San Ray is a Californian and Mexican bistro at 118 Ponsonby Road in Grey Lynn, cooking over coals and wood fire. The most distinctive thing about it is the fire. Chicken is roasted over coals and wood, and the steaks are cooked directly over the woodfire, so the smoke runs through the menu.
The Woodfired Chicken is the classic here, with juicy meat and a smoky crust. The Tajín Fries are the house favourite, crisp fries finished with the tangy Mexican seasoning. For drinks, the micheladas are a refreshing spiced beer, served ice-cold. The Caesar Salad is a bistro staple, with crisp greens and a savoury dressing, and it works well alongside the grilled dishes. The Beef Steaks are prime cuts cooked straight over the fire.
The kitchen draws on Southern Californian and Mexican cooking, with bright Mexican spice and coastal freshness. The room is airy, and the menu suits a morning coffee with granola, a lunch with a glass of wine, or an evening of small plates and Champagne. It suits a quiet dinner for two as well as a larger table of friends.
San Ray is closed on Mondays.
Our pick in Grey Lynn for woodfired chicken, Tajín fries and a micheladas on a warm evening.
Bringing relaxed hospitality, warm sunshine, and smoke-kissed flavours to Auckland, San Ray stands out on Ponsonby Road as a vibrant neighbourhood destination. Rooted in bistro traditions yet heavily shaped by the culinary cultures of Southern California and Mexico, it offers an approachable yet spirited dining experience where good food, great tunes, and day drinking meet seamlessly.
From the first pour of morning coffee to late-night pours of Champagne, San Ray has shaped an all-day rhythm that fits any plan. Whether you are stepping in wearing double denim for a casual daytime drink or bringing a crowd together for a festive evening, the venue adapts naturally to your mood.
At the core of the kitchen's approach is open-flame cooking. Bistro classics are prepared directly over burning coals and woodfire, locking in deep char and juicy tenderness. The menu effortlessly weaves in bright Mexican spices and coastal accents, turning everyday staples into memorable plates.
Dishes like woodfired chicken and succulent beef steaks take center stage off the grill, complemented by zesty accompaniments such as Tajín fries and crisp Caesar salads. Guests can curate their meal across a spread of small plates or settle into heartier bistro offerings alongside micheladas, mimosas, or curated wine pairings.
The venue offers multiple settings to suit the occasion. The main airy dining room provides a sunlit, welcoming backdrop for morning granola and lazy lunches, while the outdoor summer patio lets diners soak up the lively Ponsonby atmosphere.
For larger gatherings, San Ray accommodates group dining with dedicated set menus for parties of eight or more, along with a private party room holding up to 18 guests. Backed by mixtapes and an easygoing buzz, it remains one of the neighbourhood's most inviting spaces to gather, eat, and stay a while.