Where is Lillius located?

Lillius is located at 19 Khyber Pass Road in Grafton, Auckland.

Do I need to make a reservation before visiting?

Reservations are recommended and can be made through their website or by calling 09 217 4069.

Does Lillius offer tasting menus?

Yes, Lillius offers both a 5-course set menu and an 8-course set menu curated by the kitchen, alongside an à la carte menu.

Can guests order both à la carte and set menus at the same table?

No, Lillius asks that the entire table decide together on either the à la carte menu or a set menu.

Does Lillius permit BYO wine?

BYO wine is available exclusively on Sundays, with corkage charged per 750ml bottle and a standard limit of two bottles per booking.

Can Lillius cater to food allergies?

Yes, guests should advise the team of any allergies in advance so suitable dishes can be prepared; some requirements may incur an additional charge.

Can the restaurant host private events?

Yes, the venue accommodates seated functions for up to 32 to 42 guests, or standing canapé functions for 40 to 60 guests.

Lillius Restaurant

Name: Lillius Restaurant
Address: 19 Khyber Pass Rd, Grafton, Auckland 1023, Grafton, Auckland, NZ
Telephone: 09 217 4069
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.8

restaurant — Grafton · Auckland

About Lillius Restaurant

Lillius is an intimate, owner-operated fine dining restaurant founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife chef team Fraser and Shannon McCarthy. Situated at the top of Khyber Pass Road, the dining room blends warm, unpretentious hospitality with meticulous culinary artistry. Fraser leads the kitchen in crafting inventive, produce-driven dishes shaped by strong relationships with local growers and purveyors across New Zealand.

Front-of-house operations are overseen by Benjamin Walls, offering welcoming and attentive service in a relaxed, elegant dining room that features custom-designed interiors and comfortable round booths. Guests can dine a la carte or experience multi-course tasting menus, with special Sunday offerings including BYO wine service. Lillius holds Two Hats in the Cuisine Good Food Awards and was recognized as Metro's Best Fine Dining Restaurant in 2022.

Lillius: Elevated Seasonal Dining and Warm Kiwi Hospitality in Grafton

Founded in 2017 by chefs Fraser and Shannon McCarthy, Lillius has earned a revered position in Auckland’s dining scene. Driven by a shared devotion to New Zealand’s seasonal bounty and culinary craftsmanship, the pair established an intimate, owner-operated venue that balances high-end gastronomy with unpretentious warmth. Both trained in top New Zealand establishments and spent years refining their craft as private chefs in France before returning home to design a dining experience entirely their own.

Named after a meaningful family connection, Lillius focuses closely on local provenance. The small kitchen team works directly with trusted independent growers and fishermen, allowing menus to shift frequently based on peak availability and seasonal freshness. The resulting dishes combine familiar New Zealand elements with unexpected pairings, spotlighting rare native ingredients and modern culinary techniques.

The Dining Experience and Menus

Dining at Lillius revolves around flexibility, discovery, and seasonal narratives. Guests can choose between an thoughtfully curated à la carte menu or hand over the decision-making to the kitchen with dedicated five-course and eight-course tasting journeys. Each menu highlights balanced compositions, such as delicate flounder tarts with kelp, succulent Berkshire pork paired with local pāua and blue peas, or coastal lamb accompanied by artichoke, date, and mushrooms.

Sundays bring an extra touch of conviviality to the restaurant, offering special weekend menu touches alongside a dedicated BYO wine service. Front-of-house manager Benjamin Walls ensures seamless and personable service throughout the room, guiding guests through pairings, course progressions, and ingredient origins.

Intimate Gatherings and Celebrations

The dining room reflects the owners' hands-on ethos, featuring warm lighting, bespoke furnishings, and cozy round booths designed for comfortable conversation. In addition to regular dinner and weekend lunch services, Lillius caters to private functions, hosting weddings, celebrations, corporate dinners, and product launches. With seating capacity for up to 32 guests together or 42 guests across the space, it remains one of the city’s most distinguished and welcoming culinary destinations.

Signature items

Berkshire pork, Pāua, dill & blue peas
Matangi beef, Szechuan & smoked egg
Flounder, fennel & kelp tart
Coastal lamb, artichoke, date & mushroom
Chocolate, olive oil & yam

Matangi beef, Szechuan & smoked egg — Tender Matangi beef accented with Szechuan spices and smoked egg
Berkshire pork, Pāua, dill & blue peas — Berkshire pork paired with local pāua, fresh dill, and blue peas
Market fish, pumpkin & shellfish — Fresh seasonal catch accompanied by pumpkin and shellfish
Coastal lamb, artichoke, date & mushroom — Pasture-raised coastal lamb served with artichoke, sweet date, and earthy mushrooms

Desserts

Chocolate, olive oil & yam — Rich chocolate complemented by olive oil and sweet yam
Citrus, saffron & passionfruit — Bright seasonal citrus infused with delicate saffron and passionfruit

Tasting Menus

5 Course Set Menu — Five-course seasonal tasting journey chosen by the kitchen
8 Course Set Menu — Comprehensive eight-course culinary exploration curated by the chefs

Bites & Starters

Our sourdough and cultured butter — House-made sourdough served with house cultured butter
Crispy boar jowl — Crispy prepared wild boar jowl bite
Flounder, fennel & kelp tart — Delicate tart filled with flounder, fennel, and sea kelp
Lillius Private Select Caviar — Ten grams of private select caviar

Frequently asked questions

Where is Lillius located?: Lillius is located at 19 Khyber Pass Road in Grafton, Auckland.
Do I need to make a reservation before visiting?: Reservations are recommended and can be made through their website or by calling 09 217 4069.
Does Lillius offer tasting menus?: Yes, Lillius offers both a 5-course set menu and an 8-course set menu curated by the kitchen, alongside an à la carte menu.
Can guests order both à la carte and set menus at the same table?: No, Lillius asks that the entire table decide together on either the à la carte menu or a set menu.
Does Lillius permit BYO wine?: BYO wine is available exclusively on Sundays, with corkage charged per 750ml bottle and a standard limit of two bottles per booking.
Can Lillius cater to food allergies?: Yes, guests should advise the team of any allergies in advance so suitable dishes can be prepared; some requirements may incur an additional charge.
Can the restaurant host private events?: Yes, the venue accommodates seated functions for up to 32 to 42 guests, or standing canapé functions for 40 to 60 guests.

Tips

{"body":"Take advantage of the Sunday BYO wine option, which permits up to two bottles per booking at a set corkage fee.","title":"Book Ahead for Sunday BYO"}
{"body":"Ensure everyone at your table agrees on either the à la carte or tasting menu beforehand, as combinations cannot be mixed.","title":"Coordinate Table Menu Choices"}
{"body":"Inform the kitchen of any allergies or dietary requirements when booking so the team has adequate time to adjust dishes.","title":"Provide Dietary Needs in Advance"}

Good to know

{"dietary":"Allergies accommodated with advance notice; additional charges may apply."}