Recent social media posts
31/05/2026
Sua i’a
A maua se agiagi 🧅, popo 🥥 ma se i’a , ia ua lava fo’i legā!!! 🤤 🇦🇸🇼🇸♥️🌺
27/05/2026
Doing cool s**t with even cooler people. Up’s to my G? 🇼🇸
📸 by
17/05/2026
In a world full of shifts and uncertainty, having a place to show up every day is a gift. Deeply thankful for my job, my team, and the stability it brings. Samoa 🇼🇸 mo Samoa 🇼🇸
03/05/2026
Tala is officially one of TIME’s World’s Greatest Places for 2026. To be the only restaurant featured from all of Oceania is an honour we don’t take lightly. We’re so proud to represent our region, New Zealand 🇳🇿 and Samoa 🇼🇸 on the world stage. Team, this one is for you.
685 & 09 to the world
26/04/2026
Another week done, countless lessons learned, and plenty more work to be had. Fueling my days with gratitude. Let’s make next week even better. 🔥🇼🇸
19/04/2026
Two years and three months ago, I hired Chumani Shields as a dishwasher. Today? She’s the powerhouse running our Larder section as a CDP. Many chefs have come and gone, but her dedication, grit, and passion kept her here, moving up fast. I am so incredibly proud to see another Samoan chef determined to push our food forward and elevate our culture on the plate.
Here is us celebrating her alongside the best, most hard-working team that’s ever been assembled at Tala. Malo lava le tautua, Chumani 🇼🇸🔥
Malo
05/04/2026
Marching to the beat of tradition. 🌿 This month was a beautiful whirlwind of flavors and stories. There’s no greater joy than seeing guests at Tala experience the heart of Samoa through our food.
Faafetai tele lava to everyone who joined us this month and a huge shout out to the team!!!
22/03/2026
“E le sili le ta’i, nai lo le tapua’i” – The people supporting are just as important as those working.
So grateful for the community in Melbourne and Auckland for embracing our Samoan food stories. From Samoan roots to plate, hoping to bring the culture forward! 🌺🙏🏾🇼🇸
12/03/2026
🇼🇸685
We’ve gone global! We’re so excited to announce that Tala has been selected by TIME for its ‘World’s Greatest Places 2026’ list, out today. It highlights 100 extraordinary destinations around the world to visit and stay, and Tala is the only restaurant in the Oceania region to be chosen by TIME. We’re so thrilled to have the opportunity to spread fa’a Samoa even further around the world. Fa’afetai lava
Special Congratulations to .nz and team for making the list and pushing NZ 🇳🇿hospitality forward
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Credit: Cover photograph by Matt Dutile
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08/03/2026
We’ve Sold out!! Fair Food’s The Conscious Kitchen: Shared Table 🇼🇸
Very excited to be a part of this amazing initiative. Mālo lava ♥️♥️♥️
08/03/2026
So grateful for a packed February at Tala! 🇼🇸 It’s been an absolute privilege to share our Samoan culture, stories, and flavors with everyone this past month. Thank you to our amazing guests for allowing us to serve you. Fa’afetai tele lava!
🥥🔥
15/02/2026
“O le ala i le p**e o le tautua.” (The road to leadership is through service). Opening our doors in New Zealand has been more than a business, it’s been an act of service to our community and culture. Thank you, Aotearoa, for the support and for letting us share our āiga (family) with yours.
09/02/2026
“Transporting back to early 1900s Samoa 🇼🇸, a time when the sweet, heavy scent of copra smoke filled the air around the German run plantations. 🥥🔥 This dessert is an homage to that era, blending smoky coconut notes with rich creaminess, reflecting both the labor and the resilience of our ancestors before WWI changed everything. 🥥✨
”
01/02/2026
January is officially in the books!!! Huge fa’afetai lava to everyone who has supported Tala this month.The love for our Samoan 🇼🇸 cuisine has been incredible. 2026 is already shaping up to be such a fun ride. So excited for what’s to come! Cheeeeehuuuuuu!
25/01/2026
Being born and raised in Samoa, the concept of tautua (service) and fa’aaloalo (respect) has always been at the heart of everything I do. Opening TALA here in New Zealand is more than just a business, it is a privilege to share our culture’s stories through food. From the smoke of the umu to the memories of my childhood in the islands, I am so grateful to represent my heritage on this stage.. 🇼🇸🇳🇿 685 in the 09 cheeeehuuuu 🗣️
04/01/2026
We’ve missed you! 🌿 After a short holiday break to recharge, our doors are officially opening again this Thursday, January 8th. We are ready to welcome you back with the warmth of Samoan hospitality🇼🇸✨Fresh year, same heart. Come say Talofa! 🌺🔥
Secure your spot at tala.co.nz.
28/12/2025
In the early 1900s, copra was the backbone of the 🇼🇸Samoan economy under German 🇩🇪rule. While the industry was built on plantations, it was also a site of Samoan resilience and local ingenuity. This dish pays homage to that era, using the traditional smoke-drying aromatics that once defined the islands.
“E suamalie a niu ‘a’ati.”
23/12/2025
Culture lives in the doing, not just the viewing. Our fire is a source of nourishment and identity, a sacred practice of respect that is authentically ours. The freedom to be uniquely Specific 🇼🇸🔥 and not generically Pacific!
Address
235 Parnell Road
Parnell
1052
**Travel Directions to Parnell:**
**Public Transport:**
1. **Bus:**
- Take any bus route that services the Parnell area. Routes such as 70, 74, or 75 frequently connect to central Auckland and stop near Parnell.
- Alight at the nearest bus stop on Parnell Road and walk a short distance to your destination.
2. **Train:**
- Board a train from Britomart Station heading towards the Eastern Line.
- Get off at the Parnell Station. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to your destination.
**Driving/Parking:**
1. **By Car:**
- If you're coming from the city center, head east on Quay Street, then take the exit onto Stanley Street.
- Continue straight onto Parnell Rise and follow signs for Parnell.
2. **Parking:**
- There are several parking options available in the area, including street parking along Parnell Road and nearby side streets.
- Look for public car parks such as those located on St Georges Bay Road or in local shopping areas.
Make sure to check for any parking restrictions or fees before leaving your vehicle!
Opening Hours
| Wednesday |
5:30pm - 9pm |
| Thursday |
12pm - 2pm |
|
5:30pm - 9pm |
| Friday |
12pm - 2pm |
|
5:30pm - 9pm |
| Saturday |
12pm - 2pm |
|
5:30pm - 9pm |
Alerts
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What people say
Tala NZ in Parnell is a remarkable dining destination that beautifully showcases the rich heritage of traditional Samoan cuisine while embracing contemporary culinary innovation. Under the expert guidance of Head Chef Tommy Hope, Tala NZ is redefining what Samoan food can be, pushing boundaries and elevating flavors to new heights.
Chef Tommy brings an impressive background to the kitchen, having honed his skills at prestigious establishments like Sid at The French Café and Melbourne's renowned Attica. His passion for Samoan cuisine shines through in every dish, as he crafts a menu that invites guests on a delightful journey through the vibrant tastes of Samoa.
The atmosphere at Tala NZ is warm and welcoming, making it the perfect spot for both casual lunches and intimate dinners. Open Thursday to Saturday for lunch and Wednesday to Saturday for dinner, Tala offers a unique dining experience that encourages patrons to explore and savor each bite.
With a commitment to delivering unexpected and thought-provoking flavors, Tala NZ stands out as a must-visit restaurant for anyone looking to indulge in an extraordinary culinary adventure. Whether you're familiar with Samoan cuisine or trying it for the first time, Tala promises an unforgettable experience that celebrates culture through food.