I've had a date with Miann in my diary for a few weeks now as it's hailed as one of Auckland's best dessert bar meccas. It's the hard work and a dream come true for passionate creator and head chef Brian Campbell and his wife Roselle and features a sumptuous array of desserts. It was so good, I went twice in a matter of days. The first time we stopped in to pick up donuts to munch on the way back to the car after a movie. But the second time was the full-on, sit down Miann experience and what an experience it was. I never knew anything could be better than cheesecake. But cheesecake inside a sugary strawberry balloon. Amazing!

Candy lovers look no further! If you want to feel like you've died and gone to a heavenly world dripped in sugar and full of colours, flavours and tantalising tastes, you need to pop your head in and say hi to the confectionary experts at this iconic Mt Eden local. There are so many different types of hard-to-find candies at this great Auckland sweet shop that an experience of visiting feels delightfully decadent and a little overwhelming. I love the fact that the guy behind the counter has worked here for six years and still hasn't tried every sweet in store.

Every amazing thing you've heard about Milse is entirely true. Since its arrival in Britomart it has become a sweet tooth mecca and for many delicious reasons. Let's start with the patisseries which are utterly mouthwatering and comprise so many different kinds of pastries, tarts and creative delicacies you will have great difficulty choosing just one, although do try the roasted pear, apple and frangipane tart - it's a true delight! Milse also has the best selection of fresh macarons in Auckland, incredible handmade chocolates and clever gelato blends on sticks amongst its many other treats. Everything at Milse is presented in a beautiful way and the service is also impeccable, it really is a five star dessert experience and even offers a dessert degustation menu which is out of this world. If you haven't tried it yet, find any excuse to go as it's an absolute must.

A good mate of mine told me I hadn’t lived until I’d taking a trip to the Chocolate Boutique Cafe (once visited by then-US President Bill Clinton) and tried their chilli Italian denso, a thick hot chocolate that literally got my mouth watering before I’d even had a chance to taste it. The experience is like travelling to chocolate heaven but with a real zing. My companion tried the Mexican spice version and considered it to be just as delicious. This will be one of my go-to places come winter.

The doughnuts at Al’s Deli make me smile, not only because they taste delectably selfish but more importantly it’s about the fact that they are served up with personality plus. When we visited there was one creation you could inject with lemon meringue but I was swayed by the Bob Marley lyrics ("I Wanna Jam It With You") of their traditional jam and cream option. And don’t miss a date with the ribs or burgers here. $10 burger lunches on a Monday are a winner.

Catering to the highest standard!

Tacos, tacos, tacos!

Delicious pastries!

Jordan creates taste explosions in your mouth - you will be intrigued with the embellishments decorations unlike other traditional cake ensembles and even when you they're dissolving in your mouth you will be excited by the delicate flavours and unusual textures. Dark chocolate with pears and teeny bits of pistachio hmmm

One of the best things about Saturday morning brunch at home is the deliciously sweet twists of delectable almond and soft yoghurt bread from Diehl's!  It is so yummy, you can really taste the freshness and the authenticity.

Frasers Cafe is a bustling corner cafe in the middle of Mt Eden Village.  The french doors open wide to reveal a room crammed with people at tables and chairs and not a scrap of spare space available but do we care? No because the hovering and waiting while you place your order at the back of the shop is well worth it.  The service is fast, the food is delicious and lots of it, the quality of the sweets and pies are out of this world.  Binoffee pie made on site, delicious layers of caramel, banana slices, blancmange and topped with cream. 

What a great way to end a morning visit to the NEW Hobsonville Point community.  Catalina Cafe is a bright and cheerful cafe that serves delicious home made brunches and lunches with a delectable array of sweet treats, cakes, scones to tempt you and even ice-cream cones for the kids.  They have an amazing selection of cakes, wraps, sandwiches, pizzas and they even cater for folk who are gluten intolerant.  You won't be able to resist the al fresco dining with live music, a place to rest while the kids play.  They've even got a cosy, dining-room/lounge inside, perfect for those that prefer their tea in comfort.  Catalina is right next door to the Hobsonville Point Farmers Market and a short drive to Auckland's newest wharf and ferry service. 

Hmmmm my mouth is watering as I think of the delectable sweet treats awaiting. Who would imagine something so simple, the lightest thinnest crepes sprinkled with sugar and drops of lemon could taste so devine and yet refreshing ... délicieux

A beautiful venue!

There are so many beautiful moments to celebrate in people’s lives!

What a wonderful and privileged profession to belong to!

Helping couples create beautiful and memorable ceremonies!

This is such a wonderful and privileged profession to be part of!

Everything is just amazing and the staff are super lovely

So much choice!

Freak Shakes - enough said

Ultimate in fine desserting

The fanciest ice cream ever! Be warned - you will get lot’s of samples!!

Eagle Bar is my absolute favourite bar in Auckland, it’s my local, my go-to and I without fail always have a good night out. It’s the perfect little queer bar with none of that tacky and over the top decor that you may find at other bars. It’s small and quirky and has a whole lot of personality. Pro tip: The bartenders dance on the bar when you play Tina Turner’s Proud Mary on the jukebox!

If you have been tasked with organising your end of year work party then I have your solution. Caluzzi is going to blow your mind, the queens are fabulous, the food is amazing and everyone always leaves having had a great staff night out. Get in quick because they tend to book out quickly.

Garnet Station is the little cafe with the great big rainbow flag outside, you can’t miss it. It’s the perfect place to go to for an afternoon coffee and they have just installed a wood fire pizza oven! Love this place.

So its really late at night and you want to get out there and shake your booty without the opposite sex getting way too close while you do? Family is the kind of place where you end your night, the kind of place that you often stumble out of as the sun is rising. Drag shows on Friday and Saturday nights are always great entertainment just take note: things don’t get going until after midnight so if you turn up any earlier you may not have the best time.

If you are out in South Auckland and want to spend your Saturday afternoon chilling out in a queer friendly little cafe then Pukekohe’s retro themed Cafe Kaos is just the place. The two owners are absolutely gorgeous and will look after you well. Check out their movie nights if you are wanting to find something to do on a night out in the country.

This cute little shop in Hillsborough is a must see! Amazing cupcakes, cakes and other sweet treats :)

Tried the betroot and salted caramel cake - UHHMAZINGG

A little gem in Royal Oak :) great coffee, cupcakes and treats. The rocky road mud cake is rich and decadent.

Two words - delicious cupcakes!

This market has everything from cupcakes, macarons, pastries and even healthy alternatives like fresh fruit and smoothies/juices.

Beautifully presented cakes that taste incredible, a must for the sweet tooth lover!!

PRETTY and yummy!!!

Best way to spend a morning!!!

Deep Creek Brewing Company is a hidden gem in the North Shore’s ‘Bays’ and is a well known watering hole for locals. Stop by on the first Wednesday of the month (make sure you book in advance!) for ‘Ribs Night’ where you will get to experience ‘all you can eat’ ribs! Not just any ribs - possibly the best ribs in Auckland! While enjoying the ribs, order a drinks platter to try out a handful of their speciality craft beer on tap. The NZ Pale Ale and IPA are both great, but make sure you ask if there are any limited edition special releases on tap! Because Deep Creek Brewing Company also has an off licence, don’t forget to purchase a flagon or growler (or bring your own!) to take home your favourite brew and keep enjoying the taste of your favourite Deep Creek brew. The take home price is very cheap, so its hard to resist!

The Herne Bay Cellar is the original fill your own beer flagon/growler in Auckland. While they don’t have as many taps or as high a turn over as some of the recent growler fillers in Auckland, they are one of the cheapest and always have a good selection of 3-4 fresh beers ready to pour. They’re one of the only growler fillers that let you pour the beer yourself and the pour is also nice and slow to ensure you don’t end up with half a bottle full of foam! Parking is easy, straight out the front and service is always with a friendly smile.

Leigh is a great trip from Auckland on a summer day. Make sure you stop in at the Sawmill Cafe to grab a casual pizza, chips and of course a beer sampler. Their entire range is really good but the Wheat Beer is crisp and unique and the Pilsner is Gold medal winning! Once you’ve picked your favourite beer, step outside to the small building next door and fill your Flagon/Growler (or purchase one onsite) at the brewery - its always fresh and tastey!

Pop into the Fine Wine Delivery Company in Lunn Ave, Mount Wellington and fill up your Flagon/Growler at one of their many filling stations. Despite what the name may suggest, they have some extremely knowledgeable beer drinkers on hand to help guide you through a variety of different beer flavours and brands on tap. You can purchase a 1 or 2 litre Flagon/Growler right there and then to fill up and take home your favourite drop.

Glengarry Wines in Victoria Park have the largest range of beer on tap that I have ever seen! The staff are always knowledgeable and more then happy to give out multiple samples to help you make a decision about which beer you’d like to have filled in your Flagon/Growler to take home. They tend to have a lot of the common Stoke range on tap, but make up for this with some other exotic brews you’ve never heard of (including some international ones!).

One of the best places that ive held an event at. They made it super easy for me to book the venue, no issues at all. Love it

Love the size of this and also happy that there is the option to have all ages shows here.

Attended a really good gig here, i love the vibe of this place and the management here are great and easy to talk to about hosting events.

David Liem really knows his pies. Go for his award winning mince and cheese, which Michael Meredith called "classic… brought me back to my old school days, the visits to the tuck shop." On your next pie pilgrimage be sure to head out to Botany Downs - we hear their vegetarian pie is top notch, too!

Central Aucklanders know that the Fridge is where it’s at for a really properly plump and delicious pie. I love the classic bacon and egg pie but one of my besties promises me that the vegetarian option is also amazing. Be sure to sit down, order a top notch latte and enjoy the Kingsland sun - and your tasty pie! It should be noted too that the staff at this joint are complete babes - try not to stare.

I can only think that it must be the somewhat un-memorable name that holds this place back from getting ALL THE LOVE on Localist. Seriously, this place encapsulates everything we love about small business in New Zealand - lovely coffee, perfect deli counter and the pies are unbelievably good. I have tried the butter chicken, steak and cheese, leek and chicken and mince and cheese and I think my favourite would have to be the steak and cheese. Proper ingredients, great size and lovely service. Go there now.

Nestled in the sleepy suburb of Howick is Muzza’s pies, which is well worth a drive out to. The smaller pies are the most cost-effective on this list but I would say you should definitely go all out and get a family sized pie so everyone at home can experience the joy of pie. If it’s on offer when you go, grab the steak and oyster pie for the sake of exploration.

Prego’s pie certainly takes the crown for the most prestigious pie in the ranks, being nearly ten times as pricey as a small Muzza’s pie. Putting that aside, with Prego, you are paying for the experience - and the quality of both ingredients and location. Baked to order in flakey pastry, this lord among pies is served on potato mash with a port wine jus and promises to take your pie eating to a whole new level of sophistication. Fillings change regularly, so I suggest you save your pocket change and head there with an open mind and an empty stomach in anticipation of what your pie destiny may serve you.

Always like coming back here for a cuppa tea.

Decadent desserts~! Fantastic presentation! Finally a place in Auckland with out of this world desserts

Favourite place to go for great coffee!~!

Delightful little Japanese Dessert place~! Great place for the sweet tooths~!

The chocolate mud cake from this place is too delicious for words~! Soft chocolate coating with moist cake.. Just the way a chocolate cake should be~!