Here are a few of my favourite cafes, restaurants and things to discover elsewhere (beyond the pages of a recipe book)! It might just be a beautiful space to sit, a place that inspires me to bake or cook new things or maybe they just know how to make an excellent Flat White! The following suggestions are well worth the visit! Enjoy X
If you have visited a place, space or other that has something amazing that you just can’t keep a secret any longer, please let me a comment!
Wellington
Brooklyn Bread & Bagels Cafe
29 College Street, Te Aro, Wellington
This place has always impressed me and to be honest, I’ve never been let down. This was a regular haunt of mine and classmates when I was studying up the road at Massey University. The cabinet is always stocked fresh of really yummy looking filo parcels, big deli-style sandwiches and the odd frittata or rissoles. And if you’re after something delectably sweet, they can do that too! Their coffee is pretty good and they always have ample copies of the weekend paper and plenty of quirky mags for the creative types! Not quite the true spanakopita but an excellent and delicious runner-up, I’d visit Brooklyn Cafe for a taste of their spinach and mozzerella filo parcel alone!
Maranui Cafe
The Parade, Lyall Bay, Wellington
My favourite cafe in Welllington. Hands down. If you haven’t been here, get here asap. I highly recommend the berry smoothies and the vegetarian toasties! If you’re like me and enjoy a bit of people watching, this cafe is for you. Such a stunning place to visit on a beautiful can’t-beat-Wellington-on-a-good-day day or even when it is windy as hell or the rain is coming in sideways! Be prepared to wait in a queue on the stairs on your way in but the decor (did I mention the ceiling?!), the food, the coffee, the picturesque views of Lyall Bay beach, oh and that smoothie you never want to end.. are. well. worth. the. wait.
Kiallas Cafe
176 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington
Owned by a lovvvvvely Greek family and with the best (according to me!) Spanakopita recipe in town – trust me, I’ve even tried to imitate with no prevail) you can’t miss this one if you’re ever in Newtown. It is place that populates with Newtown-ites and was a pretty well kept secret until I entered town. I love Greek food and their cabinet is full of it – tiropitas, baklava, and cute bell jars full of biscotti line the counter top.
Hawke’s Bay
Paper Mulberry Cafe and Art Gallery
89 State Highway 2, Pukehou, Hawke’s Bay
This cafe is just too cute and really stands out with its bright blue facade on the way to the Hawke’s Bay (a regular trip with the family!). It is very popular and once you visit, you’ll know why. Infact I keep trying to convince my Mum and Dad to buy this much-loved cafe and guess what? I discovered after 12 years it is now on sale! I always thought this would be such a great investment opportunity. With all Mum’s recipes in the cabinets…it would almost be like my blog-turned-cafe…
The Paper Mulberry is a family favourite. They make a wonderful extra hot, trim Flat White and a decent sausage roll. While you’re there, check out their sweet little shop full of homemade hand creams, local arts and craft plus lots chutney! They are on Twitter so make sure you get-a-following!
