Downtown Auckland on the Rise

Luxury with an Edge at Auckland's Clooney Restaurant

The restaurant’s decor plays with industrial roughness and sumptuous luxury in a really intelligent way. Rich leathers and curtains of black cord enfold each round table, while overhead concrete beams and ductwork are left exposed. I love to...

A Fresh Take at Federal & Wolfe

The juices and smoothies at this little cafe are incredible. If I’m up late drawing, these save me the next morning when all I need is something fresh and healthy. —Nat Cheshire

10 Federal St., 64/(0) 9-359-9113. Photo by Kieran Scott. This...

Lasting Style at Crane Brothers

I have a wonderful relationship with Crane Brothers. I first went there years ago. I tried on a shirt I could not afford, but I had to buy it. Recently they made me a beautiful indigo woolen blazer. Their clothes last, so you don’t need to buy...

A Bookstore That Brings Us Together

Unity is what all bookstores should be: a good collection of global newspapers by the door, a room stacked to the gills with curated books and magazines, and an extremely well-read staff. Three people is a crowd here; 30 is a very civilized riot....

A Taste of Mexico in New Zealand

We built this restaurant in 2011. It’s an architectural vagrant. People dine under pictures of pendulous bosoms and skulls. My colleagues and I roll out the drawings we’re working on across the tables and chefs bring food. I always have a white...

Basement Escape in a Bustling Bar

On Friday nights the basement here is a haven from the madness swirling in the main bar above. I drink a Hendrick’s martini with an olive: dry and clean, not dirty. Stirred not shaken. James Bond can take his vodka shaker elsewhere. —Nat Cheshire

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A Cut Above at Ryder Salon

The owner of Crane Brothers sent me to Greg Murrell and his hair salon. I liked him immediately. He has a passion for mid-century architecture. I look too nice if my hair grows too long, so I need Greg to attack and reintroduce a degree of focus....

A Glimpse of Hanoi's Old Quarter in Auckland

Cafe Hanoi is choreographed dilapidation. Rough brick, crumbling plaster, and layers of scraped-back paint are softened with huge Noguchi globe lamps and planes of hand-oiled timber. —Nat Cheshire

Galway and Commerce Streets, 64/(0) 9-302-3478....

Friendly Atmosphere and Fine Food at Coco's Cantina

Coco’s is like our second living room. My staff and I come here in part because the scene and the rustic, Italian-inspired food are so good, but also because everyone is a friend.

376 Karangahape Rd., 64/(0) 9-300-7582. Photo by Kieran Scott. This...