Kathryn Steane

I'll be honest, the speed at which July has arrived is nothing short of frightening—not just because it means we've officially passed the half-way point of the year, but because it also signals the start of the winter school holidays. 

Takapuna is one of my favourite suburbs in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Not only is it home to one of the most popular beaches on the North Shore, it also boasts a long list of amazing places to eat and drink and that's a combo that makes this food writer very happy indeed.

From chic patisseries and pretty pink ice cream parlours to boujee burger joints, Ponsonby's got it all.

Whether payday is a distant memory or you simply don’t want to spend your life savings on a meal, don’t go running for those two-minute noodles just yet. There are plenty of cheap eats in Auckland that are minimal on coin but maximum on deliciousness.

Fear not, breakfast-lover—you’re about to have the ultimate list of the best breakfasts in Auckland right at your fingertips.

We've rounded up the best of the best bars, with oldies, newbies and everything in between. No matter the specifics, all of these places have one thing in common: they're a damn fine spot to sink a drink.

Let’s be honest, Mother Nature is one amazing lady. She’s the mastermind behind some of life’s finest things: beaches, waterfalls, mountains, forests…the list goes on. 

The birthplace of the nation, the winterless north, the spot every man and his dog escapes to during the summer—Northland goes by many names, all of them well deserved.  Here are the best places to eat, play and stay while you're there.

Doughnuts are having a moment—and that’s totally fine by us. Whether you like them dusted with sugar, oozing with chocolate custard or stuffed with cream, there’s something for everyone in this doughnut lovin’ city of ours. We’ve rounded up the best places to get the best doughnuts in Auckland. Dough-not delay, try one today.

Cantabrians sure know a thing or two about living the sweet life (or what the Italians call ''la dolce vita''). If you're wondering what such a life looks like, it's this: gorging on woodfired pizza, tackling mountains of handmade pasta and inhaling bowls of tiramisu, while simultaneously sipping on vinos, spritzes, and limoncello shots. All of which are in ample supply at Christchurch's long list of Italian restaurants.

When you want fresh, flavour-packed fare, nothing hits the spot better than a feed of Japanese (disagree with me, and we might just have to go a round of karate or worse, sumo). Jokes aside, this is great news for those living in Ōtautahi, Christchurch—because you guys have some of the country's best Japanese eateries, sitting right on your doorstep.

Whoever came up with this cunning way of eating cake for breakfast (or any other meal, for that matter), we thank you for your service.

As Kiwis, a love of pies is practically in our DNA. These hearty pastries have been keeping us fuelled for generations and are the perfect meal for lunch, dinner, or even a cheeky brekkie.

From boutique to five-star luxury we've scoured town for la crème de la crème, so without further ado, here are the best hotels in Auckland.

Easter is fast approaching and for the sweet tooths amongst us (me!), this is pleasing news indeed. After all, what other holiday is celebrated by stuffing your face with as much chocolate as humanly possible?

Auckland's a pretty fun place to grow up. Not only do we have world-class beaches on our doorstep and all the usual family-friendly tropes like a zoo, arcades, and a museum, there's also a host of city exclusives like our very own marine reserve to swim around, a Wonka-esque sugar factory to explore and of course, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere (which, btw, kids over 10 can even jump off!).

Chocolate may get most of the attention at Easter, but it isn't the only treat we're coveting once the season for bunnies, eggs and unabashed gluttony rolls round. Yip, that's right fam—we're talking about hot cross buns, or HCBs.

One of the best things about Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is the fact that writing a list of the best beaches within a region is absolutely possible.

Whether it’s Mother’s Day, a special occasion, or you just wanna spoil someone (but also yourself!), high tea is always the answer. Lucky for us, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland has no shortage of spots serving up a swanky high tea with alllll the treats, including tea, cake, and if you're lucky, a cheeky glass of bubbles.

Feeling dusty? You poor, you-only-have-yourself-to-blame thing. Lucky for you we live in 2025, where ordering a post-hangover feed to your door is as easy as pie (mmm, pie). With a few clicks of a button you can literally have curry, burgers, shawarma—or a sammie and freshly squeezed juice, if that's more your vibe—delivered to you in your delicate state, within mere minutes.

The North Shore is as much for eating out and drinking, as it is for hitting the beach. If you don't believe us, check out the more than 55 spots we've carefully curated by suburb below, ranging from old-fashioned pubs, bakeries and burger joints to chic wine bars, cafes, and bistros.

Pantone has been selecting its Colour of the Year for more than a decade now and in 2025, that honour goes to Mocha Mousse (PANTONE 17-1230). According to the official Pantone website, this is a “warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.”

The North Shore isn't just about sun, sand, and surf, it's also about beautiful food and drink. As a matter of fact, we reckon some of the city's best restaurants reside on this side of the bridge. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of our most-loved spots on the North Shore for a feed.

It's official—Onehunga is one of Auckland's most hip albeit underrated suburbs. Studded with historic buildings and delightful villas, this charming neighbourhood has really amped things up in recent years on the eating-out front, with a host of top-notch bars, restaurants and cafés coming to the fore.

From Peruvian tacos and schnitzels the size of your face, to perfect coffee and cocktails in bongs (for reals!), this suburb certainly has plenty to eat out on.  

I scream, you scream... well, you know how it goes. Whether it's fresh and fruity or rich and chocolatey, in a cone, on a stick or in a cup, we just can't get enough of the cold stuff. So without further ado, here's our pick of the coolest (yes, we did just do that) ice cream and gelato shops in Auckland.

Christmas is the season for twinkling lights, merry tunes and prettily wrapped presents under the tree. Oh, and more unapologetically festive treats than you could ever hope to work your way through before Santa comes calling. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of must-try Christmas treats (some naughty, some nice) for you to enjoy this holiday season.

Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year and our fave part of the festivities is decorating the tree. That said, we've searched out the very best Christmas decorations money can buy, and we think you'll be impressed. From pop stars and film characters to pretend treats and treats proper (or at least, baubles filled with them), there's a lot to get excited about.

All I want for Christmas is to spend the day slaving over a hot oven and washing dishes, said nobody ever. Most of us would prefer a delicious meal cooked and cleaned up afterwards by someone else. Which brings us to one of the festive season's greatest blessings—restaurants that kindly open their doors on the 25th of December, especially for our wining and dining pleasure.

Ho, ho, holy snowball. December is nearly here and it's time to get our Christmas party on. Is it just us, or did this year really sneak up on us?

Finding a restaurant to eat at in Auckland on Christmas Day isn't always easy (the phrase 'needle in a haystack' springs to mind). Well never fear, 'cos we've done the hard yards for you and found out who's open to play host this year so you can sit back, relax and make merry while someone else does all the work.

Nothing has us feeling more festive than a completely over-the-top display of Christmas lights—this is definitely a case of the more the merrier! Lucky for us Aucklanders, a decent dose of holiday twinkle is never far away.

We love a good market, especially one with the word 'Christmas' attached! So hop in the car, crank up the Mariah (your secret's safe with us) and head along to one of these incredible Christmas markets coming to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this holiday season.

Welcome to 2024, where advent calendars are as big of a deal for adults as they are for children, and filled with so much more than cheap choccy. We're talking beauty products, booze, and even treats for in the bedroom (there's a reason Santa has a naughty list).

As far as celebrations go, they don't get much bigger than a wedding and here in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to finding that special somewhere to say 'I do'.

There really is no combination more drool-worthy than an oozy serving of good ol’ mac ’n’ cheese. 

There's something about the humble schnitzel that never fails to satisfy. Perhaps it's the crispy golden crumb on the outside, or the juicy, tender meat on the inside—whatever the reason, one thing's for sure, this timeless comfort food that's a favourite amongst the European set is as popular now as it's ever been.

Nothing cheers us up more on a cold Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland day (any day, to be fair) than wrapping our mitts around a mug of hot chocolate. Whether it’s a classic number done right, or a more adventurous drop laced with peanut butter or peppermint, served in an edible cup or even topped with bright pink fairy floss, sippin’ on a hot choccy is always a good time.

When it comes to Ponsonby restaurants, it's a literal smorgasbord—the hardest part about eating out here is narrowing down where to go. Whether you're after bistro classics, a spot of Asian street food or an old-fashioned burger and fries, this inner-city neighbourhood punches well above its weight.

From hidden speakeasies to bright and breezy spots with gorgeous courtyards to boot these are the best bars in Ponsonby.

So, you’ve put up the tree, locked in the menu for the big day, and sorted an outfit for the work party. Wondering what else to add to your Christmas bucket list this year? If a series of holiday markets hosted by the city's premier shopping destination sounds like your cup of festive tea—then listen up.

There's nothing quite as good as a long weekend, and this one is no exception. With the weather warming up, there's no need to head out of the City of Sails to feel like you're on holiday. With stunning beaches and plenty to do, some of our favourite bars, restaurants and cafes are remaining open, so there's no need to miss out.

Could Devonport be Auckland's most charming suburb? Its old-fashioned villas, picturesque gardens and character buildings are straight out of a storybook, while it also happens to be located right beside the sea and beneath the watchful eye of not one, but two volcanic mountains. 

If we could only eat one dish for the rest of our lives, there's a good chance it'd be fried chicken.

​What’s a Sunday without a roast? We’re talking juicy, succulent pieces of meat drowned in gravy, paired with crispy, seasoned veges and—if you’re lucky—a fluffy Yorkshire pud on the side. 

As far as baked treats go, cookies are king, and we don't discriminate.

Espresso martinis are like the grown-up version of a coffee, a harmonious yet powerful blend of alcohol and caffeine that will see you through the night (and potentially into the next day).

Ah, the margarita—one of Mexico's finest exports. There really is nothing better on a sultry summer's evening (or, at any time of year really) than a glass of this thirst-quenching, tequila and lime-laced tonic (especially when enjoyed by the beach, as is often the Mexican custom).

Can we just start by saying what an incredible year of eating (and drinking) it's been? 

Crank out the festive treats and pop on your Christmas jammies (don't own a pair? You're lying)—there's a whole lotta holiday goodness for you to feast your eyes on right now thanks to Neon.

It's no secret we love Christmas and all the glitz and glam that comes with it, from beautifully wrapped gifts beneath pretty trees, to swanky end-of-year parties with fancy food and drink. However we also know that, as the Grinch himself discovered, 'Christmas means a little bit more'. It's about spending time with loved ones, creating special memories and most importantly—helping out those less fortunate than ourselves.

Love doesn't have to cost the world—no really, it doesn't, as this list of 50 date ideas for under $50 shows. From stargazing to strawberry farms, museums to mini golf, and ice skating to ice cream crawls, there are plenty of cute, fun and outright romantic ideas for you and your beloved to get amongst. 

Drinks delivered to your doorstep. What a wonderful concept. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it's become a bit of a necessity in recent times, but we're here to tell you if your bar cart is running dry New Zealand has plenty of options to top you up. 

Receiving gifts never gets old, but when you're the one trying to come up with something new and exciting to give—it kinda can. Enter the following companies, who together offer a slew of unique and thoughtful goodies to show that someone spesh that you care.

Camping is great and all but when you've done your dash with tents and pegs and basically sleeping on the ground, enter the glorious campervan.

Few things have us salivating more right now than the amazingness that is Lotus Biscoff, which lucky for us, comes in more than one incredibly addictive form (a deliciously crunchy cookie, and an even more delicious cookie spread). You'll find both in this epic recipe from Dole, which is responsible for what could be our biggest baking crush yet—a Banana Biscoff Cake.

It's no secret we love long weekends, especially the kind where we're actively encouraged to eat chocolate for not one, but four consecutive days (genius!). However it's not all about the choccy, there's also a slew of special events happening around the city; as well as the chance to check out new openings, embark on new adventures... and catch up on new Netflix. So without further ado, here are the most egg-citing ways to spend Easter weekend in Auckland this year.

Whether it's a big ol' bowl of dumplings, a decent coffee and a slice of cake, or a juicy burger with all the trimmings, we're beyond stoked to get our hands on some takeaways at Alert Level 3.

If bread, pastry or just carbs in general are your thing, have we got news for you. A number of top bakeries are continuing to share their dough-liciousness with us throughout the lockdown, and the best bit is, you don't even need to leave home to get some (cya later, supermarket).

If you've yet to be introduced to the deliciousness that is the Cookie Dough Collective, you're in in for a real treat—especially as they've just launched a decadent new brownie flavour (available for a limited time only), but more on that in a mo.

Calling all people with small ones in tow—winter school holidays (Saturday 10th-Sunday 25th July) are looking realll good this year with a multitude of activities and events around Auckland to keep the littlies entertained, no matter what the weather.

Va Bene is an Italian term meaning 'goes well' and we have to say, Parnell's newest restaurant is definitely living up to its name. In fact, we reckon this is somewhat of an understatement but hey, there's nothing wrong with being a touch humble, right?

If you've ever laid awake at night, pondering life's greatest question—what in the world could be better than a Krispy Kreme doughnut—we think we have the answer. And what might that be, exactly? Krispy Kreme-inspired cookies, that's what, and they're winging their way to us courtesy of Aussie biscuit giant, Arnott's, from the end of the month.

These beauties have now been made a permanent addition to the menu and they're available for your face-stuffing pleasure right NOW.

From boutique to boujee to five-star luxury we've scoured town for la crème de la crème, so without further ado, here are the best hotels in Auckland.

There are few partnerships in life sweeter than peanut butter and jelly, and the fine folk at Whittaker's are clearly in agreement because they've just dropped an incredible new choccy block inspired by the powerhouse duo.

From milkshakes to margaritas, burgers to bao—MOGLY Bar And Eatery is bringing a whole lotta deliciousness to the South Auckland suburb of Ormiston. Located on the edge of the still-evolving Ormiston Town Centre, this is one seriously epic spot and it's open for your eating and drinking pleasure every day of the week from midday until late.

Ponsonby is about as far from the beaches and jungles of Bali as you can get—unless, that is, you find yourself visiting Bali Nights, the tasty new eatery dishing up legit Balinese street food and doing a damn fine job of it.

Grab the gang (and your snuggliest coat) and head across the water to Waiheke Island aka home to some of Auckland's best wineries and most spectacular beaches for Fullers360's annual Winter Wine & Dine experience, now in its third year.

Like so many other destinations on our travel bucket list, Greece is currently off the cards... unless, that is, you pay a visit to Ponsonby—where new kid on the block, Daphnes Taverna is serving up a slice of the seaside nation's famously flavoursome cuisine, and doing a damn fine job of it.

It's official: Basque cheesecake is the business. If you haven't been introduced to this insanely delicious dessert just yet, we'll overlook the part where we're wondering why the hell not and get you acquainted.

If you're counting calories, we advise looking away now because Doe Donuts have just opened their first ever retail store in Grey Lynn and it's a straight-up sugar fest.

They've given us Jelly Tip chocolate, Hundreds & Thousands chocolate, even K Bar chocolate (remember that?). Now the legends at Whittaker's have whipped up two new choccy flavours for us to demolish (and demolish we shall!).

When it comes to restaurants, us Aucklanders really are spoilt for choice. Whether you have a taste for the finer things in life and can't go past a degustation, or you're simply on the hunt for some good ol' fashioned comfort food—we're sure you'll agree that this wonderful city of ours caters to it all.

If you thought that the curtain had closed on Snifters, think again, because the iconic peppermint lolly—which has been forever in our hearts since it was pulled from shelves permanently by Pascall in 2009—has been reimagined as a choccy block by the legends at Cadbury, and we cannot contain our excite-mint (sorry not sorry!).

If you were thinking of giving healthy eating a go this week, think again. Because cult cookie brand, Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar have just launched a Giant Caramilk Cookie Pie that feeds up to 12 people and that, friends, is a deal that's simply too sweet to resist.

Foraging for food isn't a new concept but it's certainly had a resurgence in recent years and personally, we love the idea of heading out into nature, basket/re-usable bag in hand and loading up on fresh, oft unusual grub that would otherwise go to waste.

Auckland, we've just discovered an epic new dining experience you need to know about, and it happens to involve one of our favourite restaurants—the incredibly delicious Gochu.

Krispy Kreme, you are offically the maker of dreams. Because hot off the back of your Easter doughnuts (which were just heavenly, thank you) comes another range of drop dead delicious treats for us to drool over, dubbed Perfect Partners—and we reckon they're some of your best yet.

Covid may have put the brakes on Food Truck Fridays one too many times recently, but worry not because Britomart's fave weekly food event is returning with a bang, including a different foodie theme every week for the month of April.

When it comes to finding somewhere decent to drink, us Aucklanders have it pretty damn good. From sunny rooftop terraces to moody basement lounges and everything in between, there's something to suit absolutely every taste—and we haven't even started on the actual drinks yet!

For anyone who thinks dreams don't come true, you clearly haven't been introduced to the amazing Easter-themed cocktail from our friends at Coops Corner Pub. Yes, Easter magic is well and truly in the air at this lively lil' corner of the Viaduct, and it comes in the form of—wait for it—an Easter Egg Chocolate Margarita.

Waffles are one of those magical foods that can be eaten any time, anywhere (just ask Eleven, right Stranger Things fans?). Whether they're loaded with bacon and maple syrup for breakfast—topped with a stack of fried chicken for dinner—or piled high with ice cream, fairy floss and chocolate sauce for a super decadent dessert, we can't think of a single occasion where these crunchy creations aren't welcome.

There's a lot to love about New Zealand right now (just ask anyone living overseas!), so the timing really couldn't be more perfect for the opening of the Cordis hotel's gorgeous new Kiwi-themed bar—Our Land Is Alive.

Need a mid-week pick-me-up? Then say ciao to De’Longhi, who could be swinging by your workplace with a very special coffee-laced treat in tow for you and all of your colleagues (are you listening, team Urban List?).

Ben & Jerry's have launched what's potentially the world's largest-ever Easter egg hunt—with 10,000 scoops of free ice cream thrown into the mix, no less—and you're invited. Now if you're wondering what the heck a virtual Easter egg hunt is or more importantly, how you can get involved—here's the scoop.

If you're a Kiwi of a certain age, chances are your childhood birthday parties consisted of three main treats—cheerios, sausage rolls and fairy bread. Now Shake Out is bringing you right on back to the days of pass-the-parcel and pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, with a magical Fairy Bread Shake that's a legit party in the mouth.

Prepare to have your mind blown, because one of the country's favourite lollies now comes in ice cream form.

The Viaduct is already awash with exciting activations thanks to a lil' thing called The America's Cup, now we've got what could be your best incentive yet to get down to the waterfront. How does tequila ice cream sound?

Listen up team, because we're about to put the cherry on top of your summer. Mövenpick has opened a brand new boutique in Mt Eden and it's here to make your wildest ice cream dreams come true.

Krispy Kreme, you've done it again—you've come up with an incredible collab that has us drooling over our computer screens and frantically scrolling for our nearest stockist.

Level 3, here we go again... but at least we can still get our sugar fix, right?

Great news, your week just got off to a sweet start thanks to the good people at Pascall, who have bought together two of their most-loved lollies in one seriously scrumptious treat—Milkshakes Flavour Lumps.

We're pretty blessed here in NZ to get groceries—and even alcohol—delivered direct to our door, despite being in the midst of a nationwide lockdown. But after a bit of digging, we've discovered there's actually a number of other sweet products you can score online, that aren't milk, bread... or gin.

Oh Lewis Road, how your flavoured milks make our hearts sing! Especially your latest offering, which combines the deliciousness of banana and caramel in a drink that tastes just like banoffee pie.

Whittaker's Hundreds & Thousands choccy block is back, baby! That's right, the brand's most requested flavour of all time is returning after a seven-year hiatus, and it's just the kinda news we Kiwis need this week.

2020 has certainly been a strange year, but we're pleased to report that in spite of it all, a number of new drinking spots have come to the fore here in Auckland, with plenty of goodies amongst them. Whether you're looking for somewhere crankin' to take the crew, or a more intimate spot to take that hot date, we've got a few suggestions for ya—and they're right here on our list of best new bars for 2020.

Support local—it's a term we've all become well accustomed to in 2020 and one we're shining a (bright Christmas) light on one last time, before the year is through. Because when it comes to great gifts, us Kiwis really know how to make 'em—and make 'em good.

If you're after a cool new spot to sink some drinks this summer, head on over to Brolly—an exciting new pop-up bought to us by the team behind one of our all-time favourite bars, Parasol & Swing. And you won't have to look hard to find it—it's located on the latter's lower level.

2020 has been a year of highs, lows—and a slew of new restaurants, as it turns out. Yip, we're as surprised as anyone that during the year COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the globe, the Auckland food scene was going off; bringing us everything from a steakhouse direct from the Big Apple and an eatery that specialises exclusively in vegan Thai, through to new ventures from some of our most celebrated chefs.

Nothing has us feeling more festive than a completely over-the-top display of Christmas lights—yes, this is definitely a case of the more the merrier! Lucky for us Aucklanders, a decent dose of holiday twinkle is never far away, even with a few notable locations pulling out this year due to COVID-19 (Franklin Road, you're breaking our hearts).

Cult chicken joint, Winner Winner is opening a brand-new nest on the Shore. Bought to us by the same team behind BurgerFuel, this eggciting new eatery will be located on Anzac Road in Takapuna and joins three successfully-hatched stores in Wellington, Hamilton and Pukekohe.

Forget Mardi Gras, Viaduct hotspot Coops Corner are going one better and throwing their very own 'Margi Gras'/frozen margarita festival on Saturday 28 November. So if sinking tequila-laced slushies in the sun sounds like your kinda thing (hell yes!), then listen up.

As Urban Listers, we know you'll be familiar with the name Peter Gordon. You'll also be familiar with the fact that the Whanganui-born chef has spent the last 30+ years carving out a very successful career in London, whilst juggling a handful of restaurants here (The Sugar Club amongst them).

If you needed another reason to get excited about the opening of QT's first hotel in Auckland, Esther is it. The latest venture from renowned chef Sean Connolly (formerly of Sky City's The Grill and Gusto at the Grand), this one takes pride of place on the ground floor of this funky new establishment and let us tell you, it's a feast for the senses.

Drinks delivered to your doorstep. What a wonderful concept. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it's become a bit of a necessity in recent times, but we're here to tell you if your bar cart is running dry New Zealand has plenty of options to top you up. 

Something delicious has been brewing between Whittaker's and Garage Project and yip, you guessed it—it's choccy-flavoured beer.

When it comes to advent calendars, why should the kid have all the fun? Well they don't, as it turns out—because a growing number of brands are cashing in on the festivities with their very own boujee versions that, quite frankly, are a whole lot better than the choccy numbers of our youth.

What's better than a Mallowpuff? A Mallowpuff stuffed inside another Mallowpuff, duh. And that's exactly what the creative geniuses at Moustache Milk & Cookie Bar are cooking up in store for the next two weeks only.

Just when you thought chocolate collabs couldn't possibly get any better, the one-and-only Karen Walker has gone and teamed up with much-loved chocolatiers, the Wellington Chocolate Factory.

There really is nothing quite like getting together with your nearest and dearest and heading out for a meal somewhere special. And we reckon Onslow—the breathtaking new restaurant from celebrated Kiwi chef, Josh Emett and his wife Helen—is just the place to exercise such freedom.

Much-loved Aussie lolly brand, The Natural Confectionery Co. have just launched their very first vegan-friendly lollies in New Zealand, and we think we're in love.

Get amongst some serious plant-based goodness later this month at Vegan Vibes, a one-day festival hitting Mt Maunganui's Soper Reserve on Saturday 24 October (sounds like a great excuse for a roadie—whaddaya reckon, Auckland peeps?).

Calling all home bakers—Hill St have just dropped an exciting new line of baking bases that will have you cooking up a legit culinary storm.

Saddle up people, because Saxon + Parole is here—and you're going to want to come along for the (culinary) ride.

Summer is on the horizon and that can mean only one thing—soaking up the sunshine with an ice-cold bevvy in hand. And top of our list once said season arrives is DB Breweries' brand new beer seltzer—Club Setter—which hits shelves early October.

Get excited, Auckland—because local peanut butter brand, Fix & Fogg have just opened their first-ever store in the city of sails and it is EPIC.

Bigger isn't always better but when it comes to burgers, it most definitely is. And we've found some of the biggest yet at Browns Bay's hot new burger joint, The Flaming Onion.

North Shore peeps, you're in for a real treat because Grownup Donuts have officially moved into the neighbourhood. The market faves—who also have a shop in Henderson—have set up a sweet new store in Wairau Valley and you're going to want to get there for your doughnut fix, stat.

Famed for its exceptional Vietnamese cuisine, Café Hanoi has been on the scene for more than a decade and has recently moved into a bigger venue which some Aucklanders may remember as the old 1885 nightclub.