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    The Occidental

    3.8 (77 reviews)
    Open 7:30 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    The Occidental Photos

    THE OCCIDENTAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - The Occidental

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    Reviews With Photos

    Venison Pie
    Ruth H.

    Great local vibe with hearty portions of New Zealand specialties. We had the local craft cider which was delicious. I had the venison pie and SO had the Flemish stew with stomp. My pie was served with mashed potatoes and peas. A LOT OF FOOD!!! Would definitely recommend!!

    Mussels
    Judy S.

    We wandered in for a quick bite. The interior is open and has lots of windows. We chose a pub table with a window to people watch. We ordered a beer and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, which came out promptly. Our server was lovely and efHubby decided upon a lamb pie and I had the steamed mussels. The lamb pie was AMAZING! The mussels had good flavor (I enjoyed the garlic cream sauce) they were a bit chewy-I wasn't able to finish them the portion was so large (and that was a half).

    Mussels in lobster brandy bisque

    The friends were looking forward to mussels and were completely satisfied! We walked down from our hotel and lucked out on an inside table. I tried the Belgian sausage, husband had fried squid, and the friends had three different kinds of sauces. Everything delivered hot and delicious. Despite the noise inside our server was knowledgeable and helpful with us tourists. Although we're not familiar with Belgian beer the bartender also helped with tastes until we found the one we liked. Definitely recommend.

    BBLT (bagel, bacon, lettuce, tomato).
    Robert K.

    I CAME FOR THE MUSSELS & I DIDN'T ACCIDENTAL ON THE OCCIDENTAL!! I've been coming here since 2014-ish.... The mussels is the reason i'm here. its been my first visit back since the pandemic. Did they change their mussel vendor or something?!?! The meat on the mussels used to match the size of the shell... Now, they're little rinky-dinks! So sad! You could tell that they just drizzled the sauce on the mussels and not actually stir-fry it in a pan together, (See Picture attached to review). Sauce was mediocre and was at room temperature. I'm really disappointed with the quality and level this place has become. All our other dishes were good. But, you can make anything good if it comes out of the deep fryer... The ambiance hasn't changed. it still has that 1770's colonial feel. Our Server was amazing! She recommended to Earl Gray infused beer. Absolutely Refreshing!!! I should've written this review pre-pandemic. it would've been 5-stars ALL-THE-WAY!

    Lamb Shank

    Lots of variety in their menu Mussels are fabulous Friendly Staff Warm cozy atmosphere

    Hope A.

    An amazing spot to stop and enjoy the cocktails and fresh food. Matteo is an awesome server and a wealth of information. Highly recommend.

    Charcuterie board
    Peter I.

    Good place. Great service. Was a little bummed since we came for oysters and muscles, but they were out of oysters. We got a bucket of muscles that were pretty good. The thing that knocked my socks off was the lamb pie!

    Front
    Scott W.

    Tucked away on Vulcan Lane off of busy Queen St is The Occidental. This was storied to me by several in my company as a MUST TRY. They were correct, as it absolutely DID NOT DISAPPOINT! If you're a beer drinker, who wouldn't love a Belgian Beer Hall? But the unsung story is the food! They have wonderful appetizers and then, the pièce de résistance, the Mussel Pot! You can have the mussels prepared in a number of different styles. I ate here several times and I cannot say that I have a favorite -- they are all just darned good. The NZ Green Lipped Mussels are nearly as big as my hand, as you can see. This is a wonderful place and one that I return to on every trip. You should add it to your list of spots -- even if you don't like beer.

    steamed green lip mussels, lamb pie, garden salad
    Katherine F.

    the steamed green lip mussels here are plump and cooked to perfection. the portion is great and they have many options to choose from for sauces. the lamb pie is packed to the brim with tender lamb and the pastry is perfectly golden. both portions were filling and the price is very affordable. last order for kitchen came at around 9:15. place is very large and could be good for both small and big groups. the service was a bit inattentive since it was very busy, but the food came at a decent time. i would definitely return.

    Lobster Bisque 1/2 bushel (more than enough), and a platter of grilled (super greasy)

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    3 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Very loud and crowded bar restaurant. If you want to select between probably 50 different beers this is the place for you. Food was fair.

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    1 year ago

    Fun atmosphere, a Saturday just after lunch and service was prompt. Food & beverage were quite good.

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    6 years ago

    The worst schnitzel ever, and I have had schnitzel all over the world. It should be thin and crisp, not just breaded chicken

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    Page 1 of 2

    Review Highlights - The Occidental

    the lamb pie is packed to the brim with tender lamb and the pastry is perfectly golden.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    Vultures' Lane - Pint and pie

    Vultures' Lane

    4.2(20 reviews)
    0.0 kmAuckland CBD, Viaduct
    $$

    Great bar and food. Place was moderately busy but easy to find a table. It was easy to order…read moredrinks and food at the bar. They had a large tap list which satisfied both my partner and I. My partner and I both had a pint, shared a beef and cheese pie, a burger, and mac and cheese. They have 3 different pies a day and sold out pretty quickly. The pie was one of the best we had, nice and flakey and very big. The burger and mac and cheese were good as well but I prefer creamier mac and cheese. However the fries were great, crispy on the outside and potatoey on the inside.

    On my last day in Auckland, I looked for fun ways to spend my last few hours. While I was tired, I…read moreexplored the little bars off Queen Street. I had been to many a few years ago, but somehow Vultures' Lane was missed. I saw their fantastic tap list and said I'd stop in for just a beer and respite from the rain. I ended up trying eight thanks to a super friendly and generous bartender. This is a free house, so not tied to any particular brewery or company. They pour what they want, which includes a lot of excellent choices. What hooked me as they also have their own line of house beers (contract brewed off site due to the size constraints of the cozy pub). They have outdoor seating and a few tables and bar stools inside - it's not a large place more cozy for pairs and small groups. They also have a full food menu if you're hungry. When I explained I was on a mostly beer trip and was interested in a tasting board of their beers, he said he'd just pour them all for me and charge the regular price for many less - you can't refuse that kind of offer (8 for the price of 6). It was fun to try them all, diverse styles. Of course some were better than others, but overall they have excellent house beers if you're in the area. If you're a beer fan and in CBD seeing too many bars, it's worth your time to find this one.

    Photos
    Vultures' Lane
    Vultures' Lane - Mac and cheese

    Mac and cheese

    Vultures' Lane

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    The Bavarian - Lowenbrau beer

    The Bavarian

    2.3(4 reviews)
    2.9 kmNewmarket

    Disappointing food. Calamari so covered in garlic it was inedible. Ordered 2 kids chicken…read moremeals. One was huge. One was tiny. Staff don't seem to care about anything. Sitting under dripping water. Oh it's just from the air conditioning. Well priced but I'd rather pay more for a good meal and this was not it. Can't blame staff shortages as there were plenty list standing around.

    It's probably never a great idea to try out a new place a week or so after opening. However our…read moregroup was keen to explore a new pub option in Newmarket. There's not a lot of options to be honest. Anyway it's a nice enough spot on top of the new Westfield. Plenty of tables etc but unfortunately on a Friday lunchtime the kitchen obviously struggled to keep up with the demand. An hour wait for our food when on a lunch break was not good. Drinks were slow to arrive and unfortunately when they did and they were raised to toast "cheers" one glass literally had the bottom fall out. Staff were quick to react and mop up the beer but no apology, no offer to compensate. Two of our group were well covered by beer and trousers soaked. The manager should have done a great better job. Unfortunately our experience was rather tainted so not sure we would be rushing back. Still they probably don't care. It's location etc means they can probably survive without repeat business for now.

    Photos
    The Bavarian - Pork loin with cracklings sausages, red cabbage

    Pork loin with cracklings sausages, red cabbage

    The Bavarian - There's a first for everything. Never seen a glass have the bottom fall out when clinking glasses.

    There's a first for everything. Never seen a glass have the bottom fall out when clinking glasses.

    The Bavarian - Menu page 4

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    Menu page 4

    Queens Head Tavern - Pork belly sliders

    Queens Head Tavern

    4.8(4 reviews)
    0.8 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

    Photos
    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

    The Occidental - belgian - Updated May 2026

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