Ahi Auckland Review: New Zealand Dining at Commercial Bay
Our Ahi Auckland dining experience: scampi corn dogs, local seafood and the harbour setting, with an official link for current menus and reservations.
Planning a visit to Ahi
Checked 8 September 2026: Ahi’s official website lists Level 2, Commercial Bay, 7 Queen Street, Auckland, and lunch and dinner service every day. See Ahi’s official website for the current menu and reservations.
Our original dining experience
Originally published on 27 August 2024. The dishes, photographs and NZ$165 menu price below are from that earlier account; they are not a current quote or evidence of a new visit.
Our first meal in New Zealand was at Ahi, the brainchild of renowned Kiwi chef Ben Bayly and friends.
While I was skeptical as the restaurant was located within a food court, Ahi artfully presents contemporary New Zealand cuisine, set against a stunning harbour view backdrop. The open kitchen, centered around a fire, reflects the restaurant’s name—‘Ahi’ meaning ‘fire’ in te reo Māori—and highlights the focus on indigenous cooking techniques alongside modern influences.
The menu showcases fresh, local produce, including organic vegetables grown at the Ahi Kitchen Garden in South Auckland. It is divided into snacks, starters and mains.
Snacks we tried
🦪TIO
From the Waiheke Island, Te Matuku Oyster adorned with Graden Granita and Morningcider.
🌟Ahi’s SCAMPI CORN DOG
From the Auckland Islands, the scampi corndog is a playful nod to American-style burger sauce. We got this upon the service staff’s recommendation and no regrets! Highly recommend to try this if you’re dining here.
Our starter
🐟HAMANA
From Akaroa Harbour, the vodka-cured Akaroa salmon paired with bloody mary dressing, confit turnips and topped with almond & dill creme fraiche and crispy fermented rye.
Main courses
🌟IKA
From New Zealand, fish of the day served with celeriac pappardelle, scampi velouté, Ora’s Farm mushrooms and sunflower seed
gremolata.
🐑HIPI
From Ranfurly, Provenance Lamb served with brussels sprouts, heart, sheep’s labneh, black garlic and smoked kohlrabi. Meat was tougher than expected.
If you can’t decide, there’s also an “omakase” set menu of four snacks and four courses at NZ$165 per pax.
Ahi promises a refined, yet relaxed dining experience that truly celebrates the essence of New Zealand. I’d say it’s a great place for date nights and a good introduction to New Zealand dining scene with refined, modern New Zealand cuisine.
📍 Ahi | Originally posted on Instagram
More New Zealand experiences
Explore our New Zealand food and travel archive for other stops from our travels.
