Thirty One — Restaurant in Waitematā

My husband and I dined at the Thirty One restaurant in Ponsonby last night to celebrate a special occasion. The dinner was excellent. Everything we ordered was made with such care and detailing. Also, I must add, manager at the restaurant looked after our table for the night and he was very insightful and beautifully explained us how the menu was curated and helped us with some brilliant recommendations. I have listed the food items we tried and reviewed them here, hoping it helps fellow members to try these out when looking for an excellent Indian / Fiji Asian fusion dining experience.

Tuatara Hazy (on tap) The modern Aryan cocktail - 9/10 - has a punchy flavourful hit of tamarind, jaggery and curry spice plus the right amount kick 😉

Tapioca chips with chilli garlic sauce - 9/10 - Crispy tapioca chips cooked to perfection and seasoned well Chilli chicken - 9/10 - one of the best chilli chicken we’ve had. No use of flour to coat the chicken or these extra sugar dust like the other restaurants. The dish is moreish and if you tell them your spice level, they make it exactly to your liking ! A winner dish for sure ! Love it.

Fiji Jackfruit with 31 Masala - 8/10 - Such a special dish that you won’t find anywhere else in Auckland. I loved how the dish revolves around the Jackfruit flavour being the star here and doesn’t overlap with the spices used. It’s a humble dish that you must try when you visit here.

Jheenga (prawns) masala - 9/10 - Wow ! Just wow! All you need is a tandoor roti and some rice to wipe the bowl clean with this dish. The chef made it spicy to our liking and we left with such a content heart. The prawns were cooked to perfection and the gravy masala was the perfect amount of spice and flavour.

We missed out on trying a dessert as we were so full that we couldn’t eat anymore. We will definitely be going back again to try the other dishes on the menu and the desserts too. Fab place. Be it a dinner with your friends, family or special one, this place has a beautiful vibe and amazing food plus drinks to make it a memorable visit. Also the staff here are excellent and your experience dining at the Thirty One would be a great...

An Unforgettable Dining Experience at Number 31, Ponsonby

I can’t recommend Number 31 highly enough. As someone who has traveled extensively in South India and developed a deep love for its cuisine, I’ve been searching for a restaurant that truly captures the bold, authentic South Indian flavors. Until now, I hadn’t found anything that quite hit the mark, but Number 31 completely blew me away.

From the moment we walked in on a Monday night, we were welcomed with warmth by the incredible owner, whose hospitality was on another level. His passion for food and genuine kindness made the experience even more special. The restaurant is a fusion of Indian, Fijian, and Asian flavors, and it’s one of the places starting to experiment with these cultural blends in exciting ways.

The food was a perfect balance of spice and flavor. We started with some incredible entrees.

Cassava Fries – Perfectly crispy, served with a delicious chili sauce. Spicy Chicken Bites – Packed with flavor and paired with an unforgettable tamarind chutney.

There’s just something about spicy food that makes an ice-cold Coca-Cola hit differently, right?

For mains, we had:

Lamb Chops – Cooked to perfection, infused with aromatic herbs and spices. Aubergine Baigan – A beautifully spiced, hearty dish that paired perfectly with garlic naan.

What I love most about this restaurant is that the dishes aren’t overloaded with cream. The flavors come purely from fresh herbs, spices, and expert cooking. Everything feels light, yet bold and exciting, with just the right kick of heat.

If you’re used to Western-style curries, I urge you to step out of your comfort zone and experience this level of authentic Indian and Fijian-Asian fusion. The food at Number 31 is vibrant, soulful, and utterly delicious.

I’ll definitely be back, and if you love bold, spice-driven food, you should give this...

I had heard a lot of good reviews about this place and so finally ended up going there. The service was excellent in every way. Even though we ordered a lot of food it arrived very quickly and it was freshly made. The hospitality of the host who was the owner (Mr Kris Rai) was absolutely gracious and impeccable. We ordered a variety of dishes. The starters being cassava chips were served with an amazing zingy sauce which made the entire experience of eating these amazing. The Chana Chaat was nice too. This followed by the Chilli Aubergine (best starter), Chilli Cheese Naan and the chicken chaser made the experience absolutely heavenly. The flavour of the Chilli Aubergine was fascinating and a must try especially for all vegetarians.

For the mains we ordered 31 Masala Chicken, Papaya Curry and Kadhai paneer. The Papaya Curry was very different to anything I have eaten elsewhere and was full of flavor. I would highly recommend it to everyone to try it once. The Kadhai panner was the best dish of the day for me! I have had this in other places and nowhere does it taste this good!

And last but not the least we had desserts and the mango kulfis were amazing.

Despite eating all this food we felt so light unlike eating at any other restaurants. The oil content was minimal and it was all olive oil. All the food was nut free. The rotis were also thin and crisp. The food was not just made for the sake or serving masses but was made with great care, precision and great attention to detail which was very evident in the very artistic presentation and the flavor relished in every single bite.

Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the amazing food served here. And to the owner Mr Kris Rai ... you are running a fabulous restaurant and we can't thank you enough for this amazing experience! Very grateful and you will definitely...