Helene R.'s
The practical but essential list
- 14OPSM - Queen StreetAuckland CentralOPSM on Queen Street have always gone above and beyond the call of duty for me, and as an avid wearer of glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses I like to think that I know my stuff. Optician Anna is patient and thorough, and the selection is amongst the best out there for budget and style.
- 243EcostoreFreemans BayEcostore in Freemans Bay is the official home of the brand of the same name and stocks so of the best household products around for the environmentally friendly. The stock bulk sizes to refill your favourite products and save money, and have great gift ideas in store too like beautiful bed linen and beauty products like their famous Body Butter. Their book selection is inspired and very educational, and for budding vege and herb growers they have a wonderful collection of tools and great advice.
- 36TLC Drycleaners Ltd - PonsonbyPonsonbyI am a regular at Ponsonby Road’s TLC Drycleaners, who are definitely the best in the area - if not the city. The staff are always friendly and their attention to the finest detail is amazing. I’ve taken them everything from frocks to down jackets and duvets ready for summer storage and all have come back cleaned, immaculately presented and totally cared for. Trust them with your delicates - you won’t be disappointed.
- 46Bendon Lingerie - NewmarketNewmarketThe huge Bendon store on Broadway in Newmarket is my favourite place to shop for lingerie by far. The selection is vast and the retail staff go above and beyond, and the changing rooms must be amongst the most spacious and glamorous in town. As well as the Bendon brands they stock a good selection of tights and shapewear too, so you’re all set for a night out.
- 51Kathmandu NewmarketNewmarketThe best place I have found to stock up on thermals before a winter trip away is Kathmandu on Broadway. The staff are super helpful and the place is huge, meaning they have all the options and all situations covered. They also gave great kidswear that is cute as well as cosy.
Helene R.'s
Fun ways to expand your mind
- 1113Auckland War Memorial MuseumParnellAuckland War Memorial Museum is my top pick for kids on a rainy day, with loads of parking, a cafe with decent coffee and endless exhibitions to explore. Weird & Wonderful is a favourite in our family, with new oddities to discover on every visit. And for most of us - it’s free!
- 29Cook The BooksGrey LynnAs well as stocking some of the most inspirational and great looking recipe books in the country, Grey Lynn’s Cook the Books offer some of the finest cookery classes and workshops. These range from Vegetarian Cheese Making to North African Flavours and Mexican, and you can also buy vouchers for foodie friends to attend. They also offer private group lessons for friends, just pop in and ask the wonderful staff to tell you more.
- 37Te Tuhi Centre for the ArtsPakuranga, Bucklands BeachManukau City's public art gallery, Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts, is a huge space that includes multiple shows and a great café. It plays host to changing exhibitions, classes, school holiday programmes and more.
- 418New Zealand Maritime MuseumViaduct HarbourVoyager AKA the Maritime Museum occupies some of Auckland’s most impressive real estate snack bang on Viaduct Harbour, making it a great place to take visitors from out of town. It is also the ideal way to waste a few school holiday hours learning about our city’s seafaring history, and kids love the interactive displays in particular as much as adults love the heritage element. A very cool, much underrated attraction for sure.
- 561Stardome Observatory & PlanetariumRoyal OakYou can visit the Stardome Observatory day or night, rain or shine to experience the wraparound sky and special effects of a planetarium. Each clear evening you may also see planets, double stars, glowing gas nebulae, or lunar craters through their amazing telescopes.
Helene R.'s
Sunny spots for a long Friday lunch
- 13Stonyridge VineyardOnetangiStonyridge Vineyard is a world-renowned winegrower, located on beautiful Waiheke. Nestled in a valley of olive trees, their Veranda Café is one of the best venues in New Zealand for private functions, including weddings, and can handle huge groups with ease.
- 217Ponsonby Road BistroPonsonbyWhether you’re looking for a sunny spot for a long ‘work’ lunch, or a cosy place for a late dinner with friends, the ever-popular Ponsonby Road Bistro gives you options. I haven’t had a meal here yet when there wasn’t a big group dining in with something to celebrate.
- 317Cable Bay VineyardsOneroaCable Bay Restaurant is at the heart of Cable Bay Vineyards. A major hit with both Waiheke locals and landlubbers from the moment it opened its doors, it has some of the island's best views from its picture windows and a spacious alfresco courtyard from which to graze on tapas and sip a glass or two of the local produce. I also recommend taking the time to check out some of the venue’s amazing art and sculpture on display.
- 446Soul Bar & BistroViaduct HarbourSoul Bar & Bistro is one of those establishments that feels like it has been around forever, and it pretty much has. It was one of the early spots to open on Viaduct Harbour and is still one if the best, with great bar staff, table service and cuisine. It also makes for great people spotting on a sunny afternoon, so if you have visitors with you from out of town it will never disappoint.
- 578Prego RestaurantPonsonbyIn my opinion, despite its popular outdoor area Prego Restaurant is the perfect spot for dining come winter on Ponsonby Road. As well as having a collection of blankets for those still insisting on dining al fresco, they have the heartiest lasagne in town as well as two risotto offerings and lashings of stellar red wine options to wash it all down. This doesn’t even include their legendary pizza, which has fans all over the world. A legend for a reason, with fare that keeps them coming back for more.
Helene R.'s
Where to take your sweet tooth
- 17GelatiamoAuckland CentralWynyard Quarter is always a great place to take little ones keen for a run around and a bit of exploring, and nearby North Wharf has some decent eateries for refuelling when the time comes. Gelatiamo is one of our favourites, both for the good, strong coffee and tasty gelato. They use ingredients imported from Italy so the goods are as authentic as it gets, and they also serve fat free sorbetto for those with an eye on the scales. Grab a cone and keep walking, or eat in on their well sheltered verandah.
- 229Foxtrot ParlourPonsonbyI love a cafe that thinks outside the square when it comes to brunch and lunch options, and Ponsonby Central’s Foxtrot Parlour does just that. They don’t get much better than pulled pork Banh Mi and amazing Empire Eggs, washed down with some of the sharpest coffee in town.
- 354MilseAuckland CentralTucked away behind the Kathryn Wilson store in the Pavilions at Britomart you’ll find Milse, the ultimate sweet tooth’s dining destination. Styled as a ‘secret dessert garden’ it has amazing cakes, pastries and gelato to go as well as a restaurant that serves three, five and seven course degustation menus for those that really want to indulge! You can also order cakes for special occasions, and they serve Milse sweets and desserts next door too at neighbouring bistro Ortolana.
- 429Kohu Road LtdNew LynnNext wet weekend afternoon I highly recommend surprising little ones with a trip to New Lynn’s Kohu Road cafe, which you’ll find at the front of the HQ of the ice cream company of the same name. There is ample ice cream and sorbet to choose from, as well as a kids only indoor caravan filled with toys and DVDs to watch while the adults have brunch and read the paper. Top coffee too, courtesy of the legendary Supreme.
- 529Bread & Butter Bakery PonsonbyPonsonbyDangerously close to my home and my office is Little Bread & Butter Bakery, where a lot of hard earned cash gets spent on fresh, fragrant and just plain delicious bread. They use certified organic ingredients and unbleached flours, and leave out additives, stabilisers and other nasties that you really don’t want on your kitchen table. Parking can be a bit dicey on a sunny day so if you don’t mind airflow detour, they have opened another branch behind Farro Fresh a little further down Richmond Road - turn left at the Mitre 10 and you’re there!
Helene R.'s
Best fresh lunches to go
- 112Tank Juice Bar DowntownAuckland CentralOne of the healthiest ways to refuel on a busy day is with a fresh juice rather than another coffee, and when I am spending time in the city I always drop into one of the Tank Juice Bars for an energy top up. They have a great menu to choose from or you can create a cocktail of fruits and veges all your own, and they also offer decent sandwiches and rolls to go. A better choice than fried every time!
- 210Fred's Espresso & Soda BarPonsonbyFred’s can be found in the space formerly known as Agnes Curran at the top of Franklin Road, but has a very different vibe. They now have a full menu for starters, although some of the cabinet favourites from Agnes still feature and are still mouth wateringly good. The coffee is superb and the service relaxed but sharp, and the banana bread is a new must have. Love this place.
- 33Wishbone Vulcan LaneAuckland CentralThe Central city is full of food to go options, some healthier than others. One of my picks when I am Downtown and on the go is Wishbone in Vulcan Lane, who serve up both hot and cold, nutritionally sound and yummy meals. As well as the usual sandwich and salad fare they have winter warmers like paella and chunky soups, which you can buy ready to eat or chilled to take home and heat yourself.
- 47Bamboo KitchenEden TerraceIt has been great to see the proliferation of healthy takeaway options popping up around Auckland, the latest of which is the rather awesome Bamboo Kitchen. They serve up tasty Chinese fare that is heavy on fresh ingredients and naturally good sauces, and their menu is growing by the day. If you love fresh Asian meals then this is definitely the spot for you.
- 518Bread & Butter Bakery & CafeGrey LynnLittle Bread & Butter bakery in Ponsonby Central has been a favourite spot of mine since first opening its doors, so to say I was a bit excited to hear that they had opened a second location with a cafe inside would be an understatement. I finally popped down to check it out next to Farro off Richmond Road, and instantly gave it five stars for the ease of parking and spaciousness alone! The food was also top notch, with my pick so far being the smashed avocado on sourdough with a perfectly poached egg (above). A brand new fave is born.
Helene R.'s
Always fresh produce
- 129Farro Fresh - Grey LynnGrey LynnThe Grey Lynn branch of Farro Fresh is one of my favourite places to buy wine. They have an insanely good selection from all over the globe and the specials are always enticing - drop in and take the chance on something you’ve never tried before!
- 224Ceres FreshMarketPonsonbyCeres Market at Ponsonby Central is one of my favourite places to shop for fresh produce, especially as there is always something unique to take home and add to your pantry and their fresh squeezed juices are amongst the best in town. They also always have the likes of kale and kefir available to keep all the green foodies happy.
- 330Avondale Sunday MarketsAvondaleOne of my favourite things to do with guests from out of town is take them to the Avondale Sunday Markets. They happen every Sunday from five am til midday and are a great way to show multicultural Auckland at its best. Amazing foodie buys to taste and take home too!
- 423Bhana BrosPonsonbyAnyone who lives or works in Ponsonby - or ever has lived or worked in Ponsonby - knows the legendary Bhana Brothers store. It has been a fixture since 1940, and is still family run with Arvind and Pravin Bhana at the helm. I love popping by to pick a selection of fresh flowers for home, and their amazing array of herbs and spices is mind boggling and delicious in turn. Check our the return of their recently restored stained glass sign next time you’re in the area - it has never looked better!
- 515Auckland Fish MarketFreemans BayWhen fish is on the menu in our house there is only one place to go: the Auckland Fish Market. As well as an incredible array of fresh seafood they have a great food market packed with all sorts of treats and inspiring cooking ingredients, and if you can’t wait to get home they even sell perfectly prepared hot fish and chips to eat in or takeaway. And it’s close to Wynyard Quarter - a bonus for coffee lovers and little ones alike.