Vondel

About Vondel

Located on Victoria Road in Devonport on Auckland's North Shore, Vondel is an independent, owner-operated neighbourhood eatery and bar dedicated to thoughtful dining for all eaters. Founded on the principle that everyone deserves to eat well regardless of dietary preference, Vondel balances its offering with equal care for vegans, vegetarians, and meat lovers alike.

The kitchen crafts a seasonal, ethically minded menu designed for sharing, heavily rooted in local produce from trusted independent suppliers. Alongside dinner service, the venue is known for its weekday and weekend traditions—ranging from Tuesday taco evenings and handmade dumpling Thursdays to a comforting Sunday roast featuring both classic meat and vegan nut loaf options.

Behind the bar, you will find no commercial contracts or mass-produced beverages. Instead, the team curates a rotating lineup of independent craft beers, low-intervention natural wines, and small-batch spirits. With relaxed indoor seating and a casual outdoor space, it serves as a community-driven gathering spot for Devonport locals and visitors crossing the harbour.

Vondel Devonport: Independent Dining Where Vegans and Meat Lovers Meet

Nestled on Victoria Road just steps from the Devonport waterfront, Vondel is an owner-operated eatery and bar that deliberately redefines how inclusive dining should work. In many modern dining rooms, vegan or vegetarian options can feel like an afterthought tucked away at the bottom of the page. At Vondel, the team approaches plant-based and meat-focused dishes with identical culinary rigor, making it a rare neighbourhood spot where omnivores, strict vegans, and flexitarians can sit across the table and share an equally inventive meal.

Rooted in local community values, the restaurant takes an uncompromising stand on independent sourcing. There are no corporate brand contracts or mass-produced beverages behind the bar. Instead, guests discover an agile, regularly rotating drinks list dominated by small-batch craft breweries, low-intervention natural winemakers, and artisan spirits from New Zealand and beyond.

Thoughtful Sharing and Modern Flavours

The dinner menu revolves around seasonal, ethically sourced produce presented as share plates with distinct pan-Asian and global accents. Guests can build a meal around lighter bites such as charred wong bok with caramelised onion and miso vinaigrette, spicy Korean fried chicken wings with peanuts and house pickles, or kumara nuggets paired with black garlic and kimchi emulsion.

Larger options include tender pork neobiani served alongside chow sum kimchi, jjim dak featuring braised chicken leg on mash with jalapeño sambar, and a 250g flat iron beef finished with rich bulgogi jus and chimichurri. Those after a straightforward, hearty main can turn to the burger selection, which highlights a 150g wagyu cheeseburger as well as a popular plant-based fried chicken burger slathered with gochujang and burger sauce.

Weekly Traditions and Neighbourhood Warmth

Beyond standard dinner service, Vondel has cultivated a devoted following for its recurring weekly specials. Midweeks come alive on Taco Tuesday, when four rotating taco fillings—spanning seafood, meat, vegetarian, and vegan styles—pair up with craft margaritas. Thursdays draw crowds for steamed, handmade dumplings bathed in house sauces, while Sundays conclude the week with an authentic Sunday Roast. Complete with roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, rich gravy, and Yorkshire puddings, diners can choose between a rotating meat roast or a carefully prepared vegan nut loaf.

Indoor seating can be reserved in advance, while outdoor pavement tables offer a casual, first-come setting to watch life pass by along Victoria Road. Whether dropping in for a post-ferry natural wine or sitting down for a complete group feast, Vondel delivers the authentic warmth of an independent Devonport local.

Signature items

• Sunday Roast
• Taco Tuesday
• Dumpling Thursday
• Kumara Nuggets
• Cheeseburger
• Basque Cheesecake

Menu

Sweet Things

• Fried Rice Doughnuts — Warm fried rice doughnuts served with banana custard and sesame crumble
• Cinnamon & Walnut Bread and Butter Pudding — Warm baked pudding served alongside gelato
• Warm Chocolate Brownie — Vegan chocolate brownie paired with gelato and candied walnuts
• Basque Cheesecake — Baked cheesecake topped with Fireball-infused mascarpone and a maraschino cherry

Weekly Specials

• Taco Tuesday — Rotating flavours across seafood, meat, vegetarian, and vegan varieties
• Dumpling Thursday — Handmade, hot steamed dumplings served in sauce, available in vegetarian or meat options
• Sunday Roast — Choice of meat protein or vegan nut roast, served with seasonal vegetables, potatoes, gravy, and a Yorkshire pudding

Dinner Sharing Plates

• Market Oysters — Fresh oysters served with lemon and mignonette
• Hummus & Sourdough — House hummus served with fresh sourdough bread
• Fried Brussel Sprouts & Chilli Crisp — Crispy fried Brussels sprouts tossed with spicy chilli crisp
• Charred Wong Bok — Charred Chinese cabbage with caramelised onion, miso vinaigrette, and fried lentils
• Kumara Nuggets — Crisp kumara bites served with black garlic and kimchi emulsion, topped with pickled cauliflower
• Gochujang Glazed Baby Carrots — Tender baby carrots coated in gochujang glaze with mint labneh and curried chestnut
• Spicy Korean Fried Chicken Wings — Six crispy wings served with house pickles and crushed peanuts
• Smoked Market Fish Croquettes — Croquettes paired with burnt celeriac velour and fried capers
• Pork Neobiani — Korean-style marinated pork served with chow sum kimchi, crispy kale, and chilli furikake
• Market Fish — Fresh catch prepared according to daily market availability
• Jjim Dak — Braised chicken leg and potato mash served with a punchy jalapeño sambar
• Flat Iron Beef (250g) — Flat iron steak served with creamed spinach, bulgogi jus, and fresh chimichurri

Not Really Sharing Eh

• Cheeseburger — 150g wagyu beef patty, double cheese, mustard, pickles, and fresh tomato
• Fried Chicken Burger — Crispy fried chicken with cheese, red onion, creamy mayonnaise, and salad
• Halloumi Burger — Grilled halloumi stacked with coleslaw, mustard, and pickled onion
• Vegan Fried Chicken Burger — Plant-based fried chicken style patty with gochujang, slaw, pickles, and burger sauce
• Triple Cooked Vondel Fries — Crispy hand-cut fries served with homemade ketchup and garlic aioli

Frequently asked questions

Where is Vondel located?

Vondel is located at 8 Victoria Road in Devonport, Auckland 0624.

Do you cater to both vegans and meat eaters?

Yes. Vondel specifically designs its food offering to provide creative, equal-quality dishes for vegans, vegetarians, and meat lovers alike.

Can I book a table in advance?

Yes, reservations are available for indoor dining. Outdoor tables operate on a walk-in, first-come, best-dressed basis.

What weekly specials does Vondel run?

Vondel hosts Taco Tuesday with rotating flavours and margaritas, Dumpling Thursday featuring handmade steamed dumplings, and Sunday Roast with meat or vegan nut roast options.

Are takeaway meals available?

Yes, takeaways are offered on select menu items by phoning ahead or ordering directly in the restaurant.

What drinks are served at the bar?

The bar serves a curated selection of independent craft beers, natural wines, and small-batch spirits, with no mass-produced brands or corporate contracts.

Tips

• {"body":"Sunday roasts (both meat and vegan nut roast) are popular and often sell out; secure an indoor table reservation early.","title":"Reserve Ahead for Roast Sunday"}
• {"body":"If you want to sit outside along Victoria Road, arrive earlier in the afternoon as outdoor tables cannot be booked in advance.","title":"Outdoor Seating Is Walk-In Only"}
• {"body":"Check in on Tuesdays or Thursdays to catch limited-run taco and dumpling flavours that change on a weekly basis.","title":"Try the Weekly Rotations"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Extensive menu with dedicated vegan, vegetarian, and meat options across specials and dinner"}