Azabu Ponsonby

Above average experience.
Appreciated for a table cause we had no booking and the host managed find us space.
It was a Saturday night and obviously the staff there were used up with energy etc. Only a Japanese lady n a French guy was friendly and inviting.
Food was nice except the Karaake chicken, which was quite hard. Cocktails were amazing! Desserts are a must try.
Will return for sure for another occasion.

Eveything was perfect, cocktails were amazing.great wine choice.staff were outstanding. The 4 of us walked away say we all can't wait to come back.the pork belly was to die for.

I have been to this place many times but this time it was very disappointing. In fact the whole experience was awful.
1. I booked a table for 11 as I am hosting a birthday dinner for my friend. I booked via email and it was confirmed by replied an email.
My booking was at 6pm and I turned up 5 mins before that.
Then I was told they couldn't find my booking, but the guy there said he would find me a table and I was asked to stand by the bar.
I waited until 6: 30pm then a table was available.
2. The service level I received that day was very bad. I don't want to mention the details of the waitress as I think this is reflecting the whole management from the restaurant. She was always in a rush, took my plate away as soon as I put my fork into the last piece. I wondered why she was in such a big rush? At the end I realised she wanted to kick me out as soon as possible, as another group of people were waiting.
The whole ordeal was they forgot to put my booking down, so they needed to sequeeze my booking in, so they wanted me to finish in lightning speed!
3. Now it comes to the climax. We finished our dinner and I asked the lady to bring the birthday cake out which I handed over the the man in the front when I arrived.
The lady brought the cake out with some plates (she only gave us 4 plates but we have 11 people!? - ALL because she wanted us to leave!)
The time was 8: 25pm.
She told us another group was waiting and their booking was at 8: 30pm. She said, "you have to leave in 2 mins"
She wanted us to finish the cake and celebration in 2 mins!
I guess there was a better way to do this.
She should told us at the start that she need to have the table back by 8: 30pm. That would make the whole experience alot more better and easier for the patrons to accept. Give patrons 2 mins to finish dessert with no prior warning isn't acceptable, especially from an upclass restaurant like Azabu!
4. When it comes to payment, that lady was SUPER efficient! Azabu ALWAYS charge surcharge for credit which the whole Auckland know but not everyone agreed.
She got my card, pushed all the buttons, including the "ACCEPTED Surcharge question! " I only got the chance to put my pin in, WITHOUT knowing how much I am paying even!
Azabu Service! I got to give 5 star for this, very speedy, but I don't think this is legal.
I really think that choice should be given to the patrons, and all patrons should be adviced of the credit card surcharge.

Thank you for the good food, service and genuine hospitality. I ordered too much food and when I asked to take the food home - it wasn’t a problem. Ponsonby was busy and it had a great vibe and feeling. Azabu really makes you feel like Auckland is a true international city. If you’re missing the big lights and action of an international city and the buzz you get walking the streets of Downtown Manhattan or Sunset Boulevard.a dining experience at Azabu will fill that void. Thank you again!

Tinny table, don't have enough space for plate, set manu come at once, we have to rush to eat (less than 3 minutes per dish) so that we can clear table for next dish

Delicious Japanese food albeit a bit expensive. Only 4 stars for being seated by the toilets despite having a booking and plenty of other empty tables.

Sushi rolls and tostadas are delicate and exciting. Dumplings are hearty. Everything is built around a great vibe and attention to detail. Would eat here every night if I could.

Great sushi and fusion cuisine. The place has a fab ambiance and very helpful and attentive staff. Will go back for sure!

Exquisite. By which I mean divine cocktails, sublime plates and flavour combinations and gracious service. Only serious dedication and preparation can make it seem so effortless. Always delightful.

Loved the food and atmosphere, but also the service was great. The staff was very friendly and attentive, and new the menu and were able to make good recommendations. Living in Asia, the taste was authentic and offered a good variety. Great night out.

Great experience! Fine food, very complete wine list and sake list. Loved the environment and decor of the place. Great service by front of house on arrival.

Celebrated my birthday here and it was lovely. The staff are amazing, they made us feel very welcome and comfortable. Food is absolutely delicious, although I would have liked for the ceviche platter portions to be a bit bigger.thanks guys for a great night

AMAZING dining experience! Loved the atmosphere here and the creative culinary fusion of two unlikely cuisines.

After a delicious twist? Love Japanese food and Peruvian? Have a little cash to burn? Then this place is for you! Amazing food and great drinks, a little cramped but still comfortable. Overall an enjoyable time, I would come here again.

One of the more unique experiences in Auckland. An interesting and we'll executed mix of flavours. A maitre d'hotel full of personality who goes out of his way to ensure you have a great evening.

Have been a handful of times and always wonder why we don't go more often! Probably because it's not in the main drag and rarely simply walk past it or stumble upon it.

Great fit out, food was as expected at the high prices charged. Service was strained and flat. Was recommended a deep fried custard dessert, it was a fail and I have not met a Japanese person yet that's even heard of it. There are better Japanese places out there for far less with great friendly service.

Amazing, just amazing, great Japanese restaurant with great service from the staff. We loved it and will be back again, food was tasty and we really enjoyed ourselves.

Really really good food, nice restaurant and good service. We went early, so we must be waited 3 hrs till it opened. We had 2 peoples but order 10 pieces (including dessert and drinks). So full but still want to eat more haha. I really impressed with menu. I cant talk anymore. Im sure come back when i go there.

Go here now. An excellently varied and flavourful menu, every dish was more than I expected it to be. Being a full house, it was hard to hear each other speak for a while, however the wait staff and bar service were very good. The Karaage chicken is among the best in Auckland, and the volcano sushi brings some extra theatre to your meal. A superb cocktail list is worth trying too.

I consider unsophisticated as I only like original and traditional tastes; for e.g, Japanese food is only to be enjoyed in Japan and other countries where restaurants serve Japanese cuisine true to home.

Most Japanese restaurants serve tastes unknown in Japan but Azabu is on totally different plane as tastes are uniquely Japanese yet cleanly-modern.

I would call this a place where Japanese would love to treat themselves too.