It's that time of the week again fam—to feast your eyes on all the hottest food news from around Aotearoa. We’ve got the inside scoop on all the latest and greatest openings, collabs, events, products and more—including Auckland's highest bar, Doe Donuts in the CBD, a cute vegan soft serve and acaí spot popping up in Ponsonby—so you can spend less time researching and more time munching (because priorities, people).
The Wait Is Finally Over—DOE Donuts Commercial Bay Officially Opens Tomorrow
The time has come, hungry ones—DOE Donuts is officially opening its long-awaited second store tomorrow in downtown Auckland, at the Harbour Eats food hall on Level 2 of Commercial Bay. DOE's next-level doughies have been causing mouths to water since at least 2021, when Grace Tauber and Shenine Dube launched the brand's first store in Grey Lynn (before that, they were an online-only operation), and just like the OG shop, you can expect this new spot to carry a rotating selection of flavours ranging from straight-up cinnamon sugar, vanilla glaze and jam and cream through to more experimental offerings like tiramisu, key lime pie and PB&J—along with cookies and coffee. Speaking of which, the team are giving away a free Allpress Espresso coffee (or hot choccy, or chai) with every donut purchase on opening day, alternative milks included. As if we needed any added incentive... Join the queue from 9 am.
A Swanky New Champagne Lounge Is Opening Atop The Sky Tower Next Month
And it will also be Auckland's highest bar! Yes, come the end of June you will be able to sip bubbles 182 metres up in the clouds, at the hotly-anticipated (and aptly-titled) SkyBar—a partnership with the world's number-one selling champagne brand, Moët & Chandon. Officially opening on Friday, June 23, this luxurious spot will not only offer unrivalled 360-degree views of the city from sunrise to sunset, but an extensive list of premium local and international wines (including a selection of vintage Moët & Chandon bottles), top-shelf spirits, and cocktails designed to reflect the surrounding geographical features of Tāmaki Makaurau. Rounding out this exclusive experience will be a food offering that's equally on par—think shared plates of smoked green lip mussels, duck liver parfait and smoked vegan cheese fondue, along with handcrafted pastries and chocolate bonbons. Oh la la.
Krispy Kreme Is Giving Away 10,000 Original Glazed Donuts This Friday
They say there's no such thing as a free meal—but there IS such a thing as a free donut. This Friday (aka National Donut Day), the good folk at Krispy Kreme are giving away a whopping 10,000 of their Original Glazed doughies (we're told that's enough to cover the height of the Sky Tower almost three times). And getting your hot little hands on one couldn't be easier—all you have to do is rock up to your local Krispy Kreme store (choose from Chancery Square, Manukau, New Lynn, Westfield Albany, Westfield Newmarket or even the domestic terminal at Auckland Airport) and the deal is done. Following on from last year's hugely popular National Donut Day event, Krispy Kreme recommends visiting between the hours of 6 and 11 am to ensure you don't miss out (after all, it's never too early—or too late, for that matter—to indulge in a donut).
Check Out This Cute Pop-Up In Ponsonby Slinging Vegan Soft Serve And Acaí
I scream you scream, we all scream for ice cream—especially Lulu's market-famous dairy-free soft-serve. And now you can get it almost any time you like, thanks to their first-ever pop-up in Ponsonby. This cute-as-a-button spot can be found down the lane at Ponsonby Central for the next three months—and we couldn't be more chilled erm, thrilled with the news. However, it's not just ice cream that's on the menu—these guys are also dishing up some pretty delish-looking Brazilian acaí bowls (also plant-based, of course). Swing by between 10 am and 3 pm, seven days a week and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
An Epic Rosé Pop-Up Is Coming To Coronet Peak This Winter
Whispering Angel aka the world's premium number one rosé brand, with a cult following of celebrities and discerning vino-drinkers worldwide, is arriving on Kiwi shores later next month. And it will be hard-launching onto the market with an exclusive winter pop-up at Heidi's Hut on the slopes of Coronet Peak, running from Friday, June 16 through to the end of the season in late September. Ski right on in and enjoy Whispering Angel by the glass, bottle, or even magnum (now we're talking!), alongside Heidi's famous pizza menu. And after you've enjoyed a drop or two, you can commemorate the occasion with an on-mountain unique photo moment against the stunning Remakables backdrop, before continuing on your merry way. Further afield, Whispering Angel will be available at selected venues across Queenstown including the newly-opened Soda.
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Image credit: DOE Donuts, SkyCity, Krispy Kreme, Lulu's, Whispering Angel.