Bodega Eatery is a Spanish and Mediterranean tapas restaurant at 99 Parrs Cross Road in Henderson, on the edge of Henderson and Oratia, backed by open farmland and the Waitākere foothills. Open since 2010, it has been feeding West Auckland for over a decade with share plates, evening paella, and wines suited to long afternoons in the open air.
The food is built around sharing — tapas like croquetas, gambas, chorizo and potato bombas, ordered a few at a time and passed around the table. From 4pm, bigger plates come out, including the Bodega paella with chicken, chorizo and prawns. The restaurant offers both indoor dining and a covered outdoor courtyard that catches the afternoon sun, alongside ample free on-site parking.
Bodega Eatery is dog friendly and family friendly, with a grass field out back for kids to run around and a dedicated kids menu. It also caters to groups, functions and private bookings, and holds a 4.5-star Google rating from 824 reviews.
On Parrs Cross Road in Henderson, right on the edge of Henderson and Oratia, Bodega Eatery has been serving West Auckland Spanish and Mediterranean tapas since 2010. Backed by open farmland and the Waitākere foothills, it's the kind of restaurant people tend to find through word of mouth — a tip from someone who already loves it.
The food at Bodega Eatery is built for sharing. Tapas like croquetas, gambas, chorizo and Potato Bombas — mashed potato balls stuffed with mince and cheese, crumbed and fried — are designed to be ordered a few at a time and passed around the table. Queso de Cabra, crumbed fried goat cheese with pistachio and honey, and Pollo Parilla, marinated grilled chicken skewers with Mojo Rojo sauce, round out the smaller plates. From 4pm, the kitchen brings out bigger dishes, headlined by the Bodega Paella with chicken, chorizo and prawns, alongside a Meatball Linguine made with rosemary and mint lamb meatballs in tomato sauce, an Ensalada Mixta with serrano ham and buffalo mozzarella, and a Pollo Pizza topped with free range chicken, mushroom, parmesan and truffle oil.
Bodega Eatery offers both indoor dining and a covered outdoor courtyard that works year-round, catching the last of the afternoon sun. Rolling paddocks sit right on the doorstep, with kōwhai overhead — a setting that feels a world away from the rest of West Auckland, even though it's right in the heart of it. Ample free on-site parking means there's no circling the block to find a spot.
Bodega Eatery is dog friendly, with a big yard where dogs can play while their owners relax over coffee or a meal — a detail regulars particularly value. Families are equally well catered for, with a kids menu covering a meal and a drink, plus a wide open grass field out back for children to run free while the adults eat. The restaurant also handles groups, functions and private bookings, from birthday dinners to work lunches and anniversaries, with staff noted for accommodating larger private events with attentive service throughout the night.
Bodega Eatery holds a 4.5-star rating from 824 Google reviews, with guests consistently praising the food, service and atmosphere — from tapas nights to brunch with a vineyard-style view. It's become a go-to for locals, whether that's a coffee with the dog, a family lunch with the kids running around outside, or a full evening of shared plates and wine.
Bodega Eatery is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 10pm, and Sunday from 10am to 8pm, closed Monday and Tuesday. Reservations are recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings, and can be made by phone or through the website's booking system.