Clapham's

On Auckland’s North Shore, Clapham’s leans into the pleasures of a modern bistro, where comfort meets a touch of polish. The kitchen riffs on timeless European ideas with a coastal accent: chicken liver parfait lifted by cherry and bread, BBQ pork belly playing against apple and radish, tuna crudo meeting a bright Niçoise salad, and classic fish and chips with tartare sauce and lemon.

From the garden, buttery burrata coalesces with prosciutto, pear and hazelnuts, while truffle and parmesan fries add a savoury perfume. The farm-led plates keep things satisfying: steak frites with peppercorn sauce for purists, and crumbed chicken breast beside a proper Caesar salad with anchovies, croutons, egg and bacon.

Sweet endings stick the landing, from hot chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream to a vanilla crème brulee finished with raspberry compote. Or linger over an NZ cheese board, a neat nod to New Zealand cheeses, or choose a favourite by the piece. Book in, settle back, and let the classics do the talking, with the frites doing a little flirting.