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).

I'm a little confused as to why this is called Cafe Paris, as it is not necessarily French at all!…read moreHowever, it's a unique corner of the world, with its antique trinkets scattered throughout the store. (it contributes to Howick's old fashioned feel) Cafe Paris is a hugely popular place due to its quality food and coffee, but quite pricey for what it is. It's also hard to find a seat, so you have to wonder whether they should expand somehow! Despite that, it's a handy place to meet if you live out east, and you can see much of the goings on of Howick if you enjoy watching interesting people walk past.

Awesome place. Arguably the best coffee in the east. Money for value which is hard to find these…read moredays. Really friendly staff. Highly recommend their pot pies.

Sometimes you get chain stores that are consistently all the same, then you get others who…read moretranscend their label. Esquires Howick not only sticks to a consistent extra large coffee (small is really medium), good food and comfy seats of its chain, but they do a lot for the community. Either raising funds, doing fair trade, or allowing people to use the place for big events/meetings in the evenings, these guys aren't just your average money-makers. Talk to the manager about it sometime. Their service is friendly and they have a big TV playing music videos for those on a lunch break with nothing to do. I especially love their toffee nut lattes. Starbucks only has them at Christmas, but what if you crave them in July? Well, go here!

No, you haven't stepped into the arctic, though on a winter's day it may feel like it! Rather a…read moredelicious smelling Bakery, Greenland is a great little cafe hiding near the New World in Botany Town Centre. It has a long line of cabinets containing only fresh products of savouries, sweet treats, sandwiches, panini's and muffins. They completely ace breakfasts - not only the cheapest you can find in Botany, but absolutely scrummy! I would recommend snabbing a bacon and egg muffin, a flat white and a neenish tart for lunch sometime. You wont regret it and it will be around $10 for all of that! Great prices and good service make this place my usual pick for lunchtime meetings.

Just booked my flights to New Zealand and have literally planned day one around getting a steak and…read morecheese pie at Greenland bakery. I can't even wait!

I am so pleased with the new hub of bars, restaurants and cafés that have opened up in my stomping…read moreground over the past 5years. There used to be nothing out here! This one tops the cafe scene in my book. Friendly service, good food at a reasonable price point and you can bring the dog I have heard you can hire it out at night for private functions too which is a great addition to the line up.

Apparently the cafe is under new ownership. This explained a lot of my last trip here…read more This little gem is one of my favourite spots to stop when we're home visiting. It's adorable, tucked away beside the beach house across from Half Moon Bay and decorated with a rustic marina vibe. Distressed wood, lots of blue, lots of white..Everything I love (insert heart eyed emoji here). I have always loved the flat whites here, and so after a workout the other day this was top on my priority list. We waited about 15 minutes to get our flat whites which was a bit frustrating, but I thought "ah, worth the wait!" When we finally got them, they were way too hot, the espresso was sulfury and the milk had clearly just been dumped in. No latte art, which I've become accustomed to at this spot. Bit of a bummer. My other favourite part of my visits here is that your coffees are always accompanied by a chocolate fush or a strawberry mallow. Alas...No more. Hopefully they're just working out some kinks and things will get back to their normal seamless ways - or perhaps everyone was just having an off day. Either way, I'll try again and fingers crossed hope for the best. Otherwise I think we'll be making the drive to apothecary instead.

A coffee from Dream Cuisine is part of my mother's everyday ritual on the way to work, and I can…read moresee why. The coffee is well made, and Sarah is a warm and friendly barista who is always pleasant no matter what time of the day it is. Dream Cuisine is located in a small set of shops in Glendowie, so mostly the patrons are locals; however if you are visitor to the city and were curious to venture into the suburbs of Auckland, then Dream Cuisine could be a stop to refuel on your way to or from the beach down the road. Dream Cuisne offers cabinet food as well as a small selection of brunch meals, such as French toast, scrambled eggs and also the Mediterranean falafel platter, which i can confirm was pretty delicious. You can also pick up some tasty frozen meals from the freezer at Dream Cuisine, or alternatively there is a range of homemade chutneys and dips to choose from. Dream Cuisine also operates as a catering company for all sorts of occasions, from cocktail do's to weddings.

The last time I frequented Cafe on Kohi was when I lived in the area 6 years ago. This cafe by the…read morepedestrian crossing on the Kohimarama beachfront has always been quite popular. Water glasses landed on the table about the same moment as we sat down but I have to say that they should ask what you prefer - carbonated or tap. I hate fizzy water and that's what we got. I like the extra touch like offering straw hats for the sun given there is no shade there in the Summer time. Café on Kohi is part of the same group as Takapuna Beach Café and Rosie in Parnell to name a few of the Hip Groups establishments (and all my fav). They all have a similar feel with great food and great service. The place was packed but the food came quickly, the Matre-D was great value and reminded me that I could take a doggie bag home when I found the dish I chose was bigger than my appetite. My platter was made up of Pancetta, Toulouse sausage, smoked Trevally, paper thin pickles in mustard, olives and toasted sour dough. It was great and I did take some home but if there was cheese it would have been perfect. My friend had the rotisserie chicken with couscous and yoghurt and said that was good. The wait for a table is only a short wait so if you haven't been get yourself along there.

My recent visit there demonstrated why Kohi Cafe is such a favourite. It was a sunny Saturday…read moreafternoon and I took the canine girls, Roxy and Lulu along to meet up with a friend for coffee. The cafe was heaving but we were luckily able to grab some chairs and along with a small side table outside. We were enjoying out fantastic (as per usual) coffee when disaster struck. Lulu took exception to a passing Jack Russell and lunged sending the table, the glasses and cups flying, amid yapping dogs and human squeals. No problem for the Kohi team, who were straight out with brooms to sweep up the debris. Glass was everywhere. Then without a blink, fresh water and new coffees were delivered to calm the humans' nerves. Great to see such fantastic service! I would highly recommend the Kohi Cafe. It's a great place to hang out for coffee, especially on a sunny afternoon when you can sit right on the footpath - just watch out for passing Jack Russells. P.S. Try the attached Store for some award-winning ice cream!

Not that down with the Pleasantville surroundings but I am down with Charlie & George…read more I recently stopped here for breakfast on the way to an early meeting in Mt Wellington. Having spent next to no time in the area, I was stoked to find C&G, and even more stoked when I walked in and saw they use Kokako beans. For brekkie, I ordered the smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, which came out with dressed salad of rocket, onion and capers. I usually prefer such accompaniments on my bagel, undressed, but with the generous amount of salmon and C.C already on there I totally forgot about it. Also, they mix fresh herbs through their cream cheese - big tick in my book. Perhaps, what stood for me the most though, was the service. Just little things - like the barista chatting to me while she made my coffee, bringing over water as soon as I sat down or asking how my meal was part way through - sometimes it's just the little things that make all the difference. On a final note, they have terrariums for table numbers!

The coffee is great and so is the design and atmosphere of the cafe. However we were a bit…read moredisappointed on the food in terms of taste and presentation. The order was very quickly served but it lacked the presentation n taste that I look for in a Saturday brunch. I don't need to rush and would appreciate a lovely presented brunch. The egg benny ordered was bland and do not stand to the usual cafe standard in that price range.