Eating while travelling is always a hassle, it can sometimes be hard to keep within budget while also wanting to get the best of what a new location has to offer, and then trying to maintain a sense of healthy eating on top of that… it can get a bit much! In a city like Auckland which is packed to the brim with diverse flavors and award-winning eats, it can be hard to choose the best options that won’t leave you feeling like you gained holiday weight. Luckily for you, we have hunted out some cheap and healthy eats form across the city for you to dive into!
Uncle Man’s
If you want to have a bit of international flare in you meals, then look no further than Uncle Man’s, with various locations across the city it’s a one-stop shop for some flaky roti, chicken curry, seafood laksa and the famous char kuey teow and mee goreng — all for less than $15 per dish. Unlike other Malaysian eateries, Uncle Man’s has an extensive dessert menu featuring guilty pleasures such as fried banana with ice cream as well as dessert roti including the roti tower!
Revive
Healthy and vegan? Welcome to Revive! Located in the heart of the CBD, this cheap eats location has everything you need from fresh salads, smoothies and juice bar and also serves a range of hot pots and soups with a daily-changing menu. Moreover, there are a range of sizes available with a small box (two choices) starting from $8.50, making it perfect for a quick lunch without hurting the wallet.
Dumplings with Wings
We all can admit that we love dumplings right? A great healthy option that can cater to all diet types, one of our favorite places is this dumpling haven which resides in leafy suburb of Remuera. Boasting a succinct menu, Dumplings With Wings offers five flavor options plus a seasonal special combination. We recommend keeping an eye on their social pages as they’re always posting about their dumpling classes or specials.
Best Ugly Bagels
If you are visiting form a smaller town, or from overseas then you just can’t not visit New Zealand’s premiere gourmet bagels from Best Ugly Bagels! With delicious and fresh bagels made on the premises, you can try any one of their crazy or classic flavours. Their cheapest bagel being just $5, you can also score a Zany Zeus organic cream cheese bagel for $7 or smeared with their housemade chocolate hazelnut spread.
We are past the halfway mark of winter, but we still have a few months to bare through! But don’t worry, we have your back! We have sourced the five best events happening in Auckland this month to help beat your winter blues!
New Zealand International Film Festival
Easily some of Aucklander’s favourite time of year – the International Film festival returns this July, presenting the latest and best films from around the world. NZIFF maintains a rich tradition of diverse choice in a curated selection of expertly crafted films – features, documentaries and short films too – that deserve to be experienced with an audience. These are films that you won’t see at the mainstream theatres and often feature films that have won awards overseas. You’ll want to get in early to book as tickets tend to sell out fast!
Vector Lights for Matariki Festival
One of the crown jewels of the Matariki Festival, This year’s host iwi for Matariki Festival, Waikato-Tainui, have created a stunning display featuring te whetuu tapu o te tau hou Maaori (the sacred star of the Maaori new year) on the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The light display intents to mix with a soundtrack to tell stories of Taamaki Makaurau from a Waikato-Tainui perspective. If you want to get a sense of genuine kiwi culture and history, this will be one not to miss.
SZA
Easily one of the hottest acts in the world right now, SZA brings her seminal voice and modern R&B to Spark Arena. The five-time Grammy Award winning musician will grace our shores for one show only after she headlines Splendour In The Grass in Australia, last time she was here her show sold out, so you’ll want to be quick.
Auckland Zinefest Market 2019
Catch some of the city’s best artist and creators under one roof for a festival that celebrates DIY culture as it returns to the Auckland Art Gallery for the market’s 10th anniversary. Enjoy works from over 80 zine makers and artists from around New Zealand and the world, ranging from poetry, travelogues and literature, to comics, illustrations and photography. Usually featuring young creators, Zinefest has become incredibly popular, packing out each day and with visitors leaving with handfuls of different creations, it’s a unique weekend that’s a certified don’t-miss. Bring cash!
Foals
One of the biggest bands in Rock returns to Auckland for one show only that’s supporting not one, but two new records! Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost (Part 1) was released in March, with Part 2 to follow later this year, signalling a return to the spasmodic angles of their debut Antidotes while simultaneously going further off-base than ever before. The band has won numerous awards over the past few years, and it’s no surprise! Make sure you get in quick so you get a chance to see this amazing live act while you can!
