The Franklin

The Verdict

Let’s be honest, there’s no place we’d rather be this summer than sitting outside, soaking up some sweet vitamin D while sipping on refreshing bevvies. Double points if mouth-watering eats are involved. And triple points if you’re just around the corner from the beach!

If this also sounds like your idea of a good time, look no further than Beachlands’ newcomer, The Franklin. The taphouse and kitchen is the ultimate summer spot for locals and city folk alike. Trust us when we say: it’s totally worth the drive.

Sitting pretty in Pohutakawa Coast Shopping Centre, The Franklin is a hop, skip and a jump from Beachlands Beach. Yep, it’s the perfect pozzy for a pre or post-swim feast while exploring East Auckland’s much-loved beaches over summer.

From the outside, The Franklin looks like a light-blue boat shed. The theme continues inside with “portholes” lining the kitchen, a model sailboat on display and a rope lattice wall. Step inside and you’ll find a bar at front and centre—how very convenient.

There’s restaurant-esque dining to the right and a more casual bar area to the left. While we’d happily pass the day away inside the beautiful venue, it’s the newly opened beer garden that has our heart. Here you’ll find a wood-fired oven, a giant Connect Four and plenty of seating for a long, boozy lunch.

Start with a refreshing drink from the bar (it is summer after all). There’s an extensive range of bottled and tap beers with a focus on crafty bevvies as well as a wine and non-alcoholic options. The cocktails are sure to tickle your fancy with the likes of a gin sling, Toblerone and pear caipiroska with flavours of lime and apple—so refreshing!

Drink in hand, work your way through the mouth-watering fare. There’s an abundance of small and large sharing plates designed to be shared with friends. Seafood makes several appearances across the menu with the ‘no batter seafood platter’ being a crowd-fave.

Start with chipotle fried squid, beef cheek sliders or—our fave—smoked pork belly corn dogs drizzled with honey mustard. Mains are all about fish and chips, sticky pork ribs and pumpkin ravioli. Burger enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with options of jalapeño fried chicken, soft shell crab and a classic cheesy beef delight.

Save room for dessert because the deliciousness continues with baked salted caramel cheesecake, Eton mess and an ooey gooey Whittaker’s chocolate fondant—it’s seriously decadent.

Our advice? Order a range of dishes and graze the day away—The Franklin is ideal for both a good time and a long time. One thing’s for certain: we know where we’ll be spending summer!

Image credit: Tori Diamond