Bar Magda

Located just off the vibrant Karangahape Road precinct in Auckland, Bar Magda is a moody, intimate bar-restaurant that brings together Filipino-inspired cuisine, seasonal New Zealand ingredients and creative mixology in a subterranean space. The door at 25B Cross Street leads you down a staircase to a space bathed in warm red and orange hues, exposed brick (some with a hint of sparkle), and lighting that sets the tone for a relaxed but stylish evening. The food menu is designed for sharing, calling on the culinary heritage of chef-co-owner Carlo Buenaventura, who fuses flavours from his Filipino background (think kilaw, suglaw, pyanggang) with premium Aotearoa produce. Stand-out dishes include the lamb ribs rubbed with blackened coconut “pyanggang” style and served with green sambal, and a parmesan custard with preserved pimiento that has become a signature. On the drinks side, Bar Magda makes a strong impression: vibrant, colourful cocktails, a carefully curated wine list (which includes organic and low-intervention labels) and inventive flavour combinations (for example a mezcal-agave-elderflower-elderflower-inspired margarita) stand out. The ambience supports lingering: whether you’re perched at the bar sipping late-night cocktails, or seated at a booth with friends for a hearty sharing spread, the venue invites you to stay. Although tucked underground, the energy feels lively rather than hushed; it has been recognised within Auckland’s dining scene (including Metro Top 50 listings). Bar Magda’s opening hours reflect a bar-dining hybrid: from 5 pm onwards most nights (closed Tuesdays) and staying open into early hours on weekends. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a night out beyond just drinks: start with cocktails, move into food, perhaps linger for another round—its location near K-Road makes it easy to segue into further options.