I really don’t know why people rave about this place. It is so overpriced for what you get. I had risotto for starter which had way too much salt (I love salt – I think too much salt and the loads of salty butter). My steak for main was full of grissle with chips that looked like they came in a packet from the supermarket and watercress that was half rotten even though there was barely any on the plate – the steak was $36 and it was like something from a pub. The wine by the glass was expensive too. Very disappointed we wasted money and time going there.

Very disappointed; I had been told that the food here was amazing but turned out to be average. Had the French Country Terrine to start which was unremarkable, followed by the Veal Schnitzel which was touch and greasy.

Maybe it’s just their current menu, but I really can’t recommend it and wouldn’t go back.

Wow. From the amuse bouche through to the dessert this was an amazing meal. Certainly one of the best five I’ve had in Auckland in 12 years here. Asked for wine matched with each course and each one was perfect. Yes, it’s expensive but I do think it’s worth it for a really special meal out.

We had a lovely experience at The Engine Room. Our waiter was very attentive, the food was amazing, and all very reasonably priced. The goat cheese souffle was absolutely delicious, although it was very hot when served, but worth the wait, and the asparagus and pea risotto was so fresh and tasty. Our mains of steak frites and snapper were exquisite, and though we really didn’t have room for dessert we still ordered the churros which tasted amazing. Also, the cocktails were perfect, and I highly recommend the virgin cocktails if you’re driving! We will be back for seconds!

This place is definitely in my top five fave restaurants. Always fantastic food, great service and I love their wine list. On our visit recently our meals were so delicious that we decided that we definitely need to visit more often especially since its right on our doorstep. Make sure you leave room for dessert, the churros with dipping sauce are phenomenal as was the cheesecake with grilled tamarillos. Love this place

We have eaten here twice in the last few weeks and had a wonderful meal both times. The Engine Room has a lovely atmosphere, very professional and friendly staff and delicious food. The steak frites was very tasty and so were the profiteroles.

We felt like we had wandered into a little bistro in Paris on a rainy night and both times had the perfect date night with dinner here followed by a movie at the Bridgeway over the road.

Very highly recommended.

Starters- Very tasty Curry/chilly clams (that were not clams)
Main- Veal was oil saturated and rosti was soft, half of the fillet had to be left due to sin-ew and the chips were Mc cains thin and crispy I believe . Cocktails were good but ingredients changed as the night went on.
Very expensive for a very average and cheap meal.

Had a family dinner at the Engine Room last week and had a very nice time. The food was tasty, although the amuse bouche a deep fried stuffed olive) was a little odd and not to all our tastes. The place was very popular and had a cosy ambience. The staff were attentive and the service good. None of the meals was particularly spectacular, but all were eaten with gusto and did the trick on a cold winter night. The menu written on a board is unusual in a restaurant of this calibre and we all felt that proper menus would be easier to read and digest,especially for those wishing to avoid a crick in the neck or who had left their glasses at home.

went about 2 months ago, was fantastic and reputation is well deserved. Prawn salad for entree was a highlight, mains & dessert both with lots of flavour and well portioned.
Service little over attentive, but overall a great night and would return

Heared mix reviews about this place so thought we would give it a go ourselves.
Food was lovely. Would definitely recommend the goat’s cheese souffle and pork belly. Did not venture into the dessert menu, but the chocolate truffles were a great finishing point.
Service was attentive and worth a bit extra on the bill.
If your interested go in the early evening and sit at the table in the corner before it fills up!

Very disappointing. The food was awful and pricey. This place is over-rated and there are far better places in Auckland. I have no idea why people would rave about it.

Recently visited the Engine Room in Northcote which has remained both popular by Aucklanders and loved by locals for many years.

The Engine room sits in what was once an Engineering building, retaining much of the building character on the outside it becomes a comfortable restaurant on the inside. Tables huddled together make for a buzzy almost Italian atmosphere.

Now to the best bit – the food is all things you like to eat, nothing weird with flavour and season clearly of the highest importance.

Last week we enjoyed the goats cheese souffle, and pork belly all lovingly done and complimented by a one page wine list filled with many of New Zealands more popular names and at prices that mean a second glass is not a stretch.

Highly recommended!

We went to the Engine Room for the second time last Tuesday night. The service was outstanding, our waitress was so patient with me as I quizzed her on the wine list, even providing tasters to help me select the right wine.

Cloudy Bay oysters were the entree special and were so good my husband ordered another half dozen after polishing off the first lot. I had the goat cheese souffle which was sublime, if a little bit hot when first served.

The flavours in my John Dory main were a refreshing change with the mint being a very nice addition.

I don’t have a sweet tooth and found both the cocktails and the dessert a bit sweet for me. (We tried the churros which everybody raves about). When we return I will stick to the extensive wine list and have the cheese board to finish.

The tables are very close together so you do tend to get friendly with neighboring diners which was fine with us, but if you are looking for a discreet dining experience try Clooney!

Definitely one the best restaurants on the Shore – a jewel in an otherwise sea of bland that is the Shore. I have dined here twice and both times the meals have been beautiful and the service outstanding. The atmosphere is wonderful. Highly recommended.

The food was fantastic. Great flavours and very fresh and original. Good portion sizes.

The service was really good and atmosphere was vibrant.

Highly recommended.

I thought the restaurant was great. We had great pumpkin soup starters, delicious mains and yummy dessert. They even brought us goat cheese pastries after our soup complimentary of the chef..
Will definately be going back.

I ate there a while ago (probably 18 months ago) and thought it was delicious. I had a pomegranate and rare beef starter which was fantastic, and I think I had a fish main, which was also great. From memory it is a reasonably casual place in terms of decor and a little cramped where we were. You won’t be miles away from other diners. But the food more than made up for that in my opinion.