Giraffe Restaurant

Someone from this business manages this listing.

#17 of 2,244 Restaurants in Auckland CentralEuropean, New Zealand, $$ - $$$

What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Giraffe Restaurant

Review

At a glance

Closed now

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Website

+64 9-358 1093Improve this listing

About

Travellers' Choice

2024

Giraffe is a celebration of everything that makes New Zealand great. Homegrown is front and center, showcasing the finest local producers and growers our country has to offer. However, we're mature enough to recognise, that occasionally, the very best ingredients are from further afield. The spirit of innovation is captured in the preparation and presentation of deliciousness. We are uncompromising in our promise to surprise and delight every time. Most importantly we make every guest feel at home. Enjoy.

Features

CUISINES

European, New Zealand

Meal types

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

American Express

Dog Friendly

Family style

Free Wifi

Full Bar

Gift Cards Available

Highchairs Available

Mastercard

Non-smoking restaurants

Private Dining

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Street Parking

Table Service

Television

Visa

Waterfront

Wheelchair Accessible

Wine and Beer

Location

85-87 Customs Street West Viaduct Harbour, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand

Street Parking

Does this restaurant have parking?

Yes

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Closed now

• Opens at 7:30 AM

Sunday

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Monday

7:30 am - 11:59 pm

Tuesday

7:30 am - 11:59 pm

Wednesday

7:30 am - 11:59 pm

Thursday

7:30 am - 11:59 pm

Friday

7:30 am - 11:59 pm

Saturday

8:00 am - 11:59 pm

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4.4

1,095 reviews

Excellent

724

Very good

182

Average

106

Poor

Terrible

Saskia D

Brussels20 contributions

"That" Sunday lunch feeling!

Sept 2024 • couples

Looking for a Sunday lunch that would make our mouths and bellies happy, without having to commit to an overdressed, overpriced "white wine luncheon". And boy did we find it! We had the whole snapper cooked to perfection and with a sauce that sent us reeling. For desserts we had the poached tamarillo (highly recommended!) and an affogato with the vanilla ice cream I remember from my childhood, filling up that sweet tooth just perfectly. 👌 The relaxed vibe of the restaurant added to that Sunday feeling, and the staff was super helpful and friendly - special thanks to Ash for making our experience unforgettable!

Written 28 September 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Giraffe Restaurant

Hello Saskia, our team at Giraffe are really appreciative of your feedback and comments about your dinning experience with us. We are delighted you have chosen us . Our main focus is to ensure that every customer has a wonderfull and memorable time and our tasty dishes leave many to seek another visit to try something different we offer on our menu.

Written 1 October 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

tiana381

1 contribution

Great food and even better service!

Jul 2024 • none

I'm from out of town and was impressed by my first experience at Giraffe! Initially my friend and I attended and had a lovely evening of food, drinks and service. It was so great that I had to bring my family the following night. The atmosphere was fancier then what we're used to yet comfortable and the waiters were friendly, informative and had a good flow of addressing our table with ease while allowing enough space for us to enjoy each others company. The food was delicious and came out quickly along with the fabulous cocktails - I would recommend the Espresso Martini and Negroni's are a hit! We were too full for desert but the kitchen were kind enough to give us a small array of deserts on the house. Thank you! Shout out to Ash, the kitchen and the rest of the Giraffe team for looking after us on both nights. We'll definitely be back again!

Written 9 July 2024

Giraffe Restaurant

Hello Tiana, Thank you for for your wonderful positive review. Our team at Giraffe are very committed to provide the best possible quality of service with attention to detail to ensure our loyal customers are well taken care of. We are excited for your cocktail recommendation and pleased Ash and his team deliver what was above the expectation. We are looking forward to welcoming you and offer another meal suggestion for you and your family when visiting us again.

Written 28 July 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

matautraveller

Waihaorunga87 contributions

Pleasant location for a tasty Sunday brunch

Jan 2024 • none

Giraffe offers a good menu with a range of brunch options at a reasonable price. Food was tasty and fresh, service good. Would visit again, location is great on the viaduct. Try and ask for a front table as even in the rain, you are under shelter and get a good view of boats coming and going

Written 28 January 2024

Giraffe Restaurant

Thank you for a great feedback. We are pleased you have joined us and looking forward to seeing you again soon.

Written 30 January 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sazzy T

Chatel25 contributions

A disappointing experience.

Jan 2025 • couples

A disappointing experience considering this restaurant has such good reviews. We ordered Snapper and chips and we were surprised when the meal arrived with two tiny pieces of battered fish and a huge pile of chips. We were hungry so ate the meal but when the waiter asked us how the meal was we told him we were disappointed that the fish was battered as this was not specified on the menu. He asked us if we were English and basically gave this as the reason for us not understanding that the fish would be served in batter. We would not go back to this restaurant or recommend it.

Written 29 January 2025

Giraffe Restaurant

Thank you for your review Sarah, we have noted your comments and will ensure all visitors to us understand that our fish is line-caught NZ snapper - battered. Our fish and chips dish is the best seller and we haven't had any complains . To my understanding our most valued staff member Ruben has been taking care of your table and he reassured me that he has given you the option to change the dish to arrange the cooking of the fish to your liking, which you have declined. Please don't give up on us and visit us again. NZ offers lots of different variety of dishes different to many countries, don't be afraid to try new things and if unhappy please talk to staff members directly. We value any comments and reviews on this platform and we feel very proud of what we deliver. Any unreasonable anger fuelled reviews are not taken seriously by us. Enjoy NZ .

Written 30 January 2025

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kelli B

4 contributions

Amazing food, service, and ambiance! 12/10

Jan 2025 • friends

The food and service were excellent. I loved the ambiance as the atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly yet the cuisine and service gave more of a fine dining experience. The restaurant is located right on the harbor of the Harauki Gulf with a view of the boardwalk and ferry boats. Our waiter, Fraser, was wonderful! In addition to Fraser, we had two other staff stop by to ask how our dining experience was while we were there. You could tell that the employees really took pride in their work, the restaurant, and exceeding customer expectations.

Written 1 February 2025

Giraffe Restaurant

Hello Kelli, it is delightful experience to read your comments and feedback on the service. I am so proud of the team here at Giraffe, many from not a hospitality background providing excellent service and customer service with personal touch. The 5 star rating is much appreciated and we are looking forward to take very good care of your table when visiting us again.

Written 3 February 2025

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Shane C

1 contribution

Great location, great food great service

Aug 2024 • friends

Great spot right on the waterfront of the viaduct downtown Auckland>Customer service was fantastic from the greeting at the Entry all the way till you leave. they make you feel at home. The menu has a great selection of foods to cater for everyone, including dairy or gluten free and a menu just for the children. Their food is very tasty, and everything is cooked with people's health in mind using only good quality ingredients which elevates the meal above all other restaurant's that i have been to in the area. The seating is very comfortable and relaxing. All though i don't drink i noticed they had a great selection of wine and spirits with cocktails. For me i enjoyed the premium coffee that hit the spot for me. They have a system where you can order and pay for on the phone on an app at your table or the waiter can assist you. I found the app great this made the whole process much smoother. They recommend to book as they are full a lot of the time, but they do set aside to cater for people that just turn up. Shane Coulter.

Written 28 September 2024

Giraffe Restaurant

Thank you for your 5star review Shane. Your feedback has given us a great confidence with all the work behind the scenes knowing our team working hard every day to ensure our customers are well taken care of. We appreciate your comments about our digital order and pay system in place which makes it easier for many dining customers who are visiting New Zealand and speak different languages. This tool is just ideal to make it smoother and simpler. Thank you again for your support and we look forward to welcoming you soon again.

Written 28 September 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rupie R

1 contribution

Five star restaurant. A place worth visiting

Sept 2024 • couples

My husband and I dined here a few times. It was an unforgettable experience every time we dined at this beautiful restaurant. Every dish was a perfect blend of flavours, beautifully presented and thoughtfully prepared. We also have the sharing plates and enjoyed every one of them but last night we had the slow cooked lamb. It was so delicious and the meat was tender and juicy and fell off the bone. The service was attentive without being intrusive and the ambiance made it feel like a special occasion. The waiter and the manager are really welcoming and made you feel at home . Their smiley faces and sense of humour makes it a better place to dine. From start to finish the meal exceeded all expectations. Definitely a place worth visiting again and again!

Written 14 September 2024

Giraffe Restaurant

Your feedback made our day ! Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with us and look forward to serving you again soon! We’re committed to maintaining the high standards you’ve experienced and hope to continue exceeding your expectations.

Written 15 September 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

The celiac traveler

Lund90 contributions

Lunch at Giraffe

Mar 2024 • family

Food wise we had a great experiment at giraffe. I had a smashed avocado on toast (gluten free) and my husband had blueberry pancake. However, I had previously heard they had a gluten free menu but when I asked about it only got a “yes we do” in reply and nothing else. They did not offer us a child menu for our 3 year old. We only realised after we order to him from the normal menu that a child menu existed. Same with a drink menu! Would rather have ordered a “normal” Appel juice for the little man for 6 dollars than one for 11 dollars that was presented in the lunch menu. But like stated before other than that it was a nice experience and nicely located by the docks.

Written 16 March 2024

Giraffe Restaurant

Thank you Anna for your feedback and pointing out at improvements we need to make. We need to ensure we take extra care with families with young children. Looking forward to welcoming you with us soon again on another occasion.

Written 18 March 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Daniel M

1 contribution

100% recommended

Oct 2024 • friends

I had the pleasure of dining at Giraffe and the experience was simply outstanding. From the very start, the service provided by our waiter, Rubén, stood out for its kindness and professionalism, with great attention to detail. The food was of unmatched quality; the steak was cooked to perfection and its flavor was exquisite. The warm and welcoming atmosphere makes Giraffe the ideal spot for a night out with friends or a family dinner. Without a doubt, a 10/10 experience that I would happily repeat.

Written 2 October 2024

Giraffe Restaurant

Thank you Daniel, we are pleased that service given by Ruben has created wonderful memories while dinning with us. Please don't hesitate to ask for more recommendations about our other sharing dishes you may like to try when visiting us again. Ruben is one of our most experienced front staff member and it is always delight to be looked after by him.

Written 4 October 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Debarun C

Auckland2 contributions

Father's Day Lunch

Sept 2023 • family

We went to have Father's Day Lunch with my husband and 2 boys at your restaurant. The service staff who attended us was very polite and courteous. We placed our order of 2 kids meal and bread and dips as starter. The whole Snapper as our Mains and some non alcoholic drinks. The bread and kids meal came on time and the kids enjoyed their food. However that was the end of it. It took more than half hour between our breads cleared and Mains to come out. The waiter who was serving us joked that his friend has gone to catch the fish to be fresh and at one point it actually felt like someone has gone fishing to get our food. Ordered a sides later to come with the food which came way before our Mains and we even finished our sides even before our Mains arrived. I don't want to be too critical with the food however we felt it's not worth remembering and should have opted for the lamb instead. There were scales on the fish and few of them to say the least, was not appetizing to have to spit the food out every now and then. The calamaris were not crumbed properly and both the calamaris and the prawns were overcooked to the point of being rubbery. Still we asked for the dessert menu however we were told we are going to get Chocolate Fondant as you guys were giving out as a Father's day special. To be honest with you the chef should have avoided that dessert to be sent out to a table where there's already some unhappy customers are present. It took more than 20-25 mins to come out and when we wanted to leave without having the dessert as it was taking too long to come out I believe the chef rushed and sent it out. The chocolate fondant was less of a fondant but more of a boiling chocolate milk shake which needed another good 5-7 minutes at least to come to the gooey bit runny state. Only the top of the fondant just had the crust. While paying for the bill my husband informed about the Mains and the dessert and clearly he was disappointed. The person who was taking the payment took out two cokes and a coffee from the bill as a good gesture. We spent almost $200 for bread and Mains which I don't mind but the overall experience is more like a regrettable decision going to Giraffe on this special occasion.

Written 7 September 2023

Giraffe Restaurant

We are pleased you have chosen our restaurant to celebrate the Father's day with your family and our dedicated staff members welcomed you offering attentive service. We appreciate your detailed feedback as well as e mail received few days ago pointing out at the timely issues between the meal service as well as questioning our Chocolate fondant recipe. We have addressed this issue with our Head Chef and we believe that our staff acted promptly to your husbands respond of overall dinning experience with us. I am sorry your Father Day celebration didn't felt to your satisfactory. Our team of passionate individuals taking every feedback seriously and we are always learning to understand the ways we can improve. I do however wish to point out that Whole snapper selection on the menu means it will be served as whole with flash and bones and head to tail. Regarding the scales this issue will be raised with our current supplier as this is something which is done off site and we have no control off. Chocolate Fondant has been our top selected dessert and created by skilful french pastry chef with years of experience and this is the first time I have heard about customer not enjoying it. My apologies, I do hope that your experience with us will only encourage you to visit us again and trust our 25 years of dinning service to our valued customers.

Written 7 September 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

SMS

Ottawa58 contributions

Great restaurant along the Viaduct Harbour

Feb 2025 • couples

Cute little restaurant well located along the Viaduct Harbour. No outdoor seating but large picture windows afford an open-air feeling. Great service. Good selection of main courses that would suit many diets. Dessert can be passed. I believe the restaurant is accessible for mobility devices: there was a ramp that afforded access up to the door.

Written 2 March 2025

Giraffe Restaurant

Thank you, we really appreciate your positive review and looking forward to welcoming you soon again.

Written 2 March 2025

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Shilpa K

1 contribution

Best Tomahawk in AUCKLAND

Mar 2024 • couples

This was our second time at the giraffe we had come here three weeks ago and absolutely loved the food the atmosphere and the staff. We were taken care of by Reuben and the dinner manager(didnt get his name) and they were lovely. You can tell how much passion they put into there work as they remembered us from last time. We got the $130 tomhawk that came with side honestly such a bargin for money the crust on the steak was superb. That mushroom sauce is all you need and the portions were enough to get two people very full. We finished dinner off with there strawberry cheesecake and it is the best dessert ive ever had you could litrally just go to this place for dessert it will be unlike any dessert youve had. The way they use different textures and flavours. You wont have a dessert better than this. I canot praise the staff that took care of us enough, there passion towards the food and just warm welcoming makes you feel like coming back. I will probably be here once a month. Need to try there breakfast next!!!!

Written 14 March 2024

Giraffe Restaurant

Thank you for your wonderful positive feedback. Our team at Giraffe are very proud of a comments such as yours and we keep striving to maintain our high standards and have customers leaving with the smile on their face, wanting to return missing the service and quality of the meals provided. We are looking forward to welcoming you back again very soon.

Written 18 March 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

William F

Vernon39 contributions

Much Below Expectations

Oct 2024 • none

Sadly this was a very poor experience. Seating was efficient. Our server (Sinan) was very helpful and attentive. Seafood entree left a lot to be desired. “Prawns” were tiny, badly overcooked shrimp. Ceviche was adequate but not a cracker anywhere to put it on. Same with lightly smoked salmon. Wouldn’t order again. Chicken main was horribly over-cooked to point where dinner knife wouldn’t cut it. Lamb shank was naked, tasteless and surrounded by a jus with zero flavour. Glazed carrots consisted of one thin slice of carrot buried in mash. I can only hope this was a new crew in the kitchen.

Written 24 October 2024

Giraffe Restaurant

Hello William, thank you for your feedback. Your dining experience is very unfortunate and we are very sorry for your experience. We have raised this issue with our Head Chef and actioned immediate change which you have highlighted to ensure we deliver everything as expected . Please don't give up on us and visit us again. Our experience staff are able to recommend few signature dishes and desserts created by our skill-full pastry Chef which received many positive comments from our dinning customers.

Written 25 October 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

OscarWhangarei

13 contributions

Exceptional service

Nov 2024 • family

Exceptional service and food. Our family who are predominantly vegetarian thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The waiters went out of their way to make us all feel acknowledged and completely at home. We had a lot of fun together! Thank you!!!

Written 16 November 2024

Giraffe Restaurant

Thank you Oscar, your review has left us all smiling and very appreciative . We are very pleased your dinning with us was relaxing , suited to your dietary needs and will stay memorable for a long time.

Written 17 November 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mike J

New Providence80 contributions

Nice Dinner on a Perfect Summer Evening

Feb 2025 • couples

We had a nice dinner on a perfect summer evening with nice breeze off the harbor. We started with the artisan bread - the hummus was great and the bread was fresh. The catch of the day was a white fish (sorry don’t remember the name) and it was excellent - great flavor. My wife’s chicken was good but not outstanding. We had the dessert selection and that was a great dish to share. The best part of the evening was meeting the couple at the next table who were celebrating their 8th anniversary. They are native New Zealanders and shared many tips about places to visit on our next trip. Best of all they gave us their contact information.

Written 5 February 2025

Giraffe Restaurant

Thank you Mike, your review is well appreciated. We are pleased you have chosen our establishment to dine and also create a great connection with a table next to you. New Zealand is full of amazing surprises and we are excited you have visited us which will be added on to some of your memorable moments.

Written 9 February 2025

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.