Palmer

The curved, soaring shape of the former West Plaza building is one of Auckland CBD’s most iconic heritage structures. Now known as 1 Albert Street, it underwent substantial renovations that wrapped up with the opening of bar and restaurant Palmer in June 2022.

The venue was designed by Australian studio Acme & Co (Margaret, Fred’s, Mimi’s) in the company’s very first New Zealand project.

Head to the curved outdoor terrace for a drink and bite surrounded by downtown Auckland’s skyscrapers, or slide into a comfortable rounded booth in the light-flooded interior. A warmly neutral palette is calming and tonal, with pops of colour from abstract wall-mounted art.

Bar manager Nathan Cooper has created a cocktail menu that highlights seasonal and local ingredients. There’s the Manuka Martini, mixed with New Zealand-made Roots Marlborough gin, dry vermouth and manuka liqueur; or the Satsuma Noir – comprising L’Opera bitter orange aperitif by Hawke’s Bay maker Hastings Distillers, it’s finished with sweet vermouth and mandarin soda.

When it comes to the food menu, chef James Kenny’s sharing plates are loosely inspired by Greek and Italian cuisine. A dish of kefalograviera cheese is served with peppered figs, while chicken liver parfait comes with smoked beetroot and woodfired bread. The smoked kahawai croquettes with seaweed tartare and chives are popular, and there’s a juicy bavette steak with black garlic, celeriac and native herbs.