Imagine sitting 52 floors above Auckland, the city slowly rotating beneath you as your plate of Hawke’s Bay lamb arrives. That’s the promise of Orbit 360° Dining, the revolving restaurant at the top of the Sky Tower.

4 related posts

Location: Sky Tower, Auckland, New Zealand ·
Cuisine: Kiwi-inspired set menu ·
Price Range (dinner): NZ$99 per person (3-course) ·
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.0 / 5 (1,200+ reviews) ·
Revolving: Full rotation in 60 minutes

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact daily specials and seasonal ingredient sourcing may vary (TripAdvisor listing).
  • Whether à la carte menu is consistently available for dinner (Eat Travel Go blog).
  • Specific capacity and wait times without reservation. (TripAdvisor listing)
3Timeline signal
  • The restaurant makes one full rotation every 60 minutes (TripAdvisor listing).
  • Dinner service typically takes 1.5–2 hours. (TripAdvisor listing)
4What’s next
  • Check official site for seasonal menu updates.
  • Reservations recommended via Sevenrooms platform.

The pattern is clear: the restaurant bundles a premium view with a set menu, but the price history reveals a steady climb. Here’s the data:

Label Value
Restaurant Name Orbit 360° Dining
Location Sky Tower, Auckland CBD
Cuisine Modern New Zealand
Price Range (dinner) NZ$99 pp
Average Rating (TripAdvisor) 4.0/5
Meals Served Lunch, Dinner
Dress Code Smart casual
Reservation Required Yes, highly recommended

Is Orbit 360 Worth It?

The short answer depends on what you value: a rotating view of Auckland at 52 floors, or a meal that matches the price tag. The restaurant’s official description promises “a modern set-menu dining experience … with a delicious kiwi-inspired menu” (SkyCity Auckland official site). But diners on TripAdvisor give it a solid 4.0 out of 5 from over 1,200 reviews — a respectable score, but not spectacular.

One 2024 reviewer called the dinner “about £50 per person for three courses” and found it a good deal when factoring in the tower entry (TripAdvisor review 2024). Another on Yelp described a midweek prix fixe at NZ$95 as “pretty good deal” (Yelp review). Yet the same Yelp reviewer noted prices had climbed to about NZ$109–119 per person, suggesting the cost is rising.

The catch: the view is the main event. A TripAdvisor review noted that an adult ticket to the Sky Tower observation area alone was NZ$28, making the meal feel like a “no brainer” to some visitors (TripAdvisor review).

The trade-off

Diners get an unobstructed 360° panorama that no ground-level restaurant can match. The price premium is essentially the cost of the tower access plus the novelty of rotation. For visitors who already plan to visit the Sky Tower, the meal becomes a bundled experience.

The implication: For a first-time visitor to Auckland, Orbit 360 is a memorable experience. For a local treating out-of-town guests, the lunch menu offers a better value proposition.

How Do I Get to Orbit 360 Dining?

Access within SkyCity Auckland

Orbit 360 is located on Level 52 of the Sky Tower, part of the SkyCity Auckland complex. Enter through the SkyCity main entrance on Federal Street, take the elevator to the Sky Tower lobby, then a second elevator to the restaurant level (SkyCity Auckland official site).

Parking and public transport options

Public parking at the SkyCity car park (Victoria Street West entry) costs NZ$20–30 for 4 hours. The nearest bus stop is SkyCity on Victoria Street; the train station is Britomart. Reservations are highly recommended — walk-ins may be accepted but are limited.

The pattern: The restaurant’s location inside a casino-hotel ensures easy access, but the parking cost adds to the overall expense. For budget-conscious diners, public transport is the smarter choice.

What Is on the Orbit 360 Dining Menu?

Dinner set menu

The dinner menu changes seasonally, highlighting local New Zealand ingredients. A 2023 travel review listed dishes such as Aotearoa Salmon Tartare, Harissa-marinated King Prawn, Beef Short Rib, and Hawke’s Bay Lamb Rump (Eat Travel Go blog). Another review from the same year mentioned New Zealand Riverland Beef Eye Fillet, Hawkes Bay Lamb Loin, and Porirua Pork Belly (The Travel Locker blog).

Lunch set menu

The lunch menu is lighter and more affordable. A travel blog described a NZ$49 lunch club menu that included free access to the other Sky Tower viewing platforms, offering two mains and two dessert choices (ImJustAGirl16 blog).

À la carte options

According to a 2023 review, Orbit currently operates as a prix fixe meal with one item chosen from each of entrée, main, and dessert lists (Eat Travel Go blog). Whether à la carte is consistently available for dinner remains unclear from the official site.

What to watch

The menu rotates seasonally, so the specific dishes a visitor will see depend on the time of year. The core structure — three courses, Kiwi ingredients, one dessert featuring Pavlova — remains stable.

How Much Does It Cost to Eat at Orbit 360?

Dinner pricing

As of 2025, the dinner set menu is NZ$99 per adult (3-course), including tower entry. A 2024 TripAdvisor review reported paying about £50 per person for three courses (TripAdvisor review 2024). A 2013 review noted a three-course set meal cost NZ$69 (TripAdvisor review 2013), showing a significant price increase over a decade.

Lunch pricing

Lunch set menu is NZ$55 per adult (2-course). A 2020 TripAdvisor review mentioned a Christmas dinner set menu at NZ$150 per head (TripAdvisor NZ review).

Children’s menu and upgrades

Children’s menu (under 12): NZ$35 for lunch, NZ$55 for dinner. Beverage pairings are available at additional cost — wine flight from NZ$45. Sky Tower entry alone is NZ$32 for adults, so the dinner bundle offers a saving of NZ$32 on the entry fee.

Why this matters: The price history shows that dinner has risen from NZ$69 in 2013 to NZ$99 today — a 43% increase in 12 years. For budget travelers, the lunch menu at NZ$55 offers a more accessible entry point, especially since it includes tower access.

What Is the Dress Code for Orbit 360?

The official dress code is “smart casual” as per SkyCity guidelines (SkyCity Auckland official site). No strict formal wear required, but beachwear, sporting attire, and thongs (flip-flops) are not permitted. Many patrons wear business casual or smart dress for dinner. The dress code applies to all guests regardless of meal time.

The catch: While the code is relaxed, the restaurant is located within a casino complex, so security may enforce the policy. Diners arriving in overly casual attire risk being turned away.

Upsides

  • Unmatched 360° rotating views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf.
  • Inclusive pricing: tower entry, set menu, and service charge.
  • Seasonal menu with local New Zealand ingredients.
  • Professional service and relaxed atmosphere.

Downsides

  • Price point is high for budget travelers.
  • Food quality, while good, is not exceptional for the cost according to some reviews.
  • Limited à la carte availability; most meals are set menus.
  • Parking costs add NZ$20–30 to the total.

“Orbit offers a modern set-menu dining experience in a relaxed, open atmosphere with a delicious kiwi-inspired menu.”

— SkyCity Auckland official website

“The view is unmatched, but the food while good isn’t exceptional for the price.”

— TripAdvisor reviewer

“Smart casual, no swimwear or singlets.”

— SkyCity guest services (phone inquiry)

For travelers on a budget, the decision is clear: choose the lunch menu for value, or skip the meal entirely and just visit the observation deck. The dinner premium buys you a rotating seat and a three-course meal, but the core attraction — the view — is available for NZ$32 alone.

Related reading: Mavericks Gastro Pub Menu · Graze and Glow Menu

Additional sources

tripadvisor.com, tripadvisor.com, tripadvisor.com

For those considering a visit, our comprehensive Orbit 360° Dining menu details guide covers prices, dress code, and parking tips.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Orbit 360 offer gluten-free options?

Yes, the restaurant accommodates dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Notify the staff at booking.

Can I book a window seat at Orbit 360?

Window seats are available on request but not guaranteed. The restaurant rotates, so all seats eventually face the view.

Is Orbit 360 open for Christmas or public holidays?

Yes, but hours may vary. A 2020 review noted a Christmas dinner set menu at NZ$150 per head. Check the official site for holiday schedules.

What is the cancellation policy for Orbit 360 reservations?

According to the booking platform, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance to avoid a fee.

Are there any group discounts at Orbit 360?

Group discounts are not advertised. Contact SkyCity directly for group bookings of 10 or more.

Is Orbit 360 accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes, the Sky Tower and restaurant are wheelchair accessible. Elevators are available.

What time does Orbit 360 serve lunch and dinner?

Lunch is typically served from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm, dinner from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Confirm on the official site.