Brunch in Ponsonby, every day
Mornings, done gently.
A sunny corner for slow brunches and proper coffee. Book a table ahead, or wander in and find a seat.
The brunch board
Served all day until 2.30pm. Gluten-free bread and oat milk at no extra charge. Prices in NZD.
- V
- Vegetarian
- VG
- Vegan
- GF
- Gluten free
- DF
- Dairy free
Brunch classics
The plates people come back for, served until 2.30pm.
Fern BenedictGF
Poached eggs, wilted greens, house hollandaise, toasted sourdough.
The Big Fork
Streaky bacon, chipolata, two eggs, field mushroom, roast tomato, hash.
ShakshukaV
Baked eggs, slow tomato, smoked paprika, feta, warm flatbread.
Sweetcorn frittersVGF
Avocado, lime crema, coriander, a spoon of chilli jam.
Bacon and egg roll
Fried egg, streaky bacon, hash brown, house brown sauce, milk bun.
Bowls and greens
Lighter, brighter, and most of it plant-forward.
The green bowlVGF
Grilled halloumi, kale, quinoa, poached eggs, zhoug, pickled onion.
Miso mushroomsVGDF
Roasted mushrooms, whipped tofu, sesame, soft herbs on sourdough.
Smashed avocadoVDF
Dukkah, lemon, a little chilli, shaved radish, seeded toast.
Coconut chiaVGGFDF
Mango, passionfruit, toasted seeds, coconut yoghurt.
Bircher bowlV
Overnight oats, grated apple, yoghurt, wildflower honey.
From the bakery
Baked on site from half five, gone by early afternoon.
Cinnamon scrollV
Pulled from the oven warm, iced while you watch.
Grilled banana breadV
Thick cut, salted butter, whatever fruit landed this week.
Ham and cheese croissant
Free-range ham, aged cheddar, folded through butter pastry.
Seasonal galetteV
Ask the cabinet what the fruit box decided on today.
Something sweet
For the table with room left, or the ones who planned ahead.
Buttermilk hotcakesV
Berry compote, mascarpone, a proper pour of maple.
Coconut pancakesVGGFDF
Grilled pineapple, lime, toasted coconut, no dairy needed.
Affogato sundaeVGF
Vanilla gelato, a shot of espresso, cracked honeycomb.
Coffee
White coffee
Flat white, latte or cappuccino, house blend.
Black coffee
Long black or Americano.
Filter of the week
Rotating single origin, poured over or batched.
Mocha
House blend and dark chocolate.
Chai or hot chocolate
Spiced masala chai, or 64% dark.
Pot of tea
Loose-leaf, ask for the list.
Cold drinks and juices
Cold brewVGGFDF
Eighteen hours steeped, over ice.
Iced latte
House blend, oat milk on the house.
Green juiceVGGFDF
Apple, cucumber, kale, lemon, ginger.
Orange and carrotVGGFDF
Pressed to order that morning.
KombuchaVGGFDF
Rotating local brew on tap.
House lemonadeVGGFDF
Still or sparkling, lightly sweet.
Save yourself the queue
Pick a morning and a time, tell us how many, and we will have a table ready. It takes a minute and the courtyard fills up fast.
Book or walk in
Reserve ahead for weekends and larger tables. Weekday mornings, wander in and take any seat.
Seatings until 2pm
The kitchen runs to 2.30pm, so the last table goes down at two. Coffee keeps pouring until three.
Dogs and prams welcome
The courtyard has water bowls by the back door and plenty of room to park a pram.
Groups of nine or more, call 09 376 4820.
Sun in the morning, shade by noon
A corner site with north-facing windows and around forty seats, plus a courtyard out the back under the old olive tree. Book the courtyard for the dog, the window for the light.
The regulars said it better
“The hotcakes have their own following and the hype is deserved. We booked ahead, walked past the queue, and had the courtyard by nine.”
“Flat whites poured properly, staff who remember your order, sun on the back tables. My whole weekend routine.”
“We bring the dog, book the corner, and lose a whole Sunday morning to it. No complaints from anyone.”
Good to know
- For weekends, a day or two is plenty. Weekday mornings usually have room, so a same-day request is fine. Larger tables are easiest before ten.
- Yes. Gluten-free bread and oat milk are on the house, and most of the menu can be made dairy-free. Note anything in the booking and we will have it sorted.
- In the courtyard, always. There are water bowls by the back door and the odd sausage goes missing for the regulars.
- Up to eight books online. For nine or more, call the cafe and we will set aside the long table or sort a platter run.
- Always. Booking just means skipping the wait. If you turn up on spec, give your name at the counter and grab a coffee from the window.
- Metered along Vermont Street and Ponsonby Road, and free on the side streets once the morning rush clears out.
Come and find us
Book ahead for the weekend, or drop in on a weekday. The coffee window serves either way.
12 Vermont Street
Ponsonby, Auckland 1011
Every day, 7am to 3pm
Kitchen until 2.30pm
09 376 4820
Bookings and platters