New and approved: Zaitoon, Auckland

One of Aotearoa's best eating streets just got even better with the addition of this Palestinian gem.

What is it?

Zaitoon is a family-owned Palestinian restaurant making waves on Dominion Road. It’s homely, nice but not overly flash, and deeply rooted in community here and abroad. The name means olive in Arabic, a nod to the fruit key to the nation’s culture, economy and cuisine. 

Where is it?

I’d call it “that first bit of Dominion Road”. Look for the Mövenpick on the corner of Burnley Terrace and Dominion Road – you’ll spot Zaitoon's olive-green walls next door. It’s nestled in what’s growing into a killer culinary block, with neighbours like Ooh-Fa and Michelin-recognised Parro. For a strip with an incredible concentration of great food but sparse Middle Eastern offerings, it fills a real gap in the scene. 

What’s new about it?

Zaitoon opened its doors in early September, brand new fit-out and all. They’ve made the most of the small former takeaway shop (it fits 40 diners, at most), with beautiful, modern design grounded in traditional motifs. There’s an olive tree in the window, another in a painting wrapped in a keffiyeh, suede teal chairs against a light mint wall, and gold hardware to match their delicate emblem. 

Who’s behind it?

Zaitoon is the product of chef and owner Nehad Albattniji’s many years of work. Growing up with nine sisters and two brothers meant first dibs on dinner went quickly, so he got in the kitchen and started cooking for himself. His culinary career spans cooking at a school in Gaza, starting a catering business after moving to Aotearoa in 2010, and opening a takeaway spot, also called Zaitoon, in Manurewa. Today, he’s realised his long-held dream: opening a Palestinian-owned restaurant that serves Palestinian food.

What are the vibes?

Welcoming, hospitable and family-friendly (helped by the lack of any alcohol on site). Early on a Friday night, we spotted families, date nights and groups of friends catching up. You should probably book ahead of time; walk-ins were out of luck, and it seems Zaitoon has been just as busy since it opened. It feels like it already has that patina a long-standing family institution develops over some years. In a way, with Albattniji’s experience across his many venues, it’s been earned. And though I was ready for kinks in the service given its infancy, I was impressed by all our food arriving in less than 30 minutes. 

Some would say the restaurant isn’t political, but they’d be ignoring the posters for an upcoming protest next to the till, or the simple fact that more than 100 of Albattniji’s family have been killed in Gaza since 2023. Its dishes tell the story of a culture actively under threat of erasure, keeping it alive halfway across the world. It feels like there’s been an increasing demand to support Palestinian-made in the face of the ongoing genocide, from food to goods. You could say Aotearoa’s first Palestinian restaurant opening in 2026 is an answer to that demand. 

What should I order?

At least one dip is necessary, if not just for the fluffy, steaming but perfectly warm flatbreads that accompany them. The hummus is great, but you might get some with your mains, so go for the muhammara: roasted capsicum, panko crumb, walnuts and pomegranate molasses blitzed into greatness, garnished with its ingredients in solid form. A drizzle of olive oil keeps it moist, while the pomegranate molasses helps hold up some tang to the capsicum’s sweetness.

Mixed grill always feels like a win, because you can’t go wrong with a bit of everything. Such is the case here: lamb kofta, chicken shish taouk and lamb tikka come on a bed of muhammara bread that soaks all those juices up. The meats were tender, with the charcoal grill imparting a smokiness that accentuated the spices. The rice (or chips, your choice) and well-dressed salad were both pleasant surprises. Plain white rice is a perfectly acceptable side, but isn’t it so much better when it’s the colour of a sunrise and tastes like it too? The sharp pickles were great after overloading on the meats, as were the hummus-dipped flatbreads.

Sadly I couldn't fit in the layered rice dish maqlouba, which looks like a great option for feeding a crowd – and the grand cheese pulls of the knafeh on Zaitoon's Instagram are a convincing reminder to leave room for dessert next time.

What’ll it set me back?

A fairly low amount for how full I felt walking out; the muhammara was $15, mixed grill was $38, and the beef shawarma came to $30 for an $83 total. Drinks range from $6-12.

Zaitoon

353 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden

Tues-Thurs 5pm-10pm, Fri 5pm-late, Sat-Sun 4pm-late