Breathing new life into a local landmark, the Good Home is a welcome new addition to the Onehunga neighbourhood.
Located on Princes St, this new gastro pub resides in the former Onehunga Carnegie Free Library, a category one heritage listed building first opened in 1912.
Funded by Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish/American philanthropist who made his fortune through steel, the library was one of 18 built in New Zealand and more than 2,500 built around the world.
Derelict for nearly 20 years, the council-owned building was restored in the 1980s and has since been home to a community centre and several restaurants and cafes.
Now, thanks to the vision of owner Tony Woodcock and several years of hard work and perseverance, its future is assured once more.
Step inside the new Good Home and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
Capturing the character of the iconic building, period features such the ornate pressed tin ceilings and cornices have been retained and are complimented by a colour palette of black, white and gold and lashings of dark wood and ornate patterned tiles.
Watched over by an imposing portrait of Carnegie himself, a new six metre long bar is the central hub of the Good Home. Offering a wide range of premium and craft beers including 13 on tap, there’s also plenty to satisfy the wine lovers among us.
With several different zones, a mix of high leaners, tables and booth seating provides a range of options for eating and drinking throughout.
But perhaps the most dramatic changes are outside where a contemporary wooden atrium provides a striking counterpoint to the building’s original façade. Offering protection from the elements, guests can enjoy all-day al fresco dining amidst soon-to- be lush planting and a view of the adjacent pohutakawa tree.
Serving contemporary gastro pub fare, dishes are hearty, generous and more than just your standard pub fare.
For carnivores, there are of course plenty of steaks and burgers, but also beef brisket nachos, crispy pork belly with apple mint slaw, and New Orleans chicken wings with BBQ glaze or hot habanero sauce. Pizzas include roast duck, hoisin cause, cucumber, spring onion and coriander, and braised lamb shank comes with triple cream mash.
Lighter meals include a pear and Whangapiro blue cheese salad with sweet salted walnuts, miso glazed hapuka with edamame salsa and avocado puree, and Jerusalem harvest with roasted Mediterranean veges, freshly made hummus and grilled halloumi.
Sides include chorizo potato salad and truffle mac n triple cheese, and more adventurous weekend brunchers can try the black rice porridge with fresh fruit or Spanish style hash with chorizo, beans, capsicum, eggs and toasted ciabatta.
Families are also well catered for with a dedicated kids’ menu and large enclosed play area below the main deck.
Open seven days for lunch and dinner and for brunch on the weekend, locals are fast flocking to this newly improved Onehunga landmark, and the changes seem to have ticked all the right boxes.
Whether it’s a family brunch or afternoon get together with friends, an after work beer or to catch a game, why not check it out for yourself?
Whatever the occasion, whatever the season, the Good Home is more than a pub, it’s a place like home.
The Good Home, 55 Princes St, Auckland. Open seven days.
T: 09 636 7292
