The Occidental

The Occidental (Vulcan Lane)

A Belgian pub where green-lipped mussels come by the kilo

⚠ Book for peak dinner times

Hours

Daily 9am till late; public holidays from noon (official site, 2026)

Budget

NZ$40–65 per person

Address

6-8 Vulcan Lane, Auckland Central

A Belgian-style pub under red awnings in narrow Vulcan Lane, just off Queen Street. Green-lipped mussels are the draw. The steamed mussels arrive in a pot with your choice of sauce (onion and garlic, blue cheese and more), and the grilled ones come with three toppings on one plate. Belgian taps rotate often, so plenty of tables order a tasting tray, and there's live music on Friday and Sunday nights.