Culprit

Culprit is where nostalgia meets innovation with chef-owner Kyle Street serving up playful New Zealand cuisine layered with bold global influences. Known for his ever-changing menus and imaginative approach to flavour, Kyle has created one of Auckland's most entertaining dining experiences, where creativity extends far beyond the plate. The bi-monthly chef's choice menu celebrates local producers and seasonal ingredients, reimagining familiar Kiwi flavours through inventive techniques and a healthy dose of personality. You might start with the curried Royalburn lamb sausage rolls served with eggplant kasundi and smoked yoghurt, before finishing with the irresistible Whittaker's chocolate mousse with quince, Ximénez jelly and cornflake crunch. The experience is brought to life with a lively atmosphere, kitchen-to-table trolley service and a soundtrack that's almost as carefully curated as the menu itself. An equally thoughtful wine list champions small producers, artisan winemakers and character-filled bottles that evolve alongside the food, making every visit feel fresh and full of surprises. Fun, fearless and unmistakably Kiwi, Culprit continues to push boundaries while delivering food that's as comforting as it is clever.