kingi — Restaurant in Waitematā

You absolutely have to check out Kingi if you're in Auckland! I just went there recently, and their venison nigiri was so good, I'm still thinking about it – seriously, it was mind-blowing! Honestly, when I first heard "venison sushi," I was a bit curious, wondering if it would actually work. But after just one bite, all my doubts vanished! The venison is prepared perfectly as nigiri – tender, juicy, and not a hint of gaminess. It pairs incredibly well with the vinegared rice and their special sauce. Every bite is packed with layers of flavor, the unique taste of venison blending seamlessly with the delicate texture of the nigiri. This dish is definitely one of Kingi's star attractions, and it really shows how much the chefs understand their ingredients and how skilled they are. If you're in Auckland, you absolutely must try their venison nigiri; you'll regret it if you don't! Beyond the amazing food, I also really loved Kingi's atmosphere. The whole restaurant is designed to be stylish yet incredibly comfortable and inviting. The lighting is soft, and the tables are spaced out just right, giving each group enough privacy without feeling isolated. Whether you're on a date, catching up with friends, or even having a business meeting, it feels just right. The background music is subtle and doesn't interfere with conversation, actually adding to the relaxed and pleasant vibe. I particularly appreciate that it's such a great spot for gatherings; you can really let loose and chat freely, enjoying good food and each other's company. All in all, Kingi not only won me over with its incredibly delicious venison nigiri but also with its comfortable and inviting atmosphere. As someone who lives right here in Auckland, I truly believe Kingi is a restaurant worth visiting again and again. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for high-quality food and a great spot for a...

EDITED: Spoke with management who were very helpful and apologised for the mistake. They confirmed with was indeed an error and offered full resolution which was gladly received. 5 Stars for customer service after. Thank you for the phone call and clarification as to what happened. Will return for sure.

Watch for HIDDEN COSTS for "premium" spirits!!! Was staying in house and went in for a pre dinner drink Saturday with friends. We ordered a few vodka Martini's. Firstly the service took a LONG time to come to our table and then waiting a further 20 min for the drinks. Martini's were nice. But totally shocked when we went to pay that we were changed $22 per martini and then an additional $14 per martini because we ordered Grey Goose Vodka. Questioned the $36 dollar total charge each and were told it was cause we ordered premium vodka. So was $144 for 4 martinis!!! THAT'S CRAZY . No where on their menu does it state you pay extra for better vodka. unsure how they justify this... . Asked them to double check and they said that's the price. Suggested to the staff there that maybe that should make it clear to customers that this is the case before ordering. Standard Price of decent martini with Grey Goose is easily around $20 - $24 in Auckland. $36 is ridiculous. $144 for 4 people is insane. will not be back. nor will i be back to the hotel as a...

I visited kingi twice - for lunch and for dinner. The food is overall very tasty but I don't think it's worth for the price it is. While the staff is overall nice, I think the service is not great.

I ordered the set menu for lunch, even when there were barely any people the service took over an hour. Our table got served the drinks first, then the mains. We were a bit concerned that they forgot about the entrees but they told us they are on the way. After we finished our mains (about an hour and a half after we ordered) we got the entrees. After we finished our entrees, they told us the mains are coming. We had to explain we already had the mains and check we weren't charged twice for mains. We tried th desserts too and they were very nice.

For dinner we made a reservation a few days in advance for a table for two. I'm a bit disappointed in the table we were given, between the bar and the door - we could hardly hear each other. We left as soon as we finished our mains. The place was half full but it felt like they had stacked all seated people next to each other and especially the bar was very loud and busy.

Overall the food is very tasty and the interiors look beautiful. Unfortunately I don't think the prices are worth it, there are plenty of restaurants with good food and much more reasonable prices. I wouldn't...