Ponsonby Road Bistro

It’s a place to see and be seen – people-watching on the pavement outside or surveying the crowd from one of the dining area’s banquettes. Probably Ponsonby Rd’s chicest eatery, this eponymous bistro feels sophisticated but also very welcoming, thanks to the slick service from Melissa Morrow and her team. It’s an excellent place for a first date, a gathering with friends or just a fun night out, safe in the knowledge that you’ll enjoy great food and wine and be well looked after. Collections of pottery on floating shelves add warmth to the space’s moody layers of mirrors, dark panelling and leather, while the bar area is ideal for an aperitif. Classic dishes such as steak and chips or coq au vin inevitably win murmurs of approval from traditionalists while more innovative offerings, such as the duck borek with quinoa salad and pomegranate molasses, display chef Sarah Conway’s flair. The wine list is also a highlight – studded with interesting offerings from New Zealand and offshore, it’s intelligent, well considered and exciting. In fact, it’s much like the Ponsonby Road Bistro as a whole.