Orleans

Very cool. I was in town on business and needed somewhere to eat out. I saw Orleans online and thought I would give it a try. I was not disappointed, the food was amazing (I had the fried chicken waffles) and the staff were very friendly and accommodating.
My only complaint would be the live music. I was expecting proper jazz or blues but instead there were just a couple of guys on drums and keyboard doing a whole bunch of bad covers (I visited on a Wednesday night)
Overall excellent though, would definitely recommend.

We love coming to this restaurant when we drive up to the city. The atmosphere is awesome and the music is great. Not to mention how tastey the food is! The only reason I gave them 4 stars and not 5 is because they keep changing their menu and so when you go back craving what you ordered last time, it’s often not available. We miss the fried chicken being on the restaurant menu and also the beetroot salad. However I have never been disappointed with my meal here. I have been caught out a few times when asking how spices things are. It seems that what they call mild I call hot. However I am a total wimp when it comes to spice.
Over all we love if here and will keep coming back.

The food, atmosphere and the love in the room
Was on point!
Seriously suggest the chicken and waffles!

We came here on a Thursday night and it was a ⁵⁄₅ experience! Amazing live music and ambience, friendly chatty staff and delicious food, wine & cocktails! What more could you want? We had chicken wings, fried chicken & waffles, potato skins with the cashew cheese. Yum yum yum. If you’re a potato fan, those skins are what dreams are made of. Even Better dipped in the chicken wing sauces. Mmm! Chicken wings are definitely worth a try — tart and spicy with a smokey sauce. Miss the fried chicken with chipotle sauce though. Skins made up for it big time! Was very impressed they had Riesling from Alsace. Perfection.

If anyone has been to New Orleans… it’s that place where you find a bit of your soul. The food… the people… the cocktails. They’ve had a tough time of it. So when I heard of Orleans… I was all for it. The fried chicken waffle is good — needs more sauce though. The curly fries, beans are ok but not needed really I would say one main each is enough. The chicken wings are good but they oddly come with carrots!!! The live jazz and the hurricane cocktails are where it’s at though. Those things are strooooong. Not exactly the potency of the New Orleans cocktails… but if you want a little taster go for gold!!! Would come here again. Try the chicken waffles… hurricanes and listen to that jazz :) enjoy.

Food was not at good standard for it’s pricing. Staff were lovely however, the food did not reflect them. The portion sizes for a $ 15 appetiser was tiny and was not up to standard.
The surroundings within the building was awesome and really felt like i was back in Orleans
Over all i did not enjoy my experience and was not satisfied. I had to force feed myself food that was not up to standard for such a place and with a level of popularity.

They only got one star by default as I couldn’t work out how to give No stars.
The drinks were fine and the service from our young waiter was good… But the food was inedible.
The ribs are the worst I have every had. The one rib I tried, left the taste of what I can only describe as burnt jandal, not only that we couldn’t even work out what animal they had come from? God rest it soul.
The Curly fries where good, but then again it would be hard to stuff them up.
The fried fish cake/​ball things where tasteless and had the texture like the inside of an old school golf ball… The ones that were made up of rubber bands.
I’m sorry guys, but if your going to charge people for bar food then at least make it food.
I don’t like giving bad reviews, but I don’t like paying for bad food even more.

Omg $ 10 lunch specials!
We where the first group to try the $ 10 chicken waffle burger, and we were not disappointed. Chrispy light waffles, Nicely spiced chicken, bacon with a hint of maple syrup, I thought I had died and gone to southern food heaven.

The food here is great but be wary of food poisoning.
Multiple times I’ve been with friends and all who’ve ordered the Chicken Waffle have come down with food poisoning, somehow I’ve been lucky or have a strong stomach or something.
The Chicken Waffle is the best thing on the menu so it might worth mentioning to the waiter you’re concerned about the cooking of the chicken.

Had an excellent meal.
Great atmosphere — live music, but able to hold a conversation.
Food was as hoped — chicken and waffles a highlight.
Will go back.

Great food, nice and loud music. Anyone I take there ends up loving it. Try the chicken and waffles, pair that with the house cocktail jug and you’ve got a fantastic dinner for two.

Orleans — oh what is not to love about an all American restaurant, in the middle of the Auckland CBD?
I come to Orleans for three things :
1. Chicken and Waffles
2. Pie of the Day
3. Kool Aid
There are a range of platters to pick from — but the chicken and waffles is my ultimate fave — and a regular cheat meal for me. Crispy spiced fried chicken, ontop of a crunchy sweet waffle– drizzled with a chilli maple syrup… it will take you to heaven in one mouthful. You may be tempted to order a second one. But you shouldn’t because you’ll need room for Pie. The flavour of pie changes everyday, but they’re all amazing. Just order the Pie– #noregrets.
Kool Aid is one of the many menu items Orleans boasts that will take you back to all those TV shows you used to watch… I think every kid drunk Kool Aid and I was sitting there going… but where’s the Raro? Anyway — they also have Dr Pepper and Root Beer which are must tries for any American culture fanatic.
I wasn’t a fan of the cornbread — and the grit tasted liked soggy spinach — but the whole fish and the gumbo get a tick of approval from the larger dish menu.
The dim lighting and live band (in the evenings) set the mood for any evening at Orleans — they dont take bookings, and its usually hard to get a table on a Friday night. But its worth the wait, and its worth the hassle because the band will have you head bobbing even before you start grooving to food heaven with those waffles. Parking can be difficult– but street parking is available outside — and there is the Britomart carpark which is open ²⁴⁄₇.

Just tried their crab shack menu as they opened up another day. I was REALLY looking forward to this because I have no idea WHERE I can get crab in Auckland. We booked for 9 people on a Sunday night and sadly there was no live music (we were right by the stage too!!). Service was super duper tragically slow. We tried to wave down the waitress multiple times to just order drinks… Then again to order food. We didn’t get to order until half an hour after we were seated. They also forgot out drinks so we had to ask when they started bringing out food out.
The set up was très cute with red and white checkered plastic table covers, crab bibs, and tools ready to open them shells to get to the fleshy meat!
Don’t know how to judge the price of their menu as I rarely (or never) eat king crabs but it was $ 49 for 400g (so half a king crab. 3 legs and half a body) that sits on top of bland corn and potatoes. I could easily eat a whole king crab. These aren’t fresh king crabs as the shell was soft and the meat wasn’t as juicy and sweet as I expected. However it was extremely fun watching us all struggling to get the meat out… And that beautiful glorious feeling when you finally get whole leg flesh out of the shell. Food definitely taste better if you put more effort into it. The dipping sauce for the crab made up for the lack of juicy sweetness that you get from fresh crabs.
And then every other dish we ordered was downhill from there… Their menu has changed so portions are smaller than before. Fried chicken was dry this time and no more aioli sauce (replaced with a gravy like sauce), curly fries were crispy, corn bread was crispy yet soft, steak was boring, clams (from the crab shack menu) was fishy, broccoli was interesting as it was served cold. Root beer float was gooood but only after a good long wait as it couldn’t be mixed at first (especially with a paper straw) and the jug of punch was way too sweet.
Overall, still 3 stars as service was slow and original menu was better, but the crab shack concept was really fun. I hope they do it again!

The main reason I like this place is that myself and my man date can sit outside, order a few things to eat outweighed by the bevvys we drink and it’s very chill!
The lighting is warm and as long as you get near a heater, you are ok on a colder night
The interior is really nice and to be honest, pretty damn authentic without being an absolute cheeseball Bourbon St replica. When paying the bill last week, we both commented on the fact that the inside dining is super appealing although we have always dined outside (and maybe should give it a nudge). This may be due to the fact I treat this more as a bar to catch up over drinks (usually with smokers) rather than a dining experience but I’m sure the food alone is very worthy
I like the burnt broccoli and kale as it’s quite bitter and has a balsamic dressing. We had the salmon rack last time, which was pretty amazing really on a big wooden board with messy slaw on top. The mac and cheese could be better in my opinion. It’s almost a little bit like (dare I say it) a kid friendly version, where I personally prefer them to be a bit more hearty and homestyle. Only my own preference though!
The chicken waffles are a fun addition and are what you expect!
All in all it’s a good central option for a cosy drink or two and some southern style dining

We went to Orleans on Sat night for my boyfriends birthday. It was busy so we had to wait for a seat to dine inside. It was a bit miserable to eat outside. So we decided to have a cocktail each which were really good. We were thinking this place was going to live up to our expectations.
We got called when a table became available inside. The atmosphere and décor of the place is really cool, it definitely looks the part. We ordered a bottle of Kumeu Village Chardonnay ($ 50) which was super tasty.
We ordered our food and having ordered bbq shrimp from the starters menu assumed that it would be dropped down first while they worked on the mains. I didnt think this needed to be stated (maybe you are supposed to). Anyway all our food got dropped down at the one time to a really small table so that there was no room and we had to hand food back and forth across the table which was a juggling act. We got curly fries which is hard to go wrong. The BBQ shrimp were not very exciting with not much flavour, the grits made up for it slightly. They were out of the brussel sprouts so we ordered the cauliflower instead which was the replacement for the sprouts. This was pretty good once you added the sauce to it, otherwise just tasted deep fried and greasy. For mains we ordered the skirt steak with burnt broccoli and chimichurri and the Low country gumbo. The steak got cold very quickly because all the food is served on white tin plates so the heat doesnt stay very long, and it was quite chewy. The gumbo was good but again the dish went cold way to quickly. Because all the food was dropped down at the one time we felt rushed because it was all going cold so quickly.
The staff are not attentive and did not even make eye contact when dropping the food to the table. At the end of the meal we were dropped down the bill but not told we needed to go to the front bar to pay. We assumed she would come back and take the card to pay for the meal. We stood at the middle bar to pay once we got sick of waiting and the staff member there left us standing there while he chatted to friend and then finally told us we needed to go to the front bar.
The music and cocktails were the best part of this experience. If you want good food with good service this is not the place to go. Im sure it is seen as the cool, hip place to go but do yourself a favour and eat somewhere else before you go there.

I keep passing this restaurant on my way to the gym. My friend in Miami told me to «go for a walk», and it was lunchtime, so I decided to stop in here.
Orleans has just what you think it would have: delicious cajun food, relaxed atmosphere, and from what I hear, good music Wed — Sat nights. I’ll have to come back for that.
I chose to sit outside in the alley, since it was a sunny day. I spyed brusselsprouts on the menu and ordered those right away while perusing the menu. Everything is served tapas-​style, so I had to try a couple of things.
The brusselsprouts arrive and I relish in the bowl whilst my NOLA BBQ shrimp & grits and sweet potato gnocchi are in the works. I was so sad that these went so fast, nearly ordered another bowl. For those that knock brusselsprouts, you need to stop avoiding them and join the rest of us because when brusselsprouts are paired with BACON and honey mustard, how can you go wrong?
The shrimp and grits show up, distracting me from longingly staring at the now-​empty bowl where the brusselsprouts were. I could have eaten two plates of those shrimp and grits. It had a BBQ flavor that hit the spot, and I don’t remember what was in those grits, but dang, comfort food!
Last but not least, the sweet potato gnocchi with pulled BBQ pork arrives. It’s still hot, but I am too eager to delve in as the previous two plates were so good. This dish did not disappoint. I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to have gnocchi (trying to be Paleo) but it said «sweet potato», so I think I’m safe. If not, whatevs, because I ate it and it was delicious.
Definitely returning here to try out those other dishes I was looking at (jambalaya balls, burnt broccoli and kale, chicken & waffles) as well as basking in the live music.

When Orleans first opened the food was to an extremely high standard, but the last few times I’ve been there it seems to have slipped, and last night it fell straight over.
We were in a group of about 15 and we were told to split into two groups and sit at separate tables (we decided to just get super cozy at one instead).
Our food arrived in a reasonable time, but there was a general mood of disappointment up and down the table.
The chicken and waffles was still amazing so I’m glad that has been kept to a high standard.
That said the service was still pretty good and it’s got a great atmosphere. Hoping that they’ll bring their game back up.

Orleans is a very hip eatery. It showcases live blues music whilst serving Southern American food, it’s the only place like it in Auckland.
There are plenty of new eateries popping up in Auckland and all bringing an American twist. Orleans packs plenty of flavour and also plenty of grease. Although a majority of the menu items are deep fried, nothing tastes overly greasy. If you want that all American experience try the Chicken Waffle. It’s both sweet and savoury but theres something moorish about this dish. The Salmon Collar is another dish you don’t see on most menus. If your not a fussy eater, give this a go. It has a interesting texture, however it probably wasn’t as much of as a standout dish as some. The po boys are great to share for two people. The price for the value is fair and definitely gives you flavour and texture and I would order it again.
The only let down was probably the jalapeño cornbread. It was just a bit dry and bland. The atmosphere is awesome, the food is really good and its good value for money. I would def recommend it.
Rating
Food: 7.5÷10
Service: 7.5÷10
Value for Money: Good
48 Customs Street East, Britomart
Opening Hours:
Mon-​Fri: 1130am-​Late
Sat-​Sun: 430pm-​Late

Some foods just taste good but any food made at Orleans leaves you wanting. wait scrap that NEEDING more! This place blows my mind every time due to their choice of textures, ingredients and mash-up’s of food types. If you’ve never been be sure to head along with a group of friends as it’s a total experience. The night we headed along they had a live blues singer at the end of the restaurant pumping out some classic tunes (very 1950’sish) which totally added to the experience and ambiance. The staff are friendly and really interact with your table. Food is quick to arrive at your table (even more impressive due to the busyness of the restaurant). Make sure you book early as this place is always jammed. Worth a visit for a total re-​think of dinning in Auckland City.

I really love the interior of this place it’s been done so well and feels so authentic. It is a restaurant but I like it better as a bar because of the vibe, cool bar tenders and cocktails. The live music is awesome too. The food is pretty good, the gumbo is really good and the fried chicken is awsome, it comes with this hot chilli sauce and is succulent and juicy. My only down side is the staff, I often go and sit outside and the staff that wait those tables are cold and unaccommodating. Go with friends for a drink and a nibble and the live music.

Another addition to the burgeoning Britomart area, Orleans is a must-​dine location to add to your list. Nestled in Roukai Lane off Customs Street East, the venue feels like stumbling upon a hidden gem. Inspired by its namesake, New Orleans, you’re quickly spirited away into this finely tuned setting with dark woods, rustic window frames, big band music, and wait staff in cohesive — yet individual — dress. The ambience hits the mark!
The menu is filled with Southern-​inspired dishes (think buttermilk fried chicken, creole curly fries, gumbo, grits, po boys) leaving you in a state of indecision. Luckily for me, I dined with a group of friends, and we spent the night ordering multiple times from the menu and divvying up the goods. We ended the night on a perfectly portioned pecan pie with bourbon ice cream. Delish!
As you can tell, my experience at Orleans was a positive one, and I’ll definitely be back again with my partner to take advantage of the many gluten free options and the live music.

Its Thursday night… around 8pm… the place is packed seating is family style, so make friends. Been looking forward to trying this place. I cook Cajun food all the time so I’m always keen to see the NZ interpretation of home cooking.
I ordered the Pig po boy — very small but delicious
and
Andoulle jumbalaya balis — filling and very delicious but not enough Andoullle sausage
Service was usless. (The words from their own staff about their own staff). I take that back… you will get service if your a gaggle of assistive Aussie chicks. Not only will they take your order… they have time to take your selfie for you. How sweet.
Food 3 stars… Service 0 stars.
EDIT: I’ve been back. And the food is only ok. The fried chicken on waffles is horrable. It’s more like kinda sorta spicy chicken nuggets on a waffle slice. If you order any other fried chicken dish it’s the same nuggets. Not gewd!

Came in around 8:30pm on a Tuesday night for a bite and the place was packed out! We were the first group to not have to be put on the waitlist.
Orleans is southern-​american styled place, the interior décor is well-​themed and there’s live music every night except Sunday. The staff were great.
Food was amazing here! Make sure to try the Chicken Waffle, literally, fried chicken on a waffle, as well as many other southern hits, like gumbo, cornbread, and jambalaya.
The music was a little too loud for my liking; it was a bit hard to hold conversation in there without feeling like you need to yell across the table.