Reviews Pilkingtons

Zomato
Teresa
+4
Beef cheek croquettes and the market fish were absolutely delicious! The spinach and ricotta dumplings were mediocre! Lovely decor and lovely service.
3 months ago
Zomato
Cristina Luces M
+4
Nice place and friendly staff 😊
4 months ago
Zomato
Amindha Fernando
+5
Been here a few times for after work drinks and lunch and cannot fault the place. The happy hour special is great and it's just a nice spot to knock back a few brews.
6 months ago
Zomato
Robert Jaime Fernandez
+5
Service was great every staff was smiling and very nice when they were serving us. The food taste was absolutely gorgeous! Especially the mashed potato and the fish if the day. We used our Zomato Gold here and I would say that I am willing to pay for the full price for the service and the quality of food that you are getting. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
6 months ago
Zomato
Shivank Dubey
+5
Really nice spot in centre of the city! The food was delicious. The indoor seating is very comfy and cozy (there’s also outdoor seating). Nice decor and very lively atmosphere. The staff were really polite and service was fairly quick. 5/5 would recommend!!
6 months ago
Zomato
Marcelo B.
+5
Beautiful decoration, great service and amazing food! We ordered the rib eye filet which was delicious but a bit small, the highlight was the lamb rump, would definitely come back for that.
6 months ago
Zomato
FoodiesTable
+5
Want to know where to get one of the best lamb rump đŸ„©in Auckland? You are reading the right post✅! And had the best lamb rump ever! It was so tender😋 so juicy💩 the lamb just melts in your mouth. It was not too oily😣 like some lamb dishes can get. It also came with avo pureeđŸ„‘ which is always a plus. Rita ordered the market fish 🐟and the prawn🩐 on it looks amazing too. With Zomato Gold it is so much easier to enjoy a fancy dish like this. Thanks @pilkingtons_no41 for amazing food
7 months ago
Zomato
Jenny Jung
+4
I really like this place for the food and vibe but I just wanna let pilkingtons know that they use plates with lots of little dots on them :( I’m not a big fan and neither are a lot of my friends so just wanted to make a comment. I think restaurants should generally avoid those kind of patterns for the plates they serve food on. I just ate as quickly as possible and got the plate taken away.
8 months ago
Zomato
Vanessa Gao
+4
I used first table here and was at the restaurant before it started filling in. The atmosphere and indoor decoration is absolutely lovely. The service is also spot on and makes you know you’re paying for a great service. The food was also unique and beautifully presented. This is a place I’d definitely come back for special occasions to make it easier on my wallet.
9 months ago
Zomato
Vinny
+5
Great ambience and service from staff. Menu is good and has ample options for everybody. Food was delicious and drinks were well made too. Definitely recommend to others.
9 months ago
Zomato
Cushla Foley
+4
Delicious! Worth the wait! Although it took nearly 45mins to bring our lunch out! Very tasty. Small portions. Best for tapas.
9 months ago
Zomato
Annie Low
+4
Another beautiful eatery for a romantic night out. Food was yummy and staff was attentive. Always love to order their shoestring fries đŸ„°
10 months ago
Zomato
Dani
+5
Came here for a birthday celebration and really enjoyed the place. Great atmosphere, cocktails were delicious and the nibbles were a great side snack. This is a perfect place for any occasion, really a great place overall.
11 months ago
Zomato
Sam Diprose
+5
Came here for a friends 21st. The place had been partially booked out (although with almost no one else around we practically had the whole place) staff were so friendly and the cocktails were very good. Good atmosphere and loved the outdoor seating
11 months ago
Zomato
SystemDC
+4
ZGold 20% OFF code: SYSTEM

Service & food is great especially with ZGold!

Fries were extremely salty hence the 4/5 but otherwise the experience is very enjoyable.
Sep 16, 2019
Zomato
Amit Mehta
+5
Had a great dinner at pilkingtons! We ordered the eye fillet steak and lamb rump. The steak was delicious with the herb sauce.
Food was fantastic but very small portion sizes for the price. Still great service and a great ambience.
Sep 07, 2019
Zomato
Heby Wu
+5
Five of us went to there in the afternoon. Every food is pretty nice. There are also has friendly staffs. We just wait for our food for 15 mins.
Sep 04, 2019
Zomato
Kirsten
+5
Came here for birthday brunch, ordered the scrambled eggs and the omlette! Great service! The scrambled eggs were so delicious and fluffy, perfect with salt and pepper! The bacon was pan fried beautifully, not burnt at all. Yhe potato hash consisted of thinly sliced potatoes, which I didn't expect! I think it needed some seasoning. The bread was nicely toasted as well! I tried a bit of the omlette and it was light and fluffy too! The interior is absolutely beautiful. Keen to be back for their lunch menu and coffee!
Sep 01, 2019
Zomato
Carol W.
+5
Had dinner with friends. The staff was friendly and helpful, she helped us set up a table next to the heater, but then we moved inside. I love the gnocchi with mushroom sauce. The market fish was ling fish that day, it was delicious.
Aug 30, 2019
Zomato
Shuyi Wang
+5
New menu is great and very versatile. Both the noodles and the pulled pork sandwich were delicious and we also ordered a salted lychee soda (very refreshing). The staff were so friendly and attentive which made the experience that much better. Using zomato gold made it so much more affordable and worth it :) 
Food - 5/5
Ambience - 3/5
Service - 5/5
Aug 26, 2019
Zomato
Stephanie Qin
+5
Love this place. I had the eye fillet which was the freshest, tastiest eye fillet I’ve ever had! Better than many I’ve had from steakhouses. Super impressed. Can’t wait to go back for food and coffee again.
Aug 08, 2019
Zomato
Louise
+4

Came here on Friday for a pre-birthday celebration! I loved the vibes here, it was quite loud so you do have to talk quite loudly if you want to hear each other, but is definitely a nice place to come if you want a drink and some food.

I really liked the cerviche for an entree! The fish was very fresh and the subtle coconut flavour with the sour sauce complimented the dish very well. I got the market fish which was snapper and I thought it was cooked very nicely. The eye fillet was cooked perfectly and would definitely get this again!

We wanted to get the pulled pork sandwich and the chocolate dessert however both were unavailable. Hopefully can come back soon to try these dishes!
Jul 29, 2019
Zomato
Jeanne
+5
Ordered the market fish and the roasted chicken. The food tasted great, everything was perfectly cooked. The staff were good and the ambience was great.
Jul 29, 2019
Zomato
Sophia-Sun
+4
Lovely atmosphere. We ordered market fish and lamp for the lunch. Both of them taste good and the fish could be the best I have tried. There also have lots of outside seats which is good to catch up with friends after work.
Jul 17, 2019
Zomato
Edwin Khor Yeu Sheuan
+4
Great food and polite staff, has the fish dish, which was pan fried and was completely delicious... great place to catch up with workmates over lunch or a few drinks.
Jul 11, 2019
Zomato
Foodie
+4
The food is has different level of taste. Slightly over priced. Toilet is very unique and good design. I like the interior vibe. Will go back again.
Jun 29, 2019
Zomato
David Harvey
+5
Watched the rugby and had a friends birthday here, atmosphere was great, staff very friendly and helpful. Took a bit of time to find though.
Jun 22, 2019
Zomato
Aucklandcityfood
+4
We had an amazing dinner here using Zomato Gold, we got one of the main meals for free. The jus on the steak was amazing and my friend said she loved the fish! However we did think the menu needed more vegetarian options.
Jun 21, 2019
Zomato
Tejas Thathachar
+4
After walking past Pilkingtons and longingly looking at its beautiful yet simply elegant ambience while walking down shorthand street for a while, we finally decided to have dinner here. The appetisers were fantastic with a solid drink menu to match. However, distracted wait staff and underwhelming mains made the dining experience just a little less special.
Jun 16, 2019
Zomato
Satiam Sharma
+4
We ordered the Szechuan pepper and salt squid and the prawn dumplings for a late arvo nibble with an iced coffee on the side! The batter on the squid was light and not oily at all, the dish was well balanced in its flavour and the Szechuan pepper left a nice spice on your pallet. Came out well underseasoned, but the salt provided on the table fixed that. The dumplings were silky and generous on the prawn filling! The dipping sauce was average, however. One of the ingredients overpowered the sauce and was too tangy, so we avoided that! Iced coffee was one of the best we’ve had, highly recommend with a shot of sugar syrup! The decor is nice but the service was sadly average - they took our order and checked up on us from time to time but no smiles or energy/enthusiasm (I guess they were too busy attending to all the people in suits around us lol)
May 07, 2019
Zomato
STRADS
+4
It's late Monday morning. We only had small dishes with drinks at Pilkintons. I had the marinated prawns with confit garlic; they were fascinating - even the garlic was beautifully cooked.  My wife had the fish crudo with tomato, cucumber, coconut, etc. - a very refreshing small dish. After that, we decided to walk up Shortland Street for our dessert.
(Food - 4/5; Service - 3.5/5; Ambience - 4/5)
Visited on 6 May 2019
May 06, 2019
Zomato
Glenn Town
+4
A work group attended for pre-Easter drinks
it was humming
Good vibe including live music
A bit loud to chat
But very pleasant
Had great Emerson's Pilsner 
And shared cheese and meat platters both smallish but good
All in all an excellent experience enjoyed by all
Apr 24, 2019
Zomato
Kn25nn
+4
Love the atmosphere of the restaurant! I think this place is usually busy but when i went, it was raining and so quiet.

Staffs were really friendly and the food was also great. Recommend the burger and chocolate mouse dessert. Great cocktail too. My friend and I were going to move to another place for dessert but we ended up having it here.. 😁

I will definitely go again and try other menus.
Apr 22, 2019
Zomato
J Li
+4
Lovely food and vibe. Used my zomato gold and get a dish for free. Excellent service as we booked for a leaving party and it was raining. Staff kindly offer a back up table. Not over crowded on a Friday night. Great ambience.
Apr 16, 2019
Zomato
Netra
+4
Nice experience here on my birthday. Good food, good quantity and a very romantic ambience with good service. I recommend this place for those evenings when all you want to do is hang out with your loved one and talk over a glass of wine. The ambience is good after a stressful day. Does get pretty loud on Friday and Saturday evenings but then which restaurant doesn't.
Apr 03, 2019
Zomato
Saasha
+4
Good food and service here.

Only let down is that I left behind some belongings and the staff were quite rude about when I could come and get it due to an event (which was a public event!!) but can’t fault the food or the place just because of one rude staff member.
Mar 28, 2019
Zomato
Hasini Ratnasekera
+4
Had a great Zomato Gold experience here. The process was hassle free and there were no exceptions from the menu. We had two $34 mains, so we got one of them complementary. The staff were also friendly and attentive.
Mar 23, 2019
Zomato
Taurus Cao
+4
Friendly staff and nice food. The deco is brilliant and the place is just awesome! Friend and I work nearby and came for a drink. After we saw other's plates, we decided to stay to give the food a try. Anf it's definitely worth coming again just for the food.
Mar 10, 2019
Zomato
Smoothie Oeek
+4
Came here for dinner on a Friday evening. Worst timing probably as there were two company groups here for drinks which made the whole place very noisy. The food however was great, we ordered the duck leg which was pan fried nicely, the market fish which was also pan fried, I loved the fried skin making the whole dish very flavourful. And also the fish crudo which was considerably large portion, and the potato layer cake. 10/10 Would come back again.
Mar 09, 2019
Zomato
Chanmi Park
+5
Food was amazing! Both pan fried chicken and linguine was full of flavour 😋 the lovely lady who served us recommended us perfect wine to go with the food. Will definitely visit again ♡
Mar 05, 2019
Zomato
#fatlyfe
+5
Came here for lunch. Great ambience friendly staff. Ordered the eye fillet which cost $42. Other than that being a bit steep for a lunch price the steak was an eye fillet and I know those are normally expensive I asked to swap the potato out for fries which they totally accommodated. The steak was cooked to perfection and came with mushrooms and a tasty jus. It did take a while for our food to come out and a table that came after got served but the staff member swiftly came over to explain the issue and kept us in the loop which is all you can ask for
Mar 01, 2019
Zomato
Tony Ma
+4
Beautiful atmosphere. Yummy omelette and well made scrambled eggs.

Omelette only 2 eggs and is $18.50 retail which is quite pricy. The presentation could be a little better too. But the ambience make up for it.

Service: 4/5
Environment: 5/5
Presentation: 4/5
Food Quality: 4/5
Food Quantity: 3/5
Price per person: $20-$30
Feb 25, 2019
Zomato
LuNa The TuNa
+4
Very beautiful place. Staff was very friendly, deco was pretty cool. It's better if presentation more creative. Quantity 2/5 Quality 5/5 Service 5/5 Price 3/5
Feb 25, 2019
Zomato
Rosanne Choy
+4
Came in today for brunch with a friend. We ordered a beef burger with fries and the herb and avocado smash. There were 4 minutes left before the breakfast menu wasn't available so it was a rush choosing what to get but my choice turned out to be a good one. The ciabetta toast was buttered so well. As soon as they brought over the avocado smash I could smell the butter melted on the toast. It smelt absolutely amazing. I couldn't wait to dig in. The avocado was smashed perfectly. Chunks were easy to spread and/or eat separately. I usually don't like ciabatta bread because of how hard the bread is, but this one was soft as well crunchy on the outer layer of the bread. It was the perfect avocado on toast. The beef burger brioche bun was really good too. It wasn't too hard or soft. The patty tasted average. Fries were crispy and soft on the inside.
Feb 18, 2019
Zomato
Dxlche
+4
Came here for graduation dinner.

This place is decorated beautifully and is definitely perfect for a semi formal celebration. The waiter / waitress were really friendly and helped us through the menu.

We ordered most of the entrees. A highlight was definitely the Calamari. It was perfectly crisp and light.

For main I had the pork belly. The skin was really crispy and the belly itself was soft and tender.

For dessert it had to be the creme brûlée. The perfect ratio of crispy sugar to creme. Definitely a highlight of the evening.

They had Grabone vouchers so the bill came down to around $600 for 9 people. This included all the food, 1 bottle of champagne, two beers and a round of cocktails and spirits.
May 26, 2018
Zomato
Jason Zhang
+4
The place that’s always filled with the office people during lunchtime, we came here for dinner at a quiet time around 5.30pm. There wasn’t really any service as we had to refill our water ourselves. The bill came to about $130 which I think is pretty reasonable for this type of dining.

We got the venison carpaccio, fried Brussels sprouts, southern fried chicken, braised lamb, roasted pork belly, wagyu beef burger.

Venison - although an expensive starter and small in portions, each slice of tenderness with cheese and the crunchy crackers really brought some mixed textures and exciting flavors, especially with the fruity flavored jam.
Brussel sprouts - nicely stir fried and seasoned but there is a bitterness in the flavor which comes from the brussel sprouts.
Fried chicken - another good starter as the yellow creamy mayo-like sauce takes the hot chicken to another level. The light sauce makes the tenderness even tastier!
Braised lamb - although the meat isn’t as tender and moist, the flavor of the sauce and raisins made the lamb tasty. However the brussel sprouts’ bitterness, not a very good choice of sides, countered this taste.
Pork belly - this is my favorite of the night. In terms of taste and texture of the meat, it was the best pork I’ve had out of many restaurants. The tender and moist pork along with its sweet sauce and roasted pumpkins all made it a very enjoyable dish.
Burger - the wagyu beef is obviously very tender and it’s well cooked and seasoned. What I like about this burger was actually the whole pickle on the burger (weird, but effective). The light sourness of the pickle actually adds an exciting flavor to the burger as a whole.

Taste - 8/10
Size - 8/10
Price - 8/10
Service - 7/10
Ambience - 8/10
May 25, 2018
Zomato
G1k
+4
Went to celebrate my friend’s birthday last Friday night. The restaurant wasn’t empty but it was surprisingly quiet when we first came in, which was good (maybe it was too early, or its the CBD night markets that everyone had gone to that night). By the end of the night the place was buzzing.

We ordered 6 oysters and kingfish to start off with a bottle of white wine, and shared the pork belly and scotch fillet. The food was great - the kingfish dish had hints of spiciness but it went so well together. The meat dishes were both soft and delicious – I am steak lover but the pork belly dish here is a must! Everything on the dish complemented each other so well. I feel like they have increased the portion size of the meals compared to the last time I was here as well.

The waitress was very attentive and helpful, it was easy for us to get her attention when we needed anything.

Ambience was just right, dinner was set in a dim but romantic kind of atmosphere with music not being overly loud.

The wine list might need to be updated, the waitress had to come back to our table two times as they didn’t have the wines we were after available.
May 10, 2018
Zomato
Lizzie
+4
Gave this place a second go after the Manager contacted me and offered me 50% for lunch. The service this time was top notch - the kingfish sashimi and squid were well-presented and delicious! Also got a complimentary drink which was a nice surprise. Definitely will be back after this great experience!
Apr 28, 2018
Zomato
I_like_pickles
+4
Really enjoyed our meal here. We ordered the steak which was tender but it would have been nice if the portion was a bit bigger.

The lamb was very tender.The southern fried chicken was crispy and and the meat was tasty. The whitefish ceviche was beautifully presented.

The service was fantastic. The manager was very chatty and inviting. The chicken was the best by far. Everything else was good but nothing to rave about.
Apr 05, 2018
Zomato
Edi NT
+4
Visited several times already. Good spot and nice setup. During summer, please take the outside seating. Atmosphere is just nice, relaxing situation, good place to catch up with friends and colleagues. Nice food, delicious fried chicken, nice fries. Give it a try and have fun there.
Mar 24, 2018
Zomato
Foooood
+4
The food was not as good as I expected but the waitress provided us with an excellent service! Their gnocchi tasted super good. The pumpkin puree was so delishhhh. But all the other food we ordered was very salty. 3 stars for the food and 5 stars for the waitress :)
Jan 25, 2018
Zomato
Christine Lee
+3.5
Food: 3.5/5
My partner and I ordered the cheese board with a glass of wine each. The selection of cheeses were good but the selection of condiments were quite limited. Pretty much you got what you paid for. For entre, we ordered the battered squid (really liked) which was light and crispy. Some might find it a little salty but we enjoyed the taste. For mains, we ordered the gnocchi, eye fillet and the pork belly. We asked if we could have the fillet cooked rare, but it came out medium-medium well done. We asked the waitress if the dish was right, but she stated that we were wrong and the steak was rare :/ the other two dishes were good, but would’ve liked the gnocchi to have been less mushy.

Ambience: 4/5
Nice place to have lunch on a sunny day. Decor was welcoming, except out tables weren’t cleaned very well.

Service: 3/5
In total, 3 different ladies came to our table. Two of the ladies were very welcoming and helpful, however the one lady made us feel quite uncomfortable throughout the meal.

Overall a pleasant place to go

Jan 16, 2018
Zomato
Banana Pancake
+4.5
Went to a wedding last night and was very impressed with the service. The wait staff are fabulous, great and to the highest level! Each and everyone! It then made me me ask what IS this place. Ambience check, food was well served and delicious. Toilet amazing! Parking bit hard to find if ypu want closer to venue. Shout out to all the staff from morning of sunday up to the wee hours!!! Youre all very impressive.
Jan 08, 2018
Zomato
Diogo Reck
+4
Really like the ambience of this place, service is great and food is good, overpriced unless you are a Shortland street suit man, but it's obvious they use fine ingredients and kitchen staff know what they're doing.

Duck confit is very well seasoned. unlikely most of the places that serve it in Auckland, there it's not salty. The purée that comes along is also great, silky texture.

The tuna carpaccio was average, had a nice combination of ingredients, but it wasn't diced evenly and the fish wasn't chilled enough.

My partner had a eye fillet that had an awesome sauce I could drink out of a bottle, and the crĂšme brullee was also great.

They are usually busy after office hours so if you don't like a crowd lunchtime around 12 is a good time.
Nov 27, 2017
Zomato
Linh 💛
+5
I used to live near Pilkingtons and had the chance to dine here when they first opened for business. I fell in love with this place. There is no doubt in my mind this is going to be a hot spot in city central.

Service: Top notch 👌 staff made me feel really welcomed and let me pick my table. Even though there are just 2 of us, we got to seat in a big corner table. Our water was refilled frequently and fast. Whenever I asked for sth I was met with a big smile.

Ambience: I usually come for brunch/lunch service. The place was decorated with floral chairs, heap of natural light, beautiful indoor plants. The tone of the whole place was just so cozy and romantic.

Food: We ordered Confit Duck Leg and Magtaliati which is a filled pasta dish. First impression: they were presented so beautifully that I almost don’t want to eat. The aroma was super nice as well. The duck leg was tender and delicious while the lamb filled pasta was amazing and blended well with the sauce. I would live to see more greens on the plate as sides but I’m still happy with the quality of food. The portions didn’t look much but they were very fulfilling.

Price: This is a fancy place in a prime location so the price is pretty cha-ching. Expect to pay around 45-60$ each depending on your choice of food, with a drink.

Overall, perfect spot for dates. Highly recommended and will definitely come back for more, especially for dinner service.
Nov 09, 2017
Zomato
Gorgeous_mojo
+4
We went on two different occasions and we thought to give them a review. On our first visit we ordered waikato aged beef which was cooked nicely and sirloin pork jowl which we inform the waiter that it is extremely fatty and oily not much of the pork meat. For dessert we had the creme brûlée and white chocolate raspberry which is ok.

On our next visit we thought let's try the entree,
We ordered Plancha squid with garlic nero and burnt lime- the flavour is a different but the lime adds good zesty flavour and chili fried chicken is alright. For main we ordered beef eye fillet the the sauce was good and gives a lot of flavour to the steak! Another main was yellow belly flounder which taste good fish is really fresh and cooked to perfection. On the dessert we ordered Pedro Jimenez creme brûlée which is i find to blunt and nothing special at all. The frozen feijoa was alright. I would say they need to improve their dessert menu as if you're planning to do 3 course meal here you'll end up disappointed on the last part of the meal. Ambiance was good and interior was tastefully decorated as well. Customer service was good we both had attentive waitresses on our visit.

Sep 18, 2017
Zomato
Annie Ren
+4
A top fine dining restaurant with amazing vibes and decor and top notch food! :) between the three of us, we had the kingfish crudo and two type of rye waffles. The salmon waffles is definitely the highlight of the entrees as they were fluffy and sweet, perfect with the salmon and daikon on top!

Mains were equally tasty and the presentation was 10/10. The gnocchi was definitely a winner (apparently their signature dish) and the confit duck was also very tender. The lamb was disappointing as the pepper was overpowering and the pasta was very dry. Overall a good experience and would return again.
Jul 07, 2017
Zomato
Rosemary Cook
+5
Outstanding food, service and ambience! The décor attracted me to this place and it was such a great find. The food was fantastic. We had three courses which were all excellent and perfectly presented. The service is quick, friendly and professional and we had a lovely, attentive waitress who looked after us throughout the night . Absolutely loved this place and will definitely be back! Thanks for the excellent service, Pilkingtons! Highly recommend.
Jul 03, 2017
Zomato
Janice Lester
+4.5
We had a very short window for lunch, so a proper sit-down restaurant probably wasn't the most sensible choice, but being a wheelchair user in a rush I operated on the principle of finding the closest accessible place that served decent food.  So chance, really, brought me to Pilkingtons.  I'm glad it did.  Had the fish, it was john dory today instead of flounder.  Wow.  It was delicious.  And beautiful.  And delicious.

Loud indoors.  Pleasant outdoors, with the heater there.  Friendly, helpful waitress.  A relatively short, restrained lunchtime menu, but with lots of interesting choices nonetheless.  Would certainly go back if I got the chance (unlikely, since I'm about to move out of Auckland).  Recommended.

Wish I could have stayed for dessert!
Jun 02, 2017
Zomato
Two Dark Coffees
+5
Climbing up the marble stairs with the letters "Pilkingtons" stamped onto the wall to your left, even the entrance creates a statement. 

Pilkingtons has a presence not all restaurants achieve from the curb. It's design is dramatically subtle - something out of a minimalists dream. Credit can be given the Nat Cheshire's group of architects. A refined elegance extends through the Mediterranean style courtyard into an urban jungle that is Pilkingtons itself. 

Inside you'll notice mismatch patterns and textures, brilliance of colour and impressive indoor foliage. Large golden lamps highlight the menu in-front of you, a long with an extensive wine and cocktail list. 

The atmosphere is light and fun approach to sophistication. The service impeccable and the food is some of the best plated in Auckland. 

This one I recommend all year round.
Apr 17, 2017
Zomato
Ceara Burkhardt
+5
I had my 21st here and it was great. The place itself has a beautiful atmosphere and the staff are very friendly and helpful. I had canapés on the night and they were delicious. I will definitely be returning!
Apr 05, 2017
Zomato
Daniel Kinnoch
+4
Well, we finally got along to Pilkingtons. Thought it was only fair that we gave them an opportunity to redeem themselves!
Service - prompt, friendly, the waitress offered to take photos for our group. She apologised when the mains had been prepared at the same time as our tasting platter, despite her instructions to the kitchen, and offered to have them remade if we weren't ready for them yet. This was a nice touch.
Food - Well presented. We had:

- Trust the chef Tapas board (I loved the calamari, but it was all a bit too deep fried for the liking of the others in my group)
- Fried gnocchi as a main (delicious, very unique flavour, however would have been a bit too sweet to have all for one person, so we're glad that we shared)
- Roasted market fish (the soup/sauce that this was in was wonderful and very flavoursome)
- Strawberry, buffalo curd, white chocolate, crystalized milk chocolate, basil (impeccably presented)
- Violet crÚme brûlée, roasted nectarine, brown butter almonds (delicious!)

All up, we thought the food was wonderful.

We loved the ambience of the restaurant - its a popular with the Shortland Street suited lawyer crowd, so it's very upmarket, but also with plenty of greenery, large windows, and lots of natural lighting. Great place for a function, however unfortunately they don't have private rooms and our wedding reception won't be big enough to justify hiring out the whole place.

Overall, we were very happy with our visit, and it's somewhere I would like to bring friends/family when they visit from Australia.

I'm also happy with the response provided by Irina below, and appreciate the time she spent replying to my concerns. I do understand that there can be technology issues, but do struggle to understand how emails go missing in this day and age. I remain unhappy with how the matter was dealt with when I called, and still considered this to be a reflection of their service overall - however I was happy with their service when we visited, so this has made up for it somewhat.

Archived:
It's super ironic that there is an out of office message replying to all the reviews below, advising that people should get in touch with Irina Frank – Owner and Operator. However when you email Irina (per her email address which is also on Pilkington's Website) she just doesn't reply to confirm or not confirm a restaurant booking. Twenty days and counting now - per the photo of my email sent to her on the 12 January! I rang on the day of the 'booking' to confirm, only to be told that there was a private event on, and that I should have used their booking form on the website, which would have confirmed that they were not available to book for that evening. All well and good where the booking plugin works on all platforms, which it does not, and with no warning (IE at work for example). And to still not even have the courtesy of replying to your email. My partner and I were looking for venues to try before we decide on where to have our wedding reception, and they're obviously not going to be it.

Not like me to leave a review like this, but in this day and age, not replying to an email as a business owner is pretty lousy, and as far as I am concerned, must speak wonders for their overall customer service practices.
Feb 01, 2017
Zomato
Bella Qian
+4
This place is probably the best decorated restaurant in cbd. It was absolutely beautiful inside. However, it was quite noisy. We had braised beef shin, scallops, lamb and the fish. All were well presented and tasted very good. The beef shin was a massive portion and it tasted delicous. The fish was cooked perfectly and the sauce was very good. Only problem I have is that it is quite overpriced. However I will admit that the food is very good.
Nov 11, 2016
Zomato
Joanne Chiang
+4
Me and my bf came here for our 2.5 years anniversary on a wednesday. The restaurant decor was very chill. I like the greenery around the place. Its very relaxing after a whole day of work. We got the croquet to start. Beef burger and pork jowl for mains and a a side of roast kumara. We enjoyed the food very much. My pork was a little dry to the end but thats okay. We were very full and satisfied after our meal. Couldn't even fit any dessert in.
Oct 20, 2016
Zomato
HJ
+4
Was here on Saturday night for a friend’s engagement party and we were really impressed with the service and our experience here. The interior is stunning and I loved the cute outdoor setup, this would be perfect in summer. Located conveniently in the heart of the city, it’s away from the busy main street. The service was attentive during the entire night – food was served regularly and drinks top up as needed. Also there were plenty of heaters outside to keep us warm. The service was ideal for a private function. We didn’t get to experience a proper meal here but the tapas were very good. Would definitely recommend this place for a private function!

Oct 10, 2016
Zomato
Miss Kiki
+4.5
We dined here for my birthday last month. The service was very good from the start. Very attentive but yet not intrusive. Water topped up frequently without having to ask.
I was not overly hungry so I only had a main. I was actually planning on trying a few of the tapas but will have to come back for those.
I had the oxtail ravioli for dinner which was beautiful. The sauce that accompanied the soft ravioli was stand-out!
I also had a taste of the venison, scallops. Everything was beautifully plated and tasted really good.
I ended up having a spiced fig cake which was nicely spiced and full of flavour.
Will definitely be back!
Jul 23, 2016
Zomato
Gabriel Long
+5
Total 5 star rating! Went here for dinner and it was one of the best meals I've ever had. Steak was perfect, charred cauliflower was amazing. The interior is amazing & staff are great. It attracts a really good crowd of professionals with a mix of diners and drinkers after work. Good place for a date.
Jun 17, 2016
Zomato
Alex James
+4.5
We were a large group (30+) and we were all happy with our meal and service. Good effort for a smaller establishment. Ate from set menu and was reasonable price and great portion sizes. It's hard to cater for large groups and they did an excellent job. Good was classy without been pretentious.
May 29, 2016
Zomato
Callum
+4.5
Went there for dinner on a Friday night, had the rib eye steak and salmon salad. Also had the jersey bennies and spinach salad as sides. All were amazing and worth trying. Service was also excellent.
May 21, 2016
Zomato
Danny
+4
Conveniently located right in the center of the city (and across the road from the office), Pikingtons ended up being our pick for our team lunch.

We ordered a bunch of their starters including the lime cured trevally (basically a ceviche) which was delicious. For the mains, I ordered the lamb rump which, while a bit small (as you would expect of such expensive places), was quite delicious. It went well with the accompaniments of peas and buttered carrots.

Service was top notch. The staff kept on checking back with us to see if everything was okay and if we needed anything else. A solid choice for an expensive meal. And a great location.
May 07, 2016
Zomato
Vivek Katial
+4.5
I had heard alot of good things about this place. I was excited to go and it didn't disappoint. The atmosphere and lighting really transports you into a secret garden tucked away in the middle of the city. The food was delightful, I ordered the duck confit and the oysters. Both of which were well worth it! Only slight issue was the waiter seemed a bit obnoxious.
Apr 25, 2016
Zomato
Eduardo Dias
+4.5
I found this place by chance when I was walking around Shortland street and I decided to give it a try.

One of the things I really liked on the place was the great atmosphere on the environment. Nice balcony with sofas outside and very peaceful garden on the other side. Sound tracking was also really nice and relaxing.

I was not hungry and wanted something light and fresh, so one of the waiters advised the Lime cutely trevally. The fish was very fresh and the salad was very flavoured and refreshing.

It was a great experience and I'm looking forward to get back again in another opportunity.
Mar 25, 2016
Zomato
Vanessa
+4.5
Lovely setting and environment with nice background music. Food is a little bit on the expensive side. We have 3 people dining. Ordered a bottle of wine, 3 mains, 1 small and 1 medium plate, 1 side and 3 experimental desserts and it came up to about $260. Just a tad pricey. Overall it's a lovely little place.
Jan 23, 2016
Zomato
A
+5
Absolutely divine food and decor. We came in a large group (hen's party!) and the patience and grace of our waitress was outstanding. Have been again for dinner since and the food and service was outstanding- obsessed with the arancini starter. Best dining in Auckland hands down đŸ™ŒđŸœ
Dec 15, 2015
Zomato
Travels4Food
+3.5
Hmm. Food was good but did not blow me away. The best dish is the beef. Cooked beautifully and very tender. The rosti that went with it is different to the normal mash you get but sitting in the "soup" of gravy made it too salty and soggy. The fish was a bit dry for my liking but nice touch with the risotto and tuatua. The insalata and calamari was nice but nothing to write home about.
Nov 11, 2015
Zomato
Tiffy W
+4
We went to Pilkingtons for lunch and we really love the environment and friendly staff. I like the taste of raw beef which is fresh and melting in mouth. We also ordered the market fish which I like the risotto part but the fish itself was not really fresh though. Want to try their cocktails next time.
Oct 06, 2015
Zomato
Donna&Shane
+4.5
We popped in here for a late lunch and was very pleased that the kitchen was open ... The restaurant is lovely with a great selection of seating... Very relaxing and excellent service.... We started with the entree selection sharing platter, and everything was yummy except the salt&pepper squid abit unusual .... We also ordered fries which were yummy too and then we were still abit hungry and shared a dish that had prawns, coconut, salad etc and wow that was a real surprise treat very yum!!!! Will definitely come back ...
Sep 26, 2015
Zomato
James Ford
+4
Brekky on the way to work, the fit out of this place is tight I loved it. Super friendly staff, reso expenny but hey this is Auckland I guess.

My mate got the smashed avocado with a berry smoothie, which he thought was pretty dam good. I got the Poached egg, Chorizo sausage and Bacon get up. One egg slightly over cooked but it didn't matter at all, this thing was a slick breakfast option. Peered up with a peach smoothie with protein shot I was good to go for the day, Coffee game is strong too.

Recommend, thanks for hooking it up shorty street.
Sep 22, 2015
Zomato
Claudia Serra
+4
Went here last night for a drink with my partner, function inside so we had to sit outside. It was a little chilly but we were next to a heater which was nice and I was offered a blanket. Our waitress was super friendly and the drinks were brought out quickly. Would like to come back and try something to eat :)
Sep 20, 2015
Zomato
Thanya
+4.5
A beautiful restaurant with good atmosphere and friendly staff. I went here with my friend, because it was close to her apartment. We ordered share plate and roasted yams (I can't remember the actual name of this menu) The food was lovely, especially pork belly in the share plate.
Sep 08, 2015
Zomato
Jenny Da
+5
Pilkingtons located on Shortland street has a cosy garden vibe to it. We went there for a late lunch and ordered the sharing platter. It came with a selection of mostly deep fried foods including prawn tempura and calamari. The pork belly was so good and nicely complimented by a fruit piece topping.
Aug 31, 2015
Zomato
FoodLover
+5
I went here with my partner and friends for dinner on Thu night few weeks ago. It was a great dining experience: beautiful food, good wine, professional and friendly service and the ambiance was delightful. Highly recommended :)
Aug 25, 2015
Zomato
Fylde
+5
Excellent addition to the Auckland food scene. This place does it well all day from early morning breakfasts to coffees, lunches, drinks after work and even a quality dinner. The food is not complicated but well done and complimented by an excellent wine list.
Aug 08, 2015
Zomato
Geena PerezGomez
+5
We had a Great dinner last night!

We came following Alex (Executive Chef) from OSB and were not disappointed. His food is great looking delicious and substantial.

We loved the free bread

We loved the Pilkinton's share plate

We loved the Kingfish ceviche

We loved the Beef Eye Fillet

We loved the Lamb Rump

We loved even the fact that you can reserve a table online

We are coming back for sure.
Aug 02, 2015
Zomato
Caroline Carpenter
+4.5
We came in for a long lazy lunch and had a fantastic time.  The garden atmosphere was like a mini holiday away from Auckland in the middle of winter.

The lamb and the creme brulee were fantastic, and some of the best I have had in Auckland.  If you are looking for high quality, fresh,  heart warming food, this is the place.

Pilkingtons is now one of my go tos for a special lunch (and I'd like to try it again for a night out).

Just a note, the current menu is not exactly the same as the one loaded above.
Jul 20, 2015
Zomato
Caroline Kasmara
+4.5
A really beautiful place with a great, warm ambience. Staff are very friendly and provide excellent service. Didn't have to wait too long for the food and they tasted amazing, although I found the caramel rice pudding dessert a bit sweet (just personal preference). Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner here :)
Jul 13, 2015
Zomato
Fila Bruland
+5
In love with the interior design in this place! Good food worth every dollar! Service is on point as well love the waiter guy we had he was just the best made us laugh and even stay longer
Jul 04, 2015
Zomato
Where.iate
+3.5
Beautiful establishment with artistiy designed upholstry. A bit sad to say I did not capture its beauty in photos on my visit.

Since there is only one menu, it is a little bit confusing when visiting for lunch. There is a small, mid, large and sides section. One would think for lunch, a dish from the medium section would be suitable? Unfortunately it is not. Though, my fault for not asking. I ordered the beef carpaccio and that was nicely presented and very good. My friend ordered an oyster and the salt and pepper squid. She said she didn't like it that much as it was too dry.

The mocha and hot chocolate we had were absolutely perfect though!
Jun 20, 2015
Zomato
James Butterworth
+5
Really tasteful green oasis in what used to be a concrete jungle. Helpful and friendly staff. Lamb shanks were best I've had anywhere. Recommend.
Jun 09, 2015
Zomato
Josh Law
+4
I Went hear for a work function. The staff were very accomodating and the food was great. Pricey food but good value when you bear in mind the quality.
May 09, 2015
Zomato
Donna McGregor
+4.5
Came in last Tuesday night for hubby's birthday. What a wonderful experience the staff were spot on and made you feel comfy from start to finish. The starters are just delish then the main meal I thought I had died and gone to heaven. The atmosphere suits the area and i love how your beautiful resturant is set out.
The only downer was a table not far from us were awfully loud but that has nothing to do with the resturant they were obviously having a great time.
So well done Pillingtons we will be returning.
May 03, 2015
Zomato
Monica
+4
A botanical oasis exists within the confines of Auckland's CBD. Featuring an array of charming floral upholstery, indoor greenery and chic bubble bulbs all encapsulated in a rectangular glass box allowing ample natural light and ensuing passer-bys to go green with jealousy, this may possibly be the most beautiful establishment I've ever dined in. The fare is almost as beautiful. We started with the manchego & Serrano ham croquettes which were creamy, magical sticks of savoury goodness, accompanied by a bold and sweet paprika. The squid ink pasta itself was plain, but the tender, delectably-cooked scallops made up for it. The expense of these meals was on the higher side, predictably so for this impeccably wait-staffed eatery meant for the swanky crowd (I was the odd one out)
Apr 19, 2015
Zomato
Aucklandholic
+4
Pilkingtons, a crown jewel on the otherwise very corporate looking Shortland St, is one of the latest additions to Auckland’s dining scene. One of the most striking features of the place is in its design, modern yet with a hint of lavish charm; the designer seems to have spent a vast amount of time crafting the entire experience.

The Welcome
We were promptly greeted by their team of staff and nothing was too much trouble – finding us a table, bringing water plus menus promptly and even switching off the heaters – the team can be described as proactive rather than reactive. At night, there were a bouncer greeting the customers as they arrive, who also were friendly and approachable.

On the Menu
Pilkingtons offers a range of small, medium and large plates, an industry trend that seems to be very popular right now. Our group ordered a confit duck and 2x kingfish ceviche as the squid ink pasta was not available. The food when served was pretty impressive at first. I liked the plating of the ceviche and the duck was well portioned. However, when tasting it, the ceviche could do with a more flavourful punch as it was a little plain. On the bright side, the crunch of the soft shell crab paired quite well with the fish and was the highlight of the plate. As I didn’t have the duck I couldn’t comment on the taste, although my friend who is a bit of a food perfectionist did think it was very yummy although the orange peel garnish would be better shaven.

For dessert, the tiramisu although seemed to have omitted the liquor, was well made with yummy chocolate bits on top and the ball of chocolate gelato complemented it well. When it comes to the drinks, they feature quite an extensive wine list, interesting cocktail menu and also mocktails for the sober drivers. Drink quality was good, we had ‘The Mule’ and except for perhaps needing an extra squeeze of lime, it kept us happy.

The Ambiance
 For lunch, the environment of this place is amazing. A beautiful restaurant letting in plenty of light with garden like features all round. Pilkingtons apparently used to be the name of a glass maker so it was no wonder the design featured so many windows and glass balls. After dark, there is a live DJ pumping remixes throughout the night and it’s quite a popular place for evening drinks by the nearby men and women in suits.

Aucklandholic verdict 
Definitely a great place for meals and drinks because at the end of the day, it’s the people that makes all the difference. Too often popular restaurants and cafes forget the importance of service especially when it gets busy, but not Pilkingtons. The friendliness of their staff makes us believe that it is only a matter of time before some of their minor details will be fine-tuned and when it does, this place would definitely be up there with the biggies like Depot, Ebisu and Ortolana.
Apr 19, 2015
Zomato
Kevin Senior
+5
I just found a new place in the city for lunch with the accountant and dinner with wife. Great food with a wide beverage menu. Friendly and professional staff which is what you expect in the city. The atmosphere is perfect and looks to boot! I had the Ravioli but have to go back to try the rest!
Mar 25, 2015
Zomato
GJP
+5
Was recommended by an associate to take clients to the new eatery Pilkingtons...and wow.Fantastic food with great fresh flavours backed up by friendly and efficient service.Importantly we were more than impressed by a most splendid selection of wines, which is something I find so many inner city eateries lack.Everything from the décor, food and service certainly impressed everyone in our party.Thank you and well done, you have won our office!
Mar 22, 2015
Zomato
Russell Hodgson
+5
Great Venue and atmosphere. Food was amazing , the cocktails beautiful.Defiantly a must for anyone to check out who are looking for somewhere to go in Auckland. Morning, Afternoon and Night.
Mar 16, 2015
Zomato
Matthew Moran
+3.5
The setting and service you just can't fault. The breakfast ,an order of poached egg and bacon on a white sauce however was underwhelming. The presentation perfect but the white sauce( was expecting a hollandaise) had 0 flavor! Also only one perfectly cooked egg , expected two. Coffee very good.
Mar 16, 2015
Zomato
Jack
+5
Every time I went to Pilkingtons I had a great experience. Awesome service and food. I take my clients there for lunch. The atmosphere is just right, the music is not too loud and the front of house staff professional. It's perfect for business meetings.
Mar 08, 2015
Zomato
Paul
+5
Came in for Drinks and Dinner on Thursday night, We hadn't booked but the helpful and professional staff got us through to a table in the bar to have a some drinks, before being taken on the front terrace were we sat and watched the world go by. The food was really great fresh dishes with great flavour and perfect portion size, we worked our way through a couple of the mid and large plates between six of us and even got a couple of deserts. This place is such a find in the heart of the city and from the great vibe through the night this will become a regular spot for us when we are in the city
Mar 08, 2015
Zomato
MJC
+5
In for a Friday lunch meeting and simply put in one word - Amazing. 
I visit Sydney frequently and must say that it reminds me very much of our neighbours biggest city.
From the surrounding decor to brilliant service to cuisine to die for, it oozes quality across the board.  This place will do extremely well.
Fabulous addition to Auckland
See you again soon Pilkingtons
Mar 07, 2015
5
Jim
+5
The restaurant was fancy and nice! Even the food, eyefillet, was perfect! It was tender and juicy but ravioli was a little salty for me. I wish they had a non-alcohol drinks menu as well.
5
James Theakston
+5
Trendy restaurant, bar and brunch spot in downtown Auckland. We had dinner and cocktails here and enjoyed the space, vibe and food. The focaccia and prawn and crab ravioli were stand out and the maple roasted carrots and market fish were also great.
4
Angela
+4
Went for some dinner with some friends and it was quite a lovely experience. The staff were accommodating, food is a bit pricey and according to my friends could have more flavour. Drinks were amazing and would come again! Atmosphere was very nice as well!
4
Darsh Kumar
+4
Finally got around to dining at Pilkingtons through first table! It was a great experience honestly. The vibes were immaculate, the waiter and waitress were very helpful and friendly too. The focaccia bread is a must! 10/10 Lamb skewers - 9/10 , definitely a must. Only a 9 because there should’ve been more! Haha. Fried crumbed spinach gnocchi - 9/10 as well, would get again and would definitely recommend. The braised lamb ragu - 5/10. This was a slightly disappointing dish in all honesty, hence why the 4/5 overall. It just lacked flavour and seemed liked corned mutton with cheese and pasta bits. Overall, I would go back to Pilkingtons for drinks and other bites to try! :)
5
Shelley Carlyle
+5
10/10 service! Got a walk in for bottomless brunch ($65), which was excellent value for 2 hours of non stop drinks, and delicious food. Vegetarian friendly and shareable bites with a wider choice of drinks than average. The floor and bar staff were so attentive, friendly, competent and generally sound. The vibes and decor are gorgeous, and the music was great too!
5
Mansha Dubey
+5
Really nice spot in centre of the city! The food was delicious. The indoor seating is very comfy and cozy (there’s also outdoor seating). Nice decor and very lively atmosphere. The staff were really polite and service was fairly quick. 5/5 would recommend!!
5
Jen
+5
Had an excellent experience with our party of 13 during their bottomless lunch! Communication was thorough and so helpful beforehand, despite needing a few changes. The Brazilian lady who served us was so attentive. Thank you!
5
Taylar W
+5
I visited Pilkingtons during Restaurant Month 2020 and was excited to dine here after hearing many positive reviews. Upon arriving, I was warmly greeted and seated by such attentive staff. The restaurant decor is beautiful, opulent and light like a glass enclosure with marble and gold features. I was very impressed by the wine list as there was a wonderful selection. The restaurant month menu is what I opted for and also had some artisan bread with whipped home butter. This was absolutely wonderful with my Barossa Shiraz. As part of the set menu, my entree was a roasted beetroot with grilled radicchio, soured cream, candied walnut and beetroot gel. This dish was amazing, I loved the textures and complimentary flavors with meringue shards within. My main was a long line market fish with roasted cauliflower, walnuts, kale, golden raisins, burnt butter and ajo blanco. This dish was delicious and served with a complementary Gewurztrauminer. To finish of I ordered the cheeseboard with a glass of Zinfandel. My dining experience was truly wonderful with exquisite food and wine and exceptional service. Highly recommended with highest distinction!
5
Susan Rayfield
+5
Held an event last week at Pilkingtons and can't rave about it enough! Gorgeous venue and atmosphere with an inside area & the outside terrace exclusive for our use. Food was delicious and Bonsay, the duty manager, was outstanding, as were all of the serving staff. Highly recommend the gin tree! A really great evening, thank you Vanessa!
5
Stephen Grogan
+5
Been twice of late; a bottomless brunch for a friend's birthday and today for my birthday! Amazing service, food stunning and thanks to Vanessa for the recognition today (& telling us about a certain Jason!) A city centre restaurant in the midst of the business district but don't dismiss this New York-kinda restaurant vibe! Will be back...oh the home made focaccia (spelling) is to die for. Get that butter on while it's hot.
4
Amynot - Spotify: äžæƒłćŸ€ć‰
+4
Beautiful atmosphere. Yummy omelette and well made scrambled eggs. Omelette only 2 eggs and is $18.50 retail which is quite pricy. The presentation could be a little better too. But the ambience make up for it. Service: 4/5 Environment: 5/5 Presentation: 4/5 Food Quality: 4/5 Food Quantity: 3/5 Price per person: $20-$30
5
Jack Morrison
+5
Great bottomless brunch! Service was outstanding, so much food we couldn't eat it all, drinks kept coming steadily. Can't fault it and great price to boot.
5
Taz Karim
+5
One of the best European style bistro dine-in experience. My friends and, I loved everything about this place. Beautiful customer service, lovely attendants, delicious delicious delicious food, bloody good cocktails and not to forget their pumpkin crĂšme brulee just hit the top of the charts!! The place itself has a welcoming ambiance. The decoration to the seating, everything was top notch. We have ordered the below to eat and drink. Please find all the photos attached from our dine-in experience. If you like to know more about Auckland scrumptious and sumptuous restaurants, you can check my Instagram page on "epicurious_taz". Thank you Pilkingtons. Will visit again. - An extremely satisfied customer ❀
5
John Cap
+5
The food and service were exceptional - the snapper and gnocchi were delicious. The ambience was lively with lots of positive vibes. Highly recommend.
5
Emily Chalk
+5
Such a great intimate venue for a wedding! in the heart of Auckland City too... a warm inviting place with friendly staff and great food. I really enjoyed photographing here :)
5
Jasmin S
+5
Very nice atmosphere and beautiful place. Just alittle bit busy at dinner time but the waiters handled well. all food dishes were great. Highly recommened.
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