Sails Restaurant sits in the heart of Westhaven Marina — the largest marina in the southern hemisphere — where two levels of seating give every table a view over hundreds of yachts toward the Auckland Harbour Bridge, North Head and Rangitoto Island. Minutes from central Auckland yet a world of its own, it has spent more than three decades among New Zealand's finest restaurants, with a team renowned for both food and service and voted by the international dining public as the number 13 fine dining establishment in the world. The restaurant's story belongs to the Littlejohn family, who purchased Sails in 1991 after pioneering fine dining in New Zealand with Orin's-era Orsini's restaurants in Wellington and Ponsonby. Valerie Littlejohn's honours include becoming the first woman inducted into the New Zealand Restaurant Association Hall of Fame in 2008. In the kitchen, Executive Chef Jason Blackie has led for over 25 years, building menus around fresh local ingredients — from whitebait fritters and Te Kouma Bay oysters to Hawkes Bay lamb, duck breast and market fish — alongside six-course tasting, signature, vegetarian and children's menus. With one large open-plan dining room, free unlimited parking at the door and a long history of hosting functions, Sails suits anniversaries, celebrations and anyone after a special harbour-side meal.
Sails Restaurant occupies one of those rare positions that diners remember long after the last course. Set in the heart of Westhaven Marina — the largest marina in the southern hemisphere — the restaurant has two levels of seating, so every table looks out over hundreds of yachts toward the Auckland Harbour Bridge, North Head and Rangitoto Island. It sits minutes from the centre of Auckland, yet feels like a world of its own, an impression helped by ample free public parking right on the marina.
For more than three decades Sails has ranked among New Zealand's finest restaurants, a reputation built on an uncompromising commitment to quality rather than the view alone. The team is one of the longest standing in the country and has gathered numerous awards for both food and service; the international dining public has even voted Sails the number 13 fine dining establishment in the world.
Sails' story is inseparable from the Littlejohn family. Valerie and Phillip Littlejohn opened Orsini's Restaurant in Wellington in 1958 — one of the very first fine dining restaurants in New Zealand — before opening a second Orsini's in Ponsonby in 1980 and purchasing Sails in 1991. Their son Bart became a defining presence for the next 30 years, shaping the restaurant's identity and hospitality until his sudden passing in August 2021; his contribution remains an important part of the Sails story.
Valerie's own honours chart the family's standing in New Zealand hospitality. In 2008, marking 50 years in the industry, she became the first woman inducted into the New Zealand Restaurant Association Hall of Fame; she received the Lewisham Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024 and was recognised in the Women in Food & Drink Hall of Fame in 2026. September 2026 also marked 35 years of Littlejohn family leadership, celebrated with a special Anniversary Set Menu served with a glass of Cloudy Bay Pelorus Rosé.
The philosophy has never wavered: employ exceptional chefs, use the freshest ingredients and never compromise on standards. Executive Chef Jason Blackie has led the kitchen for more than 25 years and remains central to the Sails dining experience.
The à la carte and tasting menus change with the seasons and read like a tour of New Zealand's larder. Begin with house-baked focaccia with whipped brown butter, Te Kouma Bay oysters or crayfish broth with red curry and coconut, then move to entrées such as the whitebait fritter with lemon and chive butter, torched tuna, venison tataki or the much-loved breaded scallops with chilli caramel and sriracha mayo. Mains centre on locally sourced beef with potato dauphinoise and béarnaise, Hawkes Bay lamb, duck breast with tamarillo and blood orange, and a daily market fish — ask your waiter about the catch. Desserts like crème brûlée and lemon tart bring the meal to a polished close.
Beyond the main menu there is a six-course tasting menu with optional matched wines, a signature menu that adds a dessert cocktail and sweet treats, a dedicated vegetarian à la carte, a children's menu and function menus for private events.
Sails is one large open-plan room with high studs, plush décor and a covered portico entrance — a format that has made it a preferred venue for impressive functions for three decades. Service is friendly and professional, the wine list is deep, and the room hums with the quiet confidence of a team that has worked together for years.
Sails is closed Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday is dinner only from 6:30pm, while Thursday through Sunday offer lunch from 12pm, with dinner sittings from 6:30pm (6:00pm on Saturday). Reservations can be made online or by phone, and gift vouchers are available for those giving a special night out. Let the team know of any dietary requirements or time restrictions when booking — the kitchen and the dedicated vegetarian menu make it easy to accommodate. Note that one bill applies per table and a 1.8% surcharge applies to credit cards and Paywave.