Casual coffee catch-ups in North Shore in New Zealand

"This understated little cafe perched on the banks of Lake Pupuke in Takapuna tempted my late night cravings. Between acts of Shakespeare, I succumbed again and again to French decadence. The velvety sweetness kept me coming back. I won’t soon be forgetting those chocolate mousse cups served during the neighbouring PumpHouse Theatre’s summer season. I returned recently and found the flirtations with my tastebuds didn’t stop at dessert. A bakery style chicken pie costs just $5 but tastes beautiful. The coffee, equally so, is served by accented wait staff. I say the cafe is understated because its rarely bustling, though it should be. Perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned it"

"Fernielea is the cozy, easy atmosphere I crave on mornings that arrive too soon. It’s always warm inside, the coffee’s always good, the food always comforting. There’s mince on toast if you are so inclined. I love the look of the brunch menu - fluffy frittatas, pancakes and cowboy baked beans. The gently coated parmesan chicken is memorable with its sweet honey ginger dressing. It’s often crowded here but the staff are awesome at making sure everyone’s looked after. And everyone is, down to the smallest, with plenty of toys and play equipment to keep the little tykes happy. And that makes everyone happy. I hear there’s now a wood fired pizza menu and other dinner offerings. But personally, I can’t go past Sunday brunch."

"What’s not to love? If you are a fan of beautifully baked, deliciously naughty sweet treats then you need to check it out. I keep ordering the banana cake with toffee and cream, even on the week where I baked banana cake at home. There’s something about it. And the jam donuts. And the caramelised onion, blue cheese and beetroot tarts which are both tasty and filling. The great thing about trendy cafes with oodles of baked treats is its an appropriate date with your nana, your kids or your mates. This suburban spot is best visited on a sunny weekday morning so you can perch on a bench in the garden outside. Weekday is key, it’s far too crowded otherwise."

"There are so many great cafes in ‘the new Ponsonby’, Birkenhead. I like this one because they tick all the boxes - great coffee: tick, tasty salads which you can mix and match for a reasonable price so you don’t feel so bad about devouring that brownie afterwards: tick, pram-friendly surrounds: tick. On the latter, the venue is surprisingly spacious, boasting a covered courtyard and indoor space out back. It’s a beautiful setting with equally beautiful coffee and tasty, reasonably priced food served by prompt and attentive wait staff."