Sweetest Spots in New Zealand

"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."

"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."