Szimpla: All-Day Eatery & Gastro Bar — Restaurant in Māngere-Ōtāhuhu

Recently visited, Szimpla Gastro Bar, nestled conveniently close to Auckland Airport, emerges as a haven of tranquility in the bustling vicinity. Its serene and peaceful ambiance instantly envelops visitors, creating a tranquil retreat perfect for those in need of a quiet space to unwind after a long journey or locals looking for a cozy spot to catch up with friends or family. This charming gastro bar is thoughtfully designed, blending comfort with a touch of sophistication, ensuring every visit is a memorable one.

Szimpla Gastro Bar prides itself on its extensive menu that showcases a delightful selection of dishes, each reflecting a commitment to quality and flavor. Catering to a broad spectrum of tastes, the menu is a culinary mosaic, featuring everything from hearty, comforting classics to innovative dishes that tantalize the taste buds. The chefs at Szimpla place a strong emphasis on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, ensuring that each plate not only supports local producers but is also bursting with freshness and flavor. The meticulous preparation of each dish is evident, with a keen eye for detail that ensures every dining experience is not just a meal but a journey of culinary delight.

Adding to the appeal of Szimpla Gastro Bar is the convenience of ample parking, a rarity in the area near Auckland Airport. This thoughtful consideration significantly enhances the overall ease of the visit, allowing guests to enjoy their time at the bar without the added stress of finding a parking spot. Whether dropping in for a quick meal before a flight or seeking a leisurely dining experience, the ease of access and parking ensures that every visit is stress-free from start to finish.

Szimpla Gastro Bar is highly recommended for those in search of quality food served in a calm, inviting setting. Its unique combination of a tranquil atmosphere, exceptional culinary offerings, and convenient location makes it a standout establishment. Whether you're a traveler seeking a peaceful respite near the airport or a local in pursuit of a new dining experience, Szimpla Gastro Bar promises an experience that's both relaxing and rewarding, making it a must-visit for anyone appreciating good food...

I dont tend to give reviews but I use to work near this place 7 years ago and service was great so decided to grab a bite before taking the kids to Butterfly Creek and ended up regretting not listening to my husband to go McDonalds.

We ended up waiting a hour and then asked where our food was after my husband tried to calm our restless baby and noticed nothing was happening in the kitchen. Prior to this we noticed people had come and gone after us.

We had 1 lady take our order, a guy hand us a kids meal and drink then nothing. I thought it was standard for servers to checkin and ask hows your meals going, anything else you need etc but nothing.

Then when the order was put through after us asking how much longer took like 10 mins to come out so pretty annoyed we waited so long when we could of been at Butterfly Creek 30 mins earlier with kids who werent so restless.

Then when we went to pay, the guy was about to process payment when another lady decided to ask about drinks she was organising for her guests and he decided to deal with her rather than stating - sorry can i serve these people first then attend to your matter like we were already annoyed we had poor service then to make us wait longer was silly but then again unsure what i was expecting to be improved at this stage.

Just disappointed as the service use to be great and 1st time for my family and I was bragging it was nice to be shown otherwise.

We did appreciate the discount for missing our food and the lady who did promptly get our food sorted and offering a complimentary drink well we waited but all staff should of been...

Dined at Szimpla for the second time recently after arriving on a late afternoon flight from Sydney. Ordered the Thai beef salad which was not the usual thinly sliced version normally served in Thai restaurants, it was thicker and had more of a sauce than flavouring. As such, the beef was tasty but the salad was a bit ordinary, it was kind of back to front. Ordered the chocolate brownie for dessert, and after more than 15 minutes the waiter asked me, "did you get the brownie" to which I replied I hadn't. There was a quick conversation with the nearby kitchen, he turned to me and responded, "three minutes".

In situations like these, you inherently believe (know) it will take longer. After about 5 minutes, the dessert was delivered brusquely with a "there you go" type comment, with no apology whatsoever for the oversight/delay. This kind of service would hardly be acceptable from any level of staff, which makes the sorry ending to this all the more surprising.

I mentioned to the staff while paying the bill (and this was started by one person and completed by another) about the surprising attire of the waiter. While all other staff seemed neatly dressed in black uniforms, the server was wearing a checked shirt more akin to something a laborer might wear. "He's the trainee general manager" was the alarming response. After picking my jaw up off the floor, all I could think of to say was "good luck with that" and having paid the bill already just walked out, probably shaking my head as I left.

I won't be returning. Good luck, Szimpla. With staff/management of that calibre, you'll...