The French Cafe named best restaurant

After a five years out of the top spot, Auckland institution, The French Cafe, has regained its position as the city's best restaurant.

The French Cafe was also named as the best fine dining restaurant, the establishment with the best service, and co-owner Simon Wright took home the title of best chef in the Metro Emirates Restaurant of the Year Awards.

Judge and Metro magazine editor, Simon Wilson, said the standards of eating in Auckland continue to rise, and while that's great news for foodies, it's not easy for business.

"It's pretty tough for a lot of the restaurants," Wilson said.

"There are just too many in the city now, and that has led to some high-profile closures in the past year, including some places that were barely a year old."

Wilson said this year's awards, announced last night, weren't so much about new places setting the pace, but older establishments lifting their game.

"The French Café hasn't won for five years, but it has comprehensively overhauled everything it does, and has fought its way back to the top," he said.

"Similarly, on Waiheke, Te Whau used to be our regular Rural Restaurant winner, but it lost that spot a few years ago. Now it's back. And the best Upmarket Bistro and best Smart Dining restaurant are also two old favourites among Auckland diners: The Engine Room, and O'Connell Street Bistro."

The awards, now in their 11th year, are judged by a panel of 10 food industry folk. The bookings are usually made under false names and all meals are paid for.

Wilson said when it comes to judging he asked himself: "How much do we want to come back?"

"Lots of restaurants are pretty good.

"But when you ask yourself, would it matter if I never have this experience again, it's remarkable how often you realise the restaurant may have been good, but it really hasn't been special."

Metro Emirates Restaurant of the Year Awards 2013 results:

Supreme Winner: The French Café

Runner-up: The Engine Room

Top 10: Cocoro, Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar, Kazuya, O'Connell Street Bistro, Ortolana, Sidart, Te Whau, The Grove

Best Fine Dining: The French Café

Runners-up: Sidart, The Grove

Best Smart Dining: O'Connell Street Bistro

Runner-up: Cocoro

Best Upmarket Bistro: The Engine Room

Runner-up: Te Whau

Best Casual Bistro: Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar

Runner-up: Ortolana

Best Chef: Simon Wright (The French Café)

Highly commended: Ben Bayly (The Grove), Nick Honeyman (The Commons), Michael Meredith (Merediths), Sid Sahrawat (Sidart) , Makoto Tokuyama (Cocoro) Kazuya Yamauchi (Kazuya)

Best Service: The French Café

Runners-up: Soul, Kazuya

Best Rural: Te Whau

Runners-up: Bracu, Casita Miro

Best Asian: Cocoro

Runner-up: Ebisu

Best Italian: Totó

Runner-up: The Refreshment Room

Best Drinks List: Cocoro

Highly commended: Clooney, Molten, Number 5, The French Cafe

Best Short Drink List: Ponsonby Road Bistro

Highly commended: Eight.Two, Depot, Sidart, Sunday Painters

Best New Restaurant: Kazuya

Runner-up: Ortolana

Best Value for Money: Mexico

Highly commended Kazuya

Personality of the Year: Ganesh Raj (The Tasting Shed)