I had not noticed this little shop before. It is a little bit classy compare to the rest of the…read moreBirkenhead shops. While very small, there is a totally cutesy little tea salon with little padded recliners and chandaliers to relax in while having tea and cupcakes. Very ladylike. And everyone knows that if you drink tea while having cake/ice cream/chocolate it melts all the calories and doesn't count. Anyway this shop is very cute and I was tempted to buy one of the delicious and fresh looking little carbalicious treats but at $5 I thought I'd come back another day with a friend, have one of those fat-melting herbal teas and enjoy a true Bloom Cupcakes experience.

Not sure how exactly I came across this one- but glad I did. Nice to have a nearby local cupcake…read morestore and such a cute one at that! Definitely glad that on one occasion I emailed in advance to reserve cupcakes otherwise we would have turned up and not been able to get any at all. Tried a lemon curd- which was a nice tangy one and Nutella- of course, can't go wrong. Also have tried the salted caramel cupcake on a different occasion, which was an excellent choice. The owner, Ann is very lovely and welcoming. Her space is such a delight- really like her giant chalkboard door and her massive chalkboard wall inside that is covered in chalk drawings. Very cool high-backed chairs to lounge on at the cute little tables. Awesome to see the cupcakes on white shelves just near the window and so cool that they are different flavours everyday- easy check on Facebook with updates. Can't miss the big pink cupcake sign outside on the front or the sign near the main road. Definitely in need of a revisit to try a new flavour from her interesting and sweet range. Particularly interested in a savoury one!

On a recent visit to Murray's Bay one early morning I decided to pop to the beach for a swim and…read moresome glorious sunshine. I honestly at this stage of the morning (it was around 10:30 am) needed some caffeine, and thought I would pop across the road and see what there was to offer in Murray's Bay. I discovered this cute lounge cafe, on the bottom floor just below the local South African restaurant. Serving sensational Chiasso coffee, I was well impressed with the barista skills here, and my fudge brownies to go were just amazing. Whilst waiting for my takeaway coffees I got to gaze around at the comfy surrounds of a very creative chilled decor, they even had some cute children's art work pinned up on a wall, and perfect for the beach across the road a New Zealand Naturals Ice Cream station. Fast and efficient service and I didn't have to ask for them to heat up my fudge brownies; which was very thoughtful.

Far far away in Henderson, a café is hidden somewhere off a cul-de-sac, and down a small road…read morerunning alongside the train track. The café in question here is Coffee Studio, located amidst the character buildings of the Corban Estate Arts Centre. Arriving 2pm, we were just too late to order from the main menu (the usual café options), but we were happy with their counter offerings. The vegetable frittata ($11.50), served with a root vegetable and blue cheese salad, arrived on a bright blue plate but the food itself was also full of colour: golden frittata, and vibrant reds and oranges dominating the salad. Though not outstanding, it was tasty and a satisfying potion. The carrot cake ($4.50) was a great accompaniment to a strong cup of cappuccino ($4). Personally I felt the cake on the dry side but the dollop of cream helped to offset this. The brownie ($4) was the unanimous favourite of the afternoon; a decadent delight that was incredibly chocolatey and slightly moist in the middle. The café's styling is worthy of mention: a small studio building decked out with chic art and retro furnishings inside, and vintage swivel seating outside. I also liked the handwritten chalkboard menu and the fact that all the food was garnished with a sprig of lavender (lavender shrubs everywhere surrounding the café!). Personal touches fully reflective of the bubbly team and the cosy, welcoming atmosphere. The food was solid, though probably not worth a drive halfway across town for. But if you're in the area, Coffee Studio is a nice stop to grab brunch, or a much craved coffee-and-cake energy boost.

This place is trult a hidden gem, who would've thought that such an amazing cafe would exist in…read moreHenderson. One day a friend and I decided we needed to take a walk and catch up on what was happening in our lives. On our walk we walked in the park then decided to walk through Corban Estate. We came to Coffee Studio and I was in love. The cafe had these amazing ceramic vases on the tables. I wanted to borrow the vases for my room but I couldn't. When we decided to walk into the cafe we were taken back to an era that we weren't born in. The place had a rustic feel to it. I ordered the best mango smoothie in Auckland. It was made with an actual mango and fresh ingredients before my eyes.

This place was adorable! There was only one person working, but she was so kind and quick! We got…read morethe special of 2 eggs, 3 pieces of bacon, toast, and a small coffee for $10! It was quite filling and tasty! Nothing gourmet, but a great stop for a filling meal!

This is a cute little cafe close to a few larger cafes in Birkenhead…read more A perfect stop for a piece of cake and a coffee in, or takeaway coffees as well. I enjoy the reading material; they have lots of magazines and newspapers to choose from. Lovely couple who work at the cafe are very friendly, and make beautiful mocha's and flat whites which I grab if I am nearby or passing through. Usually has a more elderly clientele which I have noticed, however I am sure they are regulars to the spot and keep returning for the great hospitality and delicious coffee and cake.

In a sunny afternoon, I walked in this new area, in the hope of finding some cozy place for a…read morecoffee. Then the sign by the garden captured my vision, pointing directly to this Cafe, meaning, this might be the One... People-friendly environment that anyone can just walk in, wander around, take a peek, enjoy his time in front of the counter for dessert, coffee or just for a sweet thought. There I was. Right by the counter, smelling the freshly grounded coffee and words just came out of my mouth: An Americano, with a bit of milk please. Then my eyes were totally attracted by the whole shelf of dessert next to me. Clearly I can tell, lemon yoghurt cake, chocolate caramel slice, passion fruit cheesecake, date scone, brownie etc. All fresh and with reasonable price. Unfortunately just had my lunch,otherwise I would throw myself into these sweet treats. Sitting down, waiting for my coffee to come, the country-style Cafe is such a delight to your eyes and mind. At least, I enjoyed a moment just looking at the light in the ceiling. There my coffee came. Not too strong, not too plain, just right. Not too bitter, not too sweet, just right. It is a man's work with wisdom, with experience and with enthusiasm. Take a sip, let it linger, the chocolate, creamy and a bit nutty taste was just perfect, with the afternoon sun shining to warm my heart. Yes, I am a coffee-holic, but, why not? Enjoy your coffee there, enjoy the sun.

Another place I visit far too often. I come here for breakfasts and brunches and snacks and…read moremilkshakes and coffee. I can always find an occasion. The food is pretty darn good and definitely on the cheaper side of things. I recommend the French toast, berry smoothie and a scrumptious apricot slice to finish it all off. If you're a beast with a sweet tooth like me that is. I've also had the burgers and sandwiches from here and they're always a treat. They're quite decently sized and are served with chippies too (bonus!) The service is friendly and fairly quick and of course the location is great!

We ate here to celebrating finally being out of lockdown on the first day of traffic light system…read more We ate outside because we had 2 toddlers in our stroller. The service was amazing and the ladies were so friendly. The food was great- we had carbonara and a Belgian waffle and got the kids chicken schitzel and chips. Everything was delicious and the service was quick- which is another important factor if you're dining with squirmy kids! Highly recommend this place for quick coffee, brunch or lunch!

I was chuffed to see this new addition to the Milford shops when I moved home. The box hedge lining…read morethe pavement, the white washed outdoor table and bench... cute. Inside the fit out is youthful and fun, exactly what you would expect from a café named 'Little King.' There is a huge wooden communal adorned with freshly cut flowers and mismatched tables and chairs reminiscent of your local primary - circa 1990. A playful mural spans an entire wall and exposed light fixtures dangle from the ceiling. Supreme is the coffee of choice and but if caffeine ain't your thing they also have a wide range of herbal teas. As for the menu, it has all the typical brunch fare plus a few extras including about FIVE, yes I said FIVE, different waffle dishes. However, when I went I couldn't get past all the good-looking cabinet food and being a sucker for baked goods of the savory variety I opted for the spinach and cream cheese muffin. It was served hot out of the tray and was moist, fluffy and god damn delicious. What else is pretty choice is that from 7am - 1030am on Weekdays they offer early bird specials. This includes deals such as eggs how you like them AND a reg coffee for only $9.90....genius! I guess the early bird really does catch the worm.

Cute bakery that has made itself a destination nestled into a quiet side street. The large space…read morehas a walk-in counter, a place for seating as well as a large kitchen area. We ordered a cake for my daughter's 5th birthday the same day. Ordered at 8am, was supposed to be ready at 5pm. When I arrived they admitted they had completely forgotten about it! They charged half price and delivered to our house which was appreciated given the circumstances. Not ideal as we weren't able to enjoy the awesome look of cake for that long before doing the candles, cutting and getting to bed. The cake itself was awesome with chocolate ganache and piled high with berries on the top. Would go again as long as forgetting orders isn't a regular thing.

This quaint cafe, located in an otherwise quiet residential street of Takapuna/Belmont, is always…read morebusy and as soon as you see the cabinet it is not hard to see why. Beautifully presented and devilishly decadent cakes, pies, tarts and donuts line the shelves just waiting to be devoured. Order at the counter, grab your plastic zoo animal, which serves as your table number, and pull up a pew at the communal table. Trust me, the food tastes every bit as good as it looks!

We came thinking that we were just going to try the caramel slices that my daughter has been raving…read moreabout, but we ended up getting 2 quiches (spinach/feta and salmon/veggie) and the veggie frittata, plus coffee. They were all great, just the right size for a snack. Service was quick and friendly. The modern space overlooks the hospital. Parking was a little ways down the road.

The food is really good and it's really peaceful on a summer morning. A great place for breakfast!read more