Cole B.'s
Last minute Easter ideas
- 13Ten O'Clock Cookie Bakery CafeMastertonFor the best hot cross buns in New Zealand you have to go to Ten O'Clock bakery. Moist, packed full of flavours and best served straight from their ovens. But don't just believe me because they have won the national award four times for the best hot cross buns in New Zealand.
- 23Heaven Scent FloristMastertonWhen you can't be with friends or family over Easter then a stylish Easter gift basket is the perfect solution. The easter gift baskets from 'Heaven Scent Florist' are always beautifully presented with a personal message from you. They include flowers, a plush toy and a basket with enough chocolate to make anyone happy.
- 34Schoc ChocolatesGreytownI feel bad smashing the gourmet chocolate bunny rabbits from Schoc chocolates because they are like little works of art. Just can't help myself though when they are this tasty. Love taste testing their unique chocolate blends which they have on their counters. Can highly recommend the lime chilli chocolate. It's like the flavours are tango dancing on your tongue.
- 43Cafe MirabelleCartertonIf you manage to escape for Easter weekend and are driving through Carterton then make sure you allow time to stop in at Cafe Mirabelle. This retro cafe cooks all their food fresh on a daily basis depending on what they have picked up from their local suppliers. This means their menu changes on a daily basis although the one thing that stays constant is how good it is. And even if you only have time to stop for coffee and cake, it's well worth the detour.
Cole B.'s
Last minute Easter weekend ideas
- 12Janus BakkerijBoulcottFor the best hot cross buns in Wellington you have to go to Janus Bakkerij. The hot cross buns are baked fresh every morning so that they are perfect for your morning tea. Soft and packed with the perfect ratio of spices, orange zest and sultanas. These hot cross buns are well worth the trip from downtown Wellington.
- 25Bohemein - HataitaiHataitaiFor boutique Easter eggs in Wellington (and any other kind of chocolate treats you could imagine) you need to visit Bohemein. They have signature chocolates like chilli and salt which have been lovingly created into masterpieces. I just about feel bad smashing the delicate bunny rabbits to pieces but I can't help wolfing them down.
- 36Chocolate Frog CafeMiramarWhen you are searching for where to go for brunch in Wellington for Easter you want to make sure you don't get hit with a surcharge. Luckily Chocolate Frog Cafe in Miramar isn't passing on the cost to their diners this weekend! Their smoothies and milkshakes are heart-stoppers (in a good way) while their big brekkies will keep you full all day. And they have cute homemade Easter bunny rabbit cookies for the little ones.
- 41Beautiful BasketsWellington CentralWhen you can't be with friends or family over Easter then a stylish Easter gift basket is the perfect solution. The easter gift baskets from 'Beautiful Baskets' are always beautifully presented with a personal message from you. They include a great selection of Easter eggs and Easter bunnies, award winning Martinborough Pinot Noir, Molly Woppy Chocolate Cookies, Whitestone New Zealand cheese and of course Hot Cross Buns.
Cole B.'s
The best of Britain
- 14Chateau Tongariro HotelWhakapapaIf you are a snow bunny then staying at the Chateau is the perfect place to wake up each morning and return to every evening to rest those weary legs. Sit down next to the roaring fires and have a cold beer while you share war stories from your day on the slope. And when the weather packs it in then you can splash out with a spot of high tea or massage.
- 24Ploughmans RestaurantRainbow PointIf you want to sit amongst darkly stained wood reminiscent of a traditional English pub then Ploughmans is the place to go. Their food is styled on the traditional British grub that is hearty with a unique Kiwi twist such as the lamb shanks with kiwifruit gravy. The shanks fell off the bone and the sweetness of the kiwifruit was the perfect compliment.
- 310Jolly Good FellowsTaupoThis is one of the best bars in town to watch the sunset from. Grab a beer and relax on the balcony before the action kicks off after dark. As with most traditional English bars there is lots of live music and plenty of dancing.
Cole B.'s
Live the high life with high tea
- 11TopHouse GuesthouseSaint ArnaudHigh tea at TopHouse is all about decadence around the lakes in Nelson. It's an experience not to be missed and a chance to savour sweet and savoury morsels served on fine china in a historic environment amongst some of the most stunning scenery seen straight out the dining room windows.
- 22Warwick HouseNelsonIt's all about live classical music and freshly baked delights when you are dining at Warwick House on a Sunday. Sip from delicate china tea cups and snack on superb sandwiches while nattering with your pals over high tea. The castle-like settings will make you feel as if you've stepped back in time.
- 33Raupo CafeBlenheimThe High Tea experience at Raupo Cafe provides a fabulous Victorian experience. Choose from a wide array of amazing finger foods, including enough cakes for those with a sweet tooth, while enjoying freshly brewed tea from a china cup and saucer set. And whoever says no to bubbles when you arrive?
- 46Melrose HouseNelson SouthCombine a pot of speciality tea, three layers of miniature morsels and a beautiful setting in the gardens and you have the perfect day out for high tea. It's hard to pick a favourite bite from the home made delicacies like onion jam tarts, rhubarb mudcakes, mini croissants and profiteroles, so it's best to just dig in.
Cole B.'s
Where to go for High tea on the East Coast
- 12No 5. Cafe and LarderHastings CentralMost people driving along SH2 wouldn't even know this place exists. Which is a real shame because it is a real gem. They serve brilliant coffee, sourced locally in the Hawkes Bay, and they even have a bunch of foodie heaven goodies to take home from their larder. From the looks of it, their high tea is a real winner too.
- 22The County HotelNapier CentralCame for the Art Deco weekend and may have splashed out just a little more than usual. So worth it though. The rooms are amazing and the service impeccable. Ate in the restaurant a couple of times and was super impressed. The breakfast buffet was massive and I had to waddle out of the dining room afterwards. I know the girlfriend wants to come back with her mates to try the high tea here as well.
- 31Mum's will love you forever and rave about you to their friends if you treat them to the high tea in the Oruawharo gardens. Such an amazing brunch and the scones and sweet treats are superb.
- 42Port O Call CafeAhuririCalled in here to have a big brekky of my favourite, eggs benny of course, but instead had my arm twisted to try their high tea instead. The girlfriend loved it, and I've got to say I kind of enjoyed it too for my first one. The scones with lashings of cream were perfect and I was pretty happy with how full I was afterwards.
Cole B.'s
Where to go when you are craving coffee
- 15RED Art Gallery and CafeNelsonI love coming here when I'm in town! It's such a cool space and they also serve my favourite coffee, Peoples Coffee. Just wish I had a bigger budget so I could take some of the designer gifts home as well. Very stylish.
- 26Melrose HouseNelson SouthStunning, elegant, classy and coffee. Couldn't get much better. Love sitting out on the verandah here or in the garden while enjoying my coffee in the sunshine. It's a great way to impress someone in the early morning.
- 31When a cafes walls are covered in coffee paraphernalia, and they roast their own coffee, then you know you're in for a good brew. Perfectly made coffee and a funky setting makes this place a favourite for me.