The Good Home Birkenhead

bar — Birkenhead · Auckland

About The Good Home Birkenhead

Originally known as the Slipp Inn and situated in Birkenhead Village, The Good Home Birkenhead is a welcoming gastro pub set in Highbury. Designed around a 'home away from home' concept, the venue features thoughtfully separated interior spaces tailored for any gathering, including an airy living area, an intimate dining room, a cosy sports den, and a relaxed lounge.

The kitchen turns out honest, modern homestyle cooking alongside a wide beverage selection that includes over eleven beers on tap, premium New Zealand wines, cocktails, and jam jar drinks. Whether stopping by for a leisurely lunch, after-work drinks, a family dinner, or catching the big game on screen, The Good Home provides a relaxed community atmosphere across all seasons.

The Good Home Birkenhead: Highbury's Cosy Local Gastro Pub

Perched on Birkenhead Avenue in the heart of Highbury, The Good Home Birkenhead holds a familiar place in the local landscape. Originally known to locals as the Slipp Inn, the venue has been thoughtfully re-imagined as a modern gastro pub designed around a simple, inviting premise: providing a genuine home away from home for the surrounding North Shore community.

Stepping inside reveals an expansive layout divided into distinct, purpose-designed zones. Rather than a single open hall, the pub features multiple interior settings that cater to different moods and occasions. Guests can gather in the airy living area for a casual catch-up, settle into the more intimate dining room for dinner, head into the cosy sports den to catch a live match, or kick back in the relaxed lounge spaces.

Honest Homestyle Cooking and Pub Staples

The kitchen focuses on modern homestyle dining, offering a menu packed with hearty pub staples, sharing plates, and satisfying mains. Starters include buttermilk fried chicken thighs served with Japanese mayo, pink-pepper dusted calamari, and local green-lipped mussels swimming in a fragrant chilli coconut sauce.

For main meals, diners will find trusted gastro pub classics done properly. Options range from golden beer-battered fish of the day with fries and zesty lemon mayo to generous chicken schnitzels accompanied by crisp apple slaw. Meat lovers can order classic baby back pork ribs, slow-cooked lamb shank over creamy mashed potatoes, or flame-grilled rump and scotch fillet steaks with house-made sauces such as peppercorn gravy, garlic butter, and creamy mushroom. Those after lighter bites or casual dining can choose from soft shell tacos, loaded brioche burgers like the Beefy One, and share platters loaded with wings, wedges, and ribs.

Eleven Taps, Craft Brews, and Classic Cocktails

A proper gastro pub needs an equally solid beverage lineup, and The Good Home Birkenhead delivers across beer, wine, and mixed drinks. The bar pours over eleven beers on tap, spanning Kiwi draught staples like Lion Red and Speight's Gold Medal Ale through to craft favourites from Panhead and Emerson's, crisp lagers, and ciders.

Wine drinkers have access to a curated list of New Zealand bottles from Marlborough, Gisborne, and Central Otago, featuring refreshing Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays, and Pinot Noirs alongside sparkling selections and rosé. The cocktail list blends familiar favourites with signature twists, including salted caramel espresso martinis, festive margaritas, spritzes, and colourful fruity jam jar drinks, alongside low-carb beers and zero-alcohol options.

Daily Specials and Neighbourhood Gatherings

Beyond the core menu, The Good Home keeps the week engaging with regular weekday food specials. Highlights throughout the week include all-day schnitzel on Mondays, two-for-one menu deals on Tuesday evenings, bourbon BBQ ribs on Wednesdays, steak deals on Thursdays, wing specials on Friday afternoons, and a traditional Sunday roast complete with all the trimmings.

Combined with dedicated kids' dining options and private function capabilities, The Good Home Birkenhead stands out as a dependable neighbourhood anchor where families, sports fans, and friends can reliably unwind together.

Signature items

  • Green Lipped Mussels
  • Baby Back Pork Ribs
  • Good Home Fried Chicken
  • The Good On Ya Mate Platter
  • Smoked Chicken Fettuccine
  • Pickled Bloody Mary

Menu

Tacos

  • Spicy Chilli Prawn Tacos — Two soft shell tacos served with slaw & salsa
  • Fried Chicken Tacos — Two soft shell tacos served with slaw & salsa
  • Fish Tacos — Two soft shell tacos served with slaw & lemon mayo
  • Falafel Tacos — Two soft shell tacos served with sweet chilli, salad & sour cream

Steaks

  • Rump Steak — 250g cut served with fries or roast potatoes, salad or seasonal vegetables, and choice of sauce
  • Scotch Fillet — 200g cut served with fries or roast potatoes, salad or seasonal vegetables, and choice of sauce

Burgers

  • Beefy One — 200g beef patty, cheddar, tomato chutney, lettuce, with aioli on a brioche bun
  • Chicky Babe — Fried chicken thigh, house slaw, cheese, Japanese mayo on a brioche bun

Entrees

  • Calamari — Lightly dusted in pink pepper with lemon mayo
  • Mushroom Arancini — Mix mushroom, parmesan with truffle mayo
  • Good Home Fried Chicken — Buttermilk fried thigh served with lemon and Japanese mayo
  • Garlic Chilli Prawns — Tossed in rich garlic & herb butter served with garlic bread
  • Green Lipped Mussels — Served in chilli coconut sauce with garlic bread
  • Chicken Wings — Choice of buffalo, bbq, teriyaki, or lemon pepper

Staples

  • Fish & Chips — Battered fish of the day with fries, garden salad & zesty lemon mayo
  • Chicken Schnitzel — Crumbed and served with apple slaw, fries, and lemon
  • Grilled Halloumi Salad — Red onion, mesclun, cucumber, tomato with honey mustard vinaigrette
  • Baby Back Pork Ribs — Served with fries & house slaw
  • Smoked Chicken Fettuccine — Served in a creamy white wine sauce
  • Garlic Prawn Fettuccine — Served in a creamy white wine sauce
  • Lamb Shank — Served with mashed potato & mushroom
  • Chicken Katsu — Served with steamed rice, asian slaw, edamame, kewpie mayo, and katsu sauce

To Share

  • The Good On Ya Mate Plate/Platter — BBQ ribs, chicken wings, fried chicken & wedges

Kids Menu

  • Cheeseburger & Chips — Beef patty, cheddar cheese with sauce & fries
  • Chicken 'n Chips — Served with fries
  • Fish & Chips — Battered fish & fries
  • Kids Pasta — Fettuccine in a creamy sauce
  • Kids Ice Cream Sundae — Vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce & sprinkles
  • Mini Choc Brownie — Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Bar Snacks

  • Fries — Served with homemade aioli
  • Parmesan Truffle Fries — Served with homemade aioli
  • Garlic Bread — Toasted garlic ciabatta, with optional cheese
  • Chilli Beef Nachos — Served with sour cream, homemade salsa & sweet chilli drizzle
  • Potato Wedges — Loaded with cheese, sweet chilli & sour cream, optional bacon
  • Seafood Basket — Battered fish bites, popcorn shrimp, fries & lemon mayo

Sides & Sauces

  • Mash Potato — Housemade & creamy
  • Roasted Potatoes — Garnished in sea salt
  • Garden Salad — Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion with vinaigrette dressing
  • House Sauces — Creamy mushroom, peppercorn gravy, red wine jus, or garlic butter
  • Extra Condiments — Homemade aioli, bbq sauce, Japanese mayo, lemon mayo, or buffalo sauce

Something Sweet

  • Homemade Chocolate Brownie — Served with ice cream
  • Apple & Rhubarb Crumble — Served with ice cream
  • Ice Cream Sundae — An old classic served with a Cadbury flake

Cocktails & Spritz

  • Salted Caramel Espresso Martini — The classic with a sweet twist
  • Classic Margarita — Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice served with a salted rim
  • Iced Tea from a Longish Island — Vodka, white rum, gin, tequila, Cointreau, lemon juice shaken over ice with a splash of coke
  • Amarowdy — Amaretto, peach liqueur, lime, cranberry
  • Paloma — Tequila, grapefruit, soda with fresh lime
  • Midnight in Paris — Vodka, Chambord, pineapple
  • Purple Gin — Scapegrace gin, lemon, elderflower
  • Pickled Bloody Mary — Smirnoff vodka, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, pickled moonshine garnished with a sweet & sour pickle
  • Hugo Spritz — Elderflower & prosecco with a slice of fresh lime
  • Aperol Spritz — Aperol and prosecco garnished with a slice of orange
  • Indian Summer Jam Jar — Passionfruit vodka, cranberry juice, mango juice with a splash of soda
  • Strawberry Lemonade Jam Jar — Vodka, strawberry, lemon juice topped with lemonade
  • Coconut & Pineapple Jam Jar — Coconut rum, pineapple juice topped with soda
  • Spiced Rum Punch Jam Jar — Spiced rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine
  • Watermelon Sugar Jam Jar — Vodka, watermelon mixer, soda, sugar syrup

Mocktails & Non-Alcoholic

  • Indian Spring — Cranberry juice & mango with a splash of soda
  • Virgin Strawberry Lemonade — Strawberry and lemon juice topped with lemonade

Frequently asked questions

What beers are available on tap?
The bar features over 11 beers on tap, ranging from Kiwi classics like Lion Red and Speight's Gold Medal Ale to craft options like Panhead Supercharger APA, Panhead Pick Up Hazy, and Emerson's Pilsner.
Does The Good Home Birkenhead have daily food specials?
Yes, regular specials include Monday Chicken Snitz all day, Tuesday 2-for-1 from 5pm to 8pm, Wednesday Ribs all day, Thursday Rump Steak all day, Friday afternoon Wingz from 4pm to 6pm, and a traditional Sunday Roast from 2pm to 7:30pm.
Can I watch sports matches here?
Yes, the venue features a dedicated cosy sports den designed specifically for enjoying live sports games with friends over a cold pint.
Is there a children's menu available?
Yes, there is a dedicated kids' menu for children 12 years and under featuring cheeseburgers, chicken and chips, battered fish and chips, pasta, and desserts like sundaes and brownies.
Does the pub have a loyalty program?
Yes, visitors can join the Uplista loyalty program to earn 10% back on their purchases.
Can I host a private function or event?
Yes, The Good Home Birkenhead offers spaces for private functions and group gatherings across its various room layouts.

Tips

  • {"body":"Sign up for the Uplista loyalty club through their website to earn 10% back on your visits.","title":"Claim Loyalty Rewards"}
  • {"body":"The venue is split into multiple distinct zones; choose the sports den for matches, the dining room for a meal, or the living area and lounge to socialise.","title":"Pick the Right Room"}
  • {"body":"Check the daily special before going, from Monday schnitzels and Wednesday ribs to the Sunday roast served from 2pm.","title":"Time Your Visit for Specials"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"Dedicated children's menu available for kids aged 12 and under.","dietary":"Gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian choices are available; inform staff when ordering."}