1. Chinoiserie
Think a super stack of pork spare ribs slow-cooked in a moreish black bean sauce — this is messy work but someone's got to do it.
4 Owairaka Ave, Mt Albert
2. Big Fish Eatery
Taking a pan-Asian approach, the moreish Akuma lamb ribs here appear in a cumin and chilli-crusted pile served with a refreshing apple and cucumber slaw for a serious punch to the palate.
710 Great South Rd, Penrose
3. Kiss Kiss
Prepare yourself for a fiery feast — this Dominion Rd food hall does a Thai-style pork rendition, or Sii Khrong Moo Yaang, that's served with a dried chilli dipping sauce (Jaew sauce) you'll find well worth the burn.
1 Rocklands Ave, Balmoral
4. Brothers Juke Joint BBQ
Whether you dine in or take away, this American-style barbecue and beer spot is hard to beat with its generous servings of pork ribs done Memphis-style — sticky and designed to be chewed on. And don't even think about passing on the tater tots.
5 Akiraho St, Mt Eden
5. Kai Pasifika
Sure to satisfy rib cravings in the Eden Tce area, stroll on into Auckland's inaugural Pacific Island restaurant and order the Sipi — lamb ribs — which comes with a mouth-watering tamarind chutney.
3 Mt Eden Rd, Eden Tce
6. Morepork BBQ
Nice rack, you say? This 'prime' result spends 4.5 hours in the dry smoker, then is slathered with Morepork's housemade barbecue sauce before being swaddled in foil and allowed to rest.
5/1 Jervois Rd, Ponsonby
7. Miss Moonshine's
No rib hitlist would be completely without the signature beef short ribs made by Ponsonby's very own pit boss.
Lot 3, 130 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby
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Advertise with NZME.8. Mekong Baby
The ideal starter or accompaniment to a well-deserved cocktail, the flavours of the crispy spiced lamb ribs here are all the more amplified by the green chilli and herb relish they come with. Dip, devour, repeat.
262 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby
9. Woodpecker Hill
Known to make mouths water at their mere mention, the coconut-braised beef short ribs here are doused in Woodpecker Hill's housemade Asian-inspired barbecue thick sauce that is so good, it's been bottled for sale.
196 Parnell Rd, Parnell
10. The Lantern Alley
This K Rd newcomer specialises in a plateful of twice-cooked Korean spicy pork baby back ribs, perfect for sharing … or not.
258 K Rd, Auckland Central
11. El Sizzling Chorizo
It seems Ponsonby has all the makings for an epic rib crawl … joining the ranks are these Argentinian barbecuers and their delicious take on short ribs.
Ponsonby Central, Ponsonby
12. Depot
Inner-city favourite Depot does a lamb rendition of ribs with skordalia and cumin paprika oil that literally fly out the door as soon as it's ready.
86 Federal St, Auckland Central
13. Al's Deli
Thursday is Rib Day at Al's Deli where a half rack of three-day hickory-smoked chargrilled ribs in a pomegranate barbecue sauce comes with fries and a beverage of your choosing for just $20. You're welcome.
492 Queen St, Auckland Central
14. Chikos Restaurant and Cafe
This Asian fusion favourite on Lincoln Rd does a Thai sweet chilli meringue barbecue pork rib with candied ginger, pumkin puree and a sprinkling of coconut flakes.
7/255 Lincoln Rd, Henderson
15. Hallertau Brewery
Winter won't keep us a way from parking up in the Hallertau Biergarten for a finger lickin' pile of dry rubbed lamb ribs tripple-dipped in the house all-spice chilli sauce.
1171 Coatesville-Riverhead Hwy, Auckland
