Bonita

This vibrant Ellerslie dining hotspot serves up bold flavours with a touch of style, blending contemporary Spanish influences with modern Kiwi flair.

A carefully curated menu highlights the best local ingredients, presented using traditional Spanish techniques. Tapas plates designed for sharing serve as the foundation of the menu. Ellerslie Bakehouse's focaccia with black truffle butter is a must-try, as is the Leigh fish ceviche, which comes with old favourites like chipotle and agria potato chips.

The shared plates include heirloom tomatoes and granarolo burrata dressed in a mojo verde limoneta, or you can try the fried chicken thigh with pickled peppers and ranch creme fraiche sauce. Main courses are popular, with options like Royalburn lamb ribs and fresh fish of the day. The lamb is expertly chargrilled in a citrus labneh yoghurt dressing, and the Leigh fish is served with bean puree and cherry tomato vizcaina sauce.

Make room for the desserts, as the traditional crema catalana with rhubarb coulis, strawberries, and almond tuile and the Manjari chocolate cheesecake with berries and crisps are standouts.

There’s also a highly curated wine list, with Spanish drops being the hero bottles and all-time classics given a contemporary twist in their cocktails – think shishito-infused tequila with a hit of agave and lime.

Glass-curved doors, designed with alfresco dining in mind, allow the restaurant to easily transition from an indoor, stylish space to an expansive outdoor seating area. Open all day so you can stop in for a relaxing weekend brunch or finish the day with fancy plates and classic margaritas.