Cafe culture is alive and well in New Zealand. Everywhere you look there are cafes and most of them are smart, chic and, to be honest, pretty generic in design. The style of choice seems to be concrete, industrial, sleek and modern. Some make a nod to individuality with added shelves holding interesting artifacts or pot plants and/or wall art however generally they are out of a playbook of cafe design. I'm always happy to have coffee in these cafes, however, just for a bit of fun I like a visit to cafes with a difference, cafes which take on a theme and are unique in design. A visit to these types of cafes is like a bit of escapism from the everyday world.
Here are a few that I have found around Auckland and I have added one of my favourite cafes from Wellington as well.
Divine Patisserie, Ormiston Mall, Auckland
You can't help but smile when you enter Divine Patisserie. The pretty pink flower theme is carried right through from the decor to the chairs and china and even to the take away cups. You can choose to sit in a semi private booth completely lined with pink roses or under the branches of a delicately blossoming tree in the centre of the cafe. Even on a wet, miserable day you are transported to spring. Their selection of divine cakes and pastries certainly befits their name.
Left: One of a few rose covered booths
Circus Circus 447 Mt Eden Rd, Mount Eden, Auckland
This cafe with, as you would expect, a vibrant circus theme, is a bit of an institution in Mt Eden. Opened in 1995 and very popular, especially with locals - it is often hard to find a seat - The circus theme is everywhere you look from the exterior striped awning to the menu to the clowns, jugglers and circus animals hanging from the ceiling or perched on ledges. It's a family friendly fun place with plenty for children to look at while you enjoy your coffee. The cafe extends into a large house next door with a covered outdoor seating area. Circus Circus becomes a restaurant in the evening. The food is good and service is outstanding.
At Circus Circus acrobats, clowns and trapeze artists hang from the ceiling and a lion roars from the top of the food cabinet. Even the menu has a circus theme.
Shamrock Cottage, 73 Selwyn St, Cockle Bay, Auckland
Shamrock Cottage dates back to 1847 when it was opened as The Royal Hotel. It passed through a number of hands before being restored and opened as the present tea rooms in 1969. It is a Category 11 listed historic building and to have coffee or tea in this elegant, old world setting truly is a step back in time. The building was first named Shamrock in 1894 by Captain William Daldy, a famous Aucklander, after the first schooner he commanded and it is absolutely charming. There are three small rooms where you can enjoy your morning or afternoon tea plus a spacious rear garden complete with the original well, there are also a few tables on the front verandah. The original design and decor has been maintained as much as possible which is an important part of its charm. You can order light meals and there is plenty of cabinet food to suit all dietary requirements. High teas can be organised on request. Shamrock Cottage is a favourite of mine, I love to stop there when I'm in that part of Auckland.
The Breakfast Club, Shop 703 Botany Town Centre, Chapel Rd, East Tamaki, Auckland
Harking back to the good old days of drug stores or, as we called them in New Zealand, milk bars, the Breakfast Club, one of a chain in Auckland, entices you in with its bright, pink neon counter. It has a really buzzy, cosy diner vibe. The walls are decorated with an interesting mix of iconic pictures of film stars and musicians, giving you plenty to enjoy looking at and enjoy remembering. Ahhh those were the days! The Breakfast Club is popular with all age groups, some of the pancake creations are eye boggling and the day I visited there was a queue waiting to get in. Good coffee and tasty cabinet food.
Smith the Grocer, Old Bank Building, Lambton Quay, Wellington
I've always loved this cafe and make a point of a visit whenever I'm in Wellington. Using an old grocery store theme and decorated with old scales, tins of vegetables and photos of interiors of 1930s grocery stores, the vibe is nostalgia. Set in a truly lovely historic building in what was once a courtyard but is now a covered atrium this is a step back in time, there is just such a good feeling about the place. The ceiling is very high and an elevator (not accessible from the cafe) to higher floors can be seen moving up and down within the cafe. There is a choice of three different areas to sit. If you want a quiet intimate place you can go down a couple of stairs to a dark and quiet room or you can sit within the bright and bustly main room, my personal favourite. If you love people watching you can sit outside in the elegant, beautifully preserved mall. The food and coffee are good.
Below: The lift shaft going up through the cafe
Looking out into the beautifully restored Old Bank Mall
