1. Coco's Cantina
If you haven't already surrendered to the Coulter sisters' seriously sassy spaghetti with free-range meatballs, you haven't lived. Boasting a duo of giant balls with bags of flavour cooked to perfection, we wouldn't be surprised if monuments are one day built in honour of these majestic mouthfuls.
376 K Rd, Auckland Central
2. Melt
We have three words for you: raclette meatball sub. These food truck purveyors, who are famed for adding ooey-gooey cheesy goodness to anything that will sit still long enough, have taken their moreish spiced meatballs soaked in a house-made tomato-based sauce and tucked them into a hotdog bun before topping them with melted smoked manuka cheddar.You can track Melt down via their Facebook page.
3. A'meza
As part of the new winter menu at A'meza, Dominion Rd's Asian-fusion fine-dining destination, chef Will Laysico's rainy day-ready Korean-influenced Bulgogi meatballs which sit on a bed of pillowy polenta topped with pickled vegetables and crunchy bean sprouts is an inspired dish to say the least.
345 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
4. Baduzzi
A must-try list of meatballs would not be complete without the purveyors so serious they are named after the delicious orbs (baduzzi is the Sicilian word for meatballs). That isn't all that they do at this Italian-inspired institution, but when said hand-crafted creations include Fiordland crayfish renditions with pancetta, chickpeas and pecorino, or organic lamb with wild thyme, preserved lemon and a spiced gravy, it's plain to see that perfect polpettes will always be a priority here.
10-26 Fish Lane, Auckland Central
5. Federal Delicatessen
Perfect for late-night savouring or taking away to be devoured in private, the lamb and veal meatballs at The Fed come with a truffle cauliflower cheese and porcini crumbs that will most certainly see you having a ball. In fact, if you so desire you could embark on a meatball crawl after this and head to . . .
86 Federal St, Auckland Central
6. Gusto at the Grand
The only way you'll be able to make up your mind on which balls are truly the best in town is if you do some 'research' right? The pork and veal spheres here are doused in a tomato sauce and topped with lashing of punchy pecorino cheese.
90 Federal St, Auckland Central
7. Bedford Soda and Liquor
Found on the Richmond Rd side of Ponsonby Central, this fun eatery specialises in a selection (beef, chicken, pork or lamb) of hand-rolled, free-range and gluten-free meatballs that can be enjoyed as is, doused in a sauce of your choosing, savoured in a sub or slider, or served proudly on a bed of spaghetti, mash, polenta, risotto or seasonal vegetables. There's also a new branch in Takapuna.
2 Richmond Rd, Ponsonby
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8. Deco Eatery
Well worth the drive, this Lopdell House favourite in Titirangi serves a Greek take on meatballs served atop roasted winter root vegetables and labneh, with a drizzle of the Spanish-inspired spicy ketchup, brava sauce.
418 Titirangi Rd, Titirangi
