San Ray brings an easygoing all-day rhythm to the long-standing restaurant premises at 118 Ponsonby Road. Rebecca Smidt and Dariush Lolaiy opened it in 2024, reshaping the former Orphans Kitchen as a destination that moves from breakfast into dinner. Breakfast and lunch flow into cocktails and evening service, so the place can work as naturally for a morning coffee as it does for a full meal later in the day. That flexibility is central to its identity rather than an afterthought.
Fire gives the food its clearest through-line. The kitchen describes its cooking as bistro classics over coals and woodfire, sharpened by flavours associated with Southern California and Mexico. Caesar salad and beef steak keep the bistro side recognisable, while Tajín fries, Mexican spices and woodfired chicken add warmth and character. The result is a menu built for appetite and sharing, with smoke and char doing more work than fussy presentation.
The day can begin simply with granola and coffee, move into lunch with a glass of wine, or build through small plates into a multi-course dinner. Mimosas and micheladas suit the daytime mood, while Champagne and paired drinks give later visits a more celebratory shape. San Ray does not force every table into the same kind of occasion: a quick stop, a leisurely lunch and a drawn-out dinner all fit within the restaurant's broad service style.
Its layout supports that range of visits. There is an airy dining room, a covered patio garden and a private party room for up to 18 guests. Larger tables of eight or more share a set menu, giving groups a structured version of the kitchen's food without losing the convivial feel. Whether the table is there for one plate or an evening of courses, San Ray combines Ponsonby energy with the relaxed, transportive atmosphere promised by its food and drinks.
Address: 118 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
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San Ray Menu
Breakfast
Pumpkin Seed & Sesame Granola
yoghurt, poached rhubarb, orange zest
Quinoa Porridge
hemp seed, seasonal fruit compote
Eggs on Sourdough toast
chipotle butter – fried, poached or pickled
Bacon Butty
free-range bacon, caramelised butter, chipotle ketchup
Pineapple French Toast
bourbon, cinnamon roasted pineapple, tajín, crème fraîche
Jalapeño Cornbread
sweetcorn, caramelised butter
Salmon Tostada
chilli cured salmon, lime mayo, cucumber, charred pepper, cilantro, corn tostada
Quesadilla
mozzarella, queso fresco, kidney beans, pasilla negra & ancho chilli, seeds
Spinach & Silverbeet
smoked macadamia, chilli on sourdough
Caesar Salad
romaine, anchovy, parmesan, bacon, egg, croutons
Buckwheat Churros
tajín sugar, espresso chocolate sauce
Quinoa Loaf Toast with:
Goat’s cheese & housemade preserved fruit; Smoked fish & pickled egg
Breakfast Extras
Poached Egg
Pickled Egg
Fried Egg
Toasted Sourdough
Quinoa Loaf
Hashbrowns
Avocado, Lemon, Tajín
Free Range Thick Cut Bacon
Smoked Fish
Chilli Cured Mt Cook Salmon
Lunch
Oyster
lime & tequila granita
Sourdough
chipotle butter
Gilda
manzanilla olive, guindilla, anchovy
Crudité
celery, radish, witloof, heirloom carrot, whipped black bean & beetroot
Cazador Charcuterie
heritage pork coppa
Kingfish Crudo
leche de tigre, makrut lime, crispy shallot, oregano, chilli
Fiordland Wapiti Venison Tartare
horseradish, chive, comte, Sardinian crackers
Tortilla Soup
tomato, chicken broth, tortillas, avocado, cilantro, pork crackling
Bacon Butty
free-range bacon, caramelised butter, chipotle ketchup
Caesar Salad
romaine, anchovy, parmesan, bacon, egg, croutons
Quesadilla
mozzarella, queso fresco, black beans, pasilla negra & ancho chilli, seeds
Salmon Tostada
chilli cured salmon, lime mayo, cucumber, charred pepper, cilantro, corn tostada
Woodfired Mushrooms
red lentil sauce, preserved lemon, parsley
Chargrilled White Cabbage
burnt fennel, green chilli, yoghurt
Roasted Carrot
goat’s curd, mint, pumpkin seeds, molé
Beetroot & Red Cabbage
crème fraîche, baby capers, parsley, chervil
Conchiglie Alla Vodka Pasta
mozzarella, parmigiano, chilli
Market Fish a La Plancha
yellow romesco, spinach, california chilli, dill
Chargrilled Bavette Steak (200gr)
caramelised butter, cognac jus
San Ray 1/2 Bird Wood-Fired Chicken
radicchio, tomato, pan juices
Lunch Sides
Shoestring Fries
housemade tajín, buttermilk mayo
Green Salad
pickled pumpkin, chilli crisp, crispy corn
Lunch Sweets
Buckwheat Churros
tajín sugar, espresso chocolate sauce
Chocolate & Brandy Mousse
salted caramel, olive oil, rosemary, hazelnuts
Cheese & Oat Crackers
60G PORTIONS
Tête de Moine & walnut
Manchego & honeycomb
Delice de Bourgogne & quince
Sharing Menu – Start
90pp
Sourdough
chipotle butter
Crudité
celery, radish, witloof, heirloom carrot, whipped black bean
Cazador Charcuterie
heritage pork coppa
Sharing Menu – Main
90pp
Heritage Tomato Salad
yellow tomato salsa, pickled chilli, quinoa, pepitas
Wood Fired Sweetcorn
mezcal, chipotle, cotija, lime mayonnaise
Chargrilled Wagyu Bavette
caramelised butter, cognac jus
Sharing Menu – Sides
90pp
Baby Gem
guindilla, ranch, apple, pasilla
Shoestring Fries
housemade tajín, buttermilk mayo
Sharing Menu – Sweet
90pp
Chocolate & Brandy Mousse
salted caramel, olive oil, rosemary, hazelnuts
Sharing Menu – Sea Food Upgrade
Oyster, lime & tequila granita x 2pp
Kingfish Crudo
leche de tigre, makrut lime, crispy shallot, oregano, chilli
Cheese, quince & crackers
Sharing Menu – Pairing
Beverage Pairing
Non Alcoholic Pairing
Eighthirty Organic Coffee
S M L
Black
White
Single Origin Filter
Iced Coffee Black
Iced Coffee White
Iced Coffee Pineapple & Soda
Iced Coffee Agave & Tonic
Mocha / Hot Chocolate
Masala Chai / Matcha Latte
Tea
Tea
English Breakfast – Earl Grey – Green – Peppermint – Fresh Kawakawa, Ginger & Citrus
Cold Drinks
Orange Juice
Brazilian Lemonade
Red Juice
Beetroot, Ginger, Orange, Lemon
Antipodes Sparkling/Still 500mL
Antipodes Sparkling/Still 1L
Pete's Natural Sodas
Kola – Ginger Beer – Lemonade – Feijoa Lemonade – Lemon Chilli
Saicho Sparkling Tea
Darjeeling – Hojicha – Jasmine
Champagne & Sparkling
Collet 'Art Deco' Brut
Champagne, France NV
Swift 'Pipi' Sparkling Albariño
Hawke’s Bay ’25
Spiked Espresso
Coconut & Pineapple
Tequila, Pineapple, Espresso, Coconut Foam
Agave
Gin, Agave, Espresso, Tonic
Spiked Cappuccino
Whisky, Macadamia Liqueur, Espresso, Milk
Cherry Mocha
Sour Cherry Liqueur, Chocolate, Espresso, Hot Milk
Cocktails
Mimosa
Fresh Orange Juice & Sparkling Wine
Bellini
White Peach, Sparkling Wine
Michelada
Beer, Chilli, Spices, Lemon
Bloody Maria
Chipotle-infused Mezcal, Tomato
Chocolate Espresso Martini
Vodka, Creme de Cacao, Espresso, Dark Chocolate
San Ray Tommy's Margarita
Tequila, Agave, Tajín, Lime
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Auckland
- Hot chocolate Typical in Auckland: $6.00 $6.50
- Chai latte Typical in Auckland: $6.00 $7.00
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