Tala
Parnell, Auckland
At a glance
TALA recently made world history when it was awarded a 1 Michelin Star to become the world’s first Samoan restaurant to receive a Michelin Star and were awarded the first Michelin Star in New Zealand as well as the only restaurant in Oceania to be named to TIME’s World’s Greatest Places in 2026.
TALA is a 3 Hat restaurant awarded by the Cuisine Good Food Awards, Cuisine Best Chef 2026, Lion Awards of Excellence 2026 Hospitality New Zealand Restaurant of the Year, Viva Top 50 Supreme Winner 2025, Cuisine Good Food Awards New Restaurant of The Year 2024. Executive Chef and owner Henry was awarded 1 knife at The Best Chef Awards 2025 and TALA is globally ranked on La List with a score of 91.
TALA is the only restaurant in the world dedicated to modern Samoan food. It offers a new, contemporary perspective on Samoan cuisine in a relaxed fine dining atmosphere.
‘TALA’ means ‘story’ in Samoan and our tasting menu reflects my homeland – it tells stories of Samoan traditions and food culture. I have taken flavours and dishes from my childhood, from Samoa’s villages, roadside stalls, and culinary history to create a menu that leads guests on a journey to discover what modern Samoan food can be” says Chef Henry.
The kitchen has an open fire where they use the traditional Samoan cooking technique of cooking in an umu, which is used for the signature Umu Chicken – brined chicken wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on hot coals during service.
TALA incorporates key elements of Samoan hospitality: respect (fa’aaloalo), service (tautua), and gratitude (agaga fa’afetai). This is part of ‘fa’a Samoa’ – ‘the Samoan way’ – and it shapes everything we do at TALA to make sure our guests receive the warmest welcome and best experience we can give them.
TALA is a 3 Hat restaurant awarded by the Cuisine Good Food Awards, Cuisine Best Chef 2026, Lion Awards of Excellence 2026 Hospitality New Zealand Restaurant of the Year, Viva Top 50 Supreme Winner 2025, Cuisine Good Food Awards New Restaurant of The Year 2024. Executive Chef and owner Henry was awarded 1 knife at The Best Chef Awards 2025 and TALA is globally ranked on La List with a score of 91.
TALA is the only restaurant in the world dedicated to modern Samoan food. It offers a new, contemporary perspective on Samoan cuisine in a relaxed fine dining atmosphere.
‘TALA’ means ‘story’ in Samoan and our tasting menu reflects my homeland – it tells stories of Samoan traditions and food culture. I have taken flavours and dishes from my childhood, from Samoa’s villages, roadside stalls, and culinary history to create a menu that leads guests on a journey to discover what modern Samoan food can be” says Chef Henry.
The kitchen has an open fire where they use the traditional Samoan cooking technique of cooking in an umu, which is used for the signature Umu Chicken – brined chicken wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on hot coals during service.
TALA incorporates key elements of Samoan hospitality: respect (fa’aaloalo), service (tautua), and gratitude (agaga fa’afetai). This is part of ‘fa’a Samoa’ – ‘the Samoan way’ – and it shapes everything we do at TALA to make sure our guests receive the warmest welcome and best experience we can give them.
