Ahi. is a one Michelin Star restaurant in the heart of Commercial Bay, Downtown Auckland, delivering a refined New Zealand dining experience with views over the Waitematā Harbour. Led by acclaimed Chef Ben Bayly, Ahi is also recognised in the Cuisine Good Food Guide, and takes its name from the te reo Māori word for "Fire" — symbolising the kitchen's culinary passion and dedication to exceptional Kiwi kai.
Ben Bayly, born and raised in Te Awamutu, spent nearly a decade learning from chefs across France, Italy and the UK before returning to New Zealand to lead Ahi's kitchen, sourcing the finest seasonal produce from the restaurant's own Ahi Kitchen Garden in Patumāhoe, South Auckland. Grown organically in rich red volcanic soil, the garden's produce underpins the restaurant's commitment to regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and sustainably sourced local ingredients.
Ahi's beverage programme is led by Head Sommelier Lucile Fortuna and Group Sommelier Kit Sainsbury-Canham, alongside Beverage Manager Anton Baylon, offering curated wine, craft beer and cocktail experiences that tell the story of New Zealand's producers and growers. Ahi is open for lunch and dinner, every day, with a sister bistro, Origine, also overlooking Auckland's harbour.
In the vibrant heart of Commercial Bay, Downtown Auckland, Ahi. delivers a one Michelin Star New Zealand dining experience, set against stunning views over the Waitematā Harbour. Recognised too in the Cuisine Good Food Guide, Ahi takes its name from the te reo Māori word for "Fire" — a symbol of the kitchen's culinary passion and its dedication to exceptional Kiwi kai.
Ahi's kitchen is led by acclaimed chef Ben Bayly, who was born and raised in Te Awamutu and discovered his love of food early. After close to a decade learning from world-class chefs across France, Italy and the UK, Bayly returned to New Zealand, bringing that expertise home to Ahi. He's known for his dedication to New Zealand's food culture and for nurturing culinary talent within his team, sourcing the finest seasonal produce for every dish on the menu.
Central to Ahi's identity is its own kitchen garden in Patumāhoe, South Auckland, nurtured in rich red volcanic soil. Grown under organic, seasonal practices, the garden's produce brings exceptional freshness to the menu, and reflects the restaurant's broader commitment to regenerative agriculture and permaculture — composting kitchen waste and actively caring for plant health as part of the kitchen's approach to sustainability. Ahi partners with like-minded local suppliers to ensure every ingredient on the menu is sustainably sourced.
Ahi's food is structured across Lunch, Dinner, Vegetarian and Dessert menus, plus a dedicated Groups menu for sharing. Lunch focuses on fresh, seasonal flavours with refined, approachable dishes, while Dinner steps up into an elevated evening experience built on premium ingredients and bold technique. The Vegetarian menu highlights local harvests with real depth and creativity, and Dessert closes the meal with dishes inspired by Kiwi ingredients.
Ahi's beverage programme is led by Head Sommelier Lucile Fortuna, who trained in France and Melbourne before helping lay the foundations for Ahi in Auckland in 2015, alongside Group Sommelier Kit Sainsbury-Canham, raised on Waiheke Island, and Beverage Manager Anton Baylon, Ahi's founding Head Bartender since 2020. Diners can choose from an Aotearoa Pairing showcasing New Zealand's finest wine regions, a World Pairing of international benchmark wines, or a Non-Alcoholic Pairing built from garden-inspired, thoughtfully crafted drinks — each designed as a journey through Aotearoa told through flavour and craft.
Ahi honours the concept of Whakapapa — the Māori understanding of connection and ancestry — reflecting the links between land, people and the food served. Beyond the restaurant, Ahi runs an NZ Food Story project, and operates a sister bistro, Origine, a modern Kiwi eatery with its own harbour views. An Ahi Shop, offering a curated selection of locally made New Zealand products, is also in the works.
Ahi. is open for lunch and dinner, every day, at Level 2, Commercial Bay, 7 Queen Street, in the heart of Downtown Auckland. Bookings can be made online, and gift vouchers are available for those wanting to share the experience.