Evelyn E.'s
Central Auckland favourites
- 157MoustacheAuckland CentralCute as a button and with the most delicious cookies I’ve tried, Moustache is always a treat and pretty much impossible to walk past without going in for a cookie. With divine flavours like Black Forest and Snickers Bar as well as more standard ones like Chocolate Chip, the cookies are always freshly baked and are perfectly complemented by a great range of milkshakes and drinks. You may find it hard to have just one cookie, but that’s definitely a good thing.
- 23Rita SueAuckland CentralA new-ish edition to St Kevins Arcade, Rita Sue is a haven for lovers of vintage-inspired fashion. Owner Rachael Pilcher sources a wide selection of reproduction vintage fashion from all over the world, with a great range of accessories on-hand too. Her impressive vintage fashion knowledge, styling skills and friendly manner make shopping at Rita Sue an absolute pleasure and she will ensure you leave with some suitably lady-like additions to your wardrobe as well.
- 31Sew Love Tea DoAuckland CentralStarted by a group of dedicated sewing enthusiasts, Sew Love Tea Do offers a social sewing lounge to come and work on your sewing projects or take classes to further your skills. Whatever your skill level, their fun and friendly classes will up your confidence and have you repairing your own clothes and making new ones before you know it. The emphasis is on recycling and re-using textiles so people throw less items away, which is a great idea and the helpfulness of the ladies makes for a wonderful experience.
- 46City DanceAuckland CentralConveniently located in the heart of Queen Street, City Dance has been my go-to dance class studio since I first accidentally discovered it a couple of years ago. They have a wide range of classes (everything from Ballet to Belly dancing) that suit every level and a brilliant group of highly experienced teachers who make each class so much fun, I wish I had more time to go and dance there. Definitely check out the Hip Hop and Popping classes if you’re feeling energetic, the gentle stretch and Ballet classes taught by Ione Barczak are my favourites though.
Evelyn E.'s
Takapuna favourites
- 13The Old Lolly ShopTakapunaTucked away in the Parkway Arcade off Hurstmere Road, this old school sweet shop is truly a delight. Jars and jars of brightly coloured lollies line the walls, with your childhood favourites like hokey pokey and blackballs stacked alongside many delicious (and very tempting) treats from around the world. On weekends a professional lolly-maker creates lollipops live in store much to the joy of young and old. Take the kids for a sugar fix but expect to leave with a rather full bag of treats and candies as there are too many temptations to resist.
- 234Jam Organic Cafe - TakapunaTakapunaA wonderful spot for brunch, especially on a sunny day, as the tables spill out onto the Hurstmere Green. Jam does all organic food and drinks in generous servings with a great range of options to keep everyone happy. The Jam style eggs are fantastic and always a must-order, closely followed by the more-ish mince on toast. Grab a sweet treat and delicious coffee to keep you going for a stroll down nearby Takapuna Beach.
- 33Retrospace LtdTakapunaThe bricks and mortar space of online store Retrospace is truly a sci-fi heaven. Featuring all kinds of rare and sometimes kitsch collectibles and memorabilia, this little store is jam-packed with a huge range of products to charm any sci-fi fan, with a particularly massive collection of Doctor Who and Star Wars products, including a life-size Dalek. A great place to shop for that hard to buy for sci-fi fan and I love that they have pieces from The Muppets and Gremlins too.
- 43The Nail SpaTakapunaHidden above Robinson Designer Goldsmith Jewellery on Lake Road, The Nail Spa is a serene place for some nail pampering, with owner Sarah and her staff providing exceptional service and nails you’ll want to show off. The peaceful environment, beautiful decor and great range of products help make for a lovely experience and I always leave feeling relaxed and loving my expertly applied polish. The Nail Spa team offer a full range of nail services and even spray tans if you’re inclined to get bronzed as well.
- 518Movenpick TakapunaTakapunaPerfectly positioned between the beach, movie theatre and Shore City mall, Movenpick is a must-stop all year round. With a delicious range of mouth-watering icecream and other sweet treats like brownie, it’s a great place for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up or to grab a cone to take for a romantic walk on the beach (or with your dog.) The best part is it’s open late most nights of the week so can indulge your sweet tooth pretty much any time you like.