In the heart of Kingsland, just 400 metres from Eden Park, a new eatery is bringing the heat—and the heart—of Jamaican cooking to Auckland. Nanny's Eatery, opened by JP and Ange Clarke, serves authentic Caribbean soul food with recipes passed down from JP's own grandmother.
Born in Jamaica, JP moved to New Zealand carrying the deep-rooted flavours of his GramMa's kitchen. Now those family recipes are winning over Aucklanders hungry for something different. The menu features authentic jerk chicken, slow-cooked pork belly, Ital coconut curry, and traditional Jamaican rice 'n' peas—alongside Mexican-influenced additions like jalapeño poppers and loaded waffle fries nachos.
The restaurant was originally scheduled to open on August 17 of last year, but New Zealand's nationwide lockdown forced JP and Ange to postpone their dreams by several months. They pivoted to takeaway-only before finally welcoming dine-in customers—and the community response has been overwhelming.
For those who consider themselves spice connoisseurs, Nanny's offers a scale ranging from "Not Spicy" through to "Insanely HOT"—the latter not for the faint of heart. But it's the bar that draws many punters through the doors, stocking one of the largest selections of Jamaican rum in Auckland, including molasses-distilled Blackspot rum.
The space, which previously housed Kage and Shaky Isles, now pulses with reggae beats and live DJs. It's dog-friendly too—let JP or Ange know you've brought your four-legged friend and they'll whip up something special.
Nanny's represents the best of Auckland's multicultural food scene: immigrant stories, family traditions, and the courage to share your heritage with a new community. That's hospitality at its finest.