The Best Places To Get Your Coffee Fix In Auckland

By Sarah Downs
Viva
Catroux cafe, Westmere. Photo / Richard Robinson

Auckland is saturated with great coffee options but some places just make it exactly right. Here are the best places to drink coffee in the city right now, divided by suburb for your convenience.

BRITOMART

Amano
A hot spot for dinner, Amano is equally inviting and popular for breakfast and lunch. Smooth Allpress coffee pairs well with brunch dishes that benefit from light Italian touches on the menu such as poached eggs with al dente Bucatini, and pecorino, and bran loaf served with a heavy lick of mascarpone. If it's too packed, take your brew to go with a buttery pastry from the on-site bakery. 66-68 Tyler St, Britomart

Hare and the Turtle cafe also serves heavenly house-made sticky cinnamon buns. Photo / Fiona Goodall
Hare and the Turtle cafe also serves heavenly house-made sticky cinnamon buns. Photo / Fiona Goodall

Ortolana
This Hip Group outfit is a great coffee spot, and if it's a nice day makes for an excellent bout of people-watching surrounded by cobblestones and greenery. Whatever time of day you're dining, the food is always seasonal, full of amazing flavour and attention to detail. 33 Tyler St, Britomart

CENTRAL CITY

Chuffed Coffee
A hidden gem on High st, Chuffed pumps out perfect rocket coffee best enjoyed in the oasis of their cosy courtyard outback. The food is brilliant too, including standout house-made crumpets. 43 High St, Central City

Best Ugly Bagels
The bagels are hand-rolled, wood-fired, and arguably the best in the city. Whatever your order - from King Salmon with salty capers or the Yodi with pastrami and cheese - wash it down with a cup ofAl Brown's Good Joe blend and you're good to go.  City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley St, Central City

PARNELL

Red Rabbit
Coffee is the star of the show at this industrial-cool cafe. Pull up a stool or nab a wooden bench in the narrow space for an expertly made coffee using their Red Rabbit blend. There's no brunch menu per se, but you can order a cheese toastie or a sweet treat from the cabinet - including a regular stock of Wellington's famous salted caramel cookie from Leed St Bakery. Shed 3, 7-10 Faraday St, Parnell

Rosie
A picturesque cade opposite the Parnell Rose Gardens, with Allpress coffee made with care. Stay for a great selection of brunch, and killer cream-stuffed doughnuts. 82 Gladstone Rd, Parnell 

SANDRINGHAM

Petit Bocal
A charming local spot doing just about everything with a French flair, and great cofffee. Breakfast is served from 7am featuring sweet crepes, eggs florentine and bruschetta, plus the best flaky pastries. Lunch has well-loved baguette sandwiches, Croque monsieur and super salad bowls. 177 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham

EDEN TERRACE

Coffee Pen
A hidden gem tucked away down a side street in Eden Terrace with the owner Yas Hisai, along with his wife Fumi, pumping out perfect coffees using their own handcrafted coffee blend. There are only a few seats inside but don't miss the homely lunch bakes, sandwiches, and array of cakes and tarts (these all change daily) to eat in, or takeaway and eat in the nearby reserve. Look out for the occasional market held in the small courtyard out-front gathering an eclectic mix of local craft makers. 6 Basque Road, Eden Terrace

NEW WINDSOR 

Hare and the Turtle
Piping hot Supreme Coffee served from friendly faces, plus the best-toasted sandwiches in town. And don't you dare leave without one of the heavenly house-made sticky cinnamon buns63 New Windsor Road, New Windsor

Amano's Allpress coffee pairs well with Italian-inspired brunch dishes. Photo / Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
Amano's Allpress coffee pairs well with Italian-inspired brunch dishes. Photo / Fiona Goodall / Getty Images

WESTMERE

Seabreeze
A popular corner site with great coffee which is supreme and inventive brunch fare such as tea-smoked salmon bagels, and bharta eggs with spiced aubergine puree, and whipped yoghurt. Or just pick up a flat white and prosciutto roll form the cabinet to go. 184 Garnet Road, Westmere

Catroux
A long-standing Westmere local for a coffee (Allpress Coffee) and brunch, or just one of their fab cheese scones. If you're stuck for dinner the reliable cabinet is always stocked with colourful salads, house-smoked salmon, heat-and-eat meals, and sweet treats. 129 West End Road, Westmere 

PONSONBY

Bambina
A Ponsonby Rd institution pumping out excellent Allpress coffee daily, breakfast through lunch. Eggs your way on toasted sourdough are a go-to here, and don't skimp on an order without a buttery Belgium biscuit from the cabinet alongside your brew. Visit Allpress next door for a bag of beans to go. 268 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby

Fusion Café
A homely spot for Allpress coffee, with classic brunch fare (the mushroom and cheese omelette is great) along with a few Vietnamese dishes such as Bahn Mi, and pho. And icing-heavy cakes and slices top the counter. 32 Jervois Rd, Ponsonby

Little Bird
Little Bird has one of the most extensive drinks list around, including coffee options with a range of nut milks including cold brew (particularly good with the house hazelnut milk), and chemex coffee made with Kokako, along with premium herbal tea varieties, cold-pressed juices, and plant-based smoothies. Plus a menu of wholesome food to make you feel especially virtuous in your dining choice. Cnr Summer St & Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby

Orphans Kitchen
Great service, great coffee. The honey with crumpets is one of the best menu picks in Auckland, best with a side of bacon. Sit in the cosy dining room, or nab a table out front and watch the world go by. 118 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn

FREEMANS BAY

Queenies
Still a favourite, situated on a quiet corner and the coffee is just right. Flick through the well-stocked magazine rack and on a beautiful day, sit outside and watch the world go by. 24-26 Spring Street, Freemans Bay

MORNINGSIDE

Kind Eatery
A light, glassy all-day eatery serving mostly plant-based fare with inventive brekkie dishes such as breakfast tacos with smoky pulled jackfruit. You can still get cow's milk in your Supreme coffee or try a range of nut milks. 16 McDonald St, Morningside

GREY LYNN

Honey Bones
An uber-trendy spot with excellent coffee (Supreme) and a unique brunch menu offering an update on the tried and true. The spiced Cilbir Eggs with toasted sourdough never disappoints. 480 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn

Ozone Coffee Roasters
An appealing all-day eatery from New Plymouth roaster Ozone in an unexpected corner of Grey Lynn. The coffee is unsurprisingly tops with a dedicated coffee bar, plus and on-site roaster out back. Sink into the luxurious leather booth seating eating in and sustainably-led dishes such as smoked fish on toast, quinoa falafel with fermented hummus. 18 Westmoreland St West, Grey Lynn

Postal Service
Formerly Kokako Cafe, the recently new cafe name now reflects the building's past life as a post office. The coffee, still Kokako, is brilliant, with single-origin special on rotate, as is the vegetarian-heavy menu with inventive brunch options including beetroot flavoured porridge, smokey eggplant on toast, and cacao waffles. 537 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn  

NEWMARKET

The Candy Shop
Good coffee, and slick service. Look out for the Japanese and Korean influences on the menu, with top dishes such as vegan bibimbap and the 'katsu sando' crumbed pork scotch sandwich. Also check out their coffee outpost Camper Coffee down the land for more brews, and matcha cheesecakes. 2-8 Osborne Lane, Newmarket

PT CHEV

Daily Bread
There's not many better combos than a rich cup of Coffee Supreme and a perfect pastry from Daily Bread. Pop in and pick up a load of still-warm house-baked bread (they are phenomenal), or head out to their sunny courtyard for a sandwich, or pie to eat in. Either way, it's hard to leave without an armful of treats. 1210 Great North Rd, Pt Chevalier 

NORTH SHORE

Chiasso Coffee Roasters
A fine selection of beans and hot and cold brews, dispensed by the cheerful local experts who supply cafes and plenty of regular joes. 20 Wynyard St, Devonport

Chateaubriant Deli
A delectable selection of yummy French pastries and food to go, washed down with local favourite Chiasso coffee. 87 Vauxhall Rd, Devonport

Ark Coffee Company
A pleasant spot for superior home supplies and takeaways dispensed with care. 6/461-467 Lake Rd, Takapuna (access from the parallel rear lane between Northcroft St and Byron Ave)

Ravenhill Café
Strong Allpress coffee with great creamy balsamic mushrooms. Quick service and the staff are really polite. 98 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead

Patch Cafe serves coffee hot from the custom blue and red coffee machine. Photo / Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
Patch Cafe serves coffee hot from the custom blue and red coffee machine. Photo / Fiona Goodall / Getty Images

Clarence Road Eatery
Northcote's all-day restaurant, Clarence Road Eatery, which is located just across the road from the famous Engine Room and next door to the cinema, has great Allpress coffee and delicious cabinet food plus all-day menu. There's also a smart wine list courtesy of the ownership connection with Stafford Road Bar - ideal for a cheeky Rose with lunch or pre-cinema. 124 Queen St, Northcote Point

Patch Café
This is a local favourite by all accounts, with kokako coffee, served hot from the custom blue and red coffee machine, classic brunch fare as well as dishes with Korean influences such as shakshuka eggs with kimchi, and spicy Korean fried chicken. The large 80-seater café, complete with a strawberry mural,  and is a cheerful pit stop and its hard go resist sharing one of the mega-sized cakes, or lamington, in the cabinet. 108 Sunnybrae Rd, Hillcrest

Takapuna Beach Café
Brave the activewear crowds at the beachside hotspot for brunch on the sunny deck, or just get a steaming hot coffee-to-go and a freshly baked croissant to go and walk along the beach. 22 The Promenade, Takapuna

WEST AUCKLAND

Fabric

Whether you opt for a cosy seat in the stylishly-muted interior or out on the spacious veranda, the sparkling waterfront views of Catalina Bay really shine at Fabric. The sophisticated all-day destination from couple Luke and Melissa Shore has become a much-loved spot for Hobsonville since it opened in the Catalina Bay development. Classic brunch fare transitions into a polished menu by night with some of the best chunky fries around. 8/3 Boundary Rd, Hobsonville Point

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