A cozy and hip little bar that serves delicious dumplings, this place was recommended by an owner of one of the vineyards on Waiheke Island. After a long day of visiting several vineyards and sampling many wines, all I wanted to do was relax with a glass of wine and just a little bit of food. Xuxu hit the spot. I had pork dumplings, pickled cucumbers, and a glass of Syrah. The dumplings were delicious. The cucumbers were cool, flavourful, and just slight spicy. The glass of Syrah complimented the dishes perfectly. I was seated next to the stove where the chef was steaming the dumplings so I got to watch orders come in and the dishes go out. I also watched the bartender, server, and hostess work hard to complete the foods and drink orders. The atmosphere, beautiful lighting, and good music makes this restaurant a perfect place for a date. I'll be back next time I'm in town. read more

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Smaller dumplings. Packed full of taste but you definitely need to order a lot to fill yourself up (but they were out of most flavors we wanted so we used it as an appetizer and went elsewhere). For the dumplings we did have: the beef with mustard and duck with onions were tasty, but nothing unique. I couldn't taste the mustard; the flavor didnt pop or stand out. The service was also terribly slow at lunch, despite only two tables being filled. Not much to be desired. Easier to go down prince street and get cheap yummy dumplings. read more

This place is nice. By nice I mean super nice. It's cosy and homely and the night we went along (Thursday) there was live jazz music in the front courtyard which only added to the vibe. (apparently this is a regular thing) We turned up to our friends just having drinks, but we were hungry, so ordered a few baskets of dumplings. My guy is obsessed with dumplings, so I swear I wasn't sure if they were going to be that great or if it was a case of 'if they look, taste and smell remotely like dumplings they are good'. We ordered the chicken and pork and they were in fact, delicious. It was nice and relaxed and a good change where you can eat and carry on drinking without feeling like you are wasting a table or they are shoving the bill into your face if you don't order a dessert Will go back - definitely aim for a Thursday! read more

Xuxu Dumpling Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

I adore Café Hanoi and was excited when the opportunuity arose to finallly try out it's younger, more alcoholic sister, Xuxu. Nestled behind a fence of neatly manicured bamboo, Xuxu has a rich, elegant feel to it with small, intimate tables, beautiful glass lampshades and luxurious, draping curtains. It's the perfect spot to rewind after work, drink in hand. Whilst, Xuxu's wine and beer list is very well constructed, I definitely recommend splashing out and trying one of their beautifully made cocktails. The bartenders are seasoned professionals and the Asian-inspired cocktail list is full of all the fresh, zesty flavours that make us love Vietnamese. Admittedly, I opted for a comparatively boring Negroni, but boring or not it was downright delicious. My small taster of Xuxu has left me wanting more and I am looking forward to heading back with a couple of friends to sample some of their more inventive cocktails and much-admired food. read more

Xuxu has quite a selection of drinks to choose from. We enjoyed them, but trying to get another one was hard. The waitstaff was busy and didn't always come around to our table, so I feel like I had to get someone else to help us rather than our waiter. Food was really good and tasted fresh. I would recommend this place, just have to be patient with the slow pace of service. read more

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So I had a plan to visit Xuxu and went online to check their menu. This is what I do sometimes to get pre-excited before I visit restaurants. Jesus. I could not read their menu. They have used Arabic serif font in a 6 pt size. Okay, not a great start. I will just have to read it there. When I arrived, it was totally different to what I thought it would be like. Tiny but cozy atmosphere was extended to its front yard where we settled. We started with some cocktails which included Xuxulicious (18) which were all amazing (thankfully they used a readable font on their actual menu). These cocktails were designed to my liking of being sweet and fruity. The last cocktail left me a bit confused as the mix of Jack Daniel and watermelon had two dominant flavours. Plus I could not sip through the roughly grinded watermelon with my tiny straw. Bummer. We ordered small dishes such as Chili & ginger fish skewers (12) and the waitress asked us if we wanted to order an extra skewer as the dish only has 3 on it. How nice. The fish was soft and full of flavours. We moved onto the Shrimp dumplings (10) which was quite unique. The skin was rubbery rather than floury, but soft in the mouth. There was crisply sprinkle of some sort which added enjoyment to the dish too. Our last choice wasn't as nice as the other two. Beef & apple on shrimp rice crackers were very hard to eat and I didn't find anything interesting there. Ginger flavour was too strong which made others a bit tasteless. read more

Xuxu Dumpling Bar - Prawn dumplings - Vietnamese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

If there's one thing I love about Xuxu its the table service , having expertly poured drinks brought to your table by hip young staff who gladly let you get your drank on ! With a quality wine and beer menu and choice cocktail options you'll want to keep this discreet bar the secret it is . On to the dumplings , not your usual steamed to buggery yum Cha abominations these dumplings are perfect one bite size so you can still keep up the big deep and meaningfuls that cocktails seem to imbibe you with . A huge fan of this bar , can't wait to go back . read more

Xuxu Dumpling Bar - Pork bun - Vietnamese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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Xuxu is the little sister to Cafe Hanoi across the road. The newly modern dumpling bar serves two great combinations, dumplings and cocktails. To be honest, I am a bit of a dumpling snob. Im at yum char either every second week but my expectations are high due to the traditional Chinese dumplings my grandma makes. Xuxu combines modern with traditional, offering your classic dumplings such as the har gau (prawn dumpling) but tries to modernise the menu with beef short rib dumplings also on offer. To be honest, these dumplings just don't hit the mark. Most of the time the filling is satisfying and its the wrapper that you judge. The wrapper just weren't soft and moist enough. They weren't thin enough either and on the corners of some, they were dry. The only dumplings i enjoyed for the filling were the spinach and cabbage momo. They had flavour and juice. It was sad to say the other dumplings, just were dry. They lacked moisture and that balance of flavours that one has at yum char. The dumplings are just not traditional and the fusion doesn't work. Its a shame because the fit out of the bar is relaxed and trendy. The service is friendly. To be honest, go for the cocktails because they were amazing, quite expensive but they are worth the pennies. Rating Food: 5/10 Service: 8/10 Value for Money: Good Cnr of Galway Street and Commerce Street, Auckland Central. Opening Hours: Mon-Tues 4pm-Late Weds-Fri 12pm-Late Sat 5pm-Late read more

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Really great spot- nice environment and patio area. All of our dumplings were delicious- and are very reasonably priced for the amount of food that you get! The cocktails are also delicious (try the rosemary margarita). For dessert, the chocolate buns were soo good- filled with dark chocolate. Highly recommend XuXu! read more

Xuxu Dumpling Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Surprising and cool spot to find in Auckland. A dumpling and bar??? Surprisingly I've never come across one even in California, but it would be a hit there. Dumplings = 5 stars. They had a vegetarian option (tofu, shiitake mushroom, chives) along with the typical options. Drinks = 5 stars. They had a good list of cocktails, wines, and beers. I do wish they had more than 2 beers on tap, but that's ok because they had a good selection of bottled beers. read more

Cocktails, Dumplings and Dessert. Three of my favourite things. And three things that you will find at Xuxu Dumpling & Bar, making it one of my favourite eateries in the city. I have been frequenting Xuxu numerous times over the years, and each time, I struggle to find something negative to say about it. The service is consistently good, their cocktails and food are fantastic and the atmosphere is always buzzing. Xuxu also serves one of my favourite drinks in the CBD - a virgin passionfruit mojito. It is sweet, refreshing and the perfect accompaniment to plates of never ending dumplings. They also have a great cocktail list, along with a selection of beer, wine and cider. But, the main stand out is of course, their handmade dumplings. They are light, full of flavour and trust me, you will want to order one of everything! My favourite include the Prawn Har Gao (with ginger, onion and garlic), Chicken potstickers (fried dumplings with shiitake mushroom), Beef & Cabbage (with onion, ginger and garlic) and for extras, their sticky and spicy Pork Steamed Buns. And don't leave without trying their dessert dumplings. There are two options - custard apple or banoffee, my favourite being the latter. What could be more satisfying then soft banana and a rich oozing caramel sauce inside a dumpling? Absolutely nothing. Xuxu, in my view, is one of Auckland's hidden gems. Head here for pre-dinner cocktails, a dumpling feast or for something sweet to end a fabulous night. read more

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Amazing decor and atmosphere! We sat in the little courtyard with the greenery and christmas lights. Great place to catch up with friends. Music wasn't too loud even though the DJ was right there. TIP: I would recommend coming here for the drinks but not the food. We had the dumplings and were simply not impressed. The dough was too thick, there was no vinegar to go with the soy sauce and although they tried to be cute by putting the chili sauce oil in a traditional "oil and vinegar" glass jar - it simple doesn't work for those who want more of the chili and less of the oil. It would be great if they experienced a real dumpling house such as Din Tai Fung and tried to emulate that. Otherwise, if they were trying to be different, I couldn't tell. Rather, the dish turned out to be mediocre at best. I would definitely come back here but would not order the dumplings again. Since this is supposed to be a Dumpling Bar I would have expected this to be the star dish. read more

Xuxu is a little cocktail bar nestled on the corner of Commerce and Galway Streets, it is the perfect place to finish off your evening or begin one. Inspired by the flavours of Vietnam and South East Asia is a small menu of light plates to enjoy with an extensive drinks menu. The service is always friendly and often complementary roasted nuts accompany your drinks. In particular I really enjoy the fresh tea here, the outdoor seated area is quite lovely too, a nice place to sit and relax after dark. The interiors are worth mentioning, bamboo printed walls and exquisite stained glass lights, you must check out the toilets, they were not forgotten! Open from 3pm onwards, often I go here often for coffee. Xuxu serve up Allpress and you can enjoy it in the relaxed atmosphere amongst the bustle Britomart. read more

Xuxu Dumpling Bar - Amazing interiors at Xuxu - Vietnamese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Cocktails were delicious! Dumplings were delicious! Service was great. We were only in Auckland for a couple of days and were very pleased that we stopped in to Xuxu's. Couldn't have asked for a better ambiance and experience. Thanks! read more

Xuxu Dumpling Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

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A small menu but very good choice. We started with a fabulous cocktail each and then an order of prawn dumplings and pork buns. Both were good. The pork bun was spicy but nice. The decor was very nice. Service is swift but friendly. Seating outside in the front courtyard and tables in side. There's a nice booth that looks as though it can be curtained off for privacy. A great place to try in the Britomart area. read more

Love Xuxu! I am a HUGE fan of dumplings and these guys know what they are doing. The dumpling menu sounds regular, beef and celery, pork and shrimp and mushroom but the flavours are quite sophisticated - and cheap to boot! The cocktails are really great - if not a bit sweet. And the staff are charming. The decor is nice and cosy and outside is all leafy and low lit. On Thursday's Julien Dyne and friends play jazz from about 8pm - so I've been the last 4 Thursdays. Definitely recommend for a first date, or any date, and drinks and nibbles with friends, so pretty much anytime and with anyone. read more

Extremely unfriendly service. We came to Auckland to visit during xmas holiday...Called couple of days before to confirm that they open on Monday and mentioned we are traveling from overseas. When we got there, the guy at the bar asked us to for ID as they labeled as a "Bar", we took our driver's license however it's not acceptable even for food only , Not to mention how rude that guy was. We left the bar and went to another bar across the street, and our driver's license were accepted... Will never come to this place again. Not tourist friendly read more

Fell in love with their restaurant name lit up in neon red in the birdcage- hidden in the corner of their garden outdoor dining area. Known for their dumplings and cocktails- they also make great mocktails. We sat outdoors to be in the bamboo fenced, garden area- but don't recommend it if you don't want smoke with your dinner. It's also a wee bit loud from the bus station near by though aesthetically pleasing. Definitely indoor next time for me- a very cool tree branch light structure dangling upside down from the ceiling. A cool tiled wall in the bathroom- in the back corner. If you're in the mood for dumplings, try here read more

Ok so I love a good dumpling but sadly didn't find it here. We had the fish dumpling which was bland, chicken potstickers ... Not too bad, prawn which was watery and flavourless .. Oh and the water chestnut and spinach which were doughy and totally uneatable. Ups to them they took the last one of the bill. We had the Hawkes bay Pilsner to drink and that was yummy but we ordered another and got sick of waiting for it to arrive. We found the staff not very attentive ... They were busy but polishing glasses and not actually hosting the diners?? Won't be back. read more

Xuxu Dumpling Bar - Great, dark and cozy bar with great drinks ... - Vietnamese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Xuxu is the perfect spot for after work drinks and nibbles! I came here with a friend for an impromptu dumpling session after a busy day at work, followed by dessert at a close by dessert bar. We order two virgin drinks which were both really tasty and large and three lots of dumplings. The drinks came quickly and the dumplings shortly after presented in traditional steaming trays, along with mini jugs of chilli oil and soy sauce. Staff are smiley and friendly, happy to explain to you how everything works. Chicken, Pork and Beef. My favourite was the Beef as it had the most true flavour to the description, but saying that we got the Chicken ones and I'm not a fan of mushroom so don't quote me ;) Most flavours are steamed, but are cooked to perfection so they aren't slimy. I feel like the value for money is pretty good for this part of town and the quality and quantity (6 in most) you get. The dessert dumplings sound intriguing too, I think another visit is in order! Atmosphere is really really nice, plenty of plants in the outside area to create a cozy setting and the inside is dark and moody with great wallpaper and a beautiful handmade light fixture which you should definitely check out! read more

Cafe Hanoi is a virtual institution in Auckland now: their consistently great, fresh take on Vietnamese food has won many loyal fans. Xuxu is like the cooler, little sister bar; open late with a distinct French je ne sais quoi & swagger to it. The decor is typically Britomart stylish; hipsters will feel at home with the dark wooden interior and stained-glass lampshades, which hint to the French colonial style of Vietnam. The bar, and resident bartenders, are centre-stage, and on the night we attended, they were loving the limelight, and deservedly so. Make no mistake, Xuxu may be small, but she's serious about her drinks! The kitchen is also on show; a tiny little corner where Xuxu - the chef who this place is named for - works her magic in the smallest of spaces, creating the biggest of flavours. There is also a terraced courtyard looking onto the street, perfect for those sultry summer nights. On the night we visited, Xuxu was launching their Thursday evening jazz sessions. With the most delicious Breakfast Martini in hand, lemongrass, coriander & lime dancing on my tongue & the seductive sounds of the saxophone-led trio pouring into my ears, I could have closed my eyes and been transported to a bar in Ho Chi Minh City. Xuxu was cooking up her magic as well, and we were delighted with the South-East Asian flavours on offer. This kitchen serves small plates & snack-style food; an ideal way to sample several flavours & share tastes. The taro chips and roasted peanuts were liberally but not painfully seasoned with chill salt, and the perfect bar snack to waken your tastebuds. Xuxu can often be the "holding bar" for Cafe Hanoi patrons waiting on their seats, and these nibbles would be the perfect start to your meal. The highlights of our nibbles were the chilli & ginger fish skewers with coriander & lime; delicious fish cooked to moist perfection with a sauce singing - or zinging!- of Asia. Also hard to beat were the minced lemongrass pork patties, rice noodles & red pepper mayo, all served in a lettuce leaf. The word "patties" didn't do this dish justice - they were more like magic meatballs! The drinks that accompanied our meal were deliciously special. And I got the feeling, from watching the bartender, that drinks served here are always just that notch above. The joys of being a smaller, boutique bar I guess. My aforementioned Breakfast Martini was served in a typical martini glass, and I was slightly nervous taking the first sip. Martinis can sometimes be the wrong side of dry for my taste. This baby was made with grapefruit marmalade & oh my YUM! Definitely addictive. The Scotsman went for a gin & tonic & again, it was crafted with top quality ingredients & finished with a sprig of coriander. They also have wine on tap, a great wine list, and after looking over the cocktail menu, I'm definitely coming back! Think spicy, fruit-infused concoctions. And Xuxu's Bloody Mary with horseradish, lime & olives???! Has to be done! You won't be disappointed if you head here pre-dinner, post-dinner, or even FOR dinner. Xuxu lives up to the "small but perfectly formed" mantra. read more

A fantastic hole-in-the-wall bar with a nice and chill atmosphere. Winnie was great and made some excellent recommendations. The beef and shrimp dumplings were excellent and the Chocolate buns were tasty (and big)! I'm only visiting for a few days in Auckland but I'll be sure to stop by again! read more

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Xuxu is the old Smith bar with a great little outdoor area out the front, and dimly lit tables indoors. It's a very cool spot, but the only unfortunate thing about it is the proximity to the bus stop. If you're sitting outside, it can be quite noisy. Have a few more drinks and I'm sure it won't bother you, but if you're looking for a quiet spot you won't find that here. They've got a decent wine list with a number of cocktails. They use a lot of interesting flavours in their cocktails - I was not a fan of the chilli-infused gin cocktail, just didn't sit well. But the Sweet Mama Quilla (sp?) is quite tasty, and I love the addition of the macerated grapes. It's a gorgeous pink colour too. I suppose they're on the expensive side - around $19/20 per cocktail. Food wise, I'm a big fan of their pork patties with the lettuce wrap. Yum, can't get enough. The chicken lollipops - wtf? - I would not bother ordering again. It's just a tiny chicken drumstick with no meat on it, and essentially just a honey and soy marinade. Bit blah really. Taro crisps are delicious - nice and salty. All in all, Xuxu is a fun place to go for a few drinks after work. Take advantage of the proximity to Cafe Hanoi if you're waiting for a table. From recollection, they're owned by the same people, so Hanoi will quite often tell you to go to Xuxu while you wait. read more

Great atmosphere at this small dumpling bar. Had the opportunity to try three of the items on the menu - chicken, lamb and beef with the chicken clearly standing out for me! Good service with a nice selection of beer and wine. The one surprising item is a dessert - banana and toffee dumpling. Very different and not what you would expect in a dessert . Worth a try! Looking forward to going back soon! read more

The restaurant is super trendy and wait can be long. Wouldn't mind all that if the dumplings were superb. Dumplings are good but not the best I've ever had. Tables are small and place is usually crowded and loud. It is fun to go with a group though. read more

Xuxu Dumpling Bar - Shrimp and pork - Vietnamese Near Me - Auckland, AUK

Xuxu seems like the perfect place for after work drinks or a date night. Like many of the places we tried around the harbour it definitely has some yuppy vibes about it but it's worth fighting through it. Inside is dimly lit and intimate with lots of little nooks and crannies to hide out in. there is a seated smoking area right outside too but unfortunately we were seated just inside the doors and the doors don't get closed so we had to battle through the smell of smoke whilst we ate. They have a great selection of dumplings priced around the $8 mark and you get 6 in a serving. We were only have a light meal so I ordered the chicken and shitake mushroom potstickers and they were divine! I'd recommend going with a bunch of people so you can order lots of dishes to share and try a bit of everything. read more

The ambiance lended itself to having great potential, and there were some interesting cocktails to try. However I found that they were out of a beer and cocktail on their menu. The cocktail I did have was ok but nothing particularly special. Same goes for the food. We sampled all of the available dumplings and found them to be average. The pork and fried chicken were the best but the dipping sauces were the saving grace. I think you could get better selection and flavour from other more authentic places. This is fine as a quick stop after work, perhaps for a quick drink. The service was good and that helps but I wouldn't come here for dumplings unless you really crave them and can't get to another spot. read more

Though called a dumpling bar, Xuxu is more of a cocktail lounge than a place for a full meal. We loved the creativity of the drinks, and the atmosphere overall was great as a post-meal destination. That said, we did still order four sets of dumplings -- all were fine but the fried duck dumpling dish was the obvious stand-out. If I were to come back, I'd only come for drinks and an order of the fried dumplings to snack on. read more

Interesting out of the way place across from subway station. Small, quaint with reasonable dumplings although a limited select. I have been to dumpling houses in China, so I am spoiled as they serve nearly a hundred varieties. Seemed like they were trying to be too eclectic. The dessert dumplings were fantastic and a nice addition. This place is worth a try if you like dumplings! read more

Xuxu is definitely the best place for 'date night' even though I haven't actually been on a proper date there- but I definitely wouldn't say no if someone asked me... The dumplings are the best I've had in Auckland city! Not only is the food great, the location and atmosphere is enchanting. It's nice and small, so you can feel free to cosy up to that date of yours ;) The vegetarian options are delicious as well, with the Nepalese dumplings taking my vote for top flavour. The staff are very kind and professional, there is no way you can look bad if you choose this as your number 1 date destination! read more

Perfect place for date night!! This intimate venue with inside and outside seating has such a great atmosphere and is one of my favourite spots! Cocktails and dumplings...what a dream combo. The guys here really know their wine and are so friendly. The cocktails are delish and the dumplings are $7-8 for about 6 and absolutely worth it (try the prawn har gao and the spinach and cabbage). The kitchen is on show in the corner and you can watch the chef work her magic. I can't forget to mention that they have jazz every Thursday night which is awesome. They are thinking about opening up for lunch soon and I think it will be a hit - I really can't fault this place. read more

On travel from the US and had the pleasure of coming here. Dumplings are amazing. Drinks were terrific! We even tried a flaming drink and it was fun! Talked to the owner for a bit and she was really nice. Such a hip place. Must do in Auckland. read more

The dumplings were great and original, although I wouldn't recommend the desert ones. We found some of the staff to be quite unfriendly unfortunately. read more

Located directly behind Britomart and across from Cafe Hanoi (who also owns Xuxu), this hip small-plates and drinks bar is one of my favourite places in Britomart. The food and cocktails are dependable and creative and the decor and ambiance is trendy without being ostentatious. It makes a great spot for an afternoon drink or late night drinks as well. Have been her many times before and will come back many times in the future I am sure! read more

Perhaps I am a dim sum snob! So please take my review with that in mind. Positives: Amazing atmosphere Great Staff Amazing drinks No diet Soda!! pork and shrimp shao Mai, overpowered with cilantro lost Any other flavor and provided no balance. Steam buns: again overpowered by 1 spice, cinnamon or 5 spice no balance and the bun portion was very heavy. Chicken and Shitake: this was very good, the wrapper light and I could taste both chicken and mushrooms. Based on this I would return for drinks but the dumplings left a lot to be desired read more

I really enjoyed Xuxu! The staff were friendly and energetic, and the food was great. The music was a little loud for my taste, but overall I'm looking forward to going back. read more

Amazing dumplings! It was quite busy when we went but the food was still yum, with the exception of a couple of burnt dumplings.. Will definitely return.. Ps the interior fitout created a modern Chinese ambience that was thoroughly appreciated :) read more

Just got dumplinged at XuXu best dumplings ever beautiful peeps looking after you great vibe Get along people

This place was fantastic! Great food and beautiful decor! Super cute date night spot. The service was friendly and very quick. We ordered 3 different types of dumplings and the steam buns. All were delicious and it was a filling amount. The sauces were great but my mouth is still on fire from the spice! The price was also pretty good compared to other places we've had dinner. It was a perfect last night in Auckland. read more