Cafes: North Shore City
Good spots for coffee
January 2009
A quick car or ferry ride from the centre of Auckland, the North Shore is home to some of the region's best kept secrets when it comes to cafes. Here's our pick and we'd love your feedback too… Share your reviews here on Guide to Auckland!
Altura Café & Roastery
Over 15 years ago Chris White began the Altura Coffee Company business in a warehouse in Glenfield, moving in 2000 to the Albany premises where they also offer one of the area's best menus at their in-house café. The great care taken with their coffee is what you'd expect of a roastery, whilst the food and service more than make the grade.
Takapuna Beach Café
This busy café has the feel of an old fashioned tea room - indeed they offer a spectacular High Tea on weekday afternoons - as well as a menu that includes great fish and chips and cakes, and one of the city's best brunch selections. Winning accolades almost from the minute they opened their doors, they also have one of the city's most peaceful views.
Grace Café
A small and friendly spot renowned for its cake and coffee as well as its fantastic all-day brunch menu, Grace has been a great North Shore dining destination for some years now, with good reason. Open seven days a week until 4:00 pm, parking is plentiful as well as the great dishes on offer.
Or why not also try their neighbour:
Villa Café
Locals love this place for its great service and faultless coffee, whilst its close proximity to Auckland City makes more than enough of a reason for a trip over the bridge. Slightly more homely in feel than Grace, the service here is impeccable.
HIDDEN SECRET:
Ice It Café
Tucked away slightly off the beaten track near Mount Victoria, Ice It Café fills two halves of a quaint old shop front and until recently has been one of the area's best kept secrets. Simple, stylish and slightly scruffy inside, it also has a tree out the front under which to shelter on a hot summer's day. Try their inventive menu and great coffee before word gets out.
As well as beach, the North Shore is also home to some great child-friendly dining spots, making a family day out just that much more stress free. Try Windsor Park Café – great coffee comes complete with toys, books and a television. Also has a childrens’ menu and outdoor playground.
Editorial by Helene Ravlich