Welcome to FQ Eats, our latest series where our editors recommend the best restaurants and bars around Aotearoa. This week, digital producer Natalia Didovich spent a leisurely afternoon at St Heliers newest beachside venue – Water Boy.
Where
Located steps from the shoreline in the heart of St Heliers, Water Boy brings a touch of Sydney and Melbourne’s breezy pub culture to Auckland’s eastern suburbs. From the team behind Remuera favourite The Corner, this new venture channels that same welcoming vibe — only now, it comes with sea views, Aperol spritzes, and the sound of the tide rolling in.
First Impressions
Even before I stepped inside, the atmosphere was unmistakable — lively, welcoming, and far from the quiet Sunday lull I expected. With interiors designed by CTRL Space, the space balances coastal ease with local charm. Think open, sun-drenched spaces, warm timber tones, and the kind of laid-back energy that makes you want to linger long after your glass is empty. Whether you’re here for a post-swim lunch or a Sunday session with friends, the vibe feels relaxed, approachable, with an understated sophistication that feels perfectly at home by the sea.
The Highlights
What I loved most was how instantly at home everyone seemed to feel. Couples lingered over date-night drinks, friends stopped in for a quick round with a dog in tow, and families settled in for dinner by the sea. The menu by head chef Jono Lewington mirrors that same sense of inclusivity – a delicious, seasonal mix that balances elevated seafood dishes (think oysters and long line raw fish tiradito) with comforting pub staples. Add an exceptionally considered drinks list – from Lion Red and Champagne to playful house cocktails like the Water Boy Spritz and Popcorn Old Fashioned – and it’s clear there’s something here for everyone.
What We Ate & Drank
I headed in with my family for Sunday dinner, and despite our mix of palates and dietary quirks, there wasn’t a single dish that didn’t impress. We ordered a bit of everything: smoked beef brisket bites, the free-range buttermilk fried chicken burger, market fish and chips, and a prosciutto pizza to share — washed down with a few Aperol spritzes (and, in true Kiwi fashion, a cold Lion Red for Dad).
Final Verdict
Water Boy feels like the perfect addition to the eastern suburbs’ dining scene, offering the kind of atmosphere that locals will quickly claim as their own and visitors will travel for. With its coastal sensibility and down-to-earth charm, this new arrival feels destined to become a staple of Auckland’s seaside dining scene.
