• Azabu
• Chuffed
• Miann Britomart
• Miss Higgins
• Patisserie Vaniye

Azabu - a fusion restaurant that plays with Japanese and Peruvian flavours. 

Grilled Octopus NZ$16

The firmness and meatiness of the octopus was well balanced by the slight sourness from the yuzu pepper soy, and the creaminess of the aji amarillo potato mash.

Prawn Dumplings NZ$14

The dumplings were filled with chunks of plump tiger prawns and a refreshing sour soup. They sat on a bed of spicy green sauce and were the the touches of sweet potato chips gave the dumplings additional texture.

Chicken Katsu Bun NZ$9

Deep fried chicken in a soft steamed bun with tonkatsu sauce, karashi mustard and fried onions makes this a good finger snack.

Tempura Custard NZ$12

Food: 6/10
Service: 7/10
Atmosphere: 7.5/10

Highlight:

• Cool atmosphere and concept

Lowlight: 

• Execution could be better
• A bit pricey for Auckland

Website: http://www.azabuponsonby.co.nz/
Address: 26 Ponsonby Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Hours: Mon-Tue 5pm-Late
             Wed-Sun 12pm-Late
Phone: +64 9-320 5292


Chuffed

Hidden in the heart of Auckland city is Chuffed, a simple and artistic cafe serving beautiful food and great coffee.

Lime, Gin & Juniper Cured Salmon Crumpets NZ$17

Cool slices of cured salmon make a great combination with warm, airy and crispy crumpets. The salmon was cured to the perfect balance between complexity and simplicity. The flavours are complex yet do not overpower the natural taste of the salmon. The beetroot puree is a masterstroke, which completes the dish both aesthetically and flavourwise.

Cosset Chai NZ$4.8

The chai latte had a robust and rustic spiciness to it, but was a bit on the sweet side.

Food: 7/10
Service: 6/10
Atmosphere: 7/10

Highlight: 

• Relaxing environment, hard to find in the city centre

Lowlight:

• None

Website: http://chuffedcoffee.com/
Address: 43 High St, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm
             Sat-Sun 9am-4pm
Phone: +64 9-367 6801
Miann Britomart

Miann Britomart is the second shop, only a few minutes walk from the original Miann on Fort Street. To open a second shop, with the exact same offering, in the same area, the team behind Miann must be doing something right, right? We decided to find out.


Walking back and forth in front of this cabinet full of cakes and ice cream, finding it hard to decide on which one to get really makes you feel like a kid in the candy store.

Matcha Green Tea Tart ~NZ$10

Manuka Flower Tea NZ$4.3

A soothing tea to wash down the cake, with a floral and natural sour hint. I'd drink this tea at home if I knew where to get it!

Food: 7.5/10
Service: 6/10
Atmosphere: 8/10

Highlight:

• Comfortable and quiet environment, open till late, to enjoy a piece of cake and a cup of tea

Lowlight:

• Brings nothing new vs the old Miann

Website: https://www.miann.co.nz/
Address: Ground, Arthur Nathan Building 36 - 38 Galway Street, Britomart, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Hours: Mon-Thu 8am-10pm
             Fri 8am-11pm
             Sat 10am-11pm
             Sun 10am-10pm
Phone: +64 21 261 8172

Patisserie Vaniyé

Caramelized Onion, Semi Dried Tomatoes, Feta NZ$9.5

A delightful quiche, where the sweetness of the onions and tomatoes is perfectly balanced by the savoury feta, and of course the crumby pastry!

Millefeuille NZ$9

No other word sums up this "thousand leaf" cake better than "delicious". The vanilla cream was buttery but not heavy. Each layer of pastry was so defined and paper-thin, it was buttery and breaks easily on the tongue.The crunchiness of the pastry and the soft cream filling reflected the true art of French pastry.
Food: 9.5/10
Service: 7/10
Atmosphere: 7/10

Highlight:

• Fine French desserts and pastry

Lowlight:

• Vaniyé is always closed when we are in Auckland over the holiday season. We wish we could come here more often.

Website: http://www.vaniye.com/
Address: 1/7 Windsor St, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand
Hours: Tue-Sat 8am-4pm
Phone: +64 9307 0839