Planning to eat out this weekend? Get the lowdown on the best Auckland restaurants – these foodies know what they’re talking about, so listen up.

Michael Dearth recommends Spilt Milk

Michael Dearth, the owner of The Grove and Baduzzi, loves Spilt Milk in Point Chevalier

“Spilt Milk is a fresh new cafe that has opened in Point Chevalier. I really could eat Vietnamese pho for breakfast forever, and their classic beef version with coriander, onion, Thai basil and thinly shaved scotch fillet is beautifully balanced. The service is always very attentive and the fit-out is modern and clean.”

Unit G, 1197 Great North Rd, Pt Chevalier

Michelle Moore recommends Cazador

Michelle Moore, the restaurant manager of The French Café, loves Cazador, down Dominion Road.

“I love Cazador because they serve dishes like venison hearts and cured boar jowl bacon! The drinks list is equally interesting with sherries, craft beers, and a cherry brandy called vishnovka, which is made to an old family recipe. The restaurant is 30 years old and the room itself is brimming with the history of the Lolaiy family. It’s this combination of culture and tradition with new ideas that makes dinner at Cazador feel original and unique.”

854 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden

Andrew Glenn recommends Sun World Chinese Restaurant

Andrew Glenn, the co-owner of Waiheke Island’s The Oyster Inn, loves Sun World Chinese Restaurant.

“Born and raised in Hong Kong, I have a hankering for yum cha and Sun World is my choice in Auckland. The mostly Cantonese clientele come here for the authentic and extensive dim sum on offer, from the requisite ha gao prawn dumplings to more exotic offerings like steamed tripe, to my favourite dao fu fa, a soybean dessert. I also love the XO cheung fun (rice noodles). Go early or be sure to book – there’s usually a long wait on weekends.”

2A York St, Newmarket

Danielle Butler recommends Tiger Burger

Danielle Butler, of dessert company The Pie Piper and doughnut delivery service Doornuts, loves Tiger Burger.

“We love street food here at Piper HQ and our favourite go-to burger spot is Tiger Burger. Owners Matt and Esther have merged Korean and Western street food, to create extraordinary burgers that are zingy with crunchy kimchi and tangy with their galbi marinades on free-farmed meats, house-made mayos, pickles and sauces. Food is the best medicine. Our pick: Gang-Jeong chicken burger, with a side of Kimcheese Fries and their weekly cocktail pick.”

549 Great North Road, Grey Lynn

Sandra Fraser recommends Hong Kong Kitchen

Sandra Fraser, co-owner of Frasers cafe in Mount Eden, loves Hong Kong Kitchen.

“For a casual, affordable dinner, our family loves Hong Kong Kitchen. Owners Joanna and Colin Ye are on duty every day, and are always happy to make anything you want, even if it’s not on the menu. My daughters love the fact they can order their grandma’s style of cooking off-menu, like the steamed chicken with black fungus.”

290 Apirana Ave, Glen Innes

This article was first published in Paperboy magazine. Follow Paperboy on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and sign up to the weekly e-mail