Kylie B.'s
Auckland Hot Spots
- 14The Raw KitchenPonsonbyTwo words: Stoked as! That's how I feel about this hot little addition to my local. It's just a skip and a jump from my workplace and I've already wolfed down my body weight in Olivia's divinely wholesome sweet treats and juices. You only need to try one to fall in love and that's The Raw Kitchen's watermelon juice. It's fresh, fruity and filling. Plus they do amazing sandwiches - perfect if you haven't packed your lunch.
- 24Franc'sTakapunaTo be honest, Franc's had me from the moment I spied their sweet little spot opposite Takapuna Beach, their striped, comfy cushions and their tagline, "Purveyors of all things yummy". Once inside, I was stoked to see Paleo muesli on the menu, which I immediately ordered with coconut milk and a delish Berry Smash smoothie to boot. For a fussy eater like me, that's the definition of breakfast heaven. Most interesting thing on the brekkie menu? Chicken waffles with hot sauce and fried okra. And if you have a visitor in town who likes to sink local craft brews, this is THE place to take them. Awesome as!
- 35Good DayOrakeiThis new kid on the block in Orakei is for people like me who love coffee. For me, a smooth, strong brew is worth travelling across town for, which is how I discovered Good Day. And what a good day it is that they are here! The cabinet was packed with pastries so sweet 'n' tasty I had to have two and I'm stoked that there's no pretense here. This is about good food and good coffee. Full stop. I'll be back for another good day soon.
- 47RegattaTakapunaGot a visitor from out of town that you want to show off Auckland at its best to? That's when I take them to Regatta. Good booze, excellent food, great service and an even better view - you look bang smack out onto Rangitoto Island and the sparkling water below. You can't get much better than this in terms of location. It's the place to see and be seen right now so dress well and get imbibing!
- 51Le ChefAuckland CentralWine, cheese, breads and incredible breakfast, lunches and after-work snacks, I'm so happy that Le Chef has come into my life. I love a fine and tasty French dining experience and Le Chef serves this up in all the right portions and proportions. The chic decor is European beautiful, the food is perfection and they have wine tastings every fortnight. Did someone say girls night? Bon Apetit!
Kylie B.'s
Fresh Fish
- 12Avondale FisheriesAvondaleAn oldie but a goodie, Avondale Fisheries has been in my life serving up fresh, tasty fish since I was a kid. It's the place my mum used to take me after ballet to buy snapper fillets for our homemade Friday night fish and chips and, even though I haven't put on my dancing shoes for years, their fish is still fresh as. Love this place - best little fish shop in the West.
- 215Auckland Fish MarketFreemans BayDad lives in Gisborne and, because he's retired, he has the well-deserved pleasure of casting a line, fishing most days and pulling up pots of crayfish so when he's in town for dinner, I know I need to source the very best. That's when I like to take a trip to Auckland Fish Market because they have such an incredible selection of fresh fish and seafood. Try the prawns and whatever fish takes your fancy because it's always good, so good.
- 310Mt Eden Village Fish ShopMt EdenWhen I want a catch of the day, I take a chilly bin and head to Auckland's awesome village fish-monger in the heart of Mt Eden. They do a mean fish and chip feed and I love it that you can select your fresh fillet and then order it battered, crumbed or grilled. But the reason I come here is because fresh is best and these guys do fish the old fashioned way - straight from the sea, sustainable as and tasty as all get out.
- 49Toby's Seafood Glen EdenGlen EdenI might live by the sea but when hubby and his mates don't land a catch, Toby's in Glen Eden is on stand-by because they have a selection of fresh fish that's far more diverse than anything the hubby can reel in! I love that they take real pride in their presentation and that you can see them shucking seafood from where your fish is weighed by the kilo.
- 57Oceanz Seafood - AlbanyPinehillThere's a tank of crayfish here and a whole lotta fresh fish that comes straight from the boat to the store so this is why I like to take a trip across the Bridge when I'm looking for a special fresh seafood find. I love the fact that Oceanz pride themselves on serving up sustainable seafood so that I know that, even as I eat, I'm still respecting the ocean's delicious bounty and ensuring there will be plenty more of it for years to come.
Kylie B.'s
Popular Local Eats
- 1161Circus Circus CafeMount EdenBig meals and even better coffee are the two reasons I keep on coming back to Circus Circus. Dad lives out of town and it's his absolute favourite cafe in all of Auckland because the portion sizes are so generous. I love the fact that so many Mt Eden locals continue to support this iconic cafe because of what it does best - genuinely good food at great prices. There's nowhere I would rather sit and enjoy the circus!
- 242Humbug CafeGlen EdenThere's not much more I need to say about breakfast at Humbug Cafe than free-range bacon, eggs and chicken. This is a cafe that knows foodies like me enjoy revelling in the knowledge of exactly where their ingredients come from. Their eggs bene is a straight-up classic, no fancy frills, just well poached eggs on salty, crispy bacon and drenched in amazing homemade hollandaise. And of course they also do the best coffee in the West (none other than legendary Millers) and so that's why they come out top of the pops for me.
- 322Cafe on KohiMission BayYou haven't lived until you've tried a gelato milkshake from Cafe on Kohi. This is a very popular spot on the main drag in Mission Bay and it's all because of their incredible and varied menu. If you don't like to rock out the usual B 'n' E for brekkie then this is the place to come. Try the chicken livers, you'll fall in absolute love for this dish, just like I did.
- 410Sausalito CafeNorthcote PointThis is a popular local spot for those who live on the North Shore who want to catch a movie and eat a great pizza. With a wood-fired pizza oven on site, I reckon you can only order one thing here to get the best fix - a pizza. That's because it's cheesy, gooey goodness. And what else sits better in the tummy for the duration of a flick at the Bridgeway Theatre - pizza, of course! Grandma and I have been coming here for years because I love the pizza and she loves the brownie. It's a winner all round!
- 520Ruby Red CafeMangere BridgeThere ain't no school like the old skool and Ruby Red Cafe harks back to Auckland of old when the pace was a little slower and creations were baked just right. Believe me, a visit to this delightful local cafe in the heart of Mangere Bridge is a trip every Aucklander should make at least once because your tastebuds will be rewarded whole-heartedly. I visit with a mate who is a local and was blown away. The coffee was some of the best I've ever had in Auckland. What a hidden gem!
Kylie B.'s
Fab Florists
- 15Cartier For FlowersNewmarketI've had the joy of receiving these bouquets for my birthday from a number of different people over the years and a bunch of the best from Cartier always fills me with awe and joy. They are big, showy flowers and if you want to say, 'I love you' with all of your might then you best be getting Alma and her team of florists to weave their magic for you. There's no price you can put on flowers like these because if someone is kind enough to treat you to a bunch, it's a moment I know (from experience) that you'll treasure forever.
- 23The BotanistAuckland CentralI know I've said it before but I'm head over heels, truly, madly, deeply in love with the floral creations put together by the talented Eden at The Botanist. I reckon you can't go wrong when your establishment does both beers and bouquets but what's so cool about Eden's creativity is the fact that every bunch is created with such romantic whimsy. Their baps are also to-die-for and their coffee strong and smooth. Plus don't underestimate the assault to the senses that happens when you step through the door into this botany of goodness.
- 323Bhana BrosPonsonbyAn Auckland icon, people travel from far and wide to get fresh flowers from this Ponsonby local. For those on the run that want to treat a loved one, I reckon the fact that there's a whole lotta ready-made bouquets out front is awesome because you can pick one up with a minimum of fuss. BUT (and this is a secret not too many know) if you do choose blooms by the stem, the team at Bhana Bros are more than happy to make up a bunch behind the counter. And as always, it's service with a smile.
- 49Urban FlowersKingslandThis is the place I like to go in Auckland for beautiful blooms that are slightly unusual. Bronwyn is a passionate florist with a massive knowledge of all things botanical and she'll always go that extra mile to source the perfect flowers for you. That's why if you have a special occasion, such as a wedding, or want to wow your loved one with a gorgeous bunch then Urban Flowers is one of Auckland's great little finds.
- 57The Curious HibiscusGlen EdenMy favourite person in the world put me onto this fantastic local florist. It's great value for money and every bouquet is lush and gorgeous. Located on the main drag in Glen Eden, it's also a really cool place to pick up quirky gifts too. And my friend's daughter loves the fact that there's a special party room out the back that's as girlie as it can get. On important days of the year such as Valentine's Day, they offer awesome specials, such as free local delivery, so make sure you check out their Facebook page. And this florist deserves extra love from me for the name - The Curious Hibiscus, gotta love it!
Kylie B.'s
Top Coffees
- 15Caffetteria AllpressFreemans BayWhen I want to ‘take five’ a seriously strong dose of Allpress at it’s home base of Caffetteria Allpress is where it’s at. If it’s breakfast time, I highly recommend smashing a blueberry smoothie and at lunch one of their chicken and fennel ciabatta sandwiches. Oh yeah!!!
- 214Eighthirty Coffee RoastersNewtonI love everything about Eighthirty coffee from their take-home beans with a signature roast of orange blossom and a hint of vanilla right through to the cup of joe they serve out of their lo-fi digs in K'Rd. This is a place for coffee aficionados, like me. You want find frills and lots of food and all that jazz. Sure there's a couple of nice cabinet options and delicious cakes from their fellow K'Rd local Jordan Rondel AKA The Caker but this is a place where coffee is the rightful star. I love an Eighthirty roast because it's smooth, strong and lingers for a long, long time. When I need a kick in the pants and some pep in my step, I come here. Oh and the coffee art is awesome! Love you Eighthirty - see you Monday.
- 315Millers CoffeeNewtonIf you love coffee and a classic Kiwi flat white, you haven't lived unless you've tried a Millers brew. One of NZ's original roasters, this is a family owned company that produce world-class coffee with bite. Their hole-in-the-wall on Cross Street (just behind K'Rd) is a homage for caffeine addicts like me who like a deep, strong pull and I love the fact that the owner and his sons are all still so passionate about advancing NZ's coffee culture even though they've been in business brewing the same roast for 27 years. I love Millers because some traditions should never change! If you're keen to sit in for a brew or pick up some beans make sure you visit Millers HQ before midday because after that these lads shut up shop.
- 48Three Beans Coffee RoastersAuckland CentralThey were once the new kids on the block when CityWorks Depot opened its doors in downtown Auckland but now Three Beans has firmly entrenched itself into the city’s coffee scene. I urge anyone who goes here not just to stop in for a flat white to takeaway. Instead, sit down, take time and experience the real deal because Three Beans make the serving of their in-house coffee an event. The flat white is served in good-quality china cups on trays that denote the coffee origin you have chosen and even comes with those adorable kitsch spoons to stir the crema. This place is for all about embracing what it means to be a tried-and-true coffee snob and their barista gets it right every time out of the gate. There are NEVER any mistakes. Thank you, Three Beans for changing my Auckland coffee experience for the better.
- 53Lot23Eden TerraceGet to the cafe in this gallery/artistic space ASAP because it's one of my hidden gems and a real top spot to drink a smooth flat white because they are rolling with the legendary Brazil Coffee. In fact, they may be the only place right now in Auckland that's rocking this incredible blend. Plus while you wait you can while away an hour checking out the works of both resident and visiting creatives. The clever folk behind Lot23's conception have also thought to include a fantastic multi-purpose performance space with crystal clear sound that's proving to be very versatile for musicians and performers. If you haven't already, take a trip to the very end of Minnie Street and be impressed by what truly is one of Auckland's greatest little finds.
Kylie B.'s
Super-Value Salads
- 127Bird On A Wire - PonsonbyPonsonbyFor those who love leafy greens or beta-carotene beauties, Bird On A Wire has a cult following because it truly is one of the best salad bars in Auckland. I'm excited that their Ponsonby store is in the heart of Localist's local and it's a regular lunch haunt for the content team at least once a week. I'm a big fan of the summer slaw with apple cider and wholegrain mustard vinaigrette and am pretty excited that my lunch break today will include chowing down on a returning perennial fan favourite - the melt-in-the-mouth sensation that is their char-grilled aubergine, coriander, sesame and sweet soy noodle salad. I wish it was lunch time already! Love you #birdonawirenz
- 259Ripe DelicatessenGrey LynnWhen I'm in need of an energy lift, Ripe's raw beetroot salad is my absolute go-to. I love the fact that the juicy root vegetable is complemented so perfectly with the crunch of pepitas (pumpkin seeds) but most importantly, I love how clean I feel when I've eaten one of this nutritious, whole-food goodness. They've been around for a long time but when it comes to great salads, Ripe is like a fine wine - it simply gets better and better with age.
- 316East West Organics New LynnNew LynnIn the heart of the Waitakere region is a gem of a cafe housed inside East West Organics New Lynn that’s somewhere every health-lover in Auckland should pay homage to at least once. Raw, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined-sugar-free options are the rule not the exception here and, along with their great green smoothies, their salads are absolutely stand-out. That’s because they grow all the nutrient-rich greens and vegetables in their gardens out front and you can’t get much fresher than that. Their green salads are particularly incredible because you just can’t go past hand-picked kale or spinach - both superstars of the vege world!
- 427Revive Lorne StreetAuckland CentralIf you live or work in Auckland’s inner-city CBD then Revive is the place to go to do just that - get revived and rejuvenated by eating some of the tastiest and best-texture salads in all of New Zealand. Created with health and wellness as top of mind, Revive does an outstanding array of flavours and so no matter how pesky your palette, there will be a salad option that suits you. Guaranteed! Plus, I love the fact that their menu changes daily so you can go for lunch regularly and never get bored.
- 517Dida's Food StoreHerne BayThis is my new go-to for a lunchtime salad because you get so much goodness for your dollar. With prices starting at just $6 for a small salad, it's a great go-to when you don't have a lot of coin but are looking for a healthy lunch. My favourite salad is a combination of at least three options from Dida's Food Store's cabinet (and the best bit is you can choose as many as you want!). Their grated beetroot and carrot salad is incredible and if you order the medium salad ($9) I can guarantee you'll never be disappointed!