Daphnes

Dinner at Daphnes in Ponsonby exceeded my expectations for Mediterranean cuisine. Chef Stevan's refined approach was evident throughout the beautifully crafted meal. For starters, we enjoyed prawns saganaki with feta, tomato and Greek herbs. The dish was delicious with its unpredictable spice. The second course was trevally fish omos, served with mint vinaigrette and cucumber. It was very fresh and refreshing, ideal for a hot day. Lastly was the confit pork belly and tamarillo jam. The tender pork belly was complemented by the delicious sauce. For the main course, we had woodfired cure kingfish with buttermilk, pine nuts and fennel. This was the best cure fish I have ever had. The fennel and buttermilk were beautifully perfectly balanced. Finally, we had charcoal chicken, cauliflower and jus. The chicken was moist and tender, although the flavour was slightly light for my palate. My wife, however, enjoyed it. For dessert, we shared caramelised crème anglaise, filo & rose petal and also the crèmeux chocolat with crème fraiche. These were the two best desserts I have had in a while.

Daphnes definitely produces food that is visually captivating as the restaurant’s ambiance. Most of the dishes we had were quite good but the chicken for us was a slight miss (a bit dry). However the fish dish made up for it as it was delicious, fragrant and loaded with seafood. Service was good which is expected from such a reputable restaurant. Would also like to give a special mention on how fast they deliver their food , felt like there was barely any wait time even though the restaurant was busy, definitely impressive.

Had a fantastic dining experience at Daphne. The highlight of the night was definitely the woodfired market fish dish — a beautiful combination of clams, mussels, prawns, and fresh fish that captured the essence of the sea. Every bite was a burst of oceanic flavour, delicately balanced with herbs and seasoning. It felt like a celebration of fresh seafood done right. Also really enjoyed the pork belly skewers — crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside, paired perfectly with the pickled rhubarb and fennel. A great contrast of textures and flavours.

Hosted a party of 24 for lunch - set menu. Cocktails were flowing all afternoon. We were able to sample all the offerings on the menu amongst our party. All were deliciously easy drinks but the Thyme Traveller and Sirocco Sunset were standouts. The food - divine. So clever and considered. There were no flat notes. The halloumi and raw fish dishes were delightfully bright and visually beautiful. A few of the party stayed on for (more drinks) and dessert. I would not recommend leaving without having had the crème anglaise. It would be a crime. The many dietary requirements in our party were expertly accomodated for, with the only downside being the envy of other guests who wanted to try more of Daphnes' fare. Hosting a large group is often stressful but the staff made it so easy and only added to the relaxed atmosphere of the dining room.

Great food and friendly staff! We were there for our lunch and all the menu was so good!

Last night's chef's table experience was truly exceptional. From the impeccable service to the breathtaking artistry of each dish, I was completely captivated. This restaurant has redefined my expectations of fine dining, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a truly memorable culinary journey.

Amazing food! We had the prawns, courgette, crouquettes, haloumi, market fish and fries. The sweet and savoury haloumi and the perfectly cooked woodfired market fish were the real standouts. Everything was absolutely delectable. And, as the ex of a chef, I'm not very easily impressed. The jalapeño margarita was also divine: sweet and not too spicy.

It's tricky organising group dining, but the team at Daphnes made it very easy. Sadly, we had some people pull out quite late in the piece due to illness/family commitments, which made things a bit awkward at the start. However - the food was non-stop delicious, varied, and creative, and we felt there was plenty for everyone. The lamb literally melted in your mouth! Our servers were lovely. And the drinks selection was excellent, including a delicious red from Spain. A very enjoyable night out.