The Conservatory

About The Conservatory

Perched directly on the waterfront along North Wharf in Wynyard Quarter, The Conservatory is an individually owned and operated bar and restaurant established in 2011. Known as the world's first living bar featuring a lush vertical wall of plants, the venue embraces a casual dining philosophy where high standards and relaxed hospitality meet. Guests can take in expansive harbour views in any season thanks to the heated and covered wrap-around outdoor terrace, complete with cozy blankets and hot water bottles during the cooler winter months.

As one of the rare independent venues operating under free-trade principles in New Zealand, The Conservatory curates its drinks and kitchen offerings on merit and quality rather than major brewery contracts. The kitchen serves homemade dishes cooked to order using fresh, free-range, and free-farmed ingredients, spanning fresh seafood, vibrant salads, loaded brioche burgers, and their signature 18-inch pizzas. Paired with craft beers on tap, an extensive wine list, and innovative house cocktails crafted by their team of mixologists, it provides an easygoing waterfront gathering spot for lunch, dinner, or late-night drinks.

The Conservatory: Waterfront Dining and the World's First Living Bar in Wynyard Quarter

Perched directly on Auckland's North Wharf, The Conservatory has been an anchor of Wynyard Quarter's waterfront dining scene since opening its doors in 2011. The venue made international waves upon launch as the first bar in the world constructed with a living wall of verdant plants. Maintained under the exact same independent ownership since day one, the space combines natural greenery, sweeping harbour views, and a dedicated free-trade hospitality ethos that keeps things unpretentious and focused entirely on quality.

Unlike the overwhelming majority of New Zealand venues bound to exclusive commercial brewery taps, The Conservatory operates as a genuine free-trade house. This freedom allows the team to source exceptional craft beers from independent New Zealand breweries, assemble a diverse regional wine list, and spotlight boutique local distilleries such as Cardrona and Auckland's own 2 Anchors. Whether settling onto the heated wrap-around outdoor terrace or pulling up a seat indoors, visitors encounter a relaxed environment where attentive service complements the waterfront backdrop.

Generous Plates and Sizable Pizzas

The kitchen operates on a simple philosophy: fresh, homemade food made with free-range or free-farmed ingredients and cooked to order. For diners looking to share over drinks, small plates feature comforting bowls of seafood chowder teeming with prawns and mussels, flambé prawn and fish bites tossed in fermented chilli butter, and creamy burrata served with rocket and artisan dips.

Those arriving with a hearty appetite naturally gravitate toward the restaurant's signature 18-inch pizzas. Stretched and baked to generous proportions, variations include the meat-heavy Conservatory topped with prosciutto and chorizo, the coastal Ocean Catch featuring Marlborough salmon and prawns, and classic vegetarian combinations like The Garden. The menu also serves prime smashed Angus burgers on brioche buns, fresh fish of the day with king prawn ravioli, and tender beef rib eye paired with hasselback kumara.

Creative Mixology and Waterfront Comfort

Drink craftsmanship at The Conservatory stretches from historical cocktail recipes dating back across centuries to inventive modern concoctions. Signature house drinks include the smoky-spicy Hot Lips made with jalapeño-infused tequila and mezcal, alongside dessert-inspired creations like the Flat White Espresso Martini and Black Forest Espresso Martini. A dedicated selection of non-alcoholic creations, including zero-proof sours, virgin mules, and house-made sodas, ensures inclusive options for all guests.

Regardless of Auckland's unpredictable maritime weather, the venue is tailored for comfort across all four seasons. A fully covered and heated outdoor deck lets guests enjoy the marine atmosphere year-round, complete with warm blankets and hot water bottles brought out during crisp winter evenings. From casual afternoon pints to waterfront group dinners and late-night pizza runs, The Conservatory delivers a welcoming, community-focused slice of Auckland harbour life.

Signature items

• The Conservatory Pizza
• Seafood Chowder
• Prawns and Fresh Fish Bites
• Hot Lips
• Premium Angus Cheeseburger
• Ocean Catch Pizza

Menu

Mains

• Fish of the Day — Fresh market fish on garlic butter wilted silverbeet with king prawn ravioli, flame-grilled red pepper coulis, citrus beurre blanc, and lump roe caviar.
• Prawn & Chorizo Puttanesca — Linguine tossed with prawns and chorizo in a rich puttanesca sauce, finished with basil oil and parmesan.
• Beef Rib Eye — Served with roasted hasselback kumara, grilled broccolini, and peppercorn sauce.

Pizza

• Ocean Catch — 18-inch pizza with Marlborough salmon, baked fish of the day, prawns, capers, rocket, red onion, lemon pepper spice, and aioli.
• The Conservatory — 18-inch pizza with cured meats, pepperoni, chorizo, prosciutto, and BBQ sauce.
• Margherita — 18-inch pizza with trio of tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil.
• Southern Flame — 18-inch pizza with free-range Cajun chicken, caramelized onions, roasted capsicum, coriander, and sour cream.
• The NV — 18-inch pizza with spicy chilli oil, pork sausage, prosciutto, nduja, and spinach.
• The Garden — 18-inch vegetarian pizza topped with sundried tomatoes, red onion, capsicum, olives, baby spinach, and feta.

Sides

• Seasonal Greens — Blanched greens tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper, balsamic glaze, and fried shallots.
• Parmesan Truffle Fries — Crisp fries finished with parmesan and truffle.
• Kumara Fries — Sweet kumara fries served with dipping sauce.
• Mixed Leaf Salad — Light mixed greens dressed with sundried tomato infused oil.
• Rosemary Fries — Fries seasoned with rosemary and served with tomato ketchup.

Salads

• Warm Rocket & Pear Chicken Salad — Grilled chicken, rocket, cherry tomatoes, and roasted pear with balsamic mustard dressing, candied walnuts, and parmesan.
• Roasted Vegetable Salad — Baby spinach, parsnip, butternut, carrots, cherry tomatoes, quinoa, couscous, feta cheese, and roasted pine nuts.
• Thai Beef Salad — Thinly sliced spiced beef, cucumber, tomato, coriander, crispy noodles, toasted peanuts, and citronella dressing.

Burgers

• Premium Angus Cheeseburger — 220g prime beef smashed on the grill, free-range streaky bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mac sauce on a brioche bun with rosemary fries.
• K-Pop Chicken Burger — Crispy chicken thigh glazed with spicy gochujang honey ketchup, aioli slaw, lettuce, tomato, and pickled daikon on a brioche bun with rosemary fries.
• Fish Burger — Pan-seared market fish with aioli slaw, lettuce, tomato, and citrus salsa on a brioche bun with rosemary fries.

Desserts

• Baked Dark Chocolate Tart — Served with cappuccino ice cream, white chocolate tuile, and crushed mandarin.
• Tiramisu — Baileys-infused tiramisu served with chocolate flakes and fresh strawberries.
• Warm Apple Strudel — Warm strudel served with vanilla ice cream, powdered sugar, and candied walnuts.

Beer & Cider

• Behemoth Half Way Down Lager — Available on tap by the glass, vase, or jug.
• McLeod's Paradise Pale Ale — Available on tap by the glass, vase, or jug.
• Behemoth Hopped Up on Pils — Pilsner on tap available by the glass, vase, or jug.
• Magners Apple Cider — 500ml bottle of classic apple cider.
• Panhead Supercharger APA — Bottled American pale ale.
• Sawmill Pale Ale 0% — Non-alcoholic craft bottled beer.
• Heineken 0% — Alcohol-free bottled beer.

Small Plates

• Market Oysters — Freshly shucked oysters with lemon and a side of mignonette dressing, based on availability.
• Seafood Chowder — Rich chowder mix packed with prawns, mussels, and fish bites, finished with parsley oil and served with toasted Turkish bread.
• Seared Hokkaido Scallops — House-made black pudding, pea mousse, ciabatta wafer, and citrus butter sauce.
• Butter Milk Fried Chicken — Crispy buttermilk fried chicken served with buffalo sauce.
• Burrata — Served with rocket, basil pesto, pickled red onion, cherry tomato halves, sundried tomatoes, and sliced olives.
• Prawns and Fresh Fish Bites — Flambé prawn cutlets and local market fish with white wine and fermented chilli butter, kumara crisp, labneh, and grilled ciabatta.
• Bread and Dips — Artisan bread served with two homemade dips.
• Baked Brie — Glazed with honey, garlic, and thyme, topped with cinnamon candied walnuts, served with toasted Turkish bread.

Specialty Gin

• Ink Dry Gin — Australian gin distilled with butterfly pea petals, served with rosemary, orange, and tonic.
• Cardrona Distillery Dry Gin — New Zealand alpine-water gin with foraged rosehip, juniper, and spice, served with grapefruit and tonic.
• Four Pillars Shiraz Gin — Australian gin infused with Yarra Valley shiraz grapes, served with red grapes, orange, and tonic.
• 2 Anchors Limeys Gin — Auckland small-batch gin with kaffir leaf and lime peel, served with lime slice and tonic.

House Signature Cocktails

• Hot Lips — Jalapeño-infused tequila, mezcal, vanilla, pineapple, and lemon.
• Belle Isle — Peach liqueur, lychee liqueur, cranberry, pineapple, and lime.
• Pornstar Martini — Vodka, vanilla, raspberry, passionfruit, orange, lime, and prosecco.
• It's A Bit Tricky — Gin, lime, grapefruit soda, and black lava sea salt.
• Black Forest Espresso Martini — Black raspberry liqueur, amaretto, and espresso.
• Hoi An — Gin, Licor 43, lime, sugar, chili, orange, and shrimp salt rim.
• Elderflower Tom Collins — Gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon, sugar, and sparkling water.
• Margarita Cadillac — 1800 Añejo, Grand Marnier, agave syrup, and lime.
• Chocolate Negroni — Gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, Aperol, and chocolate bitters.
• Spiced Apple Highball — Rum, muddled apple, butterscotch, and cinnamon infusion.
• White Bourbon Sour — Bourbon, lemon, and cinnamon maple syrup.
• Flat White Espresso Martini — Vodka, coffee liqueur, and flat white mix.
• Warm Mudslide — Vodka, Kahlúa, and homemade Baileys.
• Spiced Hot Toddy — Whiskey, lemon, and spiced honey cordial.
• Mulled Wine — Red wine infused with orange peel, cloves, star anise, and cinnamon.

Non-Alcoholic & Mocktails

• Pi'na' Colada — Non-alcoholic adult mocktail version of the classic piña colada.
• 'No'marello Sour — Alcohol-free sour cocktail crafted with amaretto-style flavours.
• Sweet Virgin Passionfruit Mojito — Tart, sweet, and fizzy mocktail with mint and passionfruit.
• Virgin Mule — Crisp blend of lime juice, fresh ginger, mint, pineapple juice, and soda.
• Shirley Temple — Fruity blend of orange juice, lemonade, raspberry, and cherries.
• Craft Sodas — House sodas in flavours including White Peach & Vanilla, Pineapple & Orange, Watermelon & Yuzu, and Apple Crumble.

Worldwide Classics Cocktails

• Long Island Iced Tea — Vodka, rum, gin, tequila, Grand Marnier, lemon, and coke.
• Mojito — Rum, fresh mint, sugar, lime, and soda.
• Whiskey Sours — Whiskey, sugar, egg white, and lemon juice.
• Moscow Mule — Vodka, ginger, lime, mint, bitters, and ginger beer.
• Caipirinha — Cachaça muddled with fresh lime and sugar.
• Mai Tai — Rum, Cointreau, pineapple, orgeat, and lime.
• Piña Colada — Rum blended with coconut and pineapple.
• Aperol Spritz — Aperol, prosecco, and a splash of soda.
• Painkiller — Pusser's rum, pineapple, orange, and coconut cream.
• Espresso Martini — Vanilla vodka, Kahlúa, sugar, and espresso.
• Margarita — Tequila, Grand Marnier, sugar, and fresh lime.
• Old Fashioned — Whiskey, orange, bitters, and sugar.
• Negroni — Gin, Campari, and Martini Rosso.
• Pisco Sours — Pisco, sugar, egg white, and lemon.
• Bloody Mary — Vodka, Worcestershire sauce, lemon, salt, pepper, and tomato juice.

Frequently asked questions

Where is The Conservatory located?

The Conservatory is situated directly on the waterfront at 1-17 Jellicoe Street, North Wharf, in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter.

Can I book a table in advance?

Yes, online reservations are available for groups of up to 12 people through their website.

Are there gluten-free or vegetarian meal options?

Yes, vegetarian dishes like The Garden pizza, burrata, and roasted vegetable salad are offered, and pizzas can be prepared on gluten-free bases for an additional charge.

Is the outdoor terrace sheltered during cold or rainy weather?

The venue features a heated and covered wrap-around outdoor terrace, and staff provide blankets and hot water bottles during the colder winter months.

Does The Conservatory offer late-night dining?

Yes, a late-night menu is available starting from 9:00 PM, featuring pizzas, desserts, parmesan truffle fries, and kumara fries.

What does being a 'free trade' bar mean?

It means The Conservatory is independently owned and not tied to contracts with large industrial breweries, allowing them to freely choose independent craft beers, wines, and spirits based on quality.

Tips

• {"body":"The signature pizzas are huge (18 inches across), making them ideal for splitting between friends or family along with a side of truffle fries.","title":"Order an 18-Inch Pizza to Share"}
• {"body":"If visiting during cooler weather, don't hesitate to sit on the covered terrace—the heaters, complimentary blankets, and hot water bottles make it wonderfully cozy.","title":"Stay Warm on the Winter Deck"}
• {"body":"Because it is an independent free-trade bar, check the draft board for award-winning local beers and rotating guest taps you won't find at standard venues.","title":"Try the Rotating Craft Taps"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Gluten-free pizza bases, vegan cheese options, and vegetarian dishes available upon request.","payments":"Credit card and contactless payments incur a 1.5% surcharge."}