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    Culprit

    4.9 (15 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Culprit Photos

    CULPRIT ATMOSPHERE

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    Projecting promise!
    Nik T.

    i victim, you culprit? or am i both? initially chanced upon little culprit just across the street for a little tipple. and then it dawned upon me that there has to be a bigger culprit?? indeed, there was, and intrigue led to investigation. a quick perusal of their online menu and i was tempted. next was the wait for the stars to be aligned even though the lure was strong! finally, the time came. a casual walking in as a lone diner, and victim turned culprit. bar seats suited me just fine. right up close and personal to the criminal culinary action happening at their open kitchen beyond. 2 decisions needed to be made by you, make it epic? at a supplement of $34pp for their kaimoana seafood platter and choice of mains? yes, you guessed it! i decided to go with make it epic! ;) along with my carnivorous choice, pressed beef brisket main as my first choice of having their famous duck was not to be (only available for multiples of two diners). they do allow for slight variations if you do have dietary restrictions. they swapped out the raw oysters from the seafood platter and doubled up the sashimi portion for me! thank you. now let the epicure journey begin.... the lightly salted thinly crisped kumara chips was the perfect culprit to get you going! devoured it but unfortunately, no repeat. the kaimoana seafood platter quickly followed: line caught sashimi, lacto-fermented sweetcorn, hokianga habanero X2. market fish tartare cones, purewasabi leaf & avocado, wasabi pea. lobster bisque dip and chips. and then, smoked kawahagi on toast, Olaf's sourdough, clevedon green tomato. you start to savour the stepped-up sophistication. the mingling complexity of flavours clashing within. a great start indeed! the end of make it epic meant the beginning of chef's menu proper, $75pp. cured pork leg & grilled otago peach, poaka coppa, shaved blue cheese. shiitake milk bun piped with fermented kumeu mushroom butter within. orange tomatoes & Nduja, clevedon heirloom tomatoes, quark, tarragon. hawkes bay lamb neck croquette, cornflake, eggplant kasundi, smoked yoghurt. these bread and all the bites will wow you further with bold flavours, multi-dimensional textures, crescendoing to your mains. but first, a playful palate cleanser, watermelon aeroplane shaped jelly to dust as you wish with zesty lime powder! as if you are not fully satisfied by now, your main arrives. my choice: pressed beef brisket, courgette, caponata, romesco sour cream. delivered and explained by none other than the culprit-in-chief, kyle! his signature cap today says OBEY! and obey i did, polishing up all the last bits of caponata just shy of licking the plate clean. i'm quite sure the word wasn't meant for me but his kitchen staff? :) and a light treat to end the night, soft styled pavlova, give it a good mix right from the bottom up. culprit is indeed creatively nostalgic, modernly global, yet with a clear focus on projecting local produce onto the big stage, deservingly so. now, i culprit, you victim! ;)

    Cameron F.

    Visiting Auckland and was excited to get a reservation at Culprit - such a great, hidden place. 5-6 courses, the chef also added special items to the menu throughout the night. Some absolute favorites were the brisket (main course), duck taco and Brussels sprouts. Everything was excellent but those items really stood out. Pictures below.

    Nick S.

    We had an in n out menu. Food was exemplary . Just up from the viaduct. This is very good food In any country. Well prepared , displayed , and served

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    1 year ago

    Everything we tasted was beyond fantastic! Very creative, food-forward, delicious. Nice cool vibe and excellent service! Loved it!

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Honestly, just eat here!! That's all I can say. You owe it to yourself to try this spot. Amazing food, great service, and a lovely ambiance.

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    8 years ago

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    Review Highlights - Culprit

    the end of make it epic meant the beginning of chef's menu proper, $75pp.

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    Queens Head Tavern - Pork belly sliders

    Queens Head Tavern

    4.8(4 reviews)
    0.7 kmAuckland CBD

    Fantastic happy hour for Bonvoy members (which is free to join). I was able to score $10 glass of…read morewine and $10 bar bites! We had the pork belly sliders and the chicken bites. Both were delicious and great for the price. After HH, I stayed for a Margherita pizza and more wine. The pizza was thin crust and tasted fresh. Only thing that was interesting to me was the inability to order the same HH wines after HH. The selection switches out. Service was really great and friendly. It started off rather quiet for HH but began to fill as time went on. Plenty of seating options and trendy decor.

    VISIT: end of February 2020…read more This was a pleasant surprise as we ate here probably every day of the 3 that we were in town. I typically shy away from restaurants that are in the hotel because they tend to be pricey. We felt, for Americans, that this was decently priced and that each time we ate here, we got a different meal FOOD WE TRIED: - Chicken and vegetable dumplings - Prawn and chive Gyoza - Arancini - 55 day aged beef brisket sliders - Seafood Risotto - Spaghetti with mussels, snapper and prawns The sliders, gyoza and spaghetti with seafood was VERY good. I wouldn't order the dumplings again, but I always forget that chicken dumplings just aren't the same as pork and/or shrimp. The Arancini was a bit disappointing in flavor, maybe just a touch more salt would have been helpful and same thing with the flavor of the Risotto. The seafood was cooked perfectly, but the sauce on it just wasn't as flavorful as I would have liked, for a risotto. Service was always great with the staff always helpful with recommendations. We were very happy to have access to this restaurant during our stay the Four Points

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    Queens Head Tavern - Wine and pizza

    Wine and pizza

    Queens Head Tavern - Bar bites chicken

    Bar bites chicken

    Queens Head Tavern - Margherita pizza

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    Margherita pizza

    Culprit - bars - Updated May 2026

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