There’s a particular kind of restaurant that makes you feel like you’ve escaped somewhere, and Bravo at Cracker Bay is exactly that. Perched right on the water at Auckland’s inner harbour, it has the rare ability to make you feel like you’ve left New Zealand entirely. In the best possible way.
Part of what makes Bravo so transporting is the space itself. Striped seats in warm terracotta tones and cabana-style umbrellas give it a Mediterranean holiday feel. The layout is generous and cleverly considered – elevated bench seating outside under umbrellas for larger groups, a long bar with high stools stretching along the pier for those who want to perch and watch the water, and private spaces available to hire for those who want their own little corner of it all. It’s the kind of venue that has thought about every kind of guest, and it shows. I visited twice, and both times felt like an entirely different experience – which, I’d argue, is the mark of a great venue.
Visit one: with the kids
My children are at the perfect age for a place like this, and Bravo seemed to know it. Tucked inside is a dedicated arcade and kids’ zone – fully fenced and full of games it kept them entertained until their dinner arrived. What followed was something of a dinner with kids miracle – I had an uninterrupted glass of Veuve with my husband at a waterfront table while the kids were happily occupied a few metres away. We shared the steak and chips and the crispy tuna tacos (highly recommended) which was exactly what you want on a sunny afternoon by the water. Luring the kids back to their burgers took some negotiation, but once they were back at the table they demolished them without complaint. They left begging to return.
Visit two: a work lunch
A Thursday lunch with the FQ team, and Bravo felt alive – the kind of busy that feels energetic rather than chaotic. We went straight for the seafood tower, which arrived in all its glory, and worked our way through prawns, oysters, sashimi, calamari and crayfish. We also ordered some fries and the Cracker Bay fried chicken. The team ventured into cocktail territory with the Bravo Spritz – their take on an Aperol spritz – which went down extremely well. And for a minute (read 1.5 hours) we forgot about the deadlines and deliverables and got to simply enjoy ourselves.
If you’re arriving by water (the book-a-berth option makes this wonderfully easy). On your way in – or out – there’s Bravo’s deli-style takeaway where you can grab a rotisserie chicken, a bottle of wine, and be back on your boat within minutes. That of course, is if you can’t be tempted to stay. It’s these kinds of details that make the whole experience feel effortlessly considered. Auckland has needed a space like this for a long time – somewhere that works for every version of your life, from family Sundays to long Thursday lunches (with harbour views, of course!) Bravo delivers on every count.
