A new restaurant by Josh and Helen Emett will become the social heart of Faradays.
For generations, the world’s great department stores have offered far more than exceptional shopping. They have been places to meet for lunch, pause over afternoon tea, celebrate special occasions and spend entire days discovering something new.
When Faradays opens its doors this September, that tradition will return to Queen Street with the arrival of Lottie’s – a new all-day dining destination created in partnership with Emett Group.
Located on the first floor of the restored Milne & Choyce building at 131 Queen Street, Lottie’s has been conceived as an integral part of the Faradays experience. Whether guests arrive to explore the store, meet friends for lunch or simply enjoy the atmosphere, the restaurant and bar has been designed as a destination in its own right.
The partnership brings together two businesses united by a shared belief that exceptional retail and exceptional hospitality belong together. Led by celebrated restaurateurs Josh and Helen Emett, Emett Group has earned a reputation for creating some of Auckland’s most respected dining destinations, including Onslow and Gilt Brasserie. Together with Faradays, the vision is to create a place that feels deeply connected to Auckland while drawing inspiration from the great department stores of the world.
The restaurant takes its name from Charlotte “Lottie” Milne, one of the founding sisters behind the iconic Milne & Choyce department store. It is a tribute to the building’s remarkable history, while reimagining a much-loved department store tradition for a new generation.
Josh Emett sees the partnership between Emett Group and Faradays as a natural fit.
“We have always been drawn to heritage buildings with a story, as seen with Onslow at 9 Princes Street and Gilt Brasserie in the historic Chancery Chambers. Lottie’s continues that philosophy, bringing together two businesses with a shared commitment to quality and creating exceptional experiences. For us, this is about creating more than a restaurant. It’s about creating a destination that feels connected to the history of the building while becoming part of Auckland’s future.”
“Some of my most cherished childhood memories are of staying with my grandparents in Marylebone. My grandmother would take me to Selfridges, where we’d spend the day wandering through the department store before stopping for lunch.
For Helen Emett, the inspiration behind Lottie’s reaches back much further – to childhood memories of visiting London’s famous department stores with her grandmother.
“Some of my most cherished childhood memories are of staying with my grandparents in Marylebone. My grandmother would take me to Selfridges, where we’d spend the day wandering through the department store before stopping for lunch. I remember it feeling so special. It was such a treat, and I couldn’t wait for my next visit. Those days left a lasting impression on me and inspired the kind of experience we wanted to create with Lottie’s.”
Those memories capture exactly the kind of experience Faradays hopes to create: a place where shopping, hospitality and time spent together naturally become part of the same visit.
Leading the kitchen as Head Chef is Zach Meads, who joins Lottie’s after four years at Onslow. Together with the Emett Group team, he will help shape a menu that complements the restaurant’s welcoming, all-day approach to dining.
For Faradays Creative Director Constance von Dadelszen, hospitality has always been fundamental to the vision for the store.
“Lottie’s will be the heart of our store - a destination people visit whether they’re discovering a new designer, meeting friends for lunch or simply enjoying the atmosphere. From our very first conversations, Josh and Helen shared our belief that exceptional retail and exceptional hospitality belong together, and we’re incredibly proud to bring that vision to life at 131 Queen Street.”
The opening of Lottie’s also arrives at a defining moment for central Auckland. As the City Rail Link nears completion and investment continues to reshape the city centre, Faradays has been designed as more than a department store. It is a place where fashion, beauty, design, culture and hospitality come together to create reasons for people to spend time in the city.
Josh Emett believes Lottie’s has an important role to play in that broader story.
“Great hospitality has always played an important role in creating vibrant city precincts. We see Lottie’s as contributing to something much bigger than a restaurant opening. Together with Faradays, we’re creating a destination where people come not only to shop, but to spend time, connect and experience the very best of the city.”
Lottie’s will open alongside Faradays at 131 Queen Street this September, with further details – including the menu and signature dishes – to be revealed closer to opening.
