Two of Auckland's most beloved Britomart dining spots are shutting their doors. Ortolana, the Italian bistro that has been a fixture of the heritage precinct for over a decade, and The Store, famous for its sunny courtyard and long-running brunch service, will both close as a major redevelopment of the area gets underway.
Ortolana announced the news to its followers on Instagram, thanking diners for years of celebrations and meals, and calling it a privilege to be part of the Britomart community. The Store struck a similarly warm note, reflecting on the mornings, meetings and lunches it has hosted over its run. The response from regulars was swift and emotional — food influencer Tabitha Lorck described the closure as a "massive loss" to the neighbourhood, while another commenter remembered Ortolana as their favourite spot when living in Auckland.
The closures are part of a wider shake-up in the precinct. Other well-known retailers, including fashion label Trelise Cooper, Fabric and accessories brand Deadly Ponies, are also expected to be affected by the redevelopment works. They will keep trading until Christmas, giving shoppers and fans a final window to visit before changes begin in earnest.
It is not all bad news for the people behind the counters. Britomart confirmed that all staff from The Store and Ortolana will be redeployed across other Savor Group venues — among them Ebisu, Amano and Bivacco — so the teams that made these places popular are staying in the fold. The precinct's own social channels encouraged locals to book one last coffee, drink or meal with the departing teams before the doors close.
For travellers, the takeaway is simple: Britomart's dining scene is in transition, and some of its most established names will not be there next time you're in Auckland. If Ortolana's wood-fired Italian cooking or a courtyard brunch at The Store were on your list, the clock is ticking. And if you loved those venues' style, their sibling restaurants — Ebisu for Japanese, Amano for bakery-driven Italian and Bivacco for wine and Mediterranean plates — are the natural next stop, now staffed in part by the same familiar faces.
Britomart remains one of Auckland's best concentrations of restaurants, bars and independent shops, set among restored heritage buildings near the waterfront and the city's main train station. The redevelopment signals more change to come, so it is worth checking opening statuses before making a special trip. Meanwhile, the farewell season is on — and in a city where food institutions come and go, a last meal at a departing favourite is as good an excuse as any to head downtown.
Story via NZ Herald Travel.
