Welcome to our Cafe Guide. If you are in central Auckland you will only ever be a few steps away from a cup of many Kiwis favourite coffee - the flat white. If you want food to match, below are our recommendations for a few cafes as well as some restaurants and bars.
For $10 deals in Auckland visit Eat Out on $10 to find out where to get an Indian curry and beverage for $10, who was voted Best Foodcourt 2009 by local Metro magazine, where to get pizza by the slice for $5, and more.
To keep the guide brief we have used the abbreviation “WYSEH” (Why You Should Eat Here) to highlight what we consider to be the best reasons for dining at a particular venue. We hope you enjoy eating out in Auckland as much as we do and if you would like to make a donation to the "One Flat White & Brunch" fund you can do so at any branch of the "I Don't Think So Cafe!"
Cheers
Rachael & Mike Updated May 2010
PS - Although we will try to keep the guide up to date some cafes may change staff/ownership/menus etc often so it is best to treat this as a rough guide only. Two websites - Menumania (the newby) and DineOut (been around a while) have customer comments and ratings if you're keen to know the word on the street about many Auckland eateries.
2010 Auckland Region Barista Champion - David Huang, Espresso Workshop, 2 Owens Road Epsom.
Eight of Metro magazines top 50 cafe picks for 2009: Queenie's Lunchroom, 24a Spring Street, Freemans Bay (Supreme Winner of Top 50 Auckland cafes); Alleluya, St Kevins Arcade, Karangahape Road, city; Go Coffee Go, 8 George Street, Parnell/Newmarket; Didas Food Store, 54 Jervois Road, Herne Bay; one of our favourites Baci Lounge, upstairs near the Rialto Cinema in Newmarket. Baci Lounge proceeds help fund literacy and mentoring programmes for children so it's well worth buying your coffee here; One 2 One, 121 Ponsonby Road (best baby friendly cafe) & People, 38 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby; Gala, 23 Edwin Street, Mt Eden.
Metro's top takeaway picks for 2009 - Best Burgers - Handmade Burgers, 455 New North Road; Best Fish & Chips - Mt Eden Village Fish Shop, 438 Mt Eden Road; Best Kebabs - Little Turkish Cafe, 217 Karangahape Road, city.
Select a suburb:Central city, Devonport, Kingsland, Mission Bay, Mt Eden, Mt Wellington,Newmarket, Onehunga, Parnell, Ponsonby
________________________________________________________________________________________________ Central City Brew on Quay, corner Quay Street & Britomart Place www.brewonquay.co.nz WYSEH - If you are a beer fan you will find beer from around the world here. The interior is divided into different rooms and you can sit beneath chandeliers for a quiet chat (as long as it's not too busy) or head upstairs to the outdoor area. They're offering $10 express lunches every day in May or choose from the all day grazing or main menu. Check the website for the schedule of live music and events. PS - If you are interested in visiting Brew Pubs in Auckland and around New Zealand that serve locally brewed beer visit Brew Pubs for some suggestions.
Cin Cin On Quay, Auckland Ferry Building, 99 Quay Street www.cincin.co.nz WYSEH - We enjoyed everything on offer at Cin Cin - the table with the view, the top shelf service and most of all the food. Salmon and lamb were our choices from the menu and both dishes were cooked to perfection. Dipping donuts in chocolate sauce was a sweet finish. Visit Cin Cin's Promotions page for their current specials like the $22 lunch available every day between 11am - 5pm.
Danny-Doolans, Viaduct Harbour www.dannydoolans.co.nz WYSEH – Never Ending Nachos anyone? Unlimited nachos (til you burst) for $70 (ends 10pm) or The Bollocks, nachos for two for $20. If you don’t order never ending nachos you won’t leave hungry, food portions are generous. The meatararian in the house recommends the steak sandwich. Order a Full Irish Breakfast from 11am daily ($18.50) and Monday - Friday during winter have a $10 lunch - roast of the day or a chicken and bacon club sandwich. Danny's are also currently offering a "Friday Lunch Shout" - have a main meal Monday - Thursday (lunch or dinner) and get a voucher for the value of your meal to be redeemed Friday lunchtime. (Specials available as at 27 May 2010).
El Faro Spanish Tapas Bar,Elliott Stables, Elliott Street www.elliottstables.co.nz WYSEH - Walk down the cobbled lane at Elliott Stables and into El Faro for delicious and inexpensive tapas - between5-6pm, Monday to Friday get 25% off all drinks. Open Monday - Saturday, 10am - 10pm.
Invito, 7 Bacon’s Lane, (Chancery) www.invito.co.nz
Offering a mix of Italian and Mediterranean food Invito is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. WYSEH – Outdoor seating is available and Chancery is car free. Invito is just one of a few cafes adding to the lively café scene in Chancery and from time to time they offer free coffee with every breakfast purchase.
Lenin, Princes Wharf WYS(Drink)H - This Russian themed bar has plush booths inside and plenty of seating outside for your comrades. A window inside gives a cool view into Minus 5 Ice Lounge next door and ofcourse there is plenty of vodka to be downed here. Opens midday, closes late.
Mezze Bar, 9 Durham Street East www.mezzebar.co.nz WYSEH – Mezze Bar is a spacious, relaxed, inner city wine bar/cafe that has food for any time of the day - brunch, main meals, tapas and mezze, sweet treats from the cabinet and desserts.
Orbit Restaurant, Sky Tower, Victoria Street www.skycity.co.nz WYSEH – The view from the revolving restaurant. Book a table for brunch ($35 per person) on a Saturday or Sunday from 10am - 2.30pm, see the website for the menu. You are able to stop at the Observation deck on the way down so at $35pp it is well worth the trip. A recent edition is the Kiwi style Orbit High Tea, served Saturday & Sunday, 2.30pm - 4.30pm, $30pp.
The Northern Steamship Company Brewbar, 122 Quay Street www.macs.co.nz
This is one of a few Mac’s Brewbars in Auckland. They serve up pub grub like Mac's beer battered fish n chips from $16.50 and pricier main meals. WYSE(or Drink)H - The décor, it’s quirky - 70’s style upside down lamp shades for lighting and a unique approach to picture mounting, and there is plenty of seating. Open for lunch, dinner and til late.
Waterfront Café, Maritime Museum Building, Hobson Wharf www.thewaterfrontcafe.co.nz WYSEH – Real water front dining and a lovely spot on a sunny day. The Waterfront Cafe is a good lunch time option as they serve up big, tasty sandwiches like the Creole Rub Chicken with fries. Brunch is served Monday - Friday until 12 noon, Saturday & Sunday until 5pm. The cafe is open from 9am until late, 7 days. Happy hour drink specials 4pm - 7pm week days, $5 beer, wine and house spirits.
Devonport Stone Oven Bakery & Cafe, 5 Clarence Street WYSEH - All of the food is made on the premises and they serve flavour filled (and cheap) sandwiches and rolls as well as a full brunch menu. Stone Oven is a firm favourite with Devonport locals and on weekends it is over flowing with people and baked goods. Open 7 days, 6.30am - 5pm. Tip: If you are interested in art cross the road to The Depot Artspace and see what's on display.
Kingsland Roasted Addiqtion, 487 New North Road www.roastedkingsland.co.nz
Roasted Addiqtion is on fire in orange, there are good looking slices and salads in the cabinet and a Kidz breakfast menu priced from $5.50. American pancakes with berry compote and maple syrup are a delicious start to the day at $14.50. Tea fans are looked after with a loose leaf tea menu and your selection is served with a tea timer so you can make the most of your cuppa. $10 desserts are on the menu Wednesday - Saturday nights. Add to that friendly staff, lots of seating and an outdoor courtyard and there's plenty of reasons why you should stop in for brunch, lunch or to be entertained over dinner - visit their website to see What's On.
The Fridge, 507 New North Road WYSEH - If you're one of those people who take a while to choose prepare for indecision. The Fridge has a cabinet brimming with delicious looking wraps, rolls, paninis and more and that's before you check out the brunch/lunch menu and the range of gourmet pies. If you're a first time visitor to The Fridge there are plenty more seats than those you see directly in front of the counter, head to the courtyard at the back or the large dining area behind the counter, although The Fridge is popular, so finding a seat could be as hard as deciding what to order.
De Fontein Belgian Beer Café, 75-79 Tamaki Drive www.belgian-beer-cafe.co.nz (see the website for other Auckland & NZ locations) WYSEH – You can sit on the balcony and look out over Mission Bay. The one kilo pots of mussels and fries with homemade mayonnaise from $19. On Sunday afternoon they often have live jazz visit www.defontein.co.nz to check for events and specials.
Masala Indian Restaurant, 97A Tamaki Drive www.masalarestaurant.co.nz WYSEH - Masala has a $10 lunch special including beverage available 7 days. Monday - Wednesday nights all mains are also $10. Sit on the balcony overlooking Mission Bay and be charmed by the sweet service. Check the website for Masala's other Auckland locations.
Mission Bay Cafe (formerly Mecca), 85 Tamaki Drive WYSEH – You can get coffee and cake throughout the day at Mission Bay Cafe. Brunch, lunch and dinner menu also available. Opens early, closes late. For a hearty brunch try the ricotta hotcakes with berry compote, banana and maple syrup, my favourite.
Portofino, 71 Tamaki Drive www.portofino.co.nz WYSEH – For reasonably priced Italian food and top shelf service in the heart of Mission Bay. A selection of vegetarian meals are offered like the delicious dish Rigatoni Portofino (pasta with sundried tomatoes, spinach, feta cheese and garlic with panna sauce), $19.90. Open for lunch from 11am. See the website for the menu and the other Auckland and New Zealand locations.
Ruan Thai Restaurant, cnr Tamaki Drive & Patteson Avenue www.sawadee.co.nz WYSEH - For the delicious taste of Thailand on Tamaki Drive. We started with a coconut prawn entree and finished with the Gai Nuan Nang (yellow chicken curry with banana), aroi maak maak! Service is top notch.
Santa Lucia, 51 Tamaki Drive www.santalucia.co.nz WYSEH – Pasta is homemade and the menu includes salads, pizza, risotto and fish dishes. Tap your feet along to the live entertainment in the evenings while you are indulging in their fine food. A lovely interior means it is just as pleasurable to dine inside as out. Open 7am til late.
tana mera espresso, Patteson Avenue WYSEH - Tana mera has filled part of the gap left when the bakery in Mission Bay departed. It's a tiny cafe with fresh rolls and treats to take away to the beach or to eat in at one of the few tables. Open 7 days.
Mt Eden Chapter, 442 Mt Eden Road www.chapter.co.nz WYSEH - You are in the market for some romance fiction and a good cup of tea. There is a small seating area, a library of loose leaf teas and romance fiction available for purchase, as well as cakes and savoury treats in the cabinet. Open 7 days.
Circus Circus Cafe, 447 Mt Eden Road www.circuscircus.co.nz WYSEH – You can’t be as popular as Circus Circus without serving up the goods. The service has been impressive given how hectic this place has been when we have visited for brunch, we can't rate it highly enough. Open 7 days from 6.45am for breakfast (breakfast served until 11.30am), lunch, dinner (served from 4.30pm) and cakes and treats in between.
Mt Wellington Eve’s Pantry, Sylvia Park mall, 286 Mt Wellington highway www.evespantry.co.nz WYSEH – You’re missing grandma's homemade treats - chocolate éclairs, yummy slices and bright fruit tarts. If you need a cake for a special occasion you can also get one made here. Eve's Pantry is a casual, inexpensive cafe and popular for both eat in and take away lunches and snacks. Visit the website to find their 8 Auckland locations, there is also an Eve's Pantry in Tauranga.
Hollywood Café, Lunn Avenue, Mt Wellington WYSEH – You are looking for a quick lunch to take away or eat in from a casual and extra cheap cafe. There are many Hollywood Cafes in Auckland but the brand new one in Mt Wellington has to be one of the best. Parking is free and right outside. Hollywood often has specials like buy an espresso coffee before 11am and choose a muffin for free.
The Flying Moa, 65 Lunn Avenue, Mt Wellington www.flyingmoapub.co.nz
We like the décor here - the moa and mower wallpaper is a distinctive touch. The Flying Moa is a popular spot for after work and weekend drinks. WYSEH – The dining/drink specials offered most days of the week, eg. Monday night get the Big Bird Ribs for $12.50 and on Tuesday night get dessert for $6. See the "What's On" section of the website for meal deals. Free parking.
Newmarket Baci Lounge, Rialto Cinema Complex, Broadway www.bacilounge.com
This cozy bookshop/café offers paninis, gourmet pies and sweet treats and it's a good place for a pre or post movie snack. WYSEH – The décor and general feel of the place - take a seat on one of the throne like chairs. You get a free cup of coffee with every book you purchase. Proceeds from the Baci Lounges (there's also a branch in Brisbane) help fund literacy and mentoring programmes for children. Baci Lounge is a few steps away from the cinema and open late, Monday - Saturday 10am – 9pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm.
Bodrum, 2 Osbourne Street WYSEH – The atmosphere – a slice of Turkey hidden in the back streets of Newmarket. The Belly Dancers – Friday and Saturday nights, check what time they will sashay through when you book. Open Tuesday – Sunday, 6pm til late.
Cock & Bull, Cnr Kingdon Street & Khyber Pass www.cockandbull.co.nz (check the website for other locations) WYSEH – The Cock & Bull is a large pub big on service, food portions and English charm. They brew their own beer – a Buxom Blonde goes perfectly with their traditional fish n chips according to their menu. If you order something from the brunch menu expect the portions to be significant. They have $10 lunch specials and two for one cocktails are available from 4.30pm-6pm during the week. A new addition is Free Beer Tasting on the 1st Thursday of the month from 6pm, visit the website for details. If you don’t think you will make it to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore have a beer or a cocktail in their long bar instead. See the website for their gig guide, menu etc. Open 11.30am til late.
jones the grocer, 143 Carlton Gore Road www.jonesthegrocer.com WYSEH – It feels like you’re dining in a gourmet food stall when you eat here. Cheese fans will like the walk in fromagerie. You can order brunch or lunch off the menu or select delicious fresh food from the cabinet. Jones the grocer also has food products sourced from around the world. Open 7 days. In April 2010 new owners took over jones the grocer and the range of gourmet products has decreased to make way for more tables. The menu has also changed, service was very slow however the new owners will still be streamlining their processes - best of luck. We'll go back in a few weeks and see if there are any other changes.
Lone Star, 8 Kent Street (other branches in Takapuna, New Lynn & Manukau) www.lonestarsteakhouse.com WYSEH – You are hungry! Lone Star meal portions are BIG as are their slices of cheesecake. Mains cost around $30 and dessert $12, a reduced portion option is available (and recommended) if you are not a big eater. A busy (and often noisy) family friendly dining option.
Nuffield Street Brewbar, 23 Nuffield Street www.macs.co.nz
Nuffield Street Brewbar has a range of Asian influenced dishes like Pad Thai, Duck Pancakes and Pork and Ginger Dumplings. WYSEH – Like The Northern Steamship Company in the central city this bar is uniquely decorated, and service has always been excellent. They currently have $12.50 lunch specials including tempura fish n chips.
Nutmeg Organic Cafe, 29 Remuera Road WYSEH – Are you looking for a cafe where your eggs and bacon are both free range? If so, Nutmeg will deliver, they also offer a range of gluten free and vegetarian dishes. The cafe is small and often busy with regulars. We found the portion sizes a bit on the small size but we figure we might as well care about our waist lines as well as the chickens and pigs. Open til 4pm week days, 3pm Saturday and Sunday.
Onehunga The Library cafe, 55 Princes Street www.librarycafe.co.nz WYSEH - This cafe will appeal to book lovers as the building was originally a Carnegie Free Library and it has retained a separate reading lounge with shelves full of books. It's also a family friendly cafe and has a play area. Food is sourced locally and is organic where possible, allergen free food choices are also available. There is a range of cabinet food as well as brunch/lunch options that can be ordered off the menu. Open Monday - Thursday, 7am - 5pm; Friday, 7am - 6pm; Saturday, 9am - 4pm and Sunday, 9am until late (visit the website for details about the Sunday dinner menu). No surcharge on public holidays.
Parnell La Porchetta, 161-171 Parnell Road www.laporchetta.co.nz WYSEH – You are looking for a family friendly pizza restaurant that offers a lot of choice but doesn't cost many lira. Visit the website to find locations for other Auckland and NZ branches of La Porchetta.
Strawberry Alarm Clock, 119 Parnell Road
Named after a psychedelic rock band of the same name this brightly coloured neighbourhood café is popular. WYSEH – It is possibly the only place in Auckland where you can get a banana, maple syrup and bacon panini with fresh fruit on the side. There's also a courtyard out the back. Check the sandwich board in front of the cafe for their specials.
Chocolate Boutique Cafe, Shop 1, 323 Parnell Road www.chocolateboutique.co.nz WYSEH – Aside from the deliciously obvious you can also have dessert at the Chocolate Boutique Cafe – pavlova, chocolate cake, ice cream sundaes and more. Indulge in a charming setting for a reasonable price. Open 11am - 10pm, 7 days. If you would like to visit more chocolate shops on your travels visit our Chocolate Shop Directory.
Ponsonby Agnes Curran, 179 Ponsonby Road
Tucked around the corner on Franklin Road, Agnes Curran's is a small cafe with an equally small menu and a leafy picture window looking onto Ponsonby Road. WYSEH - The chocolate lamingtons with jam, cream and chunky coconut sprinkles served with tea in a china cup. Baguettes, gourmet pies and a couple of hot dishes are also on the menu and there are interesting bits and pieces displayed and often for sale. You will find something to read on the communal table.
Cafe Bliss, 286 Ponsonby Road www.cafebliss.co.nz WYSEH - Behind the modern and busy cafe area there is a lounge where you can relax with a book or newspaper. Open 7 days from 7am.
