Old Elephant House Dining at Auckland Zoo.

Nestled deep within the Zoo just outside the South America Rainforest Track, our iconic Old Elephant House has been transformed into a bistro-style restaurant featuring a full à la carte menu (weekends only), alcoholic beverages and café fare.

The Old Elephant House for bistro-style dining and private functions.

Open during term time: Friday to Sunday, 10:30am – 2:30pm

Open during school holidays: Monday to Sunday, 10:30am – 2:30pm

The Old Elephant House is an original Zoo building established in 1922. Updated with modern decor, it provides an historical ambience that pays tribute to the home of our elephants in days gone by. Guests are able to enjoy the à la carte dining options (weekends only), hot and cold beverages and an array of New Zealand wines and craft beers. We’re proud to showcase this beautifully renovated building and provide our manuhiri (guests) with a relaxed dining experience; whether it be seated in the remnants of the old elephant stalls, outside overlooking the clearing, or seated in the indoor courtyard with retractable roof.

Sustainability is at the core of our values. The Old Elephant House proudly uses re-usable crockery and cutlery.

The Old Elephant House's menu includes entrées, mains, sides and desserts - all of which are free range, sourced from local suppliers wherever possible, and any products that use palm oil contain only Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) that’s rainforest and wildlife friendly.