are very knowledgeable. There was only two crayfish left so the chef Ben had to create a dish completely from scratch and it was out of this world amazing! Would 100% recommend anyone to this amazing dining experience you will not regret it!

C. L.

The Grove is my favorite Auckland restaurant. The new chef is even better. The wine pairing is bang on and the sommelier suggestions are fantastic. The staff is wonderful - professional, fun, friendly, warm, helpful and attentive. Yes the meal is pricey and the courses are small because The Grove is about creating an experience. This isn't a restaurant you go out to on a random evening, you go expecting to be wowed and they fulfill this desire. I'm a fan!

C. B.

Fascinating food. If you want to be treated as VIP on your special occasion, I highly recommend this place. People around me also say the same. Consistency of high level of service and great food keeps the business going.

Exceptional everything, an absolute joy ❤🌺🥰

Amazing. Dine in or Grove at Home during lockdown, either way its an incredible experience.

M. B.

Best food ever! Wine and Food matched perfectly! Service outstanding! Memorable experience, Thanks!

J. P.

Great ambience and excellent customer service - a combination of warmth and of superb professionalism! We were immediately shown to a table despite not having a booking. There are some interesting dishes that we can choose from the table menu to supplement the degustation menu which is a wonderful idea. The staff are knowledgeable and extremely courteous. We went for a working lunch and ended up spending well over three hours. We thoroughly enjoyed the outstanding "Grove" experience! 👍👍👍👍

D. T.

Wow. Intense! 5 stars isn’t even enough. Top notch service. Amazing food that seemed to not stop coming. Each dish perfectly matched to its very own wine with its very own story. What an experience. Well worth every penny!

The Grove is an essential dining experience if visiting Auckland. I could not fault the food, wine or service. This was not just a meal but an experience. I was so impressed by my dining experience, I will be trying their sister restaurant “Baduzzi” tomorrow night. Thank you to the “Grove” team for a great meal and experience.

c. s.

A difficult restaurant to review, clearly you must consider all the other degustation experiences you have had, the staff and presentation, but above all I feel the food is what folks are supposed to be going here for. We were asked 3 times what occasion we were there to celebrate, further reinforcing that this was primarily a special occasion eatery. The professional waiters were trained and choreographed to the Nth degree, pandering to the whims of the wealthy and those whom they perceive as peasants cannot be easy but the smiles and attentiveness remained throughout the evening; their programmed responses to even the slightest criticism when you replied to the inevitable "how was that" was the same, and designed to reassure and minimilise fallout. A few regulars and presumably good tippers got special attention as they worked their way through a stunning wine list, keeping the waiters at tableside while checking their phone wine apps to see if a particular vintage had been tried before. By the time our third course had been consumed I was starting to panic, none had passed my "5 out of ten" rating, while all had scored close to ten on presentation the cured salmon tasted muddy, and the dressings and additions to the delicate seafood did little to enhance the flavour of what was clearly carefully chosen and fresh main ingredients. I breathed a sigh of relief when the quail arrived and my senses were stunned, I cannot even remember the flavour enhancements for the dish but they were perfect and it was surely pushing a 10 as the most enjoyable plate of the evening. The venison despite being perfectly cooked and presented was not complimented by the beetroot and all it and the sauces managed to do was reduce a great cut of meat to a 7.5. If one didn't add the the amazingly presented and tasting feijoa sorbet popsicle to the list, the 7 savoury dishes didn't average out over 5 and the desert ruined by 4 types of pickled pear was no exception. The exit walk down the long dining room was punctuated by every single staff member passed thanking you for your attendance and wishing you a good evening in identical wording, also identical to the experience one gets leaving an aircraft, only in our case multiplied by 5 and indeed after the 5th such salutation I felt the giggles coming on. This is a special occasion restaurant, and they provided an amazing experience at an exorbitant price for both the alcohol and food. I have no problem with wherever you wish to position yourself in the marketplace but if you are going to charge these prices you had better perform.

L. V.

Took my daughter and her long time boyfriend out for dinner together. We had the 7 course degustation menu and it was hard to fault. Simply excellent dishes one after other with great flavours and innovation. Excellent ambience and service. Good wine list and we had an excellent Misha's Limelight Riesling and Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah 2014 which was up there with the best ever New Zealand Hawkes Bay Syrahs. I'd recommend The Grove for a very special night out. It certainly wasn't cheap but food this good rarely is. I'd love to go back again when I'm back in Auckland.

I. K.

Our experience at the Grove was absolutely fantastic! The 12 course degustation never ceases to surprise and delight and my only regret is that I will never be able to cook like their chefs can. The service was above and beyond anything I have seen elsewhere in Auckland and our server (Edward) in particular, was the embodiment of the kind of hospitality one would expect at Michelin star restaurants in Europe. A truly outstanding experience, highly recommended!

T. M.

A fabulous evening for our 30th wedding anniversary. We had the 7 course degustation it was an amazing experience enjoyed every minute. Beautiful food and beautiful wine. Thank you to everyone at the Grove for a wonderful night. Cheers guys

B. D.

Love The Grove. Attentive service, great food, an impressive wine list. When you're looking for something a good cut above the jeans and t-shirt eateries that are so "in" right now, this is the place!

S. O.

We had an incredible time dining here. Like nothing else we’ve experienced in Auckland. The dishes are innovative and do not disappoint. We had the 4 course degustation which was more than enough with all the “snacks” they throw in between courses.

Live it here... amazing food..exceptional service.... recommend it

R. c.

Their dishes are very tasty and very unique. Like the art of food. We are very pleased with their service and food. Recommend to all. A+++++++

S. K.

Ate here for a business lunch and it was outstanding. Easy to see why Metro rated it as one of the best restaurants in Auckland. Service was knowledgeable, friendly and impressive at getting all people served at the same time. Presentation was immaculate and the taste very delicious. Pricey, but we all came away impressed.

I need more stars...seriously, 5 isn't enough. The food here is fantastically prepared, very creative, and mindbogglingly tasty. Probably one of my favourite degaustation menus I've had world wide. The service here is also fantastic. Over all I'd say The grove is well worth the price and even the 5 course menu will leave you full and satisfied. Go, just do it.

L. N.

First time fine dining. Loved the experience and the food was fantastic. Service was top notch. I’m glad I can say I’ve done fine dining- not something I will do again anytime soon, only because at the end of the experience it cost over $750 for three people. But defiantly worth it!

A. R.

The food was delicious and everything I expected from a place with such a great reputation. The occasion was a team christmas meal and the customer service from the moment we arrived to the moment we left was impeccable . Thank you for looking after us . Would definitely recommend.

J. H.

Always such a pleasure to come eat at "The Grove" when I am back home. Fabulous fresh dishes prepared by for me "the best chef in the country" - always a great experience worth every penny indeed. Thank you very much

L. P.

Unique and amazing experince! We had apetizers and the7 course meal with matching wines and all our senses were used to the fullest. The last desert was out oft world.

Lovely ambience, awesome food, highly recommended!

P. S.

The service is good the food is better than average Auckland. However it was a birthday and there were no candle. So had to deduct that 1 star (and i prearrange birthday surprise which didnt come)

M. O.

A truly phenomenal dining experience. Waiter explained everything, from what was in each course to the perfect wine pairings. Amazing atmosphere. Perfect place to go if you feel like something fancy.

J. G.

Absolutely phenomenal degustation was had last night, even had the super talented Head Chef Ryan Moore personally serve a couple of the courses! Couldn't recommend higher enough, top quality ingredients, top quality team, 10/10

Z. W.

Beautiful food. Very fancy. My friends and I perhaps weren't as prepared as we could have been, we lacked a lot of knowledge around fine dining so it was a bit intimidating. Staff were helpful and attentive. Food was obviously the real highlight. If you are into fine dining then I whole heartedly reccomend. The degustation was filling and considering what we got it was very well priced.

G. M.

Have always liked it but better than ever last week. We Love Vegetarians menu and a vegan one now. Exquisite degustation through every fresh tasting, zingy, elegant course. Leisurely excellence.

S. B.

I really had a great night, but for the money you can absolutely do better. French Cafe is a better example of innovation, quality, professionalism and taste. There were lots of small things that added up to us giving a 3x star review which was fair.

F. C.

Went for a friends birthday dinner. Fantastic atmosphere and food. Really friendly and knowledgeable wait staff. Would be awesome to see you add a wider range of beer, but overall loved it.

S. T.

Real professionalism from staff. Warm atmosphere. Food was a win. Some interesting and inspired selections to choose from. While I wouldn't call Auckland a good place for eating out, and especially not when it comes to fine dining (I know, this won't please the Kiwis, but honestly, we all know it here), but they were hitting most of the marks here, at least for me. Among Auckland's top picks.

F. R.

Good wine. OK menu. Service was marginal (when measured against other 4-5 star eateries). We were at the 0845pm setting. Staff VERY keen to get home at end of evening.

N. B.

Absolutely wonderful restaurant. Highly recommend the degustations - the team were great & swapped out seafood plates for vegetarian for my partner. Great sense of humour & very professional FOH. My favourite table is right by the windows.

M. L.

Very tasty degustation with a show! No menus but you choose 4 or 7 courses (we had 4). The wine list had plenty of unusual choices from around the world and the 2 we had were excellent.

P. B.

Amazing food very lovely service. The best food I've had in an Auckland restaurant to date. Definitely pricey but worth it for sure. Very Vegan friendly as well.

D. D.

What a different enjoyable experience. Staff very attentive from the start, explaining the Menu very well for first time visit. We had five courses of excellent dining. Look forward to another time. Thank you

B. S.

Top 10 best meals of my life, with exquisite decor and top notch service. Great way to start our New Zealand trip! A must while in Auckland!!

S. P.

Beautiful celebration of food and service. Great for special occasions. All the staff are excellent friendly and inviting. Don't let the price you off, these guys are a must visit for any foodie's

J. L.

Absolutely incredible dining experience. The food and service was impeccable. Great ambiance too. We recently did the Sunday roast as well which was amazing!

S. C.

Nice fine dining with acceptable price. Wine pairing is quite good. Usually you will spend 200 NZD at dinner. Food is top 3 in Auckland.

T. K.

The Grove is definitely "passion on a plate", everything and more in terms of fine dining with gorgeous food and wines to match, ambience that is not over-stated and knowledgeable, warm and friendly staff. A celebratory dinner for two was a perfect experience for us both, but also a place that you could go to with a small intimate group. The Grove is definitely our pick for fine dining in Auckland having dined at other top restaurants. You will not be disappointed - ENJOY!

P. S.

Really good meal all round. The desert wasn’t the best but that’s just a minor point overall. Great staff and nice wine pairing.

P. H.

Came in on the spur of a moment! Greeted instantly and right away felt relaxed. Ordered a bottle of gewurtztraminer that needed chilling, which was fine, and was offered a complimentary glass of methode traditional while I waited. Staff were excellent! I will definitely be back to dine.

P. B.

Our first time at The Grove, first of many we are sure. We came of our anniversary and will return next month, with friends, for my birthday. The meals were a feast for the eyes, mouth, and soul. The portions, perfect. The staff are knowledgeable and professional, yet felt like friends by the time we left. Oh! Order the Souffle! It's a religious experience. Thank You for a very special time.

T. N.

Was there for a friend wedding. The cyisine was exquisite with fabulous flavour mix and complemented by fabulous wine selection. The staff were very well presented, extremely knowledge in the food they were serving and catering for every dietery requirement. There was a person who was vegan and they had a special menu prepared just for her. Everyone was very happy and bound to come back. The atmosphere was very relaxed and if you didn't know you were in auckland you could sware you're in a restaurant in the south of France.

B. G.

Best food I've had in my life. So unique and creative, with layers and layers of flavours. Great vibe, service and wine selection, would love to come back.

J. R.

I could not think of a single thing out of place. I have eaten at hundreds of restraunts, I can say The Grove is certainly the high end of the top 5. Had my wifes 40th birthday here tonight, it was flawless. The only thing I could fault was the Champage didnt come out with the last course as asked, but it was promptly served 2min later. Each course was mouth watering, and divine. I would give this 10 stars if I could, the Manager, french accent, ginger beard you made my wifes birthday fantastic (sorry I missed your name) we will be back because of you and your staff. I cannot give this place a better rating, you have to try it to understand. 10 stars out of 5, see you on my birthday for sure!!!!!

J. D.

Fine Dining! Great place for those special occasions! Wonderful customer service, all the staff were very friendly! We had the mini degustation which was just the right amount for the evening. If we had the full degustation, i dont think some of us would be able to eat anymore! Our evening was about 2.5 hours for the mini. They Wagyu and Dory were great! Definitely recommend!

H. P.

Good experience for a 1st time degustation. But if you have tried degustation already, the menu here doesn’t seem so interesting. Staff are friendly and understand user special requests. Thanks team. I requested to make our special day extra special. The team was open to talk about the ideas and finalise those are feasible. Win-win!! Continue your great work team!

M. H.

5 stars is not enough. The degustation menu is to die for . Too many favourites to choose one . The service exemplary.

T. S.

The entire night was just amazing. We had the 7 courses degustation with matching classic wines. The food was incredible, the variety of wines was great and the service was just superb!!

K. F.

Wasn't very impressed by the food. The service was impeccable but was shocked when the food wasn't as good as I was expecting. Although very unique, I had much better at small local towns. I guess you can't compare American fine dining food experiences to New Zealand.

S. L.

Fantastic 7 dish menu accompanied by a very well chosen wine ditto. The sommelier was very knowledgeble and proposed a selection of intersting NZ producers. Highly recommended if have the time to spend a whole evening.

A. W. P. (.

It was an amazing and one hell of an experience.

Y. T.

The degustation menu changes seasonally to always give you something new to try and the wine list pairs perfectly with the dishes. The dishes are well thought out and sizeable enough to leave you walking away satisfied.

H. C.

The Grove is an institution in Auckland fine dining. Year on year, it rates as one of Auckland's best regardless of the new, groovier places - Grove always finds a way to compete at the highest level. The food is of a very high quality and the service just as polished. The menu was interesting and delightful, full of local ingredients cooked to the highest of standards. However, the Grove doesn't carry with it that swagger or edginess that other fine dining places fight to have, be that some over the top decor or featuring constantly on TV or running some weird events. The Grove is solely concentrated on food perfection and flies below the radar. While the food is great, the lack of edge means they don't deliver an unforgettable experience that you'd expect from a top tier restaurant. Tip: It's at a rather awkward place, but there's plenty of parking in the side roads off Lower Hobson Street.

A. R.

We love this place! Always a winner with us, can't get enough of it. The staff are friendly and very attentive, and all the meals have been spectacular and definitely worth every penny.

J. S.

What a wonderful gastronomic experience. We loved it. Wonderful amalgam of tastes. Great service by really friendly staff. Will definitely come back again.

The food is amazing and the service is outstanding; the right combination of warm and friendly with that slick professionalism of a top restaurant. Nothing was to much trouble, which just made the evening perfect.

S. L.

Seven courses of bliss. The food, the service, and the atmosphere were all 5/5. Personal touches from the exec chef made our first wedding anniversary a night to remember.

J. M.

Amazing food! Great service! Had the 5 course meal, everything was prepared and presented perfectly. One of the best if not probably the best restaurant in Auckland.

B. Z. B.

I've been to the Grove twice now and each time been blown away. Exceptional food and service and very well priced! Service staff know everything on the menu really well and are more than happy to genuinely recommend food and drink to you if you are a bit unsure. Highly recommend The Grove for a special night out!

J. H.

Absolutely outstanding. Amazing food and beverages. Top notch service. Gorgeous decor. Had an awesome night of fine food and drinks with friends. Highly recommended.

K. M.

Fantastic. The food was amazing, wine pairing spot on and the staff were so accomodating with fantastic descriptions of the wine. Great start to our NZ holiday!

J. B.

My wife and I took two guests to dine at the restaurant on 6th September and had the most wonderful meal. The duck was simply out of this world and everything all of us could not be faulted in terms of food and presentation. The only thing that spoiled the evening was one waitress who abviously had not been trained in how to serve at the table as she constantly leaned in front of all of us to serve rather than moving around the table. We were always taught to serve from the left and take from the right - not to lean across in front of people. Apart from that everything was great and I would certainly recommend the reataurant very highly.

D. C.

Great service, great food and great cocktails. The atmosphere and quality is great however expect to pay for such good service. Overall an excellent place to dine or have a casual drink outside.

S. H.

Wonderful place and very cozy! The meals are amazing and tastey and the staff are very professional, knowledgable and friendly. Best meal ever! This place is on the pricey side.

The food was exquisite! Though it was a little pricey but worth it overall.

J. G.

Absolutely the best that NZ has to offer. Great service, delicious food, attentive and friendly service and wonderful ambience. Highly recommended

V. v. M.

So good can't describe

Extremely late review. Went there for lunch with mom and sisters few years back. Great food. Great service. Great ambience.

M. G.

Without a doubt, this would have to be the best restaurant in Auckland. We get here around once per year and twice if we're exceptionally lucky. Fabulous dining experience.