Lulu's Neighbourhood Bowls
2 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Image credit: Lulu's Neighbourhood Bowls | Laura Zonnevylle
I'm not sure that it gets more Ponsonby than post-yoga açai bowls and that's exactly what Lulu's Neighbourhood Bar is dishing up. That and stunning two-tone dairy-free softserve (neatly named 'cocowhip'), plus smoothies, matcha and other plant-based treats. And perhaps you need a brass pineapple-topped bottle opener? You'll find that here, too.
Sol's Place
121 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Image credit: Sol's Place | Facebook
We're suckers for an eggs benny and Sol's version is so good, it's earned them the title of one of Ponsonby's best cafes (just look at that pic, for crying out loud. That's house-smoked salmon, people!).
However, determined not to be pigeonholed by one delicious dish alone, these guys are also slinging the likes of corn fritters and wagyu mince on toast, with a side of cosy surrounds. Did we mention that they also have a cute courtyard to kick back in (another thing we're absolute suckers for)?
Dizengoff
256 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Few Ponsonby cafes have stood the test of time like Dizengoff. This spot has earned a cult following since springing onto the scene almost three decades ago, and here's why: it has great food, great service, and is open almost every day of the goddam year (364, to be precise).
Whether it's a coffee and a treat to-go, or a leisurely brunch with coffees plural (anything featuring their famous mushrooms is always a good time), Dizengoff will never let you down. Rumour has it that Queen Bey even dined here once with Jay Z—if it's good enough for royalty, it's good enough for us.
Parade
252 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Image credit: Parade | Instagram
Originally planned as a pop-up, Parade proved so popular that the owners (who also run Mutual Friends in Newmarket) decided to make things permanent. The secret to Parade's success?
Some of Auckland's best burgers, stuffed with the likes of smashed Wagyu beef patties and free-range buttermilk fried chicken thigh, served on pretzel-style buns made from a unique classic dough/American pretzel dough hybrid that took eight months to perfect. Wash it all down with some punchy cocktails by the jug.
Little Bird Kitchen
Summer Street & Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Little Bird Kitchen was one of the first places—if not, the first—to introduce us to the joys of 'unbaked' or 'raw' treats. We've never felt as good about stuffing our faces with sweets as we do when dining here because guess what? All of their treats are dairy, gluten, and refined-sugar-free.
However, it's not all about cakes and doughnuts—Little Bird Kitchen also does a solid menu of brunch and lunch dishes (think kumara hotcakes, and mushroom and cheese sourdough toasties), along with some seriously healthy smoothies.
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Duck Island Ice Cream
1/182 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Image credit: Duck Island Ice Cream | Urban List Jaiden Bhaga
Nobody does ice cream quite like Duck Island, whose pastel pink store on Ponsonby Road is an absolute delight. Ooh and aah over their Wonka-like selection of icy confections, many of which also happen to be vegan and dairy-free.
Their fairy bread and lolly cake creations are hard to beat, but if you really want to challenge your taste buds, they have something for that too (black sticky rice, we're looking at you). On a sunny day, you can't beat sitting beneath their outdoor umbrellas with your fave scoop.
Miann
Ponsonby Central, 136 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
Miann is hands-down one of Ponsonby's sweetest spots, boasting a line-up of dreamy cakes, pastries and gelato—along with some seriously insane seasonal treats (they once did a chocolate train for Easter, no biggie).
After stuffing your face with said goodies, logic says that you should probably grab a few more to take home (we recommend their Dulce de Leche Caramelised White Chocolate Drinking Chocolate Mix, which will help you replicate one of Auckland's best hot choccies from the comfort of your own kitchen).
Daily Bread
108 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Image credit: Daily Bread | Instagram
With a tonne of accolades to their name, we'd be mad not to include Daily Bread's Ponsonby branch on a list of Ponsonby's best cafes. Swing by and get your fill of all the usual DB suspects (buttery pastries, gourmet pies, delicious doughnuts and of course, freshly baked bread) and don't forget a cup of coffee, which always hits the spot. If you plump for only one thing, make it their cardamom morning bun aka the perfect combo of sugar, spice, and all things nice.
Looking for more rad places to eat? Check out:
Main image credit: Manis Bakery | Instagram