Travel video guide
Where to Eat in Auckland CBD, Auckland: Pacific Oyster From Mark Wiens | Varedelo
This guide turns Trying New Zealand’s Best Restaurant!! Can’t Believe They Serve This!! 🇳🇿 from Mark Wiens into a practical restaurant map with 1 saved spot around Auckland CBD. The mapped places include a restaurant stop. Use it to understand the places, dishes, and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
Mark Wiens visited Ahi in Auckland to explore the definition of modern New Zealand cuisine through the eyes of Chef Ben Bailey. He was particularly fascinated by the cultural significance and traditional preparation of the native longfin eel. Mark described the fresh Pacific oyster as tasting like being 'punched in the face with a wave' due to its intense, clean ocean flavor.
What this map is good for
- Planning a restaurant stop or short itinerary in Auckland CBD.
- Comparing food stops from a creator or saved local map before you commit time in the city.
- Saving 1 mapped spot into Varedelo so the list stays usable on the ground.
- Using the original video as context, then turning it into a clean place-by-place map.
Featured spots on this map
- Ahi.
Restaurant in Commercial Bay Level 2/7 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand, Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand
Hours: Hours available
Food notes from the video
- Pacific oyster
- Pacific oyster with cider seafoam
Experiences captured
- Visited Ahi restaurant in Auckland CBD
- Met Chef Ben Bailey
- Observed open kitchen and local ingredients
- Learned about the life cycle of longfin eels
- Watched traditional eel preparation and cleaning
- Observed eels being hung and smoked over fire
- Learned the history of Pacific oysters in New Zealand
- Watched oysters being shucked
Planning notes for Auckland
Auckland, located on a narrow isthmus between the Waitematā and Manukau harbors, has a recorded human history beginning with Māori settlement around 1350. Known in Māori as Tāmaki Makaurau, the region was characterized by fortified volcanic hill settlements called pā. In 1840, following the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the site was selected as the colonial capital of New Zealand.
Must-try foods nearby
- Hāngī
A cornerstone of Māori culture, this traditional feast is cooked in an earth oven using heated stones. - Hokey Pokey Ice Cream
Widely considered New Zealand's national ice cream flavor, this is creamy vanilla mixed with crunchy bits of honeycomb toffee. - Mince and Cheese Pie
A quintessential Kiwi comfort food found in almost every local bakery. For the absolute best, locals head to Richoux Patisserie or specialty spots like Blue Rose. - Fish Sliders from Depot
A true Auckland icon created by chef Al Brown, these sliders have appeared on 'Best of' lists for years. - Dumplings in Spicy Sauce
Reflecting Auckland's massive Pan-Asian influence, the dumplings from Eden Noodles Cafe on Dominion Road are a local rite of passage.
When to go: The best time to visit Auckland is during the southern summer from December to March, when the weather is warmest (averaging 20–25°C / 68–77°F) and ideal for beaches and outdoor festivals. While this peak period offers the most sunshine.
Local tips
- Apply high-SPF sunscreen even on overcast days because the UV radiation in Auckland is exceptionally strong and can cause burns quickly.
- Tipping is not expected or required in restaurants, though a small amount for exceptional service is always appreciated.
- Remove your shoes before entering someone's home or a Māori wharenui (meeting house) as a sign of respect.
- Use an AT HOP card for the most cost-effective and seamless travel on the city's trains, buses, and ferries.
What travelers are noticing
- The City Rail Link (CRL) opening, transforming the CBD with new underground stations and faster cross-city travel.
- The revitalized Downtown Waterfront, featuring the new Te Wānanga public space and volcanic-themed play areas.
- Dreamer, a massive immersive light and sound installation at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC).
Extra place context
- Ahi
Widely considered the pinnacle of modern New Zealand dining, Ahi (meaning 'fire' in Te Reo Māori) is led by Chef Ben Bayly.
food and Scampi Corndog
Planning questions
What is this video map?
It is a crawlable guide to the mapped places from Trying New Zealand’s Best Restaurant!! Can’t Believe They Serve This!! 🇳🇿, with the creator video, a static map preview, and selected spots from the trip.
Can I save these spots?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save the places, keep planning notes, and revisit the guide from your phone.
Does this replace watching the video?
No. The video remains the source, and the map makes the places easier to scan, compare, and save while planning.
Use it on your trip
Save this restaurant map before you go
Keep the mapped spots, creator context, food notes, and planning details together. Varedelo turns the page into a phone-friendly map you can revisit when you are choosing where to go.