The Claddagh Irish Pub

You can always bank on that Irish wit and self-deprecation to put a smile on your face after a long day. The same can be said of The Claddagh Irish Pub in Newmarket!

Just a short bus ride away from Auckland's CBD, you'll find Claddagh in the Westfield Shopping Centre. And although it's thousands of miles away from its homeland, Claddagh is a welcoming Irish hug that could easily be mistaken for being in the middle of Dublin.

Boasting all the charm, antique wooden furniture and cosy cubby holes that make these pubs so iconic, everyone is welcome here for the craic.

And like every good Irish pub, they're serving the masses with no-frills, comforting grub that is as unpretentious as it is delicious and warming. Here, you have sausages and mash drowned in an ocean of rich, meaty gravy, Claddagh's signature beef burger, and a vegan burger. The highlight, however, has to be the homemade Guinness and steak pie; a staple in all Irish households, you simply can't beat plunging your fork through buttery pastry for the gravy-drenched goodness below.

As for drinks, Guinness is never a bad idea, nor is a pint of anything cold and refreshing. Along with beaming smiles whatever the weather, it's what the Irish do best!