Taking no table reservations, Depot is a casual dining destination that offers sensational flavours, evident from their list of awards such as ‘Restaurant of the Year 2012’ and ‘Restaurant Personality of the Year 2013’. The restaurant is run by celebrated chef Al Brown and its culinary philosophy is described as ‘in season, beautifully cooked, to be enjoyed with friends’. The kitchen boasts of preparing most of its meals over charcoal or hardwood, serving dishes such as wood roasted fergus’ bone marrow with parsley and shallot salad, and the restaurant’s oysters and clams are widely praised.

This is our take on an old-school NYC delicatessen… Depot ~ Depot is a fast paced and fresh eatery and oyster bar by award winning New Zealand chef, writer and TV presenter Al Brown.Orbit 360° Dining ~ Situated at the top of the Sky Tower, the dining room rotates once every hour, providing a truly unique experience and amazing 360° views of Auckland City. Fortuna ~ Eat like a king - buffet style. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, there's something delicious on the menu for everyone seven days a week, at Auckland's best-value buffet restaurant.

Auckland’s obsession with Al Brown’s Depot can be measured both by the energy in the always-packed dining room and by the number of oysters shucked there each week – up to 1600. Seven years in, this SkyCity stalwart is still one of our favourites, thanks in no small way to the unflappable servers whose ability to charm even when the place is full is a testament to their excellent training. We’re also seduced by the menu, which seldom changes – hapuku sliders, pork hock and sugar pie are still the mainstays – but always satisfies.

Given its proximity to the Sky Tower and several nearby hotels, it should come as no surprise that Depot is commonly frequented by tourists and diners visiting Auckland. With plentiful high tables, bar seating and a blanket ‘no’ on reservations, it’s the perfect place for those eating alone to squeeze in and watch the world (and its tourists) go by. Although the menu is designed to share, everything is still equally delicious when consumed by one - especially when paired with a glass of vino from the carefully curated wine list.

Other places where you can shuck away an afternoon: Oyster&Chop, where 10 different varieties of fresh oysters can be paired with a wine recommended by Cameron Douglas, New Zealand’s first and only Master Sommelier; Rockefeller Champagne and Oyster Bar, where more than 45 Champagnes can be enjoyed with traditional kiwi-fried oysters; Depot Oyster Bar and Eatery, where celebrity chef Al Brown is in charge of the kitchen; Euro Bar & Restaurant on the city’s waterfront; and Soul Bar in Viaduct Harbour, considered a local classic.

It’s difficult to define New Zealand cuisine, but chef Al Brown has made the best effort at doing so, roaming the country’s North and South islands for artisanal, unique-to-here ingredients and assigning them starring roles on the menu at Depot. That’s why you’ll see the provenance of many ingredients listed, like a culinary map of the country. Start with freshly shucked oysters and proceed to charcuterie, lamb ribs, potato skins, a side of kahawai and wine by the carafe, rather than the glass.

The laidback Engine Room (00 64 9480 9502, engineroom.net.nz) serves award-winning rustic cooking in an old post office, while The Depot Eatery (00 64 9363 7048, eatatdepot.co.nz) majors on prime local produce cooked over charcoal or wood. The Hip Asian title is hard-fought hereabouts. Elevated Vietnamese street food at Café Hanoi (00 64 9302 3478, cafehanoi.co.nz) vies for top spot with the tasting menus at beautifully minimalist Cocoro (00 64 9360 0927, cocoro.co.nz).

In the city, proceed directly to recent Wellington escapee and celebrity chef-and-restaurateur Al Brown’s Depot Eatery and Oyster Bar (86 Federal St, Auckland, eatatdepot.co.nz). His latest venture is a bustling, casual, ultra-hospitable joint that combines a fantastic raw seafood bar, woodfired oven specials and must-order sliders. There’s a selection of three classy NZ wines on tap, including an organic pinot noir from Central Otago by Duncan Forsyth – we kid you not.

Boisterous, welcoming and completely natural: these are most definitely the characteristics we have come to associate with the infallible Al Brown — and his Federal Street eatery, Depot. With a menu that is easy to navigate thanks to a select number of dishes, but packed with variety and flavour, it is a safe bet to close your eyes, point a finger and take what comes. Depot has the completely comfortable vibe of being at a dear friend’s house for dinner.

Al Brown’s infamous restaurant, Depot, is renowned for switching up its food offering on the regular, depending on the season. But regardless of other changes, the fish sliders is one dish that has remained constant — and there’s a good reason. They are a staple to not only the restaurant but to the Auckland dining scene, and once you take a bite into the perfectly-buttered, pillowy-soft buns and tender fish, you will never look back.

A quick internet search for this fine Al Brown establishment shows pictures and pictures of just what you’re looking for – oysters!. If that wasn’t enough to entice you, then the quality of their seasonal menu should. Al Brown has a knack for creating some of the most beloved eateries in Auckland, and it would be amiss to ignore his influence on the culinary scene as a whole.

Another celebrity chef-owned restaurant, Depot, is situated on Federal Street right next to the Sky Tower and is owned and run by New Zealand Masterchef, Al Brown. Depot is a place with a lively atmosphere stemming from the energetic kitchen and its own popularity. They have a no reservations policy so it can be tricky to get a table but if you do, it will be worth the wait.

From 8 am to 11 am daily, Depot Eatery welcomes you to explore their enticing breakfast offerings, each more tempting than the last. Helmed by the culinary maestro himself, Chef Al Brown, the mastermind behind Depot Eatery's delectable creations, their menu caters to all tastes. Our Breakfast pick: Bacon & Egg Doona with rocket-fuel sauce

Depot is a lively, industrial-chic restaurant by TV chef Al Brown. The restaurant features an oyster bar, where you can sample oysters from Waiheke Island, the Coromandel, or Kerikeri in Northland. Each location offers oysters with slightly different finishes — see if you can tell the difference between a sweet, creamy, or briny finish.

Here’s the list of the available restaurants (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) – Andy’s Burger’s and Bar, MASU by Nic Watt, Huami, The Grill by Sean Connolly, The Sugar Club, Gusto at the Grand, Jade Dragon, Depot, Federal Delicatessen, Sky Cafe, Fortuna Buffet, Bellota by Peter Gordon, Spice Alley, Sammy’s Lounge and Orbit 360 Dining.

Depot is a casual eatery that's known for its exceptional seafood. The restaurant's menu features fresh oysters, fish, and shellfish, as well as classic New Zealand dishes like lamb ribs and meat pies. The restaurant's atmosphere is relaxed and casual, making it a great spot for a casual lunch or dinner.

Located in Federal Street, Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar is renowned for its exceptional seafood offerings. Enjoy freshly shucked oysters, succulent clams, and a wide selection of mouthwatering dishes. Their shared platters are perfect for a group lunch, making this spot an ideal choice for gatherings.

Depot is the first restaurant opened by celebrity TV chef Al Brown in Auckland in 2011, and is rated one of the 50 best restaurants in Auckland in 2019. It is the no.1 restaurant as rated on Yelp, right near the Sky Tower. Fresh oysters are the main dish here, with the demand greater than supply.

Celebrity Chef Al Brown of New Zealand presents Depot to Sky City diners. Most of the fare here is cooked over hardwood and charcoal to bring out its natural goodness and flavors. Order up several small plates and pass them around to make a festive meal of any occasion or no occasion at all.

Down the road from Masu is Depot: a laidback eatery with a focus on New Zealand caught oysters. Slurp back salty mollusks or tuck into a plate of their famous ‘Skirt steak’ in a hip and cozy setting. Note that they don’t take reservations here, but their tables tend to turn over quickly.

The menu changes based on what’s in season, and the atmosphere is so laid back you’ll be surprised at just how high-class the food is. Depot Eatery is definitely a place to go with friends and share – although if you do go alone, you’ll be happy to have all the plates to yourself.

Enjoy fresh, flavour-packed oysters, sliders and shared plates at Depot, comfort food classics with a twist at Federal Delicatessen, or take things up a notch at Masu by Nic Watt with its contemporary take on traditional Japanese robata style dining.

I wanted to share an amazing experience I had recently at Depot. I’d forgotten my glasses and was struggling to read the menu when a helpful waitress appeared at my side carrying two pairs of glasses she’d found in lost property!

Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar: Located in the heart of Auckland, Depot is known for its fresh oysters and innovative menu. Enjoy a selection of oysters from around New Zealand, served with various toppings and accompaniments;

Another one of the many Auckland restaurants I didn’t get to check out. However, Depot seems like the kind of place you want to visit with friends, as their charcuterie board looks very impressive.

I spend a lot of time in Auckland and the spot I always hit is Depot. It’s for the oysters, the sliders and the bone marrow. A bunch of small plates that adds up to something substantial.

When chef Maria Schosser emerges from the kitchen at Depot to meet me in the midst of a humming lunch service, she immediately offers me something to eat.

Location: 86 Federal St., Auckland, 1010, New Zealand Hours:. Phone: +64 021 954 132. Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar is a must-visit for food connoisseurs.

Stop by at Depot, located on Auckland’s Federal Street, for a bite of fresh, seasonal food served in a fun and friendly atmosphere................

Other notable places to grab this fabulous combo are Depot, The Oyster Inn, Ostro or check out Where To Find Auckland's Best Oysters.

Small plates of food to share, oysters shucked to order, and much of the produce cooked over charcoal or hard wood.