In 1988, major infrastructural work was commenced on Auckland’s Tamaki Drive – the main road to the Eastern Suburbs that runs along the edge of the Waitemata Harbour – at Orakei Point bordering Okahu Bay. A massive underground – and underwater – complex was built to house the world-renowned Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World, with its mobile viewing paths giving a meal’s-eye view of sharks, stingrays and other denizens of the depths.

Next door to the Kelly Tarlton property was the Heritage Building owned and occupied by The Navy League of New Zealand (Auckland Branch), Inc. A fine example of post-Victorian public works architecture, the building had been completed just before the outbreak of the Great War. In time, it became the site for the T.S. Achilles and the base for the Tamaki Sea Scouts ... and who can forget the annual Miss Navy League Awards of the 1970s!

Denis Wiley, owner of the highly successful Shorebird Restaurant in Jackson’s Bay in Wellington, saw the opportunity that the Navy League Building presented. By agreement with the Navy League and land owners Auckland City, Denis and his partners’ company completed a substantial extension, refurbishment and upgrade of the building, and Hammerheads Seafood Restaurant was opened in the upper floor of the building on the 4th of October 1990.

In due course Denis left to establish Vivo in Newmarket, then Mink in Parnell, and now owns and runs the equally highly successful Sausalito Restaurant in Northcote and Squid Row Gastro Bar. John Wheeler of 1970s Ponsonby icon Wheeler’s Restaurant replaced Denis; and when John left in 2001, Denis’s original partners Paula Sheahan and Doug Neesham took the majority shareholding in Hammerheads Restaurant Limited ... and in 2003 Paula took over the running of the restaurant.

Hammerheads won its first Metro Best Seafood Restaurant Award in 2005. Since then (apart from 2006 when there was no specialist seafood award, but Hammerheads was first runner up in the Smart Casual category), Hammerheads Restaurant has clearly dominated the genre.

Since 1990 Hammerheads has continued to deliver the ocean's finest with a splendid seaside panorama in a relaxed but elegant setting. Just five minutes from downtown Auckland, Hammerheads has become an Auckland icon, with a reputation for superb food and a wonderful atmosphere.

The prime location on one of the world's most scenic waterfront strips, at the edge of Auckland's beautiful Waitemata Harbour, offers magnificent views of Auckland's growing skyline and wonderful harbour, with expansive decks for al fresco dining. Large art deco windows dominate the main dining room, providing guests with a virtual "ship's bridge" view of the water.

While our chefs are skilled in preparing a wide range of lamb, beef, game and poultry dishes, our specialty is New Zealand seafood. Our signature Platters (for two guests) are a magnificent presentation of all the very best that New Zealand’s abundant waters provide.

We believe that Hammerheads is the pre-eminent Wedding and Function venue in Auckland, offering an unbeatable combination of fine food and a breathtaking venue to up to 200 seated guests.

And our covered, enclosed and heated North Deck and Vue Bar, recently refurbished, is a fantastic venue for stand up functions with canapés and platter food.

So, Welcome to Hammerheads … do have a look over our website to see how we can cater for you!