Reviews Szimpla Gastro Bar

Zomato
Lucy
+4
There aren’t many decent restaurants near the Auckland airport but Szimpla is definitely a good one.

I love the 80’s furnitures arranged at the waiting bar, which gives the restaurant a retro look. The place has a spacious outdoor and interior seating with an excellent ambience.

We ordered the Scotch Fillet, Fish n Chips, Crispy Chicken Burger and the Market Fish. All dishes had a massive portion and were beautifully arranged on the plates.

I ordered the medium-well fillet but received a medium instead, however the fillet was still tender and flavored well with the mushroom sauce. The salad, eggs and chips tasted nice as well.

Friendly staff, food were served moderately fast despite being very busy.

Taste: 7.5/10
Presentation: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value for money: 8/10

Price $35 per person
8 months ago
Zomato
Elizabeth Edwards
+5
Awesome food. Retro 70s vibe.
10 months ago
Zomato
Surbhi Kharbanda
+5
Took our friends visiting us for lunch, so close to the airport. With good options on menu for vegetarians and non-vegetarians.. recommend their cauliflower balls, fish and chips and calamari as quick options.
Aug 31, 2019
Zomato
Jason Jost
+4
Nice pub food with friendly service. The burger was juicy with fresh ingredients. The chip serving was generous with large chunky fries.

A great place to stop before your flight.

Jun 24, 2019
Zomato
KMKDA
+5
Every time we visit, nothing but great service, warm atmosphere and reeeeeal good food! Only downfall is the change in menu, my partner & I LOVED the rice pudding, talked about it all the time only to go back and it was gone ☹️ but tried the bread and butter pudding currently on menu and oh my god! He broke his diet to have a taste! Calamari is def one of our faves. Have never had a dish that we didn’t enjoy. We definitely recommend szimpla to all, 100%
May 30, 2019
Zomato
AnazAhKuoi
+5
Had a group of about 15 adults here. My first time here. The staff were very friendly and attentive to our needs. Atmosphere here was real chill. We sat and dined outdoors which was great because it was a warm night. The food was good. My steak n mushroom sauce were yum, chunky chips were ok. Dessert was delish! A very decent place.
Jan 17, 2019
Zomato
Airini
+4
Lovely and spacious place and the food was yummy. Also staffs were accomodating. Easy to find parking as we went on Saturday. Will definitely come back again.
Nov 25, 2018
Zomato
Peneueta Willis
+5
We had a farewell function here and it was AWESOME the food was great we did dinner and had a variety of means. Our fave was chicken and steak.

The finger food platters were a hit with the guests that came along The outdoor area is beautiful and was a perfect venue for our farewell

Thank you team!
Nov 10, 2018
Zomato
Lavinia Lafu
+4
Recommended by a work colleague to dine there atmosphere good staff friendly.... ordered
The eye fillet meal dry meat was small piece but enjoy cocktail had .
Aug 29, 2018
Zomato
Tasmanian
+5
The food was good and filling.
The service was excellent super nice and friendly!
THE CHOCOLATE TORTE IS SO GOOD!!!!! With the mango ice cream 10/10.
Aug 26, 2018
Zomato
Samkupa
+5
Great vibe and atmosphere and is reflected in their food, staff very friendly, the food came out in time at all and tasted great! Our group thoroughly enjoyed the Szimpla experience
Jul 22, 2018
Zomato
TheGoodKiwi Nz
+4
Would give 4.5 stars. Great for kids. Obliging staff- happy to subtract ingredients. Lovely food enjoyed by all.  Had the lasagne, the sliders and risotto. 9 people at our table. The noise factor could be a problem for some. Will return soon. Fitted in with our plans at Auckland airport with the motorways chock a block!
Jul 21, 2018
Zomato
Thompson AJ
+4
Table service was really good. Food came out in great time for a large table. Everyone pretty satisfied with their meals. I had the chicken sliders with side of chips and the chocolate tart with mango mousse for dessert.
My main was good but I dream about that dessert 9.5/10 wish it has few fresh mango pieces to cut the richness of the tart but man was that delicious. Will definitely return to try other mains but will stick to this dessert forever
Jul 14, 2018
Zomato
Kai Mai
+4
Enjoyed a Lunch treat here with some work colleagues after a long days training. Bar wasn’t too busy given it’s a weekday. Was greeted & sat down easily enough. Waiter was prompt with introducing herself with the menu’s & days specials. Ordered the Retro Fish & Chips. Order came out in good time. Food was fresh. The Fish to Batter ratio was on point. Meal was a delight & not too much for a quick bite. Reasonably priced. Recommended. Some other items on the menu caught my eye & would return again in future to try them out.
Apr 17, 2018
Zomato
Ben Mcguinness-Ngatai
+4
Popped in with my parents by chance while out shopping. Pleasant staff, generous portions and decent beer. It was busy enough to give the place a hum, but not crammed. I have no complaints about my meal and their were none from my fussy parents. The menu was busy though, my only critique. I had lamb rump/crumbed lamb shoulder with kale & caponata, nice but to me an odd mix. Still, could taste the lamb with it not being overwhelmed. My mum's burger and dad's steak looked good. Would pop in again.
Mar 30, 2018
Zomato
Lizzie
+3.5
Great service, waitress really attentive. The food was really good too. The steak was cooked perfectly medium and the goat cheese and berry salad was delicious. The fish sliders however had a bit too much sauce and it wasn’t my favourite but other than that would be super keen to go back! Perfect if you are meeting someone for a layover and need somewhere to eat
Feb 18, 2018
Zomato
Danimurphy23
+5
Atmosphere and decor were both wonderful. Love the quirkyness of the place!
Food came out super speedy and coffee was lovely. A good place which is super handy being so close to the airport.
Feb 12, 2018
Zomato
Emma Tippins Fanueli
+5
Food is amazing, service is great. Reasonable price shared between 2 with drinks also included. Its very set up well. A nice place to stop by on your way to the airport.
Jan 15, 2018
Zomato
Benedict Uy
+3.5
Came by to see a couple of friends off after a busy trip here. It was a bit hard to find the parking lot but I managed to get a park on the main road. The entrance from the main road is a bit hidden, keep an eye out for the Szimpla sign in the ally by Jamaica Blue.

The place was nice and we managed to get the sofas in the corner. It wasn't too loud, although it was fairly empty when we were there in the afternoon. Nice drinks and the food wasn't bad. Since it was fairly close to the airport we weren't in much of a rush and was able to just sit and chat for a bit.
Nov 26, 2017
Zomato
IAndEJohannisson
+5
3 of us went for a meal before drop off at the airport, first time here for all of us. What an Absolutely Brilliant place!! Service nice and friendly, food really good, desert yummy. We had 1x vegetarian risotto, light, fresh and tasty. 1x Yorkshire pudding with rare beef and caremelise onions (3 small Yorkshire puddings with rare beef in the middle and the onions on top), so good , the beef was perfectly cooked, all nice and tasty, 1x fish sliders (3) with slaw and tartar sauce and fennel, also very tasty, with the fish cooked perfectly. For desert we had 2 of the cream brulé which were "meltingly" good, almost to good, ha ha I don't think I've been this full in a long time. They also had good craft beers on tap which was another plus. Keep it up and we'll be back again for sure.
Nov 24, 2017
Zomato
Crackerjacker
+4.5
Went here last night for dinner because the reviews on here seemed good. Was rather impressed by the place the food was amazing. We ordered the Thai beef salad and the mushroom and parsnip dish. The flavour of the beef was really nice, cleaned off my plate because I loved it so much. Portion size is really decent. Didn't have to wait too long for food either, especially being a Friday night. Also ordered for cocktails the French martini and something with Jameson in it (it has egg white too) they were quite expensive, $18 but tasted really nice. Service was pretty good, but coming from customer service background I can be pretty critical so I won't go into there. Overall had a really nice experience. Lots of parking available.
Sep 16, 2017
Zomato
Ronel Kapp
+3.5
It was a good call to come here on our way to the airport. It has a spacious interior but it still manages to feel cozy.  I liked the full length mirror in the Ladies, handy for a quick glance over. My Tandoori chicken sliders was moist and flavoursome. Everbody else declared themselves happy with their meals.
Sep 04, 2017
Zomato
Saahil Cherieth
+4.5
Szimpla Gastro Bar
THE FOODOLOGIST RATING:-

 FOOD:- 4.5/5 ( Good Clean Food ,Well prepared , Good Quality)

SERVICE:- 5/5 ( Great Friendly, Efficient ,Fun)

AMBIANCE:- 5/5 ( Good Comfortable seating , Good decor , beautiful patio seating )

CLEANLINESS:- 4.5/5 ( Top Notch , Spick and Span)

VALUE FOR MONEY :- 4.5/5 ( Good quality comes at a price , only good restaurant monopoly,Expensive)

FOOD POCKET DAMAGE:- */*****( Cost For 2 $70)

THE FOODOLOGIST REVIEW

Szimpla located next to IBIS Budget Auckland Airport and near the Airport shopping center . One of the few good restaurants in the area . In fact many of the guest from the surrounding hotels prefer dinning here instead of the restaurants in their hotels . I tried the place on two occasion the ambiance is good always buzzing good place to unwind with friends . The staff is friendly and efficient and good customer service and they employee some of the most beautiful servers . The food is good good quality ingredients cooked to perfection which shows the chef know what he is doing . On one visit just went for a catch up with friends so just ordered the pub grub stuff of deep fried stuff but could make out the ingredients are fresh was not oily . The second visit i had the house beef burger the patty was juicy mid-rare the way i like it . It was grilled and came with a portion of chips and cheese aioli which was excellent . The burger had a BBQ sauce which was equally good and the beetroot relish added the tangy flavor . Great place to go in the area
Aug 23, 2017
Zomato
Sonz
+4
Just keep coming back to dine at this wonderfully quirky restaurant. With an ever changing menu, you'll always find something interesting to try. Sharing platters available and generously portioned meals are given. The ability to make bookings is great, and they cater to large groups which is awesome. Indoor and outdoor seating is available at your dining discretion.

Food and service: 4/5
Atmosphere: 5/5
Price: A little pricey but worth a try. $70-$80 for two people (an entire, mains and drinks)

Aug 20, 2017
Zomato
Hilary Campbell
+4
This is my fourth time coming to szimpla and I have never really been that impressed with the food. Today was different though. We shared the garlic bread to start which was nice. For main I had the lamb rack. The lamb had a nice mustardy flavour and was incredibly tender but there just wasn't enough of it. The potatoes were nice but there was too many compared to the lamb. The pea smash was also nice. For dessert I had the brownie with pineapple ice cream, the whole dessert was delicious but I just couldn't eat the whole brownie as there was too much of it to go with the icecream as it was very rich. The staff were also quite awkward. I'd be really happy to return here :)
Aug 19, 2017
Zomato
Yu
+3.5
Staff were nice and service was good. Liked the atmosphere too. Portion size was quite small, so we were still hungry after that. Ordered three mains and market fish was well seasoned and tasty. Pork belly was very tender but even with the sauce it was a bit tasteless unfortunately.
However it was a good restaurant to go to for a farewell lunch before we go to the airport to send off a family member.
Aug 13, 2017
Zomato
Dennis Tohovaka
+4
Wonderful setting, great atmosphere, friendly service and kai.  I liked the 60s/70s retro look of the environs that really added to the aesthetic of the place.  It all seemed to work, and there were no hassles with the service or kai.  Affordable prices, and recommended. :)
Jul 15, 2017
Zomato
Arena Matheson
+5
We love Szimpla. Beautiful food, people and atmosphere. We have been coming here for many years now and bring our friends and family here too. We have almost had everything on the menu even when they change often. Best dessert ever here. Try the brownie with pineapple ice cream. Just Divine 😍 lovely staff too. Recommend highly.
May 04, 2017
Zomato
Chai Paani
+3.5
Been here previously as we like the food and ambience, so we Stopped in here for dinner tonight, the place was packed but we got lucky with a table for two and no reservation. Staff were nice but they failed to tell us until after we were seated and had placed our order that the food would take between 30-40mins to arrive!
We ordered the Cauliflower cheeseballs for
Entree which were Delicious! For mains Hubby got the chicken burger which he throughly enjoyed but it came without the aioli because they had run out of ramekins, so he got a large bowl of tomato sauce instead. Had to ask for the aioli a second time before he got given it. I got the Chickpea& Haloumi pakoras which were utterly disappointing. It was a large portion but the pakoras had ONE tiny piece (and in some NONE) of Haloumi, the pakoras themselves were dense and not flavoursome and I couldn't finish the meal.Avoid the pakoras, they're not worth the money.
The rating reflects our overall experience from today.
Apr 20, 2017
Zomato
Shane Harkness
+5
Great place. Have often stopped by for a drink but the few times I have eaten the food was superb.

The menu is more 'gastro pub' and there's usually some cool combinations of flavours to mix it up.

I would recommend this place to all.
Apr 08, 2017
Zomato
Kai Finder
+4
The perfect place if meeting people at the airport. Plenty of seating, outdoors can be a little bit chilly. Nice selection of beers. Food is well priced and tasty. Burgers on point.
Mar 26, 2017
Zomato
Patrick Tong
+5
Work Christmas brunch today. My 1st impression is great. Staff was very attentive, friendly and helpful. Love the decor. Some of the bar tables were using old door as table top. Like the idea of recycling (Hahaha!). Food was excellent too. No complaints. Will take my wife next time when we are in the area.
Dec 18, 2016
Zomato
Jessica Lane
+4.5
Love love love the atmosphere and decor of this place, we were seated at a little table tucked away at the back. I had wondered why they seated us there in particular with such an empty restaurant and now think it may have been to give us the best view of the TV with the Olympics in at the time, very happy with that. We had the bread to start with and this was a very large round cheesy garlic bread that was a bit too much for just two people, I would suggest a note on the menu stating how many people it feeds as we may have decided against it had we known how big it was! I had a beef burger and fries as a main which was hard to eat as it was so big, very tasty and the Thai beef salad on the other side of the table looked absolutely delicious! We were going to say no to dessert but the menu proved too tempting. I had the caramel creme brûlée and across the table something called a rum baba. I took a risk on the creme brûlée as I'm not a big fan and definitely should have had the chocolate tart instead! The rum baba went down well though. I'll definitely be back as the menu had lots of other things I'd like to try.
Aug 21, 2016
Zomato
Rohit Adarkar
+3.5
It's right next to Ibis. In fact it shares the same compound.
Ordered bruschetta, cider and fish n chips. The fish and chips was very average. The bruschetta was very good.
The ambience is good and also the service.
Jul 17, 2016
Zomato
Cupy Dee
+4
Had a lot of great experience from Szimpla! Great atmosphere, lots of varieties of drinks! Food was very nice and surprising always served in a high standard, not your typical bar/pub food!

Jul 16, 2016
Zomato
Brett
+4.5
We went here for lunch today and was glad we found this gem. The décor is great. Whoever thought of using old doors as tables, with the knobs still attached, was a great idea. The food was great with huge portions. Its very rare for me not to finish a meal but I couldn't with the fish and chips. It was like a bottomless plate of fries! My partner had the chicken burger and said its the best he's ever tasted...and he's very fussy! The staff were okay otherwise I would rate this place a 5. It took a long time to be served after we were told to sit down. The guys turned out to be very friendly but the female was almost like she didn't want to be there?Food 5/5Décor 5/5Portion size 5/5Staff 4/5We will definitely be back!
Jun 05, 2016
Zomato
Josh Law
+5
What can I say about this place. It's fantastic. I saw the positive reviews and thought we'd give it a go. Its a few mins from the airport so in a good location for a bit of time wasting
The food is absolutely excellent. I can't stress how good it is compared to other pubs and bars. I really wish there were more places like this! The food is affordable too!
May 15, 2016
Zomato
Jason Zeinstra
+4.5
Excellent food and very friendly service. Had the muscles as an entree, they were outstanding! Main was pork belly, crackling was a little chewy which was a bit disappointing but overall the dish was very tasty.

Nice atmosphere, music isnt too loud, just nice in the background, rugby on the tv. Will definitely dine again if im back in Auckland.
May 01, 2016
Zomato
Irene
+4
First time at this place awesome customer service as soon as you enter you are greeted and taken to a table straight away the food was real nice big portion size too very yummy yous rock keep up the good work
Apr 06, 2016
Zomato
A Tasty Plate
+3.5
Caught up with some old friends over a meal at Szimpla. The menu is quite "eclectic" with a mix of different styles of cuisine. The alcohol list was comparatively quite mundane.

The food was delicious and arrived quickly. Well seasoned, full of flavor.

The service was less impressive. The wait staff were abrupt and impatient. I had a fork dropped in my lap while our waitress cleared the table but received no apology. The person who took our payment also seemed tired and moody and did not enquire if we'd enjoyed our meals.
Apr 05, 2016
Zomato
Yo April Smith
+4
Quirky restaurant and bar. Had the spicy thai beef salad and it was yum as! Had the chicken burger and chips as well and that was top notch too. Definitely would be back!
Mar 29, 2016
Zomato
Michelle
+5
This place is a hidden little gem not far from Auckland airport. The service was fantastic and the decor was nice. Also worth noting that they have seating areas with couches for a relaxed drink and/or feed, may be convenient for travellers. The grilled chicken burger was very tasty, it's a little pricey but was a fairly large portion and comes with fries - well worth the $22. We were there for a work do (no alcohol) so will definitely be back for drinks and more yummy food.
Feb 19, 2016
Zomato
Sumit
+5
This has to be one of my favourite places at Auckland airport. Amazing food and amazing service. Great atmosphere especially at the back with all natural outdoors style.
Jan 01, 2016
Zomato
Kurt Goddard
+4.5
Lovely little restaurant with great service. My wife and I dined there last night, we had a wonderful experience with delicious food and beverage's.
We had the pork belly buns as a entree, very tasty!
Our mains were spiced Thai beef salad & grilled chicken burger. Both meals had a vast spread of flavours throughout.
The atmosphere, music and overall feel made for a very enjoyable night out.
Would rate this as one of my best dinning experiences to date, will be back for more.
Thank you Szimpla & staff.
Dec 24, 2015
Zomato
Glenn Town
+3.5
We had lunch here today
It was rather good
Quick efficient service
We didn't have long
I had the Caesar salad with Chicken 
Very tasty
Surprised there were potato chips in it
But not many and that didn't spoil it
My pal had the Chicken Burger which he said was very good
Good coffee
Best near airport eatery I have been to
And yes very interesting retro fitout
And Szimpla is a top Budapest restaurant in case you were wondering (as I had been!)
Dec 08, 2015
Zomato
Karen
+4.5
I have been here a couple of times and have never been let down. The food is absolutely amazing and the staff are very attentive. 

The outdoor garden dining is is absolutely beautiful! And inside has a very intimate, retro feel. Pricing is also reasonable and plenty of parking.

The last time I came here was in a big group. I had the chargrilled chicken breast with bacon and it was absolutely wonderful, that grilled flavor of the chicken was amazing and it was really moist. Everyone was really satisfied and delighted with their meals. Desserts were also amazing! Will be back!
Dec 07, 2015
Zomato
Eden Wood
+4.5
Funky little place with very creative retro decor. We popped in for a quick bite to eat before heading to the airport and were very impressed. The staff did take awhile to come and take our order but were very understanding that we had strict time constraints and made sure the kitchen crew knew our order was urgent. The food was out in no time at all and was very high quality. My favourite dish was the pork buns. The pork was tender and perfectly cooked and perfectly accompanied by chilli and cucumber and the bun was sweet and dense and just delicious. We also tried the Yorkshire puddings, sliders and chips with aoli which were all well cooked and very tasty. Excellent chip:sauce ratio too which stands well in my books. My partner also tried the ginger spice drink and he raved about it. Would highly recommend if you're out that way!
Nov 27, 2015
Zomato
Matt Tieu
+5
One of best restaurants kept secret amazing steak dinner and the seating areas is very unique outside. Would highly recommend if you are wanting to have a great meal
Nov 11, 2015
Zomato
Lex Antony Huang
+4
Simple food made well! I had the braised beef cheek which was tender and flavoursome. The mash was smooth and the jus was meaty and well seasoned. I didn't try the burger but my friend and my partner said it was really good.

I had the rhubarb and apple crumble. I appreciated the presentation however I found it to be a bit too tart for my liking. But the crumble was crunchy with a good texture and not too crumbly. My partner enjoyed his hockey pocky ice cream. My friend's cheesecake was too soft in texture and quite bland. Could have done with more cream cheese.

Overall I enjoyed my lunch and I would come again
Oct 24, 2015
Zomato
Ruth Ireland
+4.5
Came here last night with a group of 32 people, we pre-booked and all of the meals came out within 10-15mins. All the meals were well cooked and delicious and no one got the wrong order. Very impressed!
Sep 12, 2015
Zomato
Peter Clark
+4
Been here a few times. Always pays to book as can get busy and crowded. Staff are always pleasant. Food is nothing brilliant but is good pub food at a reasonable price.
Sep 11, 2015
Zomato
Leeroy
+4
A stroke of genius from a business perspective: offer delicious fresh, pub style food near the airport, house it in pleasant, relaxing decor and fill it with friendly staff. The prices are reasonable, the food is excellent, and craft beer is a welcome bonus. If you're around the airport for whatever reason, this is the place to go.
Aug 11, 2015
Zomato
Ronald Tan
+4
Came here for our annual Christmas function. Very good service and good food. Christmas menu was great. Crackling pork has always been my favorite.
Aug 11, 2015
Zomato
Lisa Stirling
+3.5
I am out at the airport often and had never noticed Szimpla before.  Plenty of free parking.(YAY)
Such a gorgeous interior, I loved the little chill out space and would love to sit back with a wine next time I visit.
A really kid friendly area, the staff were delightful and the menu tempting. I opted for a burger (burgers seem to be my thang)  It was scrummy.
Aug 05, 2015
Zomato
Myfoxycorner
+4
Never would have thought that such a cool place would be located out near the airport! We came here as a big group and were given a gorgeous big table in their beautiful outdoors area (that was still fully covered and heated to perfection). The decor inside and out was standout.

The staff were engaging and never far away when we needed a hand which was awesome.

There were a few delicious sounding vegetarian options but Edd and I went with their vegetarian burger that came with a ginormous coconut kumara homemade pattie. The burger was too big to eat but super tasty and full of flavor. The chips and aioli were also flavorsome.

The meals were all generous and came out quickly. I would definitely be back, and it's the perfect place to stop for lunch/dinner when taking someone to the airport.
Jul 31, 2015
Zomato
Maria Foy
+4.5
Absolutely loved Szimpla!  As a born and bred South Aucklander, I had no idea about this place.  Tucked away underneath the Ibis, it is a hidden gem, that's for sure!

I was there with a Bloggers Brunch Club, and we all really enjoyed the atmosphere, the food, the wine (LOL) and of course, the service.

I wouldn't hesitate to come back with my kids either - great outdoorsy area out the back, perfect for relaxing, and lots for kids to look at.
Jul 19, 2015
Zomato
Orca1
+5
Scrumptious food, beautiful presentation, Gr8 atmosphere, awesome customer service by new staffer "Suzy". Fantastic music/bar/patrons, new memories created. This gastro bar knows how to deliver on superb customer service, beyond fantastic. Thank you Szimpla, we'll be recommending & definitely returning.
Jul 10, 2015
Zomato
Georgia Bulloch
+3.5
Staff were lovely and welcoming. Great atmosphere. Menu looked amazing but didn't really follow through. I ordered the Salmon Salad which was mostly cos lettuce leaves.
Jul 07, 2015
Zomato
Temptation Cakes Auckland
+4.5
Great menu loads of choice took over half a hour to decide!!
Went for cauli cheese balls & pulled pork tacos both lovely.
Three soft shell real tacos yummmmm!
Main I had beef cheek AMAZING my partners lamb rack was odd in that it had a big joining bone at bottom of ribs never seen that before and was too rare he likes pink but was blue if you can do lamb blue.
We had creme brulee for dessert best I have ever had so highly recommend you leave room for dessert!
Well dine guys we will be back just that one issue with lamb rack,but great place, awesome staff and very impressive menu indeed.
Jun 21, 2015
Zomato
Jacqueline L.
+4
Awesome atmosphere and great food. Been here for quite a few work lunches and dinners. This place is very accommodating for large groups. Have tried most of the things on the menu (including desserts) and they did not disappoint me. Pricing is reasonable and staff are extremely friendly. Just wish that they revise their menus more often.
Jun 20, 2015
Zomato
Bruce Batters
+4.5
Read the great reviews about this place and it didn't disappoint. Entrees, mains and desserts all amazing. We didn't book thinking "who needs to reserve on a Thursday night at the airport" but they were pretty packed and seated us no problems. Atmosphere was great and lots of options from the menu with friendly down-to-earth staff (nothing fake and put-on).
Jun 19, 2015
Zomato
Kelly
+5
Amazing food!
I love the atmosphere at this restaurant, definitely dine in the garden section that is enclosed so you're out of the wind and rain. The staff are always so accommodating! I've dined here several times and will keep coming back for more.

From top to bottom, a main of lamb rump, entrée of seafood chowder with ciabatta, and pork belly.
So good! The lamb rump was an excellent portion and nicely balanced with generous servings of leafy vegetables, my pork belly was nice and tender but I wish that the skin would be crispy and crackly like but that's probably because I'm Asian and like my pork skin crackly haha.
SEAFOOD CHOWDER IS TO DIE FOR! Best seafood chowder I'll ever have! It's so good!! 😍 right amount of creaminess and very generous with seafood serving.

Very happy, well deserved 5 out of 5 for me 😁
Highly recommended and will definitely be back for more!
Jun 02, 2015
Zomato
Vitale Eti
+4
Another quirky, trendy Mac like bar. We've dined here as a party of 12 plus, for a few dinners as a party of 4 and a few brunches as a couple and these guys do their job well everytime. Their menu's standard pub grub though as as per most bars, a little pricey, but I always enjoy the food, coffee's nice and hot and there's nice big screens if you want to catch some sport and a nice little lounge area if you want to sit away from the crowd. The staff are always friendly, chatty and helpful and I happily tell others about SGB.
Jun 01, 2015
Zomato
Tarina
+5
I came here midday on Friday for lunch with a group of 5. It was warm and cheerful with quirky decor. My friend went to order the chicken and the waiter advised her that it takes about 20 minutes for that dish and if she was happy for that, which we werent so really appreciated that attention to detail in his service. I had the thai beef salad which was delicious, the wonton crisps were fabulous! My friend has the beef burger which was huge! I thought there was a great variety to choose from with varying prices to suit all budgets. Can't wait to come again, glad it's a great local lunch spot!
May 10, 2015
Zomato
Lozalock
+4.5
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. It is HUGE inside and has a massive outdoor area which feels like a jungle - it's really nicely decorated and would be perfect for all sorts of parties or large lunches.

We came here while venturing out towards the airport and had seen that one of my friends had been here before and raved about it. The menu looked delicious so we were set. The restaurant itself was a little hard to find but we got there and there was plenty of parking as its in the hotel lobby.

I ordered their vege burger with chips and the hubby went for eggs benedict (as sadly they took of their French toast from the menu, hopefully not permanently)

My burger was insane, so big and incredibly filling, it was massive! There was a lot of flavour to the Kumara and coconut pattie and the onion relish was so so good. It could've been hotter as the pattie was warm when it arrived. The chips that came with the burger were so good. Really crispy and came with tomato sauce and mayo.
The eggs benedict disappeared quickly and had really nicely crisped bacon so it must've been good!

I would definitely come back here again for the food and the experience- it's just really cool. Would love to come with a group of people to really utilise their outdoor spaces.
Apr 10, 2015
Zomato
Claire
+5
Absolutely love this place! Have been here twice and the food is Devine. Had the pulled pork tacos and the cauliflower cheesy balls, both super delicious. Saw someone else's fish and chips which came out in a cute little news paper basket- very cleverly presented! Also has an interesting retro style and lots of cool old fashioned things to look at on the walls. Highly recommend!
Mar 21, 2015
Zomato
Sweet Mama M
+5
Recently on my son's first birthday we decided to go out for lunch on my husband's lunch break and popped on to Zomato to check for places near his work. The menu of Szimpla caught our eye and the choice was made.

Tucked away in the bottom of the Ibis hotel, it's been cleverly designed to give little hint of the bustling commercial area around it. The bar has a delightful modern retro styling and multiple areas in which you can tuck yourself away - I can imagine it being a fantastic place for small events.

Service was quick and fantastic; we were offered a table and asked whether it was suitable, a high chair being being brought speedily and a kids' menu being proffered without request. The waitstaff seemed to run a cohesive ship, with us having a primary waitress by others being equally attentive. We had done a typical parenting fail in not bringing enough wipes to clean up our little chap. Imagine our surprise when without request a waiter arrived with a finger bowl and serviettes for us to finish the job. That enough would have been enough to keep us going back.

The food however also surpassed expectations - perfectly presented and deliciously blended. We enjoyed two types of sliders (pork/fish) and fresh pâté as shared plates. We were particularly pleased to see healthier options on the kids menu and so ordered our son his first kids meal of pita pizza and salad which he thoroughly enjoyed!

Such a hidden gem and so family friendly! We know where we'll be dining when in the area in future!
Feb 23, 2015
Zomato
Paige Eriwata
+3.5
A decent sized menu with some gourmet dishes, sides and entreés are priced quite highly however the mains are large so the value for money is good. Allow plenty of time to order, especially with larger groups as service can take awhile due to the size of the cafe. Great transition into a bar later in the afternoon.
Feb 22, 2015
Zomato
Steve
+3.5
Went here at 2pm on a Sunday. Hardly any people eating at the time, friendly staff. Took the order and out popped the yummy food 40 min later. normal town prices out at the airport which was good to see. We had the vege stack, Chicken and bacon burger, Thailand beef salad and nachos. Would come back if in the area for a meal.
Feb 08, 2015
Zomato
Squiddy
+3.5
Came here for brunch before a walk around the Otuataua Stonefields (a really nice walk with a help-yourself avocado grove). This place was in the Entertainment Book so was an easy choice. Lots of parking and a really nice interior. I had the big breakfast and it was okay. Nothing to rave about but nothing really to complain about either. I was a bit miffed that the sausage component in the big breakfast was half a sausage though! The brunch menu is pretty standard. They also offer an all-day menu as well and I wish I'd ordered something from that instead because I think they'd probably do that better. Coffee and service were fine.

I'd definitely be happy to try this place again but probably at lunch or dinner based on other reviews.

ADDENDUM: Went there for lunch and the food from the main menu was mega better than the brunch menu I'd previously experienced. I've increased my rating based on this fact. I'm not a vegetarian but I opted for the winter vegetable stack of mushroom, cauliflower, polenta and blue cheese croquette. It was served with a white sauce and was a real treat and very satisfying. It looked and felt like a very posh dish (that's a good thing) and not just some ill-considered vego filler to chuck on the menu.
Dec 07, 2014
Zomato
Maria Samasoni
+5
Went here for my mothers surprise dinner and the seating we had reserved was awesome long stone table outside. I was concerned about it being a little chilly outside because we were in the middle of winter but actually the outdoor heating was perfect. Love the food presentation so unique must try their kumara and coconut soup and their burgers we'll actually everything we ordered was delicious, thanks for the great service.
Sep 09, 2014
Zomato
Anne Foster
+5
I have visited Szimpla about 3 times, everytime amazing, excellent food, very yummy, great value, and food served with a twist of quirkiness, which is always great to mix things up a bit to make a change from the average eating place!! I would highly recommend!
Jun 30, 2014
Zomato
John Heyworth
+5
I just needed a bit to eat after a day seeing clients and suppliers .... I didn't expect this? Service was great and the Moroccan Chicken sensational, along with a craft beers. I didn't plan on desert but wasn't disappointed with the summer crumble, thanks Szimpla!
Dec 09, 2013
Zomato
Crystal Johnson
+5
Came here with my work colleagues for an end of year dinner. Had the Eye Fillet Steak with Potato Gratin Buttered Asparagus and Red Wine Jus and WOW i literally cleaned the plate up and I find myself craving it from time to time as it was just so yummy. Decor is fab, service with a smile! (heck id be smiling if i worked here too) I really enjoy the atmosphere here
Sep 16, 2013
Zomato
Louise Mason
+4
Came here for dinner and to watch the rugby on Saturday night. The placed was packed but we managed to find a table with the help of a staff member. We found ordering difficult due to the obvious lack of staff, but once we had ordered and settled in we enjoyed the busy atmosphere of the place. Staff kindly changed two of the TV's to the game we wanted to watch. Food took a little while due to a large group but it was delicious - steak egg and chips for a hungover boyfriend went down a treat and my Morrocan Spiced Chicken was perfect, with the labneh being the stand out ingredient for me. Choc Brownie dessert was good. Only complaint for the night was not enough staff to give quick and efficient service. Would return.
Jul 15, 2013
Zomato
Dawn Everitt
+5
Really cool quirky place! Had initial issues finding the place though. The service was fast, and the food was awesome! Love the deco and the presentation of it all! The vibe was good - considering I was with a large group, our waiter was patient and very kind! Will definitely go back again!
May 13, 2013
Zomato
Moana
+5
Great atmosphere, quirky setup. Awesome food! I asked to change certain things with my meal and they were more than happy with that (as most places I go, chef's are quiet resistant about these sorts of things).

Awesome service. The only thing I didn't like was the name.. I still don't know how to pronounce it!
Apr 16, 2013
Zomato
Abhinay Nag
+5
Great atmosphere, excellent service and lovely food. This place has it all!!! Called in 20 minutes before closing and they kept the kitchen open just for us. Even though we were the last folks there they were never rushed or asked us to move along.

Had the vege burger as recommended. Never tasted one so nice !. Best part is they tell you that they do doggy bags and boy do you need 'em!!!

Couldn't recommend them enough.
Mar 25, 2013
Zomato
Richard Drake
+5
We came here last night due to a flight cancellation & had booked to stay in the Ibis. What an extremely cool place - wickedly good service, good range of drinks - dangerously large glasses of wine & great food plus eclectic furniture like being at your Nanas front room surrounded by great plants. So damn good we are back here whilst waiting for the flight today. Oh & I am a huge NZ music fan & they play heaps of that - my pick for bar of the year.
Dec 24, 2012
Zomato
Vanessa L
+4
My absolute favourite place for Friday after work drinks! I could happily lounge on their couches, eating the divine calamari and brushetta, accompanied by delicious wine. Fabulous atmosphere and happy, friendly staff. Love it!!
Nov 30, 2012
Zomato
Hannah Dyson
+5
My partner and I came for dinner as it's close to home. We have defiantly found a favourite!!! The staff were very inviting and we were seated quickly. I chose the cajun squid while my partner had the fish'n'chips. My squid was incredible, just the right amount of heat. Yum! My partner had problems with his, as it comes out in paper, looks cool but hard to eat, but they were very helpful in giving him a plate to eat on. We then had the passion fruit cheesecake for desert. Take about amazing! Best cheesecake I have had in a while! Thank you so much for giving us a great place to eat!
Nov 26, 2012
Zomato
Cindy Lindberg
+5
Simply the best bistro I have been to for a long time. The staff are friendly... always..... the food is just lovely and very tasty... the atmosphere is very welcoming. I love the outdoor garden area... a great place to meet up after work.
I have now made this my local and have been maybe a dozen times. Thanks guys.. you rock!!!!!
Nov 17, 2012
Zomato
Rebecca Keesing
+4
A great place for an after work Friday drink. I love the decor and the service has thus far been friendly. So cozy I could happily stay for hours.
Nov 09, 2012
Zomato
Nicola
+5
We had a girls weekend in Auckland and found this place while googling restaurants in the area. Went for dinner, and despite it being a 'pubby place', and 'pubby prices' the food certainly wasn't. All of our meals were delicious - obviously the chef knew exactly what they were doing. The service was good (not great) but no complaints there. We only had 2 nights in Auckland and it was unanimous to return for the following night also!
Nov 08, 2012
Zomato
Dean Howard
+5
Had a few hours to kill while on a stop over and was looking for a few beers and a TV screen to watch the football. Expected a sterile, unfriendly airport bar. What I got was the best group of bar staff that, combined with a great layout and decor, created the best atmosphere I have experienced in any bar in a long time. Congrats to the owner for getting everything just right. The food was also great value. See you again on my next trip.
Sep 30, 2012
Zomato
Gineke
+5
Great food, staff are all friendly and accomodating and I love the feel of the place - especially the little library corner!

Definitely recommend it for anyone - work lunch, social drinks or just a nice dinner - I've done them all and they've been awesome every time :)
Aug 15, 2012
Zomato
Gina
+5
Food here is good & the out door area is lovely

I had the burger. Where do they get their burger buns, because they're so good! That with the hand made pattie shows they're not churning out any pub style food. I'll be back!
Feb 09, 2012
Zomato
Sussan
+5
This place is great! We had a full meal here last night (with older parents), but it would be good for a relaxed drink and nibbles too. NZ Bach style, with different sizes and styles of tables to choose from, inside and out. Mains and deserts were excellent, service great, prices surprisingly good. Highly recommended on all accounts. Check it out as still seems to be undiscovered. (Turn into where the airport's Warehouse & Countdown are)
Feb 05, 2012
Zomato
Laura
+5
I was invited to a dinner at Szimpla by a sister in law and after eating the delicious food and being served by some wonderful staff I took some friends along a week later and they also loved it. The atmosphere is cosy and the set up is great! Living only 15min away is a bonus because for our friends, family and ourselves Szimpla is now our local.
Feb 03, 2012
Zomato
Ben Paris
+5
Used my menumania iPhone app to find this place before dropping off a passenger to the airport. What a choice place! Across the road from Countdown/Warehouse it looks a bit hidden, but inside is awesome. The garden bar like atmosphere and great seating makes it a nice place to chill out. Add some friendly staff and local brewed beer and it's pretty much heaven! Highly recommended for those waiting to pick up or drop off at the airport. Something to look forward to next time!
Feb 01, 2012
Zomato
Lynda Davis
+5
Fabulous find top quality food at low prices.
Food superior and all dishes were amazingly and creatively presented. Probably best all round restaurant at low prices I've been to and I travel widely NZ and overseas.
Staff very accommodating. Eating solo no problem and very welcome. Met friends and family while en route and stayed next door. Locals had Christmas functions. Will go there again. Lynda Davis
Jan 13, 2012
Zomato
Kylee Hayes
+5
One of the best dining experiences ive ever had. The food was delicious, generous and really reasonably priced. And came out so quickly even though we didn't book and there were five of us!
The staff were lovely and friendly and very helpful.
Atmosphere was great! Awesome music. Love the decor and all the little touches were fantastic.
New favorite place to go in Auckland. Will definitly be coming back!
Dec 19, 2011
Zomato
Jenna
+4
Finally a decent bar in the airport area, this place is pretty hard to spot from the main road, but definitely worth looking for. Great atmosphere, music, staff an amazing outdoor area and the best Salt and Pepper squid EVER!!!
Dec 16, 2011
Zomato
Kim King
+5
Had a fantastic lunch the other day with work colleagues it was so good we are going back today. The service was exceptional, the food was fantastic and the venue atmosphere was really stunning. I would highly recommend this place for any event. It's so nice to have something so great close to the Airport especially for people like me who work next door. Well done!!

Kind regards Kim
Dec 16, 2011
Zomato
Melissa Walsh
+5
Awesome bar!
Great atmosphere and environment. I found myself spending a lot of time looking at the fantastic design and quirky touches in the bar (the library is a fave).

The meals are delicious and they definitely don't hold back on the portion sizes..and the dessert is delish, the sticky toffee pudding is my fave!

Fun, friendly staff who pour a great pint... thanks guys!
Dec 13, 2011
Zomato
Hayley
+5
Wow! What a cool bar, awesome staff and service. International host Tash will cater to your every need. The food is divine and the beer delicious, with little else to choose from in the area you would be a fool not to come and try this place out. Good job Szimpla.
Dec 13, 2011
Zomato
Mike
+5
What a great place, fantastic food, great beer, lovely staff & a very relaxing venue. A great change and option so close to the Airport. Thanks for a great night team. I would widely recommend this for anyone!!!
Nov 19, 2011
Zomato
JustOneMore
+4.5
Bit of a go to for work lunches. Atmosphere is kind of retro funky. Staff are always great and the food is above average (so are the prices but the food makes that acceptable). They have a standard menu with some nice variation on it so always something for everyone and something to try. Also do daily specials which are usually a bit different and represent good value. Never had a bad experience and had lots of great ones so a happy repeat customer.
Apr 10, 2014
5
Deevanyah Frost
+5
The atmosphere was well thought out. Great flow from inside to an outside setting 👌 Love the energy and vibe from the beautiful staff it made the food tastier😆 Cost wise, it is reasonable, considering the portion ratio and taste so overall it's a 5 star experience. Keep it up, Szimpla. We will certainly come back for more, plus we were promised a dance 💃 floor😅 oh and that Thai beef salad was the bomb, it was a Fiesta in the mouth🤣
5
Stephen Braid
+5
Visited during an overnight stay at the Ibis at Auckland Airport. Service - first class. Prompt, attentive, courteous. Food - standard fare, but well presented and really tasty. Ambience - a mix of covered outdoor tables, high tables and larger standard tables to cater to all group sizes and events. Good range of wines and beers (the Tuatara is my new fave)
4
Kimi R
+4
Setting and atmosphere is relaxing/welcoming. Staff chirpy, and friendly. It didn't take long to get served. Table reservation was made for 3 adults at 11.30am. Food is great but did take awhile to come out, we ended up being quite hungry.
5
Mel
+5
Nice place to eat if your staying at the ibis next door. Food was lovely, staff were nice but not very attentive had to find someone each time we wanted a drink or order desserts etc.. lovely vibe
5
The Bearded Bandit
+5
We celebrated my mother in laws birthday last night. The service and food was soooo good 10/10. Great staff, very welcoming & top service. We plan on many more enjoyable moments here.
5
Aroha Rose
+5
Beautiful setting. Felt 5 star but didnt feel pompous. Food was beautiful, tasty and generous portions. Loved the lambs fry with bacon and the pork belly. Honorary mention to our beautiful host Chris I think his name was, who made my 4 year olds birthday lunch truly memorable, and was attentive and efficient. Highly recommend this pub. I wish I took photos if the food but we were too hungry!!! 😀
5
Toby Robinson
+5
Amazing food, recommend the garlic bread (will fill you up)!!! And the chips there the best chips I have ever tasted.
5
Fraser Ray
+5
Food was amazing, waiting staff were quick to take our drinks and dinner order. Food came out super fast. Dessert was quite a wait, and very loud in the restaurant. Very pleasant experience overall
4
Jono joe
+4
Good stop for a meal in a rush, pizza was nice.
5
Ben Myatt
+5
Had dinner here tonight whilst staying near the airport. Menu looked good which founded our initial decision to eat dinner there (compared to KFC across the road). We had the calamari and chips and it was excellent. Service was quick and polite. All wait staff were very helpful and friendly. Unfortunately, we don’t live in Auckland otherwise we would certainly visit again.
4
Mark Glenn
+4
Good Kai. Much better than expected. Great beef burger and Chicken gnocchi. Nailed it for the kids menu too. Not cheap, but reasonable given captive audience. Glad we made the walk over from the international terminal. Friendly staff and good buzz to the place. Would come again.
5
Sam Manalo
+5
Pork belly was delicious and very tender. Wait and service times took a bit long but the overall dining experience was pleasant.
5
Conor Doyle
+5
Had a couple of small hiccups but the staff sorted it out straight away. The way it should be! Chefs know what they’re doing, tasty grub. That combined with great service, would come back!
5
Richard Dally
+5
My wife and I were staying next door at the Ibis Motel. We decided to go next door to the Szimpla Bar. 1st thing we noticed was the relaxed atmosphere, not overdone but really tasteful. Waitstaff were great and so was the beer. I had the Salmon, the plate was very upmarket looking and tasted great. Wife had the pork belly but couldn't eat it all so I cleaned up. I don't usually like bread desserts but this one was awesome. Thanks again guys. Had a really nice time. Would highly recommend.
5
C Kali
+5
Great food.... service was slow and missed an item I ordered but food was great.
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