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Takapuna Beach Cafe

4.1 (47 reviews)
Closed 7:00 am - 8:00 pm

Takapuna Beach Cafe Photos

TAKAPUNA BEACH CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Upscale
Trendy
Outdoor seating

Recommended Reviews - Takapuna Beach Cafe

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Jamie Louise M.

Overpriced and tiny portions. Paid $19 for a singular soggy piece of French Toast with some slimy strawberries that seemed frozen, topped off with two basil leaves. The only enjoyable part of the meal was the chocolate marscapone or mousse. Most other decent cafes in Auckland will give you a brilliant French toast, twice the size and with fresh ingredients for the same price. Coffee was fine, service was average, sub-par overpriced food. Overall disappointed in somewhere that seems busy and popular providing such a poor experience. Also saw several people wearing bare feet in the cafe which is unacceptable even if it is by the beach. Would not return again, not worth the money.

Poached eggs with soft polenta, mushrooms and pecorino
Alex D.

Having returned from a stint abroad, I went to TBC for the first time in 10 months this morning to be greeted with "Where have you been? We have missed you." It is this friendly, neighbourhood vibe that keeps me, and locals alike, coming back to this place on the reg. Oh, and the fact that they have a HUGE deck, stunning views, consistently good coffee AND are dog friendly. In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that Takapuna Beach Café is on the expensive side and has been known to be a bit manic on the weekends but as an early morning pit stop with zee dogs you will be hard pressed to find better. Tip: If you happen to be in Taka on a scorching hot day pop in the TBC Store and try their in-house licorice ice cream. It is T.D.F.

Jaylena P.

Any place that has a rest stop for dogs, will always receive high marks from me. While I did not have lunch, I did have some of their amazing ice cream. I dare say this is the best ice cream I have had yet in Auckland! Pricing is a bit on the high end at $4.50 for a single scoop, but if you need your fix this is the place to get it. I have still yet to figure out why Strawberry is not an option in New Zealand - nevertheless there are many flavors to choose from. I opted for the Espresso. Having a creamy, buttery, nutty flavor it was the quintessential Espresso ice cream. Even the sugar cone was perfectly crunchy. Floor to ceiling windows make every seat in this cafe a perfect one. Too bad the parking lot is right in front. Even still, I would bring a friend here to have an ice cream. Next time I will sample one of their meals.

Bayberry sorbet and chocolate coconut for the WIN
Sarah H.

You know what they say in the real-estate world...location, location, locationnnn. If we're talking area, Takapuna Beach Café is SORTED. There really isn't a bad seat in the house - the indoor seating even overlooks the sea. In typical Hipgroup fashion, they provide complimentary sparkling water, the service is professional & attentive, and the supreme award-winning gelato makes you swooooon. Unfortunately, however, part of this package is also, the $$. Be prepared to drop some dollars here. I indulged in a large afternoon snack of the market fish, served with barley, radish & an avocado dressing. The dish was beautifully presented and (almost) as beautifully delicious. The ingredients were unquestionably fresh, but I thought the flavours didn't quite warrant 5 stars. The gelato, however... (insert: swoon). I went for the chocolate coconut and bayberry sorbet which were nothing short of perfect. Get a double cone and then take a stroll along the beach for savouring. You're welcome. An observation: find it a bit strange that you have to use the public toilets while dining here. For such a fancy spot, the bathroom definitely leaves something to be desired. There wasn't even anything to dry your hands! Tip: They are open 7 days a week (until 8PM no less!)

House ice tea
Arthur C.

I might get kicked by a few people for giving this place a three star rating. I didn't have a terrible experience; it just wasn't as great as I had expected it to be (with all the buzz there was around this place). Came in for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon and I suppose we were lucky enough to get a table as soon as we came in. I had the chicken salad myself and can't say I was overwhelmed. It was simple. Nice. But not exactly what I expected for what I was paying. I ordered an iced americano and was offered what they called a "shakerano" or something I can't really remember the name of (I assumed it was their version of an iced americano), so I thought I'd give it a try. I would have liked it if the waitress had told me that it was extremely sweet compared to your standard black coffee. Service wasn't too over the top. But other than that, the setting is great. It's pretty much on the beach. Outdoor seating was great. Would probably come back here and chill for an afternoon coffee once in a while I suppose.

Milse tasting board for two. Macarons & chocolates, Raspberry tart, Lemon meringue tart, Chocolate & pistachio scroll, Gelato.
Leilei P.

I wish I loved this place but I'm not in love... but I do like it... I arrived here late, on a Saturday morning (practically lunch) and the place was packed and the ambient volume was just under a din but well above a hum. The coffee was quick to arrive and hot and very tasty.... we perused the small but smart menu I raised my eyebrows at the beef short rib eggs benny which sounded strange beyond my comfort zone... but I did it anyway. My brunch date chose the truffle eggs on toast with a side of black pudding. I was starving! The food arrived fairly promptly, the service was a little uppity but efficient and mannerly. A few more genuine smiles might be nice. All was forgiven when I ripped open to a perfectly cooked runny egg which coated the beautifully sweet and tender pulled rib on a tasty crusty carb disk. My date had serious food envy! I tried a bit of his black pudding and while I can't say its something I crave or go crazy for, this was much closer towards the likeable end as far as black pudding goes for me. His eggs were perfectly scrambled with a heady aromatic hit of truffles. As our empty plates with lick marks got whisked away, the table behind us was being served an array of beautiful looking desserts on a tasting board... and we just had to have it.... the Milse tasting board for two sucker punched our barely existent diet plans right in the throat as we indulged. It was a nice array with a touch of everything, something sweet, something creamy, something tart, something tangy, something smooth. It made up big time for my awol 2nd coffee that took two reminders and the better part of 30mins to arrive at the table, without so much as an apology. If you're not into the beauty of nature with vast panoramic views of the sweeping bay and the cute little optimists bobbing out to sea, this is also a fun place to people watch. We had a great time perving at tragically chic locals. Its a tad pricey but a fine example of getting what you pay for.

The eggs Bennie with smoked trevally .... Yummykins!!!
Mairead O.

This place is an institution - a little pricey, but the location, stellar service and amazingly consistent food - oh and they serve Allpress coffee - makes up for it. Noisy but a great spot!!!

Mushroom pasta
Elisapeta P.

Well what beautiful place to have lunch. Great panoramic views wherever you sit! I must say the pasta we ordered was delicious but the portion was not very big. In saying that for the price of the meal versus the view ... you are paying for the view. My husband was near to finishing his pasta dish & said to me I'm stopping at Macdonalds after this! Service was good. When you're seated your served with sparkling mineral water which my husband & I are not a fan but if you are then you'd appreciate it. Although the tables are a nice design feature they weren't very practical. They have a large base which restricts your seating. When you're sitting at a table you don't want to be restricted by where you can place your feet. I've rated this place a 3 star because it was over-priced for the portion & that I'll most likely not bother going back. The place is beautiful to sit & relax though!

Beet, carrot, ginger juice to start off brunch!
Stasj T.

Since my usual coffee group was not meeting on a weekend, I decided to set up my own brunch with a coffee mate. Might as well cross the bridge and give North Shore a whirl. Mind you, going here for brunch on a Sunday is asking for trouble, but if you plan ahead (i.e., get there 15-20 minutes before you actually want to eat brunch), you should be okay. The setup of the cafe could be a bit better, there wasn't much room between our table and the next. While white wicker screams summer, the glass table-tops seemed a bit out of place, if not a bit of a hazard when small spaces and small people are involved. I ordered a beet, carrot, and ginger juice to get started while we waited for our actual orders to come in (my order was the scallop omelette whilst my coffee mate ordered the pancakes). Once the dishes arrived, we glanced at the presentation briefly then ate. My omelette left something to be desired, and while my pancake eating friend was still working on her dish, I was already perusing the menu for something else to eat. The smashed eggs were recommended by a fellow Yelper, but as I had already tried a breakfast platter, I didn't want to appear gluttonous, and settled on having a mocha. Granted that the view is nice from this cafe, given if people aren't crowded about in front of the windows outside. We were unfortunately seated next to a family with a very loud child, so that took away from the experience a bit. Their little dairy on the side had a consistent line, as they had plenty of goodies and gelato and even cronuts (don't worry, even a struggling Paleo can resist these things). I might return to try eating some of the other dishes when it's warmer, other than that, I've given it a go.

Slab bacon, poached eggs tomato relish and brioche
Jan D.

Takapuna Beach Cafe is a great place for a coffee or breakfast half way through the walk. As a consequence I have only really done breakfast here - but it is also open all day for lunch etc. the menu changes regularly but the various fruit and muesli dishes are always good and the organic eggs are a fav. The coffee is always perfect and they have mugs for those serious caffeine addicts.

Eggs Benedict at Takapuna Beach Cafe, delicious.
Mark G.

Well my wife and I went here expecting a fine meal, excellent service and unsurpassed views. It's her birthday so a little breakfast seemed right .. I had previously received letters from the war crimes tribunal declaring my cooking illegal under international law so we took in the Takapuna Beach Cafe. "Back in my day" (TM) the spot was occupied by a trailer park and camper home, I delivered papers along the street and so I knew the area reasonably well, I was still surprised to see dozens of jeeps and SUv's with boat trailers taking most of the parking .. But it WAS a beautiful sunny Saturday, so it was just annoying. Tip: parking can be a problem but that's not the cafe's fault, there is a major boat ramp next to it. Settling in, we were served quickly and efficiently. I had previous ate cronuts from Nosh and was unimpressed, so I gave these ones a try .. I think I found why they are a craze, when made well they are delicious! If you know me, you know there has to be Chicken, Bacon or Steak on the menu or I'm walking, again I was pretty happy with the selections.. Next was the egg Benedict (with bacon) and Classic OJ, the presentation was superb, the taste was amazing and the service during it was quick and pleasant. Breakfast for two was pricey but I especially liked the pet friendly deck and we got to see the lovely mix of dogs being walked along the beach.

Gorgeous cafe with amazing beach views of Rangitoto. The baked goods are heavenly, the coffee is scrumptious!
Alana J.

Takapuna beach cafe and store is fantastic! Amazing food, amazing service, amazing views! This cafe has it all! Although being on the expensive side, if there is a day you feel like splashing out Takapuna cafe is a must! The housemade Meyer Lemonade spritzer is perfect on a hot Auckland summers day. If you're a fan of ginger I would also recommend the housemade Meyer lemon, honey and ginger iced tea. It's yummy, but very gingery. The entire menu is appealing; there is something on there for everyone. If nothing tickles your fancy then it's only a hop, skip and jump to 'the store' where there is a wide range of delicious flavoured ice cream. After indulging in all sorts of goodness, finish your dining experience by taking a picturesque walk along Takapuna beach.

Jess D.

From location to food, it's not hard to see why Takapuna Beach Cafe wins awards and accolades year after year. Free sparkling water, friendly staff, a light and breezy atmosphere and some of the tastiest cafe-style food I've had in Auckland. Yes, the prices are higher than most, but I always walk out of here with a smile and a vow to come back again soon.

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Vauxhall

Vauxhall

3.5(2 reviews)
4.9 kmDevonport
$$

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.

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Vauxhall
Vauxhall

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Piccolo Blu Gelato

Piccolo Blu Gelato

3.0(2 reviews)
5.7 kmDevonport

You can't head into Devonport for a day of fun in the sun, without having a requisite Ice cream to…read moredrip all over yourself. Ice cream from Piccolo Blu is of the variety that it is impossible not to get it everywhere, considering the size of a cone here. You have barely contained one side before the other side has decided that its getting too hot and completely goes as well. It's a total retrieval mission just to make sure your Icecream actually ends up in your mouth and not on the floor.. Or your clothing. The sorbet I had when I was here last was pretty good, the perfect thing to quench the heat! The little cart thing which the ice creams are served out of is super cute, and you can either eat your icy delight in the chairs provided out front or down by the waters edge. The choice is yours.

Piccolo Blu is a small Gelato Bar situated next to Mecca in Devonport Village that serves a small…read morerange of New Zealand made gelato icecream (from a stockist called Zest). You have a choice of a cup or a cone, and although the prices are quite high (a double is $6.50 and a single is $5) the servings are huuuuge - my double scoop was starting to break my cone and in the end I couldn't even finish it. The icecream wasn't anything spectacular, but this place could be a nice option if you are wanting a sweet snack whilst you have a leisurely stroll along Devonport's stunning waterfront.

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Piccolo Blu Gelato - Pistachio and chocolate double scoop icecream.

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Pistachio and chocolate double scoop icecream.

Takapuna Beach Cafe - icecream - Updated May 2026

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