Dulcie

If one was to pick and mix their favourite elements of any eatery into one gorgeous daytime destination, chances are the end result would look a little something like Dulcie. 

Sprawling harbourside views, a lush canopied courtyard, elevated daytime dishes, pastries from one of Auckland’s most loved bakers, and a beautiful wine menu all under one gorgeous high ceiling? Now that’s an Aucklander’s dream dining situation. Luckily for you, Devonport’s sophisticated new opening on King Edward Parade has *all* the hallmarks.

From the moment you enter the heritage building’s facade, you know you’re in for a treat. You’re smack-bang between head-to-toe views of the Waitematā harbour and a cabinet full of Daily Bread pastries and slices. 

Open up the menu—or peep into the dining room’s bustling little open kitchen—and you’ll be delighted to see that Dulcie has something for every whim. Ravenously hungry, borderline hangry? Big savoury plates are a’plenty. On a health kick? Say hello to freshly squeezed juices. Sweet tooth taking over? There are sugary creations both big and small. Time for a tipple? There’s a glass of bubbles with your name on it. 

Elevated is the name of their savoury food game. Take the scrambled eggs: they’re impossibly silky and bodied, they’re generously topped with Canterbury truffle shavings or perhaps Saag-style creamy spinach and curry leaf, before being popped a’top toasted Daily Bread Sourdough. Their Eggs & Hollandaise pulls out the stops too. With Cacio Pepe hash brown as a base, with gravlax Salmon or mushies or bacon, poached eggs and burnt butter hollandaise piled on top. 

Nursing quite the hangover or simply craving comfort food? Do it the chic, Dulcie way and order yourself their Sausage & Egg Muffin. A Dulcie patty, fried egg, smoked provolone, miso brown sauce towers between a pillowy English muffin.

Don’t go thinking the fare is all about brunchy, breakfast-ey fare here. Bistro-style dishes take form in the likes of prune and paprika roast chicken, charred miso cabbage, lamb shoulder and clam Linguine. 

Of course, no daytime eatery is complete without something sweet. And by that we mean, drumroll please, a perfectly piled stack of pancakes. Not only are Dulcie’s some of the best in Auckland, they’re certainly the most melt-in-your-mouth: perfectly absorbing the blueberry compote, elderflower and lemon syrup, coconut whip topping into crystal-like morsels of sugary yet pillowy dough. 

So whether it’s a quick pop-in for a pick-me-up, or feast the day away situation, know that Dulcie will welcome you with open arms, hot coffee, and always reliable nosh—seven days a week, until 3pm daily. Trust us, it’s the beginning of quite the lunching love affair.

Image credit: Dave Marano.