Cute bakery that has made itself a destination nestled into a quiet side street. The large space…read morehas a walk-in counter, a place for seating as well as a large kitchen area. We ordered a cake for my daughter's 5th birthday the same day. Ordered at 8am, was supposed to be ready at 5pm. When I arrived they admitted they had completely forgotten about it! They charged half price and delivered to our house which was appreciated given the circumstances. Not ideal as we weren't able to enjoy the awesome look of cake for that long before doing the candles, cutting and getting to bed. The cake itself was awesome with chocolate ganache and piled high with berries on the top. Would go again as long as forgetting orders isn't a regular thing.

This quaint cafe, located in an otherwise quiet residential street of Takapuna/Belmont, is always…read morebusy and as soon as you see the cabinet it is not hard to see why. Beautifully presented and devilishly decadent cakes, pies, tarts and donuts line the shelves just waiting to be devoured. Order at the counter, grab your plastic zoo animal, which serves as your table number, and pull up a pew at the communal table. Trust me, the food tastes every bit as good as it looks!

One of a kind. Seriously, you won't find another cafe like this so its worth the trip to Belmont…read more(lets face it there's not much else there). Not only do they have amazing food and great coffee but they have the coolest collection of kitschy tearoom giftware like retro teapots and knitted display cakes. They've done an incredible job with the interior using old singer sewing machine parts for tables and an eclectic mix of colour and style throughout the cafe - anything goes but it totally works. Plenty of space and there's a play area for kids in the courtyard outside too.

My partner and I went for breakfast on a weekday mid morning. The food was amazing and the staff…read morevery friendly. This cafe is very child friendly and was bustling with young families. The cafe atmosphere could have been helped with some background music or magazines.

A casual business lunch bought us to Zomer. We sat inside as the spring weather is still a bit…read morecool if the sun is not out. Started out well as they had the Japanese Green something something tea my friend wanted - a good start. There was a bit of a chat about sandwich or salad, salad or sandwich so we decided on one of each. Neither disappointed. The chill chicken with gems in pita looked delicious - not my choice but a bit of envy. It looked a bit hard to eat but that only made it look even more succulent. I had the sirloin salad and while it was great, tasty and somewhat virtuous - i wanted that sandwich! Next time.... The coffee was very good as usual and the friand looked moist and disappeared quickly so I assume was very good

In my book nothing beats a Saturday morning walk followed by a spot of brunch in the sun and I…read morethink this may just be my new favourite spot. It's hardly surprisingly, considering I'm a huge fan of Zus and Zo and this new-ish sister café has a lot of similarities; the huge communal table full of amazing looking sweet treats, the delish home made preserves, the lovingly made coffee and the fresh-faced staff. However, one big difference is that there is heaps more outdoor seating at Zomer and for a sun seeker like myself this is a definite plus. I came here last Sat for a lazy brunch with a couple of friends. Grabbing one of the last tables outside, our waiter promptly came took our drinks order. Whilst my buddies went for coffee, I was a tad hungover so opted for their refreshing almond milk, baby kale, banana and honey smoothie ($8). It really just tasted like a banana smoothie but it was delicious all the same. For brunch, I went for the Bruschetta, which is served with haloumi, roast pumpkin hummus, rocket and streaky bacon. Although simple, it was really yummy and they didn't skimp on the haloumi or the bacon. Big tick in my book! I am excited to head back here to sample some of their dutch offerings and their freshly squeezed juices, which looked devine.

A neat place with its historic, classic vibes from its vintage dark wooden tables, solid square…read morestools, high backed metal chairs and fold out wooden ones with vibrant cushions on lovely carpet mats. Unfortunately all of their nice outdoor reed chairs and tables outside were taken by the time we arrived- since the sun was out in full shine but next time though! We were lucky to get the grace of the fan to cool us down a bit at least, after some sun exposure just prior where we sat. We nabbed a round table in the back corner next door to their great cabinet- which appealed more than their standard cafe menu. Nothing really jumped out at me but just the look of their sandwiches made the decision an easy order. A blackboard behind the counter for reading of the menu as well. Noticed a small open window that peeks into the kitchen as well as several paintings to be sold on the walls. A cool corner in the front with green hanging pots. Loved the open glass front with it's automatic door and communal tables. Shared bathrooms by this block of shops around the back if you need it. Picked their toasted beef and beetroot sandwich which had beetroot red-dyed gherkin slices, fancy salad, grated carrots, sliced cucumber on black and white sesame seed-ed bread with a side of spice, bay-leaf infused tomato sauce. Big fan of the sauce. Loved they arrived on sweet little grandma-reminiscent plates after a bit of a toasting. Noticed the other sandwiches available- equally tasty looking as well as the array of sweet baked goods on the counter under a transparent cover. Must come back to try satisfy a sweet tooth as well as a coffee- especially after the paintings of their anthropomorphised coffee machine around the walls.

A short walk from Cheltenham Beach and nearby North Head Reserve, Vauxhall cafe gets a lot of…read morewalk-in from dog owners and the exercise conscious, as well as well-to-do locals in Devonport. It's off the main commuter route so patronage seems to sit in more than takeaway. They have indoor and outdoor tables, but indoor is genuinely nicer. Road noise and adjacent traffic intersection and bus stop can be noisy at times. On the upside they make wonderful coffee, freshly cooked meals and have a real family friendly vibe going on. The ambience is "70's student flat", which is cool because most of the middle aged hipsters who live around there were students in the 70's. Makes sense. The cafe is small and often crowded, waiting staff are competent, and they have wifi. If you're on the beach and want to eat, they are worth trying, or you could visit Devonport Village for a better experience at a lower price.

This place epitomises a "hidden gem." It's tucked down the end of a rather dark and dingy alleyway…read moreoff the main street in Takapuna (you know, the one with the dinky music shop and friendly shoe repairman). I must of walked past it a dozen times oblivious to the fact that it existed...shame on me! What I love about it is that, whilst the alleyway is rather grimy the space itself is anything but. You enter through a nondescript door at the end of the corridor into a beautifully modern, open space with fresh white walls and polished concrete floors. There is a huge black and gold coffee roasting machine as well as ample tables and chairs (and great magazines!) for you to enjoy your coffee in peace. What's also pretty cool is that they serve several different Single Origin beans and have examples of each on the counter for you to sniff before you buy/drink. When I went, I was in a bit of a hurry so opted for the coffee of the day but I am looking forward to going back and trying the different origins.

I was actually trying to find a quicker route from The Department Store to La Tropezienne when I…read morehaphazardly stumbled across this place. I think it was fate. Run by two Japanese sisters, Ark Coffee Company is dedicated to specialty coffee. There are no excess food offerings save for a few actually quite good looking cookies, everything is quite minimalist and spare and very much centered around the coffee itself, which shines. I tried the best Iced Latte I have ever had and that is quite frankly saying a lot cause I have guzzled a fair few in my time. All it was, was coffee and ice cubes and some sweetener but damn near close to perfection it was. And at really reasonable prices too. I have been converted, follow me to the Ark!

In house made Quiche was exquisite, really tasty, ice latte was generic, nothing special. Visit on…read moreTuesday afternoon being moderately busy.

This was our first visit to Orewa and our first visit to The Farmhouse Cafe; my husband and I…read moredecided to eat here as they had a large outdoor space (with lots of umbrella shades), nestled in a quiet square, plus it was only a five minute walk from the beach. Hubby and I tend to like the same food, so not surprisingly we ordered the same thing - eggs benedict with salmon. I had a refreshing chocolate milkshake and my man bought a ginger beer (and they had the cool organic ones, yay!). My milkshake was huge and quite tasty. The meal sizes were adequate but nothing to make us roll our way out. The eggs and salmon came with a few slices of tomato (more of a garnish) and baby spinach leaves, which was great - my only qualm was the muffin bread it came on; it had no butter so it tasted quite dry. The service was very friendly and relaxed. There was plenty of patronage inside and out the spacious venue. Plenty of parking spaces but it does get busy. And the kitchen closes at 2pm!

If the closest you get to France is pronouncing croissants 'cwassonts' then I think you need to get…read moredown to La Tropezienne ASAP. As my partner works in Takapuna, there's nothing I like better than making my way down to this little French inspired eatery early in the morning and grabbing some delicious noms to takeaway and head down to eat it on Takapuna Beach. I usually get the brioche crunch and end up with the icing sugar absolutely ALL over myself! It's pretty decadent but I tell myself it's fine, for a treat anyway! They have lots of offerings in the cabinet from filled rolls to little tartlets, and offer coffees and things as well. Make sure to grab some plain croissants on your way out, they are awesome as is, and I particularly like to fill them with lots of yummies myself for work lunches.

I do love a good bakery, but they are quite hard to come by. I'm not talking your typical chicken…read moreroll with too much tomato, or soggy mince pies - I'm talking real quality baked goods. La Tropezienne is still relatively new, but it has certainly made a place for itself. It is a lovely little French bakery right in the middle of Takapuna. And with the abundance of Asian food outlets, it is a welcome change. A friend and I popped in here recently after driving past it numerous times and saying 'we should go in there.' It really is very French. With the cute little tables and wooden décor, and not to mention the very French staff, before you even taste the food you feel transported. There are very traditional French cabinet foods, baguette sandwiches, small rolls, sweets, and fresh bread. There is also great coffee. You can sit and eat there or take the food down to the beautiful Takapuna beach just 2 minutes walk away. The baguette rolls that we had were so delicious - just simple ingredients done really well. I will definitely be back.

Great addition to Takapuna's cool, new eatery lane, Fortieth & Hurstmere! I mean, where else would…read moreyou get served coffee from a customized kombi van?! So far, I've only tried their coffee (Havana) but they have other goodies too - Wellington Chocolate Factory chocolate, Dr Feel Good Iceblocks, and word on the street is they're looking at getting some more substantial food in too... watch this space! Until then, awesome place to enjoy cuppa (or two...)!

I think this place is cool. Not just the attention that's paid to making you an excellent coffee…read more(Havana), but the chance to look around at Ben's collection of retro and film pieces. Lots of Kiwiana here, I even spotted an old Viewmaster on the shelf (who didn't love those?). There's a few other tempting goodies here - pastries to go with your coffee or maybe a Siggy's pie? Also, Dr Feelgood iceblocks, Master milkshakes, Gelissimo icecream and chocolate bars from Wellington Choc Factory. I'm gonna have to try that chocolate for sure.

What a great spot for locals to get their daily grind - if only I lived a little closer…read more.. The barista here is a finalist in the Metro Barista Competition and if my coffee last week is anything to go by, it's an accolade that is pretty well deserved. Admittedly, I have just come off a year-long coffee hiatus but still, my cup of joe was perfectly extracted and the milk - creamy and smooth. The Hauraki Store has only been open for 8months but when I popped in late on a weekday it was humming. It's not hard to see why - the decor is clean and modern, the atmosphere is friendly and laid back and they have a cabinet full of sandwiches, frittata and plenty delectable looking sweet treats to curb any afternoon cravings. This would be the perfect spot to wile an afternoon away reading the newspaper or flicking through their selection of magazines.