Eating out in Auckland is a delight. Choices cover all manner of cuisines and there is something sure to delight every palette. I have always been a fan of Turkish cuisine and when I spotted Cafe Midnight Express Auckland right across from the Sky Tower it piqued my interest and drew me across the street. I quickly checked out the TripAdvisor reviews (#13 of 1736) on my phone and the deal was sealed. Faster than you could say ‘table for two please’ we were seated and perusing the menu. Read on for all the details …
Cafe Midnight Express Auckland Overview
It’s hard to miss the intricate blue tiles that cover the facade of Cafe Midnight Express Auckland. This striking feature sets the scene for what is to come and the busy Victoria St location was just around the corner from CityLife Auckland where we stayed. Construction dominates the surrounding area, but don’t let it put you off. Auckland’s CBD is undergoing a transformation and is going to be awesome, but right now you just have to kinda make the best of it. Once inside, we realised it was quite busy which surprised us on a Monday night. We were escorted to a table towards the back and scanned our surroundings. I loved the rustic feel, exposed brick and quirky light fittings which created a welcoming unpretentious space. The menu at Cafe Midnight Express Auckland is a fusion of Mediterranean and Turkish dishes and the $25 two course special from Sunday – Tuesday is hard to beat. We had eaten breakfast in the Emirates Lounge in Sydney earlier in the day and followed that up with a three course lunch in business class on our Emirates A380 flight to Auckland so we were trying to limit the damage as much as possible. I was thrilled when the staff allowed us to share the $25 special. I swear we are not cheapskates! We just knew we couldn’t possibly eat that much food!
What We Ate
First things first. I needed wine and got that happening almost as soon as I sat down. The Hubs loves to try different beers when we travel and as we were in a Turkish restaurant he decided to sample the local brew. He loved the Efes. Later on in our NZ road trip he found Babaganush in Hamilton also served his new favorite brew and he was hooked. So much so, that we have been trying to track it down in Sydney ever since we landed which is no easy feat. It seems Dan Murphy’s used to stock it but that is no longer the case. Beers of The World currently have it on for $50 (down from $70) and will deliver it to you door (for $27 mind you!) which makes it a pretty pricey case. The search continues, but suffice to say when we were at Cafe Midnight Express Auckland he ordered a few.
We decided to order some garlic Turkish bread while we perused the menu. It was blow your head off strong and I’m glad that we both ate it because we certainly relived the memories the next day. They also have plain Turkish bread which may be a safer choice.
The $25 2 course special at Cafe Midnight Express Auckland includes a main and your choice of either an entrée or dessert. We chose the entrée and settled on the Calamari. I’m not a seafood eater and Calamari is one of the few things from the sea that passes my lips. We waited ages for our food to arrive even though other diners seated after us were happily munching away (I always notice these things don’t you?). After a while our server arrived and offered an apology. It seems our entrée went to the wrong table. She offered to bring both our entrée and main at the same time but we declined. The calamari rings were small but tasty and could have done with a heftier sprinkling of pepper. The dish was supposed to be served with aioli but it was distinctly absent from out plate so we made do with the lemon wedge.
For main we chose the classic Turkish dish Kofte. It was divine. I expected the combination of lamb and beef mince to be served on a skewer but when the plate arrived the meatballs were nestled atop a bed of fluffy rice. Fine by me, as I always slide them off anyway. The three generous Kofte were topped with a tasty tomato based sauce and drizzled with yoghurt. The side salad was a nice accompaniment and thoughtfully dressed. I would have ordered a flat bread to wrap the delicious morels in if it was an option.
The Final Word
I loved Cafe Midnight Express Auckland. This charming authentic restaurant delivered superb value, convenience and deliciousness right when we needed it. They must be doing something right to be so busy on a Monday night and all those Trip Advirsor reviews can’t be wrong. Do yourself a favour and just go. If you are heading to NZ for the first time, check out my New Zealand essentials post which offers helpful advice for planning the perfect trip,
Do you like Turkish cuisine? Have you been to Cafe Midnight Express Auckland? Let me know in the comments below.
Until Next Time …
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. I paid for my meal at Cafe Midnight Express Auckland in full and as always, all opinions are my own. This post contains an affiliate link that may earn me a few cents commission if a qualifying purchase is made.
Psssst … If you know where I can pick up a slab of Efes in South West Sydney I am all ears ….
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Kristina says
Turkish food is SO GOOD. I am jealous just reading this. Love finding a new place and it turning out to be spectacular!
Allison Smith says
Loved it! If we lived in Auckland this would be our local!
Gina says
Reading your blog always makes me so hungry! I love calamari anywhere and I’m glad you like it too because calamari photos literally make my day. I like how it was also so charming and the beers were wonderfully presented as well. I like a good garlic bread and the ones in the photo look to die for. Did you know garlic bread in Korea has sugar on it? It’s absolutely disgusting.
Nicole Anderson says
I last visited Auckland in January of this year but was not there very long. Turkish cuisine is not something I try very often so I will have to stop in at the Cafe Midnight Express on the next trip. It certainly looks like it delivers value at the prices you had mentioned. Food looks good for the value.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
We might have passed Nicole. I was also there in January. I love Turkish Cuisine and eat it as often as I can ?
Jean says
I never would have picked Auckland to have good food! Next time I’m there (maybe for the first time..) I’ll be sure to track down this restaraunt with the beautiful blue tiles! I can’t resist me some good Turkish bread!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Maybe go for the bread without the garlic Jean! Sadly we didn’t get to explore as much of Auckland as we would like but we will be back!
Raymond Carroll says
Sign of a good eatery – ‘it’s busy during weekdays’, or ‘the locals eat in it’. ‘Cafe Midnight Express’ in Auckland, love the name, and the movie, and the book. Your pictures are as crisp as the salad and the food looks scrumptious. Nice post, Allison – hungry now!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Totally agree Raymond. Even when I have done my TA research I always peek my head inside before committing lol.
Ticker Eats The World says
Always a fan of fab eating places in a city and this one certainly perked my interest after reading your post… and the price of $25 for two certainly is a bargain in any city. I too loved the blue tiles up front. The calamari and the kofte look amazing and i like how colorful the dishes are with the salad leaves and sauces on top. Cool place and very quaint.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I love a bargain and $25 for two courses is sensational. And that’s Kiwi dollars too!
James Smith says
Like you husband, I too love to try the different beers, he’d love Belgium! The Turkish garlic bread looks delicious, I wouldn’t mind having garlic breath for the next couple of days. I do notice other people receiving their food quickly even more so if I’m hungry. The Kofte looks well worth the wait though and your picture is making me hungry too.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
We are hoping to be back in Europe in 2019 if all goes well so ill be sure to take home to Belgium! I hate it when people get their food before me lol. The kofte was delish!
Lia @ Practical Wanderlust says
Yummm, I love turkish food! But I have never had Turkish bread like that! Now I’m craving kofte….
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
What’s not to love Lia! I liked the Turkish bread it was just super strong!
Rhonda Albom says
I live just outside Auckland and there are so many places I love to eat when I go up to the city that I rarely try new ones. I have walked by this place a few times and thought about it, but next time I will give it a try. BTW – I loved your disclaimer.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
You’ll have to let me know what you think. Make sure you go Sunday – Tuesday. I’ll be sure to ask for recommendations next time I visit Auckland ?
Mel I TravelingMel says
Well, now I am hungry. I was going to say that I love the tile on the outside of Cafe Midnight Express, but I see Natalie already said that. I haven’t been to a Turkish restaurant outside of Turkey, but I would love to try it and this place looks likes the perfect place to indulge.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I haven’t been to Turkey but I can imagine the food would be sensational!
Stephanie says
That looks like such delicious food!!! Great review
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Thanks Stephanie! We really enjoyed it ?
Natalie says
Love the tile, too!! We love sampling food whenever we travel and sometimes you stumble on a favorite. We loved the cuisine on our Turkish trip and it would be so nice to have some of it at other times! We haven’t make it to Aukland, yet, but will keep this in mind.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Would love to visit Turkey. I would end up rolling home I am sure ?