New Zealand's Spanish dining scene is small and spread out. Our New Zealand page lists five Spanish restaurants: three filed under Auckland, one under Christchurch and one in Arrowtown. Two of them we have already profiled on the blog. This guide covers all five, using what each restaurant's own record in our directory says, including its hours where they are recorded.
Christchurch and Banks Peninsula: Casa Paella
Casa Paella is filed under Christchurch, but its address is Orton Bradley Park, 500 Marine Drive, Charteris Bay, on Banks Peninsula. Its record describes it as focused on the rice traditions of Valencia and Alicante, with a Paella Valenciana made to the official recipe of Sueca.
The record lists 12 varieties of rice and paella, naming Paella de Bogavante, Arroz del Senyoret, Bullit de Peix, Arroz a Banda and Fideuà de Gandia. It says founder and chef Edrick Corban-Banks holds the honorary title of Paeller d'Honor from the Concurs Internacional de Paella Valenciana de Sueca. Its recorded hours are 09:00 to 17:00, every day. Our Casa Paella spotlight has more.
Arrowtown: La Rumbla
La Rumbla is at 54 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown. Its record says the team is led by Sam Gruar and Penelope Johnson, and that the menu is built around shared plates. It mentions a cocktail and beer list, with beers from Arrowtown and abroad, and a wine list from New Zealand, Australia and Spain that changes nearly every day.
Its hours are 17:00 to 22:00 on Sunday and Tuesday to Saturday; no Monday hours are recorded. See our La Rumbla spotlight for more.
Auckland: Waiheke Island, downtown and Henderson
Three listings are filed under Auckland, and they are far apart.
- Casita Miró: the address is 3 Brown Road, Waiheke Island. Its record says it specialises in the cuisine of Spain and the wider Mediterranean, with tapas and raciones (large plates) for sharing, and mentions wine and sherry. Recorded hours are 11:00 to 14:30 on Friday to Tuesday; no Wednesday or Thursday hours are recorded.
- Madriz: listed as a Spanish tapas bar and restaurant in downtown Auckland. Its listing notes that the address and phone are not confirmed, and no hours are recorded.
- Bodega Eatery: listed as a Spanish tapas restaurant in Henderson, West Auckland, with share plates and outdoor dining. Its street address and phone are not confirmed, and no hours are recorded.
For Madriz and Bodega Eatery, check the restaurant directly before you plan a visit.
Planning notes
- Casa Paella's recorded hours end at 17:00, so it is a lunch or afternoon stop. La Rumbla is dinner only.
- Casita Miró lists lunch hours only, and none for Wednesday or Thursday.
- Three of the five listings have hours on record. For the other two, contact the restaurant first.
