Aka, set to open in Auckland in early May, will be the largest outdoor rooftop dining space in Australasia, complete with city and harbour views.
Auckland is set to welcome its most ambitious rooftop dining experience yet with the launch of Aka, the city’s newest rooftop bar at Radisson RED Auckland, opening Friday, 1 May. Perched 15 levels above the city, Aka is Australasia’s largest outdoor rooftop dining space, combining panoramic 260-degree skyline and harbour views with a modern Asian menu.
Spanning approximately 800 square metres with a capacity of 300 people, Aka, meaning ‘red’ in Chinese and Japanese, introduces Auckland to a rooftop dining experience like no other, with a restaurant, outdoor bar, and private spaces unified under a retractable roof, allowing the venue to be enjoyed year-round, rain or shine, without losing its connection to the city skyline.
At the heart of Aka’s kitchen is Head Chef Edberg Loh, a seasoned Asian fusion chef with over a decade of experience across Singapore’s high-intensity kitchens, including at restaurants at Marina Bay Sands, as well as iconic Auckland dining destinations such as Cafe Hanoi and Xuxu Dumpling Bar.
At Aka, Chef Loh has shaped a menu of bold, elevated Asian flavours designed to match the energy and scale of the rooftop space.
“I’ve always believed in respecting traditional recipes while elevating them with modern techniques I’ve learned throughout my career. The menu I’ve created for Aka draws on East and Southeast Asian influences and is designed to be shared, perfect for the energy and scale of the rooftop space,” said Head Chef Edberg Loh.
Signature offerings on the menu include king prawn har gow with tobiko and wagyu beef paired with Asian sauces; crispy and fragrant karaage chicken with yuzu and togarashi; deep-fried pork and prawn shumai with XO sauce, a playful reinterpretation of dim sum; and a focus on fresh, premium seafood.
The cocktail and beverage programme at Aka is curated by bar specialist Nick Bevin, drawing on experience at leading Auckland venues including The Churchill and Kingi. The offering takes inspiration from Aka’s modern Asian concept, delivering contemporary, flavour-led cocktails that reinterpret Asian profiles through a modern lens, balancing approachable classics with more adventurous signature serves such as the Sichuan Mai Tai, Tropical Clarity, After Hours Old Fashioned and Mar-Tea-Ni. The wine list is designed to complement the menu, with a focus on premium New Zealand producers, varieties suited to Asian flavours, and a curated selection of international labels, creating a programme that is both locally grounded and globally relevant.
Aka’s interiors are a seamless sensory journey, balancing drama and refinement. A rich palette of deep reds, velvet textures and marble finishes creates a space that feels both immersive and globally contemporary. At the centre sits a rooftop bar, anchored by a red installation reminiscent of a modern cherry blossom canopy.
The launch of Aka marks the next phase for Radisson RED Auckland following its February opening, as it cements its presence as a vibrant, design-led lifestyle destination within the city’s Midtown precinct.
“Aka is an entirely new proposition for Auckland, bringing a bold, international energy to the city’s dining scene. Designed as a go-to destination for both locals and visitors, it embodies the social, playful spirit that defines Radisson RED. From after-work drinks to celebratory dinners and into the night, Aka offers a dynamic, layered experience that captures the energy and creativity of our brand while delivering something truly unique in the heart of Midtown,” said Radisson RED Auckland General Manager Reinout Engel.
Subscribe to the Restaurant & Café newsletter for weekly industry updates and event coverage.
