The Glasshouse Cafe

The Verdict

Auckland’s North Shore just got a whooole lot tastier thanks to new kid on the block, The Glasshouse Cafe. And, if you’re into delicious eats such as chocolate-loaded waffles, steamed bao buns and pork belly benedict, you need to visit—pronto.

Located opposite the Onewa Domain in Northcote, the Auckland newcomer is an oasis within a service centre. Tucked between two buildings, the café has modern, industrial vibes. There’s a polished concrete floor and wooden furnishings with a matte black structure tying the area together. Sprawling pot plants hang from overhead and two Benjamin trees form an entrance way—amazingly, the building was built around the trees.

The real star of the space is The Glasshouse Café’s namesake: a sprawling skylight above. Allowing the natural light to stream in, the café is much like a sun-drenched conservatory. The result? You get to sip on your coffee in the sunshine without having to brave Auckland’s unpredictable elements—winning!

If you were impressed with the interior, just wait until you see the food. The all-day menu has your faves (think granola, eggs bene and smashed avo) as well as some deliciously innovative dishes. There’s also a nod to the owners’ Korean-Vietnamese heritage with Asian fusion delights your taste buds will luuurve.

Kick-start your day with The Glasshouse’s black rice porridge topped with house-dried fruit and dollops of coconut cream. For something heartier, the baked chorizo and beans pot is basically comfort in a bowl… or should we say pot? Vegetarians won’t go hungry with an epic polenta vege stack as well as a tofu salad drizzled with Vietnamese sesame dressing. Um, can we order one of everything?

If you’re a sucker for eggs benedict (who isn’t?!), you’re spoilt for choice with four scrumptious offerings. There are two classic benes (streaky bacon or mushroom) alongside two next-level numbers. We’re talking beetroot-cured salmon with béarnaise sauce or—our favourite—pork belly benedict with lashings of spicy jalapeño hollandaise. Seriously, this bene is unmissable.

Speaking of unmissable dishes, a special shout-out must be made for The Glasshouse’s Korean-esque bao buns packed with bulgogi grilled pork and spicy kimchi. If you’ve got a sweet tooth on ya (guilty), go for their signature waffles topped with blueberries, Kapiti ice-cream and ALL the chocolate. Chocolate coma, come at you!

Brunch isn’t complete without a hot or cold bevvy to wash the deliciousness down. Choose between house-brewed kombucha, freshly squeezed juices or a refreshing smoothie. There’s also silky smooth coffee and vibrant matcha, beetroot and turmeric lattes paired with a matching marshmallow—yes, turmeric marshmallows are a thing.

For a meal on the go, The Glasshouse has a cabinet chockablock with salads, wraps and sammies. Treat yourself to a lil somethin’ somethin’ such as lemon meringue slice, plum tart or a classic chocolate chip cookie. Rest assured, there’s always plenty of gluten-free and dairy-free delights and the cafe even has a dedicated kids’ menu. Better yet, there’s also a sectioned off play area for your little ones.

Recruit your brunching companion and get yourself to The Glasshouse Cafe. There’s a pork belly bene calling your name!

Image credit: Lydia Arnold