Italian-inspired eatery Amano has been named the Cult Icon of the Year in the first-ever Cult Icon Awards. The popular
venue beat more than 120 finalists across 10 categories in the inaugural awards run by hospitality recommendations and
reservation site, Dish Cult. These awards are significant as they are judged by the most important critics of all – customers.
Diners voted for their favourite places across 10 categories – ranging from Cult favourite Dish, Dessert to Die For and
the Hottest new opening. The judging panel, made up of Dish Cult New Zealand editor Grace Noles and two Auckland-based
food reviewers, then determined the ultimate “Cult Icon of the Year” from the 10 category winners.
The public chose Amano as the Café We Love from a shortlist of 14 places around Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Other category
winners included Soul in the Viaduct for Classic Kiwi Service, Duck Island in Ponsonby for Dessert to Die For, and Best
Ugly Bagel’s King Salmon Bagel was the Cult Favourite Dish.
“Amano was a unanimous winner, chosen for the quality of the food, the service and the décor,” Noles says. “It is
consistently reliable, Amano has grown to be an institution in the city’s hospitality scene.”
Particularly known for its lunch and evening service, Noles noted the Britomart restaurant should be praised for the
stunning mornings it creates for breakfast and brunch guests.
The category that received the most votes was Ones to Watch: Hottest New Opening – won by Lucky 8 in Ponsonby. There
were accolades for city fringe haunts too. Kiss Kiss Eatery in Mt Eden was awarded the Favourite Signature Cocktail with
the Go-Go Mango and Archie’s Pizzeria in Newmarket took out the Whānau Friendly award. Knowing Aucklanders love to
explore the rest of the country there was also a Food Worth Travelling For category, won by Amisfield in Queenstown.
Supported by ResDiary and G.H.Mumm, the Cult Icon Awards are expected to become a go-to list of the hottest places to go
for not only Aucklanders, but visitors from across the country, and for millions around the world.
Powered by ResDiary, Dish Cult is the booking partner of more than 400 of New Zealand's most popular dining venues. It launched in Auckland
in November 2019, and in little more than two years has grown into a world-wide hospitality hub, expanding into 50
countries across the globe, featuring venues from more than 80 cities and locations.The full list of Auckland’s 2022 Cult Icon winners:Bottomless Brunch:
Winner - The Lula Inn, Viaduct
Highly-recommended - Wu & You, Mount EdenCafe We Love:
Winner - Amano, Britomart
Highly-recommended - Crave Cafe, MorningsideClassic Kiwi Service:
Winner - Soul, Viaduct
Highly-recommended - Prego, PonsonbyCult Favourite Dish:
Winner - Best Ugly Bagel, Auckland CBD - King Salmon Bagel
Highly-recommended - Sneaky Snacky, Auckland CBD - Donut BurgerDay Kickstarter – Breakfasts Worth Waking Up For:
Winner - Odettes Eatery, Auckland CBD
Highly-recommended - Urban in East, HowickDessert to Die For:
Winner - Duck Island, Ponsonby - Hand-crafted Ice Cream
Highly-recommended - The Pie Piper, Auckland CBD - Banoffee Cream PieFavourite Signature Cocktail:
Winner - Kiss Kiss Eatery, Mount Eden - Go-Go Mango
Highly-recommended - Soul, Viaduct - Pornstar MartiniFood Worth Travelling For:
Winner - Amisfield, Queenstown
Highly-recommended - Luke’s Kitchen, CoromandelHottest New Opening:
Winner - Lucky 8, Ponsonby
Highly-recommended - Nanny’s Eatery, Kingsland
Whānau Friendly:
Winner - Archie’s Pizzeria, Newmarket
Highly-recommended - Sugar at Chelsea, Birkenhead