Let’s admit, food courts are not the best. These days you find them everywhere. They are way too crowded, the food is (mostly) bad, the chairs are not comfy and the atmosphere is the total opposite of cosy.

They can be convenient though. Those nights you’re having dinner with a big group, there won’t be any problem. No discussions which restaurant it is going to be tonight. Italian? Mexican? Malaysian? In a foodcourt you have it all. Or those times while travelling and you just have enough money left for a cheap bad burger. But still, they’re ugly.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have the best of both worlds? The conveniency of a food court combined with the charming atmosphere of a nice restaurant. 

Well, apparently that is possible! Think of all the pros of a food court, minus the annoying fluorescent lights, sticky tables and heart attacks on a plate. Doesn’t exist you think? Think again! This is what I found in Auckland.

1. Elliott Stables

My personal favourite is this one, the Elliott Stables. The first time I walked in here I couldn’t believe my eyes. My boyfriend had told me he would take me to a foodcourt. I wasn’t all too enthusiastic, but I went along. When I walked through those huge doors of the Stables a new world opened.

This is definitely not a regular foodcourt I thought. This is a cool one! +1 for the boyfriend.

The floor is paved with little stones, like a real cute street. The tables are in wood and stone, the lights soft and the flowers fresh. It is a really popular place, so there are still a lot of people around. But the number of people doesn’t take away the cosiness. This place manages to be big and cute at the same time.

What I love is that you can sit anywhere you want and eat everything you want. Do you feel like having tapas as an entrée, an Italian pizza as a main and a French crêpe as dessert? That’s perfectly possible. But at the same time you still feel like in a cosy restaurant.

The average price of a meal is more than in a regular food court, but there are so many options. You don’t have to choose the fancy sirloin steak or sushi, you can also go for a German sausage (16NZD) or some French crêpes (5,90NZD).

For the phone-addicts among us: there is free wifi and a spot where you can charge iPhones, iPads and other mobile phones – the cables are provided.

2. Ponsonby Central

I love the design of Ponsonby Central. It is not the regular food court (of course not, otherwise it wouldn’t end up in this article), this place looks more like an indoor market with different restaurants hidden left and right. A lot of light pours through the large windows. Ponsonby Central is very neat, stylish and there is a large offer of food.

This secretly cool place is located in Ponsonby, also known as “Auckland’s hippest strip”. Ponsonby Central is a trendy spot, with a lovely little outside area (that has quirky fake green grass). And when you’re done eating, check out the cool stores and pop-up shops!

I’ve only found two nice food courts in Auckland. Do you know some more, in Auckland or another city? Or will you never ever step inside a food court?