Cooke's Restaurant & Bar

About Cooke's Restaurant & Bar

Occupying the historic Windsor House, built in 1928 and now home to Fable Auckland, Cooke's Restaurant & Bar pays homage to the legendary eatery and soda parlour that originally graced the site. The dining room blends restored art deco glamour with polished velvet seating and an intimate bar lounge, creating an inviting retreat just steps away from the vibrancy of Queen Street.

In the kitchen, modern New Zealand dining takes center stage with a strong emphasis on seasonal, natural, free-range, and organic ingredients sourced directly from regional growers, artisans, and nearby coastal waters. The menus transition gracefully from wholesome breakfasts and weekday executive lunches to evening dinners, small plates, and elegant High Tea services.

Beyond dining, Cooke's celebrates beverage craftsmanship with hand-crafted cocktails, organic local wines, craft beers, and bespoke tableside presentations like their signature cocktail trolley experience. It serves as both an upscale dining destination and an intimate spot to unwind in refined surroundings.

Cooke's Restaurant & Bar: Timeless Art Deco Glamour in Central Auckland

Stepping through the entrance of Cooke's Restaurant & Bar feels like entering a gilded era of dining. Situated inside the heritage Windsor House on Queen Street—constructed in 1928 and now home to boutique hotel Fable Auckland—the restaurant honors the historic establishment that originally stood here. Drawing on an illustrious heritage once known for soda fountains and refined tea rooms, Cooke's has evolved into one of Auckland central's most sophisticated culinary destinations.

The dining room effortlessly marries vintage grandeur with contemporary flair. Polished brass details, geometric patterns, and rich velvet lounge seating create an art deco haven that feels miles away from the bustling city outside. Whether settling into a quiet banquet booth for a leisurely breakfast or stopping by the bar for pre-dinner refreshments, the atmosphere balances decadence with genuine Kiwi warmth.

Thoughtful, Regionally Sourced Dining

At the core of the kitchen's culinary philosophy is an unwavering focus on seasonal, organic produce and regional integrity. Rather than leaning on imported novelties, the culinary team highlights New Zealand's rich terroir. Ingredients like Mt. Cook alpine salmon, Clevedon oysters, Canterbury lamb, and native kumara feature prominently across breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus.

Daytime begins with crafted breakfast plates, spanning wholesome grain bowls to decadent golden waffles crowned with smoked Canterbury bacon and cold fruit compote. Come midday and evening, diners can enjoy multi-course menus showcasing standout creations like pan-seared NZ King scallops with brown butter crumb, tender free-range chicken supreme, and delicate vegetable tians baked with roasted local produce.

Tableside Theatre and Curated Libations

Cooke's bar programme mirrors the kitchen's devotion to quality. Guests can browse a thoughtfully assembled beverage list featuring organic New Zealand wines, craft beers, and top-shelf spirits. A signature touch is the dedicated cocktail trolley experience, where mixologists prepare bespoke concoctions directly tableside. Their signature drink, *The Queen of Spirits*, blends black pepper-infused Bulldog gin with green chilies, peach schnapps, and a hint of popcorn, delivering theatrical mixology right before your eyes.

From casual afternoon tapas and signature High Tea services to refined three-course dinners, Cooke's Restaurant & Bar offers a polished, historical dining experience that pays homage to Auckland's past while innovating for modern palates.

Signature items

• NZ King Scallops
• Canterbury Lamb Rump
• Cured Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon
• Tomato Mosaic
• Grand Waffle
• The Queen of Spirits

Menu

Sides

• Kumara Fries — Crispy kumara fries served with aioli
• French Fries — Classic french fries served with aioli
• Seasonal Roasted Vegetables — Oven-roasted seasonal vegetables with truffle oil and fresh herbs
• Roasted Pearl Potatoes — Roasted pearl potatoes with crème fraiche and Grana Padano

Desserts

• Seasonal Fruit Terrine — Layers of fresh seasonal fruits, agar jelly, micro herbs, fruit coulis
• Spiced Pear Tarte Tatin — Caramelised pear tart served with Calvados caramel and vanilla crème fraiche

Breakfast Mains

• Cookes Signature Big Breakfast — Free-range eggs your way, smoked Canterbury bacon, sausages, roasted winter kumara and potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, leek, tomato, baked beans, sourdough
• Eggs Benedict Royale — Poached eggs, smoked salmon, English muffin, hollandaise and chive oil
• Classic Free-Range Eggs Your Way — Poached, scrambled, or fried eggs served with sourdough toast and roasted winter tomatoes
• Shakshuka – Winter Style — Baked eggs in spiced tomato and bell pepper sauce, crumbled feta, toasted sourdough
• Smoked Canterbury Bacon & Winter Hash — Potato and kumara hash, caramelised onions, poached eggs, herb oil
• Free-Range Chicken & Wild Mushroom Omelette — Wild mushrooms, Gruyère cheese, sautéed spinach, optional truffle oil
• Warm Winter Porridge Bowl — Steel-cut oats, spiced poached pear, toasted almonds, maple yogurt
• Winter Fruit Bowl — Seasonal fruits served with coconut yogurt, maple syrup, toasted seeds
• Avocado on Sourdough — Poached eggs, pumpkin seeds, charred baby leek and lemon dressing
• Grand Waffle — Crispy golden waffle, smoked Canterbury bacon, vanilla mascarpone, berries, cold fruit compote, maple syrup, honeycomb

All Day Dining - Mains

• Savanna Eye Fillet (200g) — Celeriac purée, pommes fondantes, glazed shallots, red wine jus
• Canterbury Lamb Rump — Smoked kumara, charred broccolini, roasted baby carrots, red wine jus, black garlic
• Free-Range Chicken Supreme — Breast roasted in brown butter, broccolini, smoked kumara purée, charred baby leek, natural chicken jus
• Wild Mushroom & Aged Comté Risotto — Mushroom reduction, crispy shallots, aged Comté
• Vegetable Tian — Roasted seasonal vegetables, confit cherry tomatoes, caramelised shallots, zucchini, butternut potato, aubergine, almond butter sauce
• Puttanesca — San Marzano tomatoes, black olives, capers, garlic, chilli flakes, anchovies
• Market Fish of the Day — Cauliflower cream, charred leek, champagne beurre blanc, salmon roe

All Day Dining - Salads

• Roasted Pumpkin & Lentil Salad — Tender roasted pumpkin, spiced lentils, toasted seeds, fragrant herb dressing
• Caesar Salad — Crisp cos lettuce, poached egg, lardons, croutons, anchovies, Grana Padano
• Charred Broccoli & Chickpea Salad — Charred broccoli, roasted chickpeas, baby spinach, shaved fennel, lemon-tahini dressing

Breakfast Drinks & Sides

• Green Morning Smoothie — Spinach, kale, apple, pear, chia seeds, coconut water
• Smoked Canterbury Bacon — Side of smoked bacon
• Free-Range Sausages — Side of breakfast sausages
• Roasted Winter Kumara & Potatoes — Oven-roasted kumara and potatoes
• Sautéed Mushrooms — Fresh sautéed mushrooms
• Baked Beans — Warm baked beans
• Avocado Half — Fresh sliced avocado half
• Sourdough Toast — Two slices of toasted sourdough

All Day Dining - Starters

• Tomato Mosaic — Roasted tomatoes, slow-roasted cherry pearls, compressed tomato jelly, basil, burrata, parmesan crisp, pine nuts
• Cured Mt. Cook Alpine Salmon — Delicate cured salmon, beetroot textures, horseradish snow, dill oil, micro herbs
• Duck & Foie Gras Terrine — Spiced fig compote, brioche, Sauternes gel
• Buttermilk Fried Chicken — Free-range fried chicken served with smoked paprika aioli and micro greens
• Clevedon Oysters — Fresh oysters served with shallot mignonette and lemon
• NZ King Scallops — Caramelised cauliflower, brown butter crumb, golden raisin purée, lumpfish caviar
• Soup of the Day — Freshly prepared seasonal soup served with toasted artisan bread

Frequently asked questions

Where is Cooke's Restaurant & Bar located?

Cooke's is located on the ground level of Fable Auckland inside Windsor House at 58-60 Queen Street, Auckland Central.

What dining services and hours are offered?

Breakfast is served weekdays from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM and weekends from 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Lunch begins from 12:00 PM, small plates are served from 2:00 PM, and dinner runs from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM.

What dietary options are available on the menu?

The menus clearly indicate options for Vegetarian (V), Vegan (VG), Dairy-Free (DF), and No Gluten Added (NGA). Guests can notify staff of any specific allergies.

Does Cooke's offer High Tea and special events?

Yes, Cooke's offers a signature High Tea service, function hosting, and seasonal celebration menus such as Christmas dining and New Year's Eve events.

What is the tableside cocktail trolley experience?

Cooke's features a dedicated cocktail trolley where expert mixologists craft signature drinks such as The Queen of Spirits directly tableside.

Is there a Happy Hour?

Yes, Happy Hour is offered Monday through Sunday from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the bar and lounge.

Tips

• {"body":"Order a signature cocktail from the roving cocktail trolley to watch your drink crafted right by your table.","title":"Experience Tableside Mixology"}
• {"body":"If you are looking for early evening drinks and bites, Cooke's hosts a daily Happy Hour from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.","title":"Drop In for Happy Hour"}
• {"body":"Take a moment to admire the 1928 Windsor House architecture, art deco furnishings, and velvet seating.","title":"Explore the Heritage Decor"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Extensive vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and no-gluten-added options clearly noted across all menus."}