I had a few days to wander around Auckland, so I decided to head to Sylvia Park and finally check out IKEA. I’ve been to numerous IKEA stores over the years and eaten at their restaurants, so I was curious to see how the Auckland location compared with those in Melbourne, Hong Kong and the UK.

Times have certainly changed. Ordering is now done through self-service kiosks, and once you’ve paid, you’re given an order number before your meal is called out when it’s ready. I ended up ordering the Swedish meatballs with mashed potato, the chicken schnitzel with fries, and a banoffee pie.

First up was the chicken schnitzel. The piece of chicken was a little smaller than I was expecting, but it was cooked well and remained juicy rather than dry. I liked the wedge of lemon and the mayonnaise served on the side, which complemented the schnitzel nicely. The fries were also excellent—crispy, well-seasoned, and cooked just right. At $16, it’s hard to complain and represents pretty good value.

The Swedish meatballs were actually the highlight of the meal. I skipped the peas, but the mashed potato was surprisingly good, with a few chunks still in it, so it tasted like real potatoes rather than instant mash. The rich gravy and sweet lingonberry jam paired perfectly with the mash. The real winner, though, was the meatballs themselves. Thankfully, they lived up to IKEA’s reputation. They were well-seasoned, had a pleasant, springy texture, and weren’t overcooked like some versions I’ve had in other countries.

Overall, the Auckland IKEA Swedish Restaurant does a very good job. The dining area is spacious, bright, and spotlessly clean, making it a pleasant place to sit and eat. The kitchen staff appeared to run a very efficient operation, and the whole experience was smooth from start to finish. If you’re after an affordable, well-prepared, and satisfying meal, it’s definitely worth stopping in.

Website: IKEA Swedish Restaurant

Address: 10 Clemow Drive, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060