The Lodge Bar & Dining

Chef Matt Lambert, originally from West Auckland, made waves in the culinary world with his Michelin-starred restaurant, The Musket Room in New York City. His return to New Zealand in 2020 was a significant moment for food lovers, and he has wowed us with his exceptional menu at The Lodge Bar in Auckland’s buzzing Commercial Bay. Here Matt serves a thoughtfully curated menu that features everything from the best chef’s snacks in town – such as his meat pie croquette with smoked cheddar or his fish and chips presented as a batter chip with cured snapper, tartare sauce and fresh herbs – to more substantial plates of red deer ragù rigatoni or roasted market fish in a brown butter bisque with kūmara dumplings. The menu highlights the distinct tastes of Aotearoa while presenting dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Matt is the master of extraordinary plating. The Lodge Bar strikes the perfect balance between casual and sophisticated, making it an ideal city-centre spot for any occasion. With a fantastic selection of original cocktails and quality wines, this waterfront gem is not to be missed.