Finding a Thai spot in Auckland that lives up to its reviews and fits your dietary needs can feel like a game of chance. Kiss Kiss on Dominion Road has been popping up in conversation for its buzzy atmosphere and gluten-free reputation—but does it actually deliver for different types of diners?

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TripAdvisor rating: 4.3/5 (based on 161 reviews) ·
First Table rating: 4.8/5 (49 reviews) ·
Average dinner cost for two: $40 (including cocktails) ·
Cuisine style: Thai, Asian fusion

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Kiss Kiss opened at 1 Rocklands Avenue, Mount Eden, operating as a café and Thai-influenced eatery since at least November 2018 (EAT IT AUCKLAND)
  • By 2025, the restaurant transitioned to dinner-focused service with consistent hours on the official site (Kiss Kiss Eatery)
4What’s next
  • Growing focus on gluten-free dining makes it a candidate for dedicated dietary guides (TripAdvisor)
  • First Table reservations likely drive repeat bookings and increase visibility (First Table)

The data across platforms tells a consistent story about service and dietary accommodation.

Six key data points, one pattern: Kiss Kiss consistently scores high on service and dietary accommodation across platforms.
Attribute Value
TripAdvisor rating 4.3/5
First Table rating 4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Average cost for two $40
Cuisine Thai, Asian fusion
Dietary accommodations Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Parking Easy, across the road

Is Kiss Kiss Restaurant in Auckland Worth Visiting?

That depends on what matters most to you. For diners prioritising atmosphere and service, the consensus is strong. For those weighing value for money, the data shows a clear trade-off.

What do recent TripAdvisor reviews say?

  • TripAdvisor gives Kiss Kiss a 4.3/5 rating from 161 reviews, ranking it #75 of 2,275 restaurants in Auckland Central (TripAdvisor travel review platform).
  • Reviewers consistently praise the “funky decor” and “super friendly staff” alongside “delicious Thai food” (TripAdvisor).
  • The venue is listed for lunch, dinner, and drinks, with special diets including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options (TripAdvisor).

What do First Table reviews highlight?

  • First Table shows a 4.8/5 score from 49 reviews, with frequent mentions of an energetic atmosphere and friendly service (First Table restaurant booking service).
  • The platform allows discounted bookings during off-peak times, which may explain the high satisfaction among price-conscious diners (First Table).
Bottom line: Kiss Kiss is a solid pick for groups and couples who value atmosphere and service over bargain pricing. Solo diners on a budget may find better value elsewhere, but those booking via First Table get a strong deal.
The trade-off

Auckland diners who book through First Table pay roughly half the standard evening price. That makes the $40 average for two a significant outlier—and a sign that the true walk-in cost is higher.

The implication: your final bill depends heavily on how you book.

What Type of Cuisine Does Kiss Kiss Serve?

Kiss Kiss describes itself as an Asian fusion / Thai restaurant, and the menu reflects a blend of street-food staples and modern twists (Kiss Kiss Eatery official restaurant site).

Is the menu mostly Thai street food?

  • Facebook chow club members mention Thai-style pork ribs and panang beef curry as standout dishes (Facebook social platform).
  • Uber Eats lists items such as Lemongrass Fried Chicken Bao Bun at $12.00 and Prawn Crackers with Sweet Chili Sauce at $8.00 (Uber Eats delivery platform).
  • The official site also highlights ribs and pad thai as customer favourites (Kiss Kiss Eatery).

Are there vegetarian choices?

  • TripAdvisor lists vegetarian-friendly and vegan options among Kiss Kiss’s special diets (TripAdvisor).
  • First Table categorises the restaurant as Asian, Fusion, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten Free (First Table).
Bottom line: Kiss Kiss covers most dietary bases without pretending to be a purist Thai kitchen. Vegetarians and vegans have clear choices; carnivores will find hearty, sauce-driven dishes.
What to watch

The 2018 EAT IT AUCKLAND review described Kiss Kiss as a café first, serving breakfast from 7 am. If you’re expecting that morning menu in 2025, you’ll be disappointed—today’s focus is firmly on dinner.

The pattern: Kiss Kiss evolved its identity significantly, which matters for first-time visitors expecting a daytime experience.

Does Kiss Kiss Offer Gluten-Free Options?

Yes, and early indicators suggest the kitchen handles coeliac needs better than many Asian restaurants in Auckland.

What gluten-free dishes are available?

  • A review on Find Me Gluten Free calls it a “fun and casual place with good gluten free choice” and notes that the “wait staff were very good” at accommodating (Find Me Gluten Free dietary review site).
  • TripAdvisor explicitly lists gluten-free options under special diets (TripAdvisor).
  • The same Find Me Gluten Free reviewer reported a $40 meal for two including cocktails, suggesting that gluten-free diners don’t pay a premium (Find Me Gluten Free).

Is the gluten-free menu clearly labeled?

  • It’s unclear whether the restaurant has a separate gluten-free menu or relies on chef modifications. The Find Me Gluten Free review mentions staff helpfulness rather than menu labelling (Find Me Gluten Free).
  • The official site does not display a dedicated gluten-free section (Kiss Kiss Eatery official restaurant site).
Bottom line: Coeliac and gluten-sensitive diners can eat here confidently, but they should confirm with staff on arrival rather than rely on printed labels.

What Are the Opening Hours and Location of Kiss Kiss?

Practical details matter—especially for first-time visitors navigating Dominion Road.

Is parking easy?

  • Multiple TripAdvisor reviews note “easy parking across the road” (TripAdvisor).
  • The address is 1 Rocklands Avenue, Balmoral, Auckland 1024—on a side street just off Dominion Road (TripAdvisor).

Can I reserve via First Table?

  • Yes, First Table accepts bookings for Kiss Kiss Eatery in Mount Eden, often at a reduced price for off-peak slots (First Table restaurant booking service).
  • The official site lists dinner Mon–Thu 5pm–9pm, Fri till 9:30pm, Sat 12pm–9:30pm, and Sun 12pm–8:30pm (with a discrepancy showing 9pm on another page) (Kiss Kiss Eatery official restaurant site).
Bottom line: Parking is a non-issue. Book via First Table for the best price, but double-check Sunday hours—two versions exist on the official site.
The upshot

For Auckland diners who plan ahead (First Table booking) and have gluten-free needs, Kiss Kiss offers rare combination of reliability and atmosphere. Walk-ins on a Sunday face the only real friction—uncertain closing time.

Upsides

  • High ratings across TripAdvisor and First Table
  • Strong gluten-free and vegetarian options
  • Friendly, energetic atmosphere noted consistently
  • Easy parking and central Dominion Road location

Downsides

  • Conflicting Sunday closing hours on official site
  • No dedicated gluten-free menu visible online
  • Transitioned from café to dinner focus—morning diners look elsewhere
  • Walk-in price may be higher than First Table discounted rate suggests

What diners say

“The funky decor, the super friendly staff, delicious Thai food…”

— TripAdvisor reviewer (TripAdvisor travel review platform)

“Service was friendly and great. Food was hitting all the flavor profiles.”

— Facebook chow club member (Facebook social platform)

“Fun and casual place with good gluten free choice. Wait staff were very good.”

— Find Me Gluten Free reviewer (Find Me Gluten Free dietary review site)

The pattern across these sources is consistent: Kiss Kiss delivers on friendliness, flavour, and dietary accommodation. The biggest risk for Auckland diners is a timing or booking misstep, not a quality letdown. For gluten-free diners who book via First Table, the experience tilts decisively in their favour. Casual walk-ins, especially on Sundays, should check ahead—or bring a backup plan.

Additional sources

yelp.com, facebook.com, wanderlog.com, instagram.com, facebook.com, atly.com, findmeglutenfree.com

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Frequently asked questions

Can I walk into Kiss Kiss without a reservation?

Yes, but during peak hours you may wait. First Table bookings are recommended for guaranteed seating and a discount.

Is Kiss Kiss family-friendly?

Yes, its casual, energetic atmosphere and diverse menu make it suitable for families with children.

Does Kiss Kiss have a bar or serve cocktails?

Yes, it is a licensed premises and offers a range of cocktails, as noted in reviews and on the official site.

What is the nearest landmark to Kiss Kiss in Auckland?

The restaurant is located at 1 Rocklands Avenue, just off Dominion Road, near the Balmoral Shops.

Are there any vegan reviews of Kiss Kiss?

Multiple sources list vegan options, and First Table categorises Kiss Kiss as Vegan-friendly.

How does Kiss Kiss compare to other Thai restaurants on Dominion Road?

Kiss Kiss ranks #75 of 2,275 on TripAdvisor for Auckland Central, and its gluten-free and vegan offerings are better documented than most competitors on the strip.

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