PonsonBurger Is Back — And It's Bigger Than Ever

Ponsonby’s favourite burger festival is returning this month, with nearly 40 eateries set to take part in a two-week celebration of the suburb’s diverse and ever-evolving food scene.

Running from Monday 25 May through to Sunday 7 June, PonsonBurger 2026  transforms the neighbourhood into a burger-lover’s playground, with limited-edition creations, cult favourites and globally inspired specials popping up across Ponsonby. 

Timed to coincide with International Burger Day on Thursday 28 May, the festival is now in its third year and continues to grow, with a whopping nine new venues joining the lineup. This year’s offerings go well beyond your standard cheeseburger. From breakfast buns and vegan “chicken” burgers to wagyu smashies, lamb kofte melts and even a couple of dessert burgers, PonsonBurger is once again showcasing the diversity that makes Ponsonby one of Auckland’s most exciting dining destinations.

Among the 2026 standout creations is INCA’s Wagyu Smash Burger (below, left), stacked with jalapeño cheese and pickles inside a toasted brioche bun, while Fatima’s is serving up The Mykonos Melt (below, right) — a flavour-packed combination of lamb kofte, hot honey halloumi and Greek-style salad in a pretzel bun.

Parade’s Fried Chicken Caesar (below, left) turns the classic salad into a crispy burger complete with bacon, parmesan and romaine, while San Ray’s Sweet Heat (below, right) layers a chicken-pork pastor patty with ancho, guindilla, adobo mayo and pickled pineapple for a sweet-and-spicy hit.

There’s also plenty on offer for vegetarian and vegan diners. Avodi Vegetarian Café’s Vegan Crispy "Chicken" Burger (below, left) combines a crispy vegan patty with lettuce, pickles, vegan cheese and mayo, while Miann is taking things in a completely different direction with its Ultimate Dessert Burger (below, right) — arguably the festival’s most unexpected creation.

Those partial to a run club can get involved too, thanks to Beau Deli’s breakfast burger-and-coffee combo, proving PonsonBurger covers every craving, whatever the time.

With nearly 40 venues participating, PonsonBurger is designed to encourage locals and visitors alike to explore Ponsonby one burger at a time, whether that means a quick lunch stop, a late-night crawl or a full weekend of eating with friends. Participating venues this year include Avodi Vegetarian Café, Azabu Ponsonby, Bali Nights, Bambina Café, Barker's Food Store & Eatery, Beau Deli, Bedford Soda & Liquor, Better Burger, Bodega, Burger Burger, Cafe 39, Chapel Bar & Bistro, Eat Drink Laugh, El Sizzling Chorizo, Farina, Fatima's Ponsonby, Honey Café Ponsonby, Hoppers Garden Bar, INCA, Jacuzzi, Jolene, Kesia, Khu Khu Eatery, KOL, Longroom, Miann Ponsonby, Mövenpick, Mumbaiwala, Olas Arepas, Parade, Real Burger, Salta Café, San Ray, The Broken Lantern, The Grey Lynn Firehouse, The Hidden Village, and Tinfeny's.

Ponsonby Business Association General Manager Viv Rosenberg says the festival continues to reflect the incredible offerings of the area’s hospitality scene.

“From classic and nostalgic takes through to globally inspired creations, the diversity really reflects what makes our street so special,” says Rosenberg.

“We’ve also got all day parts covered — from breakfast through to late night, including sweet options — alongside vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian offerings.”

The full PonsonBurger lineup — including venue details, burger descriptions, pricing and terms and conditions — is now live at ponsonburger.nz

Explore them all HERE

We’re giving away a $300 voucher on both Facebook and Instagram so one lucky winner can shout a mate to a burger crawl through Ponsonby. Tap HERE to enter on Facebook and HERE to enter on Instagram.