azabu
Azabu in Ponsonby has such a great vibe—it blends modern style with authentic Japanese flavours perfectly. The restaurant feels cosy yet stylish, with its black walls mixed with wooden and leather brown tones throughout. It makes for a perfect spot for a laid-back lunch or a fancy dinner with friends. The service was fantastic, the staff were friendly and really knew their stuff, which made the whole experience super enjoyable.
We were celebrating a special occasion—Mel’s 10-year anniversary at Husk—and Azabu made it even more memorable. We chose to sample their ‘Eat, Drink, Love Ponsonby’ menu which happened to be on offer the day we visited and it was amazing! The temaki rolls were wonderfully fresh and packed with flavour, the ceviche was creamy and delish, and the big Glory Bay salmon…well, that was cooked to perfection. Yummo!
Overall, Azabu in Ponsonby is a gem. Great food, cool atmosphere, and awesome service—it ticks all the boxes for an epic dining experience. Whether you’re a Japanese cuisine enthusiast or just looking for a tasty meal in a stylish setting, Azabu won’t disappoint.
Total spend – 4 people – $238.24
Eat, drink, love Ponsonby shared menu:
Edamame
Tostada
Ceviche
Temaki – New styled hand roll
Dumplings
Big glory bay salmon
Louise had bits of everything and drank a jasmine green tea. She said, “Azabu always delivers. Love the plating and flavours. Love the aesthetic and the vibe. Especially loved the lychee avocado ceviche with wakame – such interesting flavours. I’ll be back.”
Mel had a bit of everything. She said, “What a gorgeous place! Was treated to a surprise ‘fancy’ lunch to help celebrate my 10 year anniversary working at Husk. A treat it was, such beautifully presented food and all tasted sooo good. I would eagerly return for another taste, I won’t be waiting another 10 years to do so :)”
Sam had a bit of everything. He said, “Such a nice place, incredible food and presentation. So nice having a bit of everything. A real treat.”
Sarah had a bit of everything and drank a jasmine tea. She said, “What a treat going to Azabu for a celebratory lunch! And so cool it coincided with their ‘Eat, Drink, Love Ponsonby’ special set menu. It was such a nice way to try lots of small things, so fresh, light and so beautifully presented. Loovved it!”
