Girl About Auckland

Hello coffee my dear friend

I admit that I’m often affected by the weather (or should that be effected? I always get that word mixed up).

When the weather’s a little melancholy I adopt a woe is me face and just want to lie on the sofa watching DVDs or pop into a warm and cosy cafe for a long black or chai soy latte, gazing out the window daydreaming.

Here are some of my favourite cafes across Auckland…

1. One 2 One Cafe - My favourite. Has a country vibe about it despite being smack bang on Ponsonby Road. The fat cat who sleeps on the piano sums up the laid back vibe. Good for a quiet catch up with friends, or just hanging out reading the paper. Had a date here once upon a time, and it’s good for that sorta thing too.

2. Takapuna Beach Cafe - A neat place to sit inside, gazing out the window watching the stormy beach weather outside. Nice for a coffee and cake treat after a walk along the beach too.

3. Bambina – Yes Bambina translates to little one, but good things come in small packages and this small cafe is no exception. Warm and friendly it’s perfect for hiding away and the aroma of coffee fills the small room deliciously. My only gripe is women with large prams as they practically take up all the floorspace.

4. Verona – When I saw you in Verona, you sat down, I moved over – yes that kiwi song is about this very cool cafe in K-Road. It’s great for a bite to eat or a coffee with your mates with heaps of nice treats on the menu. Best of all I like how they’re open till late, which is choice for a night cap after a few wines in town.

5. Theobroma Chocolate Lounge – Technically not a coffee cafe as such, but I love this place if I’m shopping and need a hit. It’s definitely for choc-o-holics but they serve coffee and tea too. The chocolate chilli shot is divine (warm, melted chocolate and chilli inside a shot glass, now that’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout) – don’t die without trying it.

Your thoughts on Auckland’s best cafes?