IN BRIEF

Mastering the art of cool food with a 270-degree view.

WHY CHOOSE THIS RESTAURANT?

Located on the 21st floor of 1 Queen Street, Queens Rooftop is accessible via a tiny, inconspicuous wine shop off Te Komititanga Square. Once you are past the friendly security guard and an attendant in a headset who will summon the lift, you’ll be ushered to floor 21 where the sexy chaos has you feeling like you are part of a club that seamlessly hosts the 11am brunchers, the power lunchers, the influencers and corporate gurus, right through to the nightcappers.

ABOUT THE MENU

The new-season menu at this clever rooftop continues a play on global favourites by chef Maia Atvars, with grilled Hawke’s Bay lamb chops, garlic toum sauce and minted pea zhoug bringing the flavours of New Zealand’s spring and summer to the fore. The jumbo prawn and octopus salad with white balsamic, grilled baguette and saffron aioli is a highlight, with the seafood cooked seriously well and folded through flavours and textures that could, but do not, overpower. The chef’s nod to the recent return to favour of the Baked Alaska is with white chocolate ice cream, cherry compote and Italian meringue. Specially monogrammed ice makes the drinks feel special and the dirty margaritas are spectacular.

ABOUT THE CHEF

Maia Atvars has a solid notch in his belt having been head chef and the man behind the menu at Viaduct darling Saint Alice, and his time at Depot still shows with a strong focus on all of the wonderful things that form a good raw bar. But it’s the unexpected bling that is lurking beneath the menu that makes his food cool: the smoked butter bearnaise on lightly grilled oysters; the coconut chilli butter on the green-lipped mussels; the cultured cream, mānuka honey and fresh ginger that spikes the fish crudo; the green melon, coconut, cashew and crunchy chilli on crushed cucumbers; and the crayfish dashi butter on his grilled wild kingfish with a side of super-soft onion salad. Maia is not afraid of bold flavours but wields a deft hand in the balance.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The diverse skill sets of Callum O’Brien, Andrew Roborgh, Kristian Lloydd and Reuben Ruscoe along with Maia Atvars as the five partners/owners of Queens Rooftop combine to create an approachable experience that is currently unrivalled and make this exciting, sleek venue one to seek out in Auckland’s fiercely competitive dining scene. Kristian manages the restaurant while Reuben is responsible for the fab cocktails and bar and you’ll see all of the owners at work alongside their team.

OF NOTE

The wine shop offers the perfect opportunity to grab some beauties on the way out.

ADDRESS: Level 21, 1 Te Komititanga Square, Lower Queen Street, Auckland
Check website for opening hours
SHARED PLATES: $16–$145
WEBSITE:  queensrooftop.co.nz