Where

Whether you’re staying at JW Marriott Auckland or simply chasing one of the city’s most exciting new dining openings, Kureta is the destination you need on your radar. Tucked just off the hotel lobby, it’s an intimate, Japanese-inspired teppan house bringing together traditional techniques with New Zealand ingredients. 

First impressions

Walking through the discrete front door felt like stepping out of the city for a moment. The space is dim, calm, and centred around an open kitchen, where Chef Akihiro Nakamura and his team cook in front of guests. Charred timber, brushed metal, marble tabletops and soft lighting – it all creates this intimate, slightly moody atmosphere that makes you want to settle in and stay awhile. Once we took our seats, dishes started arriving at an easy, unhurried pace, and the whole evening felt relaxed from the very beginning.

What we ate & drank

We embarked on a culinary journey through an 11-course omakase (“Trust the chef”) meal. The dishes varied from light and refreshing to richer, deeper flavours as the night went on. We started with a few seafood-led plates: the oyster, the watermelon gazpacho, and the chawanmushi which was a great introduction to how Kureta approaches Japanese technique. The wagyu dishes were the clear standouts: thin, buttery slices cooked to perfection. Dessert was a soft, not-too-sweet matcha cheesecake, and drinks stayed simple – varying from a crisp sake stayed to a variety of wines that paired perfectly with each dish.