The Occidental in Auckland has been on my ‘to-visit’ list for ages. Everyone was raving about it, from the proper moules-frites to the great selection of Belgian beer. So when I finally made it there, it struck me as one of those neighbourhood place that have always been there but you’ve never noticed.
It was nothing flash, comfortable in its own skin, and served solid European pub food done well. Here’s what we had and drank.
A Review of The Occidental Pub in Auckland
The Occidental Belgian Beer Huis
On a weeknight we walked in and the place had that easy, well-worn pub atmosphere I really like. Dark timber booths, chalkboard menus on the walls, rows of Belgian beer taps behind the bar, it all felt properly unpretentious. After sitting down, the dining room began to fill up pretty quickly; always a good sign.
It’s clear why locals treats this as a regular haunt instead of a special-occasion place.
If you like Belgian beers, then you’ll be really impressed by their selection. There was loads of tap beers to choose from, and the bartender was happy to chat about each one. There are so many Belgian beers here that it’s hard to think of anywhere else in the world that has this many (outside of Belgium).
Overall, it’s worth checking out if you happen to be nearby, even if just for a drink after dinner.
To begin with, we ordered a couple of tall drinks; not anything too heavy, but just something cold and refreshing whilst we look through the food menu. They arrived as expected. They were well presented, garnished correctly, and tasted as they should.
That brings us to the reason why we went: the mussels. And they certainly did not disappoint. A pot of steamed mussels served with lemon was heaped high in their shells, accompanied by a generous helping of broth at the base.
), the mussels was devoured quickly as I used the accompanying frites to soak up the broth. This is how you should of eat it. There are plenty of other things on the menu…
If you’re not into mussels, and the selection span a decent range of both land and sea-based items.
The other dish we sampled was the prime Angus rump with frites. A large serving of chips accompanied a nice piece of steak, cooked exactly as ordered and nicely seared. It’s simple cooking, but it’s done well…
The sort of thing that always hit the mark if what you’re after is some hearty, satisfying grub. The frites were crisp on the outside and fluffy in the middle; easier said then done.
As we exited, the sky was growing dark again and the pub facade appeared welcoming from outside. I would definitely return, perhaps on a chilly evening when a glass of Belgian beer and a bowl of mussels sound just the ticket. The Occidental is not attempting to re-invent anything and that’s exactly what makes it work.
Do you have a favorite place in Auckland for Belgian fare? Or have you been to The Occidental? I’d love to recieve your suggestions in the comments.
