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Le Garde-Manger
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
French, European
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Full Bar
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Wheelchair Accessible
Does it mainly serve crepes / waffles?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Monday
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tuesday
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wednesday
11:00 am - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Thursday
11:00 am - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Friday
11:00 am - 2:30 pm5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 3:00 pm5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
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4.5
572 reviews
Excellent
357
Very good
173
Average
21
Poor
13
Terrible
8
zingmaster
Ontario147 contributions
Jan 2025 • couples
It’s a fairly small restaurant that serves excellent food. We had coq au vin and the lamb shanks. Both were done in a red wine sauce and served with stewed carrots, potatoes and mushrooms. The portions are quite large so no room for dessert. Reasonably priced wine and drinks list. We’ll definitely be going back.
Written 15 January 2025
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.
Tigerram
224 contributions
May 2024 • couples
Excellent food, service and ambience. We had the rump steak and the lamb shank, followed by crepes and Irish coffee.
The mains were excellently cooked, the perfect medium rump just needed some personal seasoning to taste which was achieved with some pepper.
We had a carafe of Cabernet/Merlot to accompany the meal which was rich and smooth.
The staff are attentive and friendly and the restaurant has very busy spells when there is a nearby theatre event and they turn around tables promptly and efficiently.
Every aspect of our meal was wonderful and the value is also very good, for example ours was NZD155 all in.
Written 16 May 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.
sharonStevenage
259 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
So good we went back the next day again! The French onion soup was so delicious it felt like we were in Paris. Just the decor and the quality of the food, this restaurant was very authentic in its simple but high quality French dishes.
Written 30 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.
Maggi B
27 contributions
Dec 2022 • none
Thought this would be a great place for French cuisine based on the reviews I read but I was very much disappointed. It's a small cozy restaurant and was very busy and although the server was very nice she was not attentive at all. Wine came promptly. Waited a bit for our entrees. Onion soup was only barely half a bowl and the goats cheese salad was lacking in goats cheese and the dressing was very sweet. We both ordered the boeuf bourguignon which was recommended. We waited for a very long time - other tables were served before us even though they came in afterwards. We let our server know we were waiting but she never checked on it. Finally we complained and miraculously two bowls instantly appeared and it was one of the worse meals I've ever had. Mostly carrots, no sauce. I wouldn't give this a second try.
Written 2 December 2022
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.
frankiethe
Auckland Central311 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
The atmosphere was good, authentic. This place feels well established - like it has been here a long time. We had the Ravioli with mushrooms entrée - small, plain and not that imaginative. My lamb was good - lightly medium cooked, good texture and flavoursome. The dauphinoise potatoes also good - but the raw tomato and salad a somewhat interesting accompaniment. The fish main course was plain and unimaginative.,given the atmosphere, we were disappointed by the food. Maybe we will come back for crepes or brunch, but I doubt we will be back for dinner. I could have cooked this food at home.
Written 18 October 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.
Paul Z
Tierra Verde171 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
After completing Day #1 touring Auckland (and feeling quite tired) we were wandering aimlessly close to our hotel on Queen Street, looking for a place to have dinner. The endless stream of Korean and Chinese restaurants offered up several really good looking options, but then unexpectantly, we happened upon a tiny French restaurant... Le Garde-Manger.
Given I'm writing this review, we obviously decided to give it go.
We were impressed that the entire front of the restaurant was being manager by only one gentleman. And he was in total command all the time we were there, so thumbs up to him.
Bottom-line, the service was great, the food was very good, and we're thinking we'll make a second visit before leaving Auckland.
For the sake of keeping top ratings fair, a star (dot) was deducted for the less than impressive ambiance and no air conditioning (the open front door mildly provided an air flow).
Written 28 January 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.
Mary Ellen P
Springfield32 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
We stopped by for a late lunch on our first day in Auckland because the restaurant was within walking distance from our hotel. We enjoyed our meal, the ambiance, our friendly French waitress (a visiting graduate student) that we decided to return the next day for dinner. Le Garde Manger is an unpretentious French restaurant that serves delicious country style food (not fussy haut cuisine), in a relaxed atmosphere. I wouldn’t hesitate to return except the restaurant is 9,000 miles from home.
Written 21 April 2023
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.
James B
Baltimore10 contributions
Dec 2022 • none
This restaurant stands out in contrast to the spectrum of Asian cuisines on Queen Street in Auckland.
I took a chance to eat there a few nights ago. Since then I have returned daily for dinner.
The ambience is of a bistro in France. Tables are close together. I have met people sitting nearby.
There is a set menu of appetizer and entry with or without desert.
I have eaten both the French onion soup and the duck rillettes as appetizers and both the pan-fried fish and coq au vin as entrees and the Creme brûlée as desert.
The French onion soup is delicious. This is served hot in a bowl full of onion strips with a covering of cheese over croutons.
The duck rillettes is a firm slice of pate served with slices of bread and a salad. The taste was bland.
I like the pan-fried fish served with vegetables and salad. It is not greasy.
Coq au vin included generous portions of chicken leg and breast with bones, potatoes, and a tasty sauce.
Creme brûlée was a cold time with a sweet base and a hard upper crust.
There are many choices of wines and other beverages. I had chosen hard dry ciders from Brittany and Normandy because I like ciders and they are not available at most places. Both ciders are refreshing.
I had thought that I would have Asian food in Auckland. However, I am seizing the opportunity to enjoy good French cooking nearby. If it ain‘t broke, don‘t fix it. Why go to other restaurants when this outstanding place is available?
Written 2 December 2022
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.
LotusJade
Auckland86 contributions
Dec 2021 • none
We went for dinner on Christmas eve. Glad to be able to get a table. It was busy at 7:30 in the evening and it is an unexpected location for a French restaurant as this block of shops and restaurants is mainly populated by Asian Eateries or shops.
At first we felt the manager who took my reservation looked a bit confused to see us but he took us to our table and after the initial encounter, he seemed a bit more relaxed and friendly. The waitress serving us was friendly and a Parisian. Menu has reasonable choice and a whole page of crepes option. The special for the evening was Rabbit pie but we had the beef Bourguignon instead.
Great atmosphere and good food. Will return to try the crepe.
Written 30 December 2021
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.
Travelbizz
Melbourne14 contributions
Aug 2022 • solo
I often frequent Le Garde-Manger as part of my work jaunts into New Zealand.
This quaint little piece of Paris is positioned at the top end of Queen St away from the hustle and bustle you often see down near the warf.
The establishment is only small with 10-12 tables offering quaint experience without the noise often seen in larger competitors.
Although a small footprint there is enough room to enjoy another’s company without feeling like you are crammed in with a group of strangers.
Service is exquisite with a single waiter easily able to service tables keeping them full of both food and more importantly drinks.
Le Garde-Manger has an amazing array of authentic French wines which is complimented with traditional French fare.
Todays order contained a medium cooked rump steak followed by my favourite thrill. A flaming crepe Suzette.
As usual the food as well of the experience was nothing short of exceptional.
Highly recommend
Written 5 August 2022
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.
Mardi S
42 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
This is a very pleasant little bistro at the top end of Queen Street, offering a good selection of galettes, crepes and other traditional French dishes, with a wonderful choice of specials the night we went. We enjoyed a goats cheese and sun dried tomato galette, and a potato tartiflette, along with a local rose and a carafe of French beaujolais, then a very good tarte tatin. Would definitely eat here again
Written 15 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.
Jon F
45 contributions
Jan 2025 • couples
Solid performer. The snails and bread were very good, the beef bourguignon and coq au vent excellent, and they make very tasty crepes for dessert. The restaurant was not fancy, but quiet and conversation was easy
Written 22 January 2025
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.
Anne H
29 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
The food here is very good but the wine is very expensive. Twice we explained we wanted a large portion of snails as a main but it still came with the starters which was awkward as it was quite a wait after the starter before the main leaving 1 person with no main. Also on the way out I noticed on a board that they do have a carafe of house wine for a more reasonable price. The food was however very good.
Written 24 January 2020
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.
MrOyvind
Newport208 contributions
Nov 2022 • business
Like walking into one of those authentic restaurants you find in regional France only on Queen Street in Auckland.
The decor doesn’t try at all because all the effort is in the kitchen. Very much a substance over style experience.
Set menus where you can choose from a selection of the hits from French bistros. Or a la carte options if you’ve got a particular hankering.
That it got fuller and fuller on a cold Tuesday in November says it all.
Written 16 November 2022
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.
Christine P
York66 contributions
Feb 2025 • couples
We discovered this restaurant as we walked past so booked for that evening. Pleased we did as the food was excellent. We had the lamb shank and coq au vin followed by the French cheeses which we shared. All very tasty and well presented. Our main course came quickly but we had to wait quite a while to be served our desert. Service was very good.
Written 7 February 2025
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.
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