There are times when I've found myself craving some good old Chinese food and Momo Tea is my port…read moreof call in this instance. The menu is massive and about half of it are their beverages- which they do very well! Not one to stray from my usual menu choices, I'm a fan favourite of their chocolate milkshake, but their taro milkshake is just as tasty. Their barbecue section is simply best, especially if you're after octopus, spicy chicken hearts (my favourite on their menu!) or anything that may make the average diner do a double take. They've also got a small section of Thai food, which I've yet to try- so there'd definitely cariety. The layout here is diner-esque with colourful booths, TVs mounted on the walls playing Westlife concerts- which I'd never complain about- are quick, attentive service. Momotea is a cost-effective lunch and dinner spot and is even open til the wee hours of the morning- which would make it the perfect post-town feed stop.

Momotea is one of those places you go to and try something new and different. I had never been to…read moreMomotea until a friend of mine confessed her love for it. We decided to go there as a group of girls to giggle about stuff. We got there and it was like I walked into a story book or a scene of some anime movie. It was colourful, with cute monkey displays and bet yet a Karaoke type thing playing from the TV. I had finally found a place I could sing-a-long to Westlife and not be judged. After the whole album played I was almost in tears! After that visit I regularly go and watch the Asian game shows which are always a hoot and I also get the taro milkshake with the pearls. To be honest I am only there for the pearls, I don't know what they are made of and I don't care. The creaminess of the taro milkshake warms my heart.

With an incredibly eye catching yellow sign, it's hard to miss this Wild Wheat store. 'What on…read moreearth do they do?' you may ask. Well, they sell bread like any other bakery, except their bread is 100% additive/preservative free - they bake without any man inspired modifications. It's the real stuff! I was eating a hot cross bun from here the other day, and it tasted super delicious and quite different. You know that healthy feeling you get after eating home-made brown bread? That's how I felt after gnawing on this freshly baked bun. Seriously recommend you pop in sometime if you're a health, gluten-free, GM free, all round health nut. Even if you're not, you'll be pleasantly surprised how easy it is to switch over to Wild Wheat from supermarket brands.

There is absolutely nothing sophisticated about the Bellevue Bakehouse. It is your basic…read moreneighbourhood bakery and it does the basics very well. Always busy in the mornings before school (Howick College is a short walk away) and on Saturdays when rugby is played on the sports field opposite. (Due to the appetite of teenage boys and rugby players for pies, I do not expect the Bellevue ever to go broke.) You can get a wide range of cold drinks, there's takeaway hot coffee, they've got a bread slicing machine so you can get the loaf of your choice in thin or thick slices, and if you want something simple and tasty like a mince and cheese pie, a white tank loaf or a lamington, they have got you covered. I recommend the twisted ham and cheese thingies.

From the owner: Bellevue Bakery has been providing quality pastries and sweets to the Howick area for over a…read moredecade. We offer a great selection including pies, muffins, quiches, donuts, pizza sticks, bread, coffee, and more. Stop by today and treat yourself!

Nice coffee and nice people. Also easy to choose the…read morefavorite coffee to take away. Lovely.

I come here all the time because I like the laid-back, friendly service, the good coffee, and the…read moreexcellent food. I'm not much of a tea drinker but that really is the speciality here, and they even offer free sample of different, exotic teas to tempt you. The decor inside is so cute, they have heaps of tea and coffee accessories all over the walls, like stovetop espresso machines, teapots, cups, gorgeous little tins of all sizes and shapes for storing your purchases in, not to mention an impressive range of tea leaves and coffee beans that you can buy in quantities to suit. So it's also an excellent place to buy presents too, because, unlike the odd sauces and endless balsamic vinegars we give and are given and never use, tea and coffee are the kind of presents that will be used and enjoyed. You have to try the cherry pie when you visit, it's incredible. Also, the chef will happily make you up something if none of the counterfood is quite right (I always ask for some thing in a vegetarian version and they never mind).

The food is great. But the vibe is unfortunately terrible. We asked the owner himself twice if he…read morecould put some music on and he literally flatly ignored us. We went on Sunday lunch time to celebrate St Paddy's day. Understandably they had nothing on for the day but they had cricket on and even when the game was done he bluntly ignored our request. Unfortunately won't easily be going back there.

This is a local Irish bar spot for the people of Howick. That doesn't mean it is all that though…read more The staff aren't really known for their knowledge of the menu and details. Which makes for a lot of "I will just check that for you" (if even that). And the food is definitely overpriced and not up to par in terms of quality. Disappointing in that sense. Other than that it can be a nice place to be, to enjoy a few drinks (hard to mess that up) and enjoy the live bands and music that are often making an appearance. Also every Monday and Tuesday they have lunch specials, and on Wednesday they have dinner specials and a quiz night, which are always fun. So in terms of entertainment it is all go, in terms of service and food it is a bit average.

Bratwurst! If you have a mighty hunger for some fine European sausage then treat yourself to the…read moreepicurean delight that is Frankie's. There are 11 different flavours to choose from; from the basic frankfurter to the the Old Essex Banger, Spanish Chorizo and my personal favourite the Kransky, which is a mix of pork, herbs and Edam cheese. Not just the sausages but there are also a range of fantastic sides to get excited about. Potato salad, pickled gherkins (oh my gosh yum), mushy peas and chilli cheese fries! So you can really tailor your meal to your own personal tastes or a specific geographic area if the mood takes you. While I'm not really one for eating in food courts, the atmosphere and concept at Elliott Stables is really something quite different altogether.

Beyond delicious! Lucky I don't work nearby or I would be there every other day, will have to…read moresettle for a visit once a week. Already thinking about what I am going to order next time. Had a Liege waffle with chocolate sauce and am looking forward to trying The Lumber Man next.

I stumbled across this place after picking up a coffee from The Apothecary - we were looking for…read morecrackers and cheese to take down to Howick Beach for a picnic and nearly headed for the nearest supermarket before spotting this place. A grocer it is - you can buy a lot of really good quality fruit and vegetables here. They all come with poems on the stands that talk about not squeezing the nectarines or avocados to death; it's cute. But this place also sells a large range of artisan cheese, fancy crackers and imported items like Belgian chocolate and German Spekulatius biscuits. YUM! The most amazing thing about this place is the prices of the stuff - we were stunned to get a packet of pretty fancy crackers, a wheel of cheese and a massive container of semi-dried tomatoes for less than ten bucks. Eat your heart out, Nosh! This place is so cheap and so good - definitely check it out.