Hugo's Bistro
COFFEE/BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DRINKS/DINNER
Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD business district, Hugo’s Bistro provides an authentic all-day dining experience. Start your day with a morning coffee, enjoy a creative lunch, savor afternoon Aperitivo with friends, and indulge in sophisticated European-inspired dinners.
We use beautiful ingredients, prepared simply yet thoughtfully over an open charcoal fire, featuring a lighter take on classical cooking with exceptional New Zealand produce.
Our historic Shortland Street dining room combines luxury with subtlety, offering both inviting spots for a morning coffee and cozy nooks for intimate dinners.
HEAD CHEF – ALEX LLEWELLYN
Alex Llewellyn took over the kitchen at Hugo’s Bistro at the start of 2023, bringing with him extensive experience from New Zealand, Australia, and Japan.
After completing his apprenticeship at Sails Restaurant in Auckland, Alex traveled through ski fields before moving to Sydney with his partner, Steph. His decade in Sydney greatly influenced his cooking style, as he was inspired by the diverse range of produce and European and Asian ingredients available.
Alex then gained experience at several notable restaurants, including North Bondi Italian, Buon Ricardo, Fratelli Fresh, Vini, 121BC, and Berta. These roles deepened his understanding of regional Italian cuisine, its historical and cultural significance, and cooking with fire. At Ester, he further explored Chinese and East Asian techniques and flavors, and his time at Moonacres Kitchen sparked his interest in sustainable produce and kitchen farming.
At Hugo’s Bistro, Alex combines these experiences to create seasonal, ever-changing dishes that highlight high-quality produce and the flavors of the charcoal grill.
AWARDS
Metro Personality of the Year 2024 – Poi Eruera
Metro Runner Up 2024 – Best Service
Cuisine Good Food Awards – One Hat 2024/2025
Cuisine Good Food Awards Restaurant Personality of the Year 2023/2024 – Poi Eruera
Cuisine Good Food Awards – Two Hats 2021-2024
Metro Top 50 Restaurant 2018-2024
VIVA Top 50 Restaurant 2022
Metro Top 10 Cafe 2021
Metro Top 50 Cafe 2019-2023
Cuisine Good Food Awards Top 108 2019
Metro Finalist 2019 – Best All Day Eatery
Cuisine Good Food Awards Top 100 2018
Metro Winner 2018 – Best Inner-City Bistro
