181 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011 (09) 3601551
Fred's Espresso & Soda Bar is a cute cafe in the heart of Ponsonby. Hidden behind an orange door on the corner of Ponsonby and Franklin Roads, their menu includes all day breakfasts, sandwiches and bagels along with daily specials. They also serve an extensive selection of coffees, teas, sodas, milkshakes, smoothies and juices.
With simple decor, mix matched crockery, a couple of plants dotted around the place and a range of cakes and jarred lollies on display, the cafe has a quirky feel with seating inside and out in the courtyard.
Try their irresistible salted caramel milkshake.
Products and specialities
Cafe
Coffee
Milkshakes
Breakfast
Lunch
Hours
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Reviews
Another tasty triumph from Fred's today for lunch. The cool spring breeze that whipped around my legs as I walked up Franklin Rd had me in the mood for some comfort food and this awesome local Auckland cafe delivered. I opted for their signature baked beans with pork and fennel sausages, a side of avocado and some extremely chewy sourdough. The coffee was a straight-up, strong 'n' clean flat white. Such a great neighbourhood spot in one of the prettiest parts of Ponsonby.
Fred's Espresso is my local. It's just up the road from work so I walk past it everyday on my way to Localist HQ on Franklin Rd and whenever I can, I stop in for a coffee and a chat with some of the friendliest baristas in Auckland. They are always ready with a smile, a story and an excellent cup of joe, brewed super-smooth, just the way I like it. My husband and I aren't city dwellers so he doesn't frequent the CBD much but the last time he was in town, I took him to Fred's for one of their epic chocolate fish milkshakes. I don't know how they do it but you get a hit of chocolate first before the milkshake mellows on the palette and slowly starts tasting like raspberry. Legendary! You do have to drink the milkshake as soon as it's made to get the full impact so make sure you wrap your lips around it as soon as you try it.
The first time I tried Fred’s salted caramel milkshake I was walking down the street with it in a takeaway cup. It was so good I lost concentration and walked into one of those hanging flower baskets - now that’s a seriously good milkshake - almost good enough to knock a grown man out (in the best way possible). If salted caramel isn’t your jam, then perhaps go for the chocolate fish, apple pie, classic vanilla, or incredible earl grey options? I’m seriously serious about these milkshakes made from organic homemade syrups.
I’m going to go ahead and say that Fred’s is the best cafe in Auckland right now...ZING! For me, business owner, Tara Ogle (pictured on Fred's Localist profile), has made this little nook everything a cafe should be. I walked in immediately thinking “how have I not been here before?”...I was a little ashamed but nonetheless excited to be on my inaugural visit. Literally like a kid in a candy store, my eyes spotted: Stacks of milkshake cups and the vintage milkshake mixer; bags of the one and only Supreme Coffee; a vintage trophy case stocked with the likes of brioche, sandwiches and almond croissants (aptly named ‘Almondillo’ by Tara); striking jars of lollies packed with only the best of each kind - and all of this stimuli before I had even laid eyes on the food OR beverage menu. I basked in the sunny courtyard and inhaled the breakfast bruschetta with avocado, ricotta, basil and a side of bacon - it was fresh, flavoursome and homley. But the milkshakes, made from organic syrups, were playing in a league of their own - oh me oh my, they’re unreal. Salted caramel, chocolate fish, apple pie, strawberry cake, earl grey….I’m standing by statement: Fred’s is the best cafe in Auckland right now.
Fred’s can be found in the space formerly known as Agnes Curran at the top of Franklin Road, but has a very different vibe. They now have a full menu for starters, although some of the cabinet favourites from Agnes still feature and are still mouth wateringly good. The coffee is superb and the service relaxed but sharp, and the banana bread is a new must have. Love this place.
Fred's is the new cafe in the old Agnes Curran space on the corner of Ponsonby and Franklin Roads. The fact they serve Supreme coffee is only the tip of the iceberg of all the good things this place has got going on. Delicious food, shake flavours like 'snifter' and a super welcoming vibe make Fred's a great addition to the neighbourhood.
