Ada Restaurant

Travelling across the busy Auckland strip of Great North Road, you’d easily drive past if you didn’t know about this dreamy food haven. The ex-convent, tucked away in Grey Lynn, has since been converted into a beautiful boutique hotel with a sun-lit bistro called Ada. Having changed hands a couple of years ago, Aaron and Fran of rockstar hospitality fame (with projects across Tāmaki such as St. Marg’s, Pie Rollas, Major Tom, Hello Friends + Allies, Winona Forever, Just Like Martha, Rude Boy, and Friday I’m In Love to name a few) reimagined Ada with modern Māori twists to our culinary scene thanks to the beautiful kai from Chef Kia Kanuta and the team.

With its beautifully curved archways, rustic wall details and soaring, glass-roofed atrium, the dining space at Ada is striking yet welcoming, and the interior is just the beginning of all things marvellous. Ada’s menu comprises sharing plates that embrace the foolproof philosophy of simplicity done well, with a menu of seasonal, Italian-influenced dishes and approachable natural wine. Our recommendation is the pizza fritta, always, but we think the seasonal pastas are most definitely worth trying too.454 Great North Road, Grey Lynn

Ada has one of the most gorgeous dining rooms in Auckland, inside the historic Convent Hotel in Grey Lynn, complete with arched concrete pillars, a white-tiled open kitchen, wrought-iron chandeliers and daily sunsets that stream through the windows. The bistro menu has had a refresh recently with new chef Alfie Ingham at the helm - recently reviewed by dining out editor Jesse Mulligan. 454 Great North Road, Grey Lynn.

This Italian-inspired gem will transport you straight to Tuscany. Found in a once-thriving nunnery which is now a convent-inspired hotel in Grey Lynn, Ada wows before you even mosey through to the eatery. With easily one of the best interior fit-outs of any restaurant in Auckland, the high ceilings, glass windows and relaxed vibe will have you feeling like you’ve been whisked away to Europe for the afternoon.

Ada Restaurant, guided by renowned Chef Ben Bayly, presents a sophisticated dining experience in Auckland that infuses Italian influences with locally sourced New Zealand ingredients. Complemented by a diverse international wine list, their concise and thoughtfully crafted menu boasts nods to the Italian cuisine with Te Mataku oysters, pork raviolo, beef short ribs, and succulent port belly.

Hidden away in The Convent Hotel lives stunning, new italian eatery Ada. The boutique restaurant hosts a variety of authentic Italian dishes designed for sharing. Whether you’re there to try the Pizza Fritti or the mouth watering Gnocchi, each dish is curated to perfection by head chef, Hayden Phiskie.

The Convent Hotel gives me the chills but I’m willing to suck it up for Ada’s deep-fried pizza breads. Cotto’s former executive chef Hayden Phiskie has teamed up with Wellington’s darling Johnny Price, refining Italian cuisine without taking away its rustic charms. – AC454 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn

Voted most outstanding chef in Auckland, Head Chef and co-owner Kia Kanuta has a vision of connecting people to kai, all of the dishes at Ada have been created with an element where you share or are encouraged to use your hands. Ada is a beautiful spot inside the Convent Hotel.

This dine-in Italian restaurant, Ada, is the perfect spot for date night. The top tier restaurant has embraced it’s historical space and made an indulgent menu that is hard to resist. From fresh tomato spaghetti to chocolate hazelnut panna cotta.