Leslie V.'s
Fresh and healthy
- 124You get the real country experience at Blossoms - you can sit out on the sunny deck and watch the quiet operations of the farm that grew the delicious food you're eating. I love coming here for a birthday breakfast - blueberry bacon waffles, mmmmmm! What a treat.
- 26They sell all kinds of health foods here and coffee too. I've not tried the coffee but they are a good local supply of organic goodies and alternatives such as gluten free breads.
- 322We love coming here for a special treat on the way home. During strawberry season you can spend some happy hours picking your own or just buy a bunch. You can have strawberry ice-cream or smoothies or (my favourite) massive strawberries dipped in chocolate. So nice in summer!
- 42Boric Food MarketKumeuThe produce at Boric is always of the highest quality and I love that they grow most of the fruit and veg themselves. The new store looks great and it's got so much more on offer now. Bought a leg of lamb today at a killer price! The staff are always friendly and helpful and if you bought a lot there is always someone offering to carry your shopping to your car.
- 55Kumeu Produce MarketKumeuThere's often really good quality fruit and veges here at good prices. The staff are also very helpful and friendly. The only downside is the mirrors *behind* the fruit, which make the place look like an infinite fruit casino.
Leslie V.'s
Goooood coffee
- 170Zest CafeNewtonNot the cheapest but when I want the best coffee or cafe food, I come here. This place is always buzzing.
- 20Extract EspressoKumeuI love going to Extract as the staff are friendly and helpful and the coffee is so gooood! They are also very accommodating for extraordinary requests.
- 31Don't drive past, they make seriously good coffee here!
- 43The Art Stop Cafe 2009 LtdHelensvilleWe love going to Art Stop as a family for a huge breakfast or tasty lunch. This is our daughter's favourite place for a cup of hot chocolate. The staff are willing to accommodate our requests and can give us information we need on the food (for working out sugar content). There's a fun second hand book store attached and a bit of an art gallery behind.
- 53I frequently pop in here on my way to work for a quick warm-up, good coffee, nice muffins and a quick read of the paper while I wait. I recommend them!
Leslie V.'s
Places to take the kids
- 118New Zealand Maritime MuseumViaduct HarbourMy favourite part of this place is the yacht racing simulator. There's a huge table where you can tweak the variables for your yacht and pit it against another. The exhibits are extensive and it's right by the picturesque harbour. There are fascinating videos about racing, amazing stories of shipwrecks and sailors, massive boats. It's really worth the trip - you could easily spend a full day there.
- 2107MOTAT Museum of Transport and TechnologyWestern SpringsMOTAT is brilliant! There's always something new here. I've zoomed around in the simulator, played free arcade games (during the computer game display), moved the robotic hand all over, tried to generate as much power as a solar panel, walked on stilts, read weird facts about peanut butter, learned about lifestyles during the war, seen how types of engines work - and never even made it to the aircraft display. If you haven't been yet, MOTAT is a must-see and if you have been, it's probably worth another trip. I've been about 6 times now!
- 3113Auckland War Memorial MuseumParnellI don't know where to begin, this is one of my favourite places in Auckland. There's always so much to see - you could spend the day just in a single section. It also changes frequently. I was there for the special photography exhibit and the photos were stunning. There's way more than a war memorial here, there's art, fashion, natural history, geology, the earthquake simulator... even if the kids eventually get tired, the surrounding parks and grounds are beautiful to cap off the day. Entry is FREE for Auckland residents too!
- 423Parakai SpringsParakaiParakai springs is great for a family outing, we plan to make regular visits after the fun we had there. The 40 degree indoor pool is awesome for warming up no matter how cold it is outside - quite often its a bit too hot and then you can take a dip in the cooler (but still heated) outdoor pool or climb the tower for the two heated waterslides. One of those is very high and fast, I loved it! On the whole the place is a bit faded but that doesn't detract from the fun. There's hot chips and ice-cream to be bought there, you can rent a BBQ and there are coin-operated games.
- 522We love coming here for a special treat on the way home. During strawberry season you can spend some happy hours picking your own or just buy a bunch. You can have strawberry ice-cream or smoothies or (my favourite) massive strawberries dipped in chocolate. So nice in summer!
Leslie V.'s
My favourite takeaway places
- 119Burger Fuel AlbanyAlbanyOooh yummy smoky grilled burgers! I finally decided to try Burger Fuel and these are the best burgers I've ever had. And I only had the Hamburginis. I know where I'm getting my next burgers!
- 23Curry Leaf HelensvilleHelensvilleThis place makes absolutely fantastic Indian food. Lamb Korma, Butter Chicken, Naan's - even the rice on its own is very good. The staff are helpful and friendly too.
- 320I almost always choose this place for lunch and their coffee is good too. My favourite is their corn beef vogel sandwich for only $4.
- 433Betsia KebabsNewtonThis is my favourite lunch spot around Newton - though we can't go every day because it costs too much. We try to make it at least every second week though! The quality is awesome. It's never quiet at Betsia!
- 53Subway KumeuKumeuThe local Subway, pretty much the same as every Subway but conveniently located in Kumeu (if you stay nearby!) and open until 8pm on every night of the week. Friendly staff too.
Leslie V.'s
Favourite restaurants
- 118The Wine Box RestaurantAlbanyWe really enjoyed The Wine Box, it has a warm and friendly atmosphere and the food is excellent. We'll definitely be back.
- 219Burger Fuel AlbanyAlbanyOooh yummy smoky grilled burgers! I finally decided to try Burger Fuel and these are the best burgers I've ever had. And I only had the Hamburginis. I know where I'm getting my next burgers!
- 33Curry Leaf HelensvilleHelensvilleThis place makes absolutely fantastic Indian food. Lamb Korma, Butter Chicken, Naan's - even the rice on its own is very good. The staff are helpful and friendly too.
- 46Ribier RestaurantKumeuMain meals for around $30, the quality of the food is outstanding. We had an amazing evening here, the atmosphere is cosy, lighting is warm and noise level is fine for a good conversation. The place is a little out of sight, I wish more people knew about it.
- 524You get the real country experience at Blossoms - you can sit out on the sunny deck and watch the quiet operations of the farm that grew the delicious food you're eating. I love coming here for a birthday breakfast - blueberry bacon waffles, mmmmmm! What a treat.