There are a lot of nice places to eat in St Heliers, but you still can't beat grabbing something…read morefrom the Breadwinner Bakery and walking the one minute to the beach, stretching out under a tree, and enjoying a little picnic all to yourself. Everything at Breadwinner is yummy - my favourites are the massive sandwiches, the pies, and the cream buns. It's all your standard kiwi bakery stuff here and a massive variety of it. Everything is made to a high standard and the prices are very reasonable. They have some seats inside and n the footpath, and do coffees and teas to have in or takeaway, but with the beach so close, it's a no-brainer.

Solid option for treats and sweets but do yourself a favor and skip the sausage roll.read more

I saw some sensational looking cupcakes on instagram and had to find out where to get them. Sweetie…read morePie Boutique was where they were from. Hidden in the corner between Maskell Street and Riddel Road, I only just saw it because I was making a mental note to look out for it. Inside is a girly girls heaven! Stunning! I LOVE IT! A big pink chandelier, cupcake teapots, gorgeous looking lanterns, they even have cupcake accessories to (try) make your own replica's at home. They had eight flavours available when I was there, but keep an eye out on their Facebook page as they're ever changing. They also have a gluten free option. At $4.50 each or $25.50 for a half dozen, they are a wonderful idea for a gift or birthday cake. There are also mini cupcakes available (decorated stunningly) in a set for $12. Sweetie Pie also caters and does wonderful looking cakes! For any enquires contact Tanya on 0212957926. www.facebook.com/pages/Sweetiepie-cupcakes/38372638167673

Sweetie Pie Cupcakes provide us all with deliciously tasty and as equally deliciously looking…read morecupcakes for parties, events, or just the casual snack if you are in the St Heliers area. The shop is presented as beautifully as the cupcakes themselves - stocked with delightfully pretty gifts, kitchenwares and knick knacks that all have a cute kitschy vibe (and i mean kitschy in the best way possible). The cupcakes themselves are not cheap, going for $4.50 each, but if you buy them in bulk for a party or event then you can get quite the discount and I have to say they look a whole lot nicer than your average plate full of fairy bread or cheerio sausages on the table.

Cupcakes that double as roses? Please and thank youuuuu…read more With flavours such as Hawkes Bay Peach, Black Doris Plum, Tropical Mango and Balsamic Strawberry (to name a few) -- you'll most definitely find something to fall in love with. Being in a berry mood, I went for Petal's raspberry cupcake and wellllllllll, I can confirm it tasted like an extra sweet pint of FRESH RASPBERRIES. And it was just gorgeous. As was the packaging, which also doubles as a rose. SWOON. At $5 a pop, one of these bad boys is definitely a treat (although compared to similar price tags for a flat white, you are walking away with something much more substantial!). They also do catering if you are looking for a beautiful sweet treat platter ;)

What can I say? What used to be the go to store for cupcakes has... Sigh!…read more The $5 price tag is not bad since the starting price for any sweet item has rocketed in past few years. But what I can't overlook is that the icing I got today wasn't even mixed properly. The icing was so grainy it felt like was made by a 5 year old. On the bright side, the cupcake itself is quite moist and the icing is flavoured nicely.

I don't know what the hell a home cookery is, something like you walk through the door and you find…read moreyourself in your mum's dining room with meatloaf waiting on the table. But nah it's just a normal bakery. It doesn't have too much to offer in the way of selection, you know just your staple bakery items, cakes, slices, pastries, sandwiches etc. I must say though the pies here are fabulous. Flaky pies made the old fashioned way; that is with actual meat inside and not just gravy. Lots of meat too, the steak pies have plenty, and the gravy is thick and tasty. If you are in the area then you should try this place for yourself, even if it's just for the pies. You won't be disappointed.

Equally good at savory and sweet. Had an amazing lamb sandwich here and a great custard brioche…read moreroll. 10/10 would recommend.

Eves Pantry reminds me of my dad…read more Every visit I have ever made to the store in Epsom has been with him, stopping off to buy delicious slices of Louise cake, custard squares, brownies, and sweet and delightful muffins. You really cant go wrong if sweet tooth is your middle name. The coffee is strong and comforting, and there are other choices to feast on such as sandwiches, pies, quiches, and the like. The Pantry also has on display a range of exquisite cakes that you can order for a birthday, wedding or celebration. This is the original Eves Pantry, has been here for sixty years. I think if your a fan of any of her other stores that have now opened up around Auckland, you should pay her a visit and enjoy her sweet delights.

When I was a kid this is where my dad would always buy birthday cakes for my mum. You knew it was a…read morespecial occasion if he'd bought a cake (chocolate - always) from Eves Pantry. This was before cakes in the shape of everything took over the world and cupcakes were something you baked in paper cases with a recipe from the Edmonds Cookbook. I don't even know if there was another place in Auckland where you COULD buy a cake from. Anyway, times have changed and Eves is now up there with the City Cake Co and all the other new gourmet cakeries and the my kids love to peruse the window on our way to Sake Nippon for dinner. I also really like getting lunch from here. It does really great freshly made takeaway stuff at good prices. And the whole place smells amazing.

Little & Friday can do no wrong in my book. Seriously, the pies, the savoury brioches, the…read morefrittata, mini cakes, the doughnuts - all look and taste, heavenly. If I HAD to choose a favourite though, i'd go with mini lemon and coconut cakes - the icing isn't overly sweet and let's be honest, lemon and coconut is a match made in heaven. The coffee here is also brilliant. In fact, one of their baristas was recently named in the finalists for the metro barista of the year competition! I must admit the Takapuna (or is that Belmont?) store is still my fave but at Newmarket you have the added bonus of perusing the adjoining fabric store whilst waiting for your date.

Well put a flavoured condom on your head and get ready to have your mind blown !!…read more These truly are the BEST doughnuts in Auckland . Eating this doughnut kinda reminded me of doughnuts from when I was a kid , filled with a delicately flavoured cremé diplomat and a raspberry coulis this is soo good ! The dough of actual doughnut I could smell the yeast from it and it filled my work truck with the smell ! Heaven ! With the actual cafe slotted in of the side of Martha's Fabrics you could grab a bolt of fabric and a coffee and doughnut to go .

I was on a work trip around the unfamiliar Kepa Road area when a wave of tiredness hit and I…read moredecided that I needed a coffee, lest I unceremoniously pass out while driving. I saw a sign for the always-average Sierra Café so I pulled into the Eastridge parking lot, but thankfully saw Pandoro's sign right next door and slipped in without a second thought. I ended up hungry as well as thirsty as I waited for my flat white, and decided to upgrade my order to include a savoury muffin. I know it's a small thing and I shouldn't quibble too much, but I wasn't offered for the muffin to be heated up or served with butter, so I ended up with a very dry accompaniment to my coffee, which had to be washed down with said caffeine-infused drink at times. I should have just stuck to the drink - the coffee was lovely!

Pandoro is a familiar sight around the Eastern Suburbs…read more The Eastridge shop I think is the only one to have space seating both inside and outside. It is a popular spot for locals to meet at the Eastridge Shopping Centre and has some competition in the area with another cafe opposite. Pandoro prides itself on the quality of its food and its pies are particularly nice, with lamb and rosemary and steak and cheese both delicious. The Italian sausage roll is my favourite though, which is your normal sausage roll except longer and thinner, with cheese cooked on top of the pastry. There are many other sweet treats, with the fruit and neenish tarts both good respectively. The Mediterranean Lamb sandwiches are also great for lunch, and can be really filling if coupled with a pie.

For my next birthday cake I'm going to City Cake Company in Mt Eden. I fell in love with their…read moreluxuriously decadent cakes which look, well, good enough to eat! The one I particularly liked in the shop window is more suited to the kids, it was an oversized cupcake embellished with dramatic pink and green frosting. Their website will point you to a gallery of fun, creative and simply beautiful cakes ranging from guy and sports cakes to lovely cakes ladies cakes, fun cakes and of course all of your special occasion cakes. Their wedding cakes look amazing. They even deliver within the hour if you choose a cake from their in store range.

It is worth mentioning that this company also have a store on the North Shore, 447 Lake Road,…read moreTakapuna. They can be contacted on (09) 489 8833. The opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am - 5:50pm, Saturdays 10am - 4pm and on Sundays 10 am till 3pm. They offer all the same quality and specialized cakes or desserts to order (desserts by the way could be lemon meringue or a super snazzy version of the traditional old fashioned mousse). I was also very happy to learn that they only use free range eggs - yippee! - a small ethical thing I try my best to abide by! The cakes here are so amazing, as everyone else gives testimony to; although out of the price range for a lot of people, it would be very well suited to companies celebrating milestones or particular achievements with their staff or clients.

This is a branch of several around Auckland and as I have found with others proves that Chinese…read moreexcel when producing baked goods, from basic buns to more intricately detailed cakes. And all at a fair price too. This time when I went in I was looking for a small cake for someone's birthday but just to be different and because the cakes were a bit bigger than I wanted I settled for a couple of cupcakes that had been made for the Xmas season. Some of the best cupcakes I have seen. Great design and craftsmanship,!!! The service when I come in here I have always found to be good and always vast selection. Got to be top of my list when comes to bakeries.

An interesting Chinese bakery that is usually busy and services varies. You can get the strangest…read moreChinese bakery at time. It's not bad, but I had better!