Queenies Caffé & Wine Bar

The Verdict

A grand favourite of the brunch scene has swung open its recently remodelled ivy-draped doors, extending its hours and offerings in the chicest return possible.

Queenies Caffé And Vino is officially here and is perfectly poised to become your next spot for well, everything. Pop in for your morning coffee, a lovely lunch or afternoon nibble, cosy in for dinner and while over wine until late—Queenie’s new era is Auckland’s stunning answer to the Italian caffé, wine bar, and eatery outpost.

Queenies has been taken over by hospo royalty Fran Mazza and Aaron Carson (responsible for setting up myriad beloved spots including Sugar at Chelsea Bay, Piccolina, Barbarinos (RIP), Rude Boy Deli, Just Like Martha, Winona Forever and many more) so it's safe to say this legendary Freemans Bay joint is in exceedingly safe hands.

Following an extensive internal refurbishment, the building’s iconic long locks of ivy drape across the terrace, giving a touch of trattoria vibes to the row of euro-style tables out front. Trust us when we say that this combination of makes is just perfect for people-watching—spritz, coffee or fork in hand, of course. 

Inside, the sleek cosiness of Italian brasseries and cafes continues. Wooden bistro seats are aplenty, tucked up against the windows and throughout the high-ceilinged dining room. There’s a neat little bar dotted with bottles from around the world, a statement antique armoire and velour pink and cobalt blue cushioned bench seating. As we said, it’s a wonderful nod to caffé—not to be confused with just any café—culture.

The menu created by head chef Fran is in a wonderful league of its own. It brings touches of retro dishes together with inventive, fresh takes on cafe staples. One thing’s for sure, everything is seasonal, easy to share, impossibly flavoursome, and not found anywhere else in Auckland.

Case in point, Queenie’s wonderfully vintage prawn cocktail — part of their after-5 menu. True to its form, it’s served in a garnished martini glass, and filled with the kind of light, succulent and perfectly seasoned prawns that would convert the most sceptical of seafood nay-sayers. 

A true showcase of their inventive freshness is none other than the Crudo fish: kingfish slices, dashed with oil, fennel and capers and garnished with Giardiniera: Italian Pickled Vegetables. These are pink, pretty, authentic, homemade, and as you’ll see, they’re a welcome staple garnish in Queenie’s dishes. Pair this with the must-try Beetroot salad—a cornucopia of three colourful kinds of beets, whipped buffalo and drizzled with dukkah plus an out-of-this-world brown butter—and you’ll be set.

The stracciatella is a must-order. Generous lashings of the cheese which are currently served with fresh and dried figs, a hefty drizzle of bright house-made fig oil plus aged fig balsamic come together for serious seasonal fig-on-fig action.

Steak lovers will delight in the Coffee Rub Steak for a beef scotch that’s tender and crispy in all the right places. Speaking of sliding off your fork-level silkiness, the 24-Hour Sous-Vide Pork Belly will give any pork belly you’ve had before a run for its money.

Finish with a gooey rice pudding oozing with salted caramel and roast fine nuts—served in a tin, of course—or a romantic fondue for two (even if you’re a solo diner we say) and you’re in for a treat.

Whether you’re a Freemans bay local or not, Queenies new vibe is an inviting little hidden gem that’ll easily become your local.

Image credit: Anna Cassandra Goh.