Over 100 Takapuna eateries unveil signature dishes this October, with prizes and a noodle celebration.
Okay, Auckland. Clear your October lunch calendar, because Taste of Takapuna is about to give you approximately zero excuses not to eat your way around the beach.
The neighbourhood’s annual Taste of Takapuna is back, and this year it’s leaning hard into what Takapuna does best: an absolutely stacked dining scene, over 100 places deep, all showing off at once. Throughout October, participating cafés, restaurants and eateries will each be putting forward a “Must Try Dish”. Basically their proudest, most order-me creation, the thing they’d want on your table if they only got one shot.
And because someone clearly understands incentive structures, every dish you try earns you an entry to win a $250 Takapuna dining voucher, which is either “treat yourself” money or “make eight new friends over eight new lunches” money, depending on your priorities.
There’s also a popularity contest, and honestly, we love a popularity contest. The Taste of Takapuna People’s Choice Awards let diners vote for their favourites across six categories: Best Restaurant, Best Café, Best Takeaway, Best Drinks, Best Coffee and Best Sweet Treat. So if your local flat white spot has been quietly changing your life every morning, October is its moment to get crowned.
Then, closing out the month with maximum flavour, comes the Takapuna Noodle Festival on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October: a two-day ode to noodle dishes from every corner of the globe, with participating spots running special deals on select noodle plates. Ramen, laksa, pad see ew, you name it. Bring your appetite and possibly a stretchy pair of pants.
“Takapuna has an incredible and diverse dining scene, and Taste of Takapuna is all about giving people a reason to discover somewhere new or revisit an old favourite,” says Terence Harpur, CEO of the Takapuna Business Association. “With the weather warming up and longer days ahead, October is the perfect time to get out and enjoy Takapuna – whether that’s lunch after a walk on the beach, dinner and drinks with friends, or simply trying somewhere you haven’t been before.”
Fair point, Terence. The beach walk pairs suspiciously well with the “reward yourself with lunch” pipeline.
Is there any better lifestyle than in Takapuna? See you there.
Taste of Takapuna runs right through October. Head to ilovetakapuna.co.nz/taste-of-takapuna for the full list of Must Try Dishes, participating venues, spot prize and prize draw details, and to cast your vote in the People’s Choice Awards.
