Charlotte R.'s
Where to eat when you don't fancy meat
- 136Little Bird is perfect for vegan’s and vegetarians. Everything is meat free and also gluten free. Try the raw falafel plate - it has so many different taste sensations on it it is hard to describe. I love the superfood cacao smoothie and the sweet treats are divine - my favourite is the chocolate tart but the raw cheesecakes are exquisite too.
- 214Orphans KitchenGrey LynnOrphans is great for lacto-vegetarians - ie those who eat dairy and eggs or pescatarians. The gnocchi with hen’s egg is soft and gooey, the brussell sprout cups with goats curd is a standout and very delicate and they do an excellent cheese platter. The fish is always simply prepared but very tasty and Tina’s wedge is a must have - a crisp wedge of iceberg lettuce with a herby, tangy dressing.
- 350Revel CafeAuckland CentralRevel have long catered for vegans and vegetarians with plenty of counter food as well as many options on the menu whether it be braskfast, lunch or a snack during the day.
- 427Govinda’s has a fairly limited selection but it is all vegetarian and all pretty reasonably priced. The lasagne is hearty and delicious or you can have chickpea curry with rice and a samosa for under $10.
- 543Kokako Cafe & RoasteryGrey LynnKokako is not only a vegetarian haven, with all meals on offer completely vege, organic and fair trade where possible, they are also very flexible with gluten free options. There are already gluten free dishes on the menu like the Mexican spiced organic adzuki beans with a corn tortilla, tangy cabbage salad and tomatillo and jalapeño sauce or the breakfast options - buckwheat ricotta pancakes with poached pear and creme fraiche and the spiced coconut and vanilla rice porridge. Anything with bread can be customised to include gluten free bread, such as the mushroom medley and avocado that i had, and the coffee and smoothies are delicious.
Charlotte R.'s
My Favourite Grey Lynn Haunts
- 15Jo's StallGrey LynnJo’s secondhand shop offers true bargains in the inner city, a rare thing these days. It’s the sort of place you will find the piece of crockery you need for finishing a set, a great vintage handbag or even a pair of old knitted swim trunks.
- 22Jetset BohemianGrey LynnJetset has two stores, the small one is the vintage outpost with one offs and the larger store around the corner is a mix of designer and one off customised pieces. Both stores ooze a sense of rock and roll glamour that you'd imagine the likes of a modern day Marianne Faithful swanning around in. Colourful kaftans, sequined mini skirts and dresses, shredded and studded Harley Davidson tees, embroidered Mexican chambray shirts all topped of with tribal necklaces and leather snake bracelets.
- 36Dear ReaderGrey LynnDear Reader is another fine Auckland bookstore, in the heart of the West Lynn shops they offer a great selection of novels, cookbooks, coffee table tomes and kids books. Gift wrapping is a welcome bonus.
- 42The VitrineGrey LynnThe Vitrine is an impressive store - the walls are lined with stacked chairs, old crates, large lampshades in many shapes and colours and there are plenty of individual items such as plaster medical torsos and organs, educational prints and display cabinets. You can get sets of original tolix stools and chairs, German beer haus trestle tables and Ukraine army tables and stools which would also double as great bedside tables.
- 524Harvest Wholefoods Grey LynnGrey LynnHarvest is the best organic and whole foods store in Auckland. It has a large fresh fruit and vegetable section, the bulk bins are chocka full of nuts, seeds, legumes, dried fruit, cereals and grains and the shelves are always loaded with the finest organic supplies available. The tea selection is overwhelming but the staff are always on hand to offer advice. There is a naturopath on the floor than can give direction on what vitamins and natural remedies will best suit you and there is a range of organic skin and haircare to suit most needs. They have had organic wines and beers for a while now, which is helpful, as finding an organic Sav in the supermarket can be impossible at times.
Charlotte R.'s
My Favourite City Haunts
- 18Made in NipponAuckland CentralThis colourful store is a great place to get Japanese dishes and other ceramics. They also have stunning kimonos for great prices and a large selection of Japanese food stuffs.
- 22Scotties - Auckland CentralAuckland CentralScotties is a boutique full of lust worthy labels such as Ann Demeulemeester, Comme des Garçons, Marni, Dries van Noten, Acne, Lanvin and more. The luxurious fabrics and accessories are begging to be touched but if the prices are out of range they have a recycle section in their Blake Street store which is always changing.
- 320OrtolanaAuckland CentralIs it premature to call Ortolana the best new casual dining restaurant in Auckland? I will just have to visit a few more times to test my theory. The food is divine. To start with I had burnt fig, mozzerella with a sesame dressing which just melted in my mouth. The figs had a savoury flavour not unlike a zucchini which was a pleasant surprise. Next up was market fish - snapper with skin on, cooked to perfection, with green beans, smokey roast eggplant, a green chilli laced dressing and toasted nuts. The whole dish was seasoned perfectly and I could have eaten another. Dessert was gelato bombe alaska which sweetly sealed the meal. There are no bookings so make sure you get in early for a table.
- 41Upstairs AntiquesAuckland CentralThis shop tucked a the back upstairs in Queens Arcade has been around for years yet still seems like a hidden gem. It is full to the brim with china, jewellery, small pieces of furniture, ornaments - you name it. It takes dedication to check everything out, you have to stand in one spot and survey it keenly but you will be rewarded with a unique piece to take home. The day I went in I saw three black Sylvac elephants I feel promptly in love with and also several fabulous gold tone 70's collier necklaces.
- 538Unity Books LimitedAuckland CentralThe best bookstore in the city, Unity is small and filled wall to wall with amazing titles. There is a superb selection of cookbooks, fashion books, design books, fiction and non fiction. Even when closed the window display can captivate with its alluring covers.
Charlotte R.'s
My Favourite North Shore Haunts
- 14Zomer CafeTakapunaZomer is the north shore counterpart to Herne Bay’s Zus and Zo, and it doesn’t disappoint. It has the same clean, white and airy feel and the food is superb. The goats cheese with grilled vegetables came with a generous serve of cheese and a delicious red pesto and the omelette is perfectly cooked with a gooey cheese centre. With many more delectable dishes in the menu, Zomer is a cafe that can be visited often.
- 28Hospice Shop BirkenheadBirkenheadThe Hospice Shop in Birkenhead has a sister shop which is a secondhand bookshop. Devoted to all types of pre-loved books, this shop has rare hardback first editions right through to pulp fiction. They also have sheet music and records, you never know what you are going to find. A good place to while away an hour in and if you buy it is going to a good cause.
- 338Mexico TakapunaTakapunaAs well as being one of the best eateries on the shore, it is so much easier getting a table at the Takapuna branch of Mexico. The food is excellent, a modern spin on Mexican cuisine, with so many tasty options on the regularly changing menu it is always hard choosing what to eat. Going with friends means you can sample more and it makes for a fun meal. The tacos are cheap and excellent, they do wonderful things with prawns, fish and squid and the salads are substantial. Today’s lunch was adobo prawns w/ black rice, burnt chipotle butter, grilled lime and the queso fundido w/ broccolini, black olive powder, corn bread. Perfection.
- 430The Department StoreTakapunaAnnie Oxborough is back at The Department Store and her shop is better than ever. There is a large selection of macrame plant hangers and some great exotic succulents and indoor plants to green up your home. She also has some a beautiful selection of planters and spectacular terrariums to choose from.
- 5137Takapuna Beach Cafe and StoreTakapunaThe gelato flavours at Takapuna Beach Cafe are so good you will definitely want to have more than one. It is rich and creamy and there is sorbet for those who want something less creamy but just as delicious. Flavours run the gamut from peanut slab, salted caramel, vanilla bean to seasonal fruits.
Charlotte R.'s
My Favourite Ponsonby Haunts
- 110Flotsam & JetsamGrey LynnFlotsam & Jetsam have a covetable range of curios and oddities for your home from Agee jars, large glass battery cases and Crown Lynn to large wooden trestle tables and old shop signs. The book selection is also fantastic.
- 224Ceres FreshMarketPonsonbyCeres is a go to for fresh organic and seasonal fruit and vegetables as well as nutritious superfoods and supplements.
- 39Mag Nation - PonsonbyPonsonbyIt is a ritual for me on weekends to pop into Mag Nation to look over the hundreds if magazine titles they get in and see if anything new piques my interest. Favourites include Apartamento, Plant Journal, Another Man, The Gentlewoman, Elle Decoration and British Vogue.
- 477Golden DawnPonsonbyThe Golden Dawn is one of my favourite places to catch up with friends for a casual meal and a drink. The food is delicious and are shared plates and there is a great selection of beer and cider on tap. Inside the atmosphere is warm and intimate for smaller groups and outside there are large tables for more substantial gatherings. The staff are friendly and there is always good music playing.
- 570DizengoffPonsonbyI got so excited about my eggs that I was halfway through them before taking a photo, Dizengoff’s scrambled eggs are incredibly rich and delicious. Thankfully they come with a sharp green pesto to cut through the cream. Also great paired with the creamy mushrooms, which are a taste sensation!
Charlotte R.'s
My K'Road
- 11Johnny FeedbackAuckland CentralJohnny Feedback is a fine new cafe wrapped around the corner of a character Pitt Street space. It is sunny and light and makes the best of it's location by putting some tables in narrow courtyard down the side. The coffee is superb and the baking from Meola Kitchen very tasty. Stephen and Brodie are the affable chaps behind the counter and a coffee there will brighten your day considerably.
- 27Search & DestroyAuckland CentralA cult vintage and secondhand clothing shop that has bargains galore for $5, $10, $20 as well as a rack of more collectible clothing - but still at great prices. The shop is small but incredibly charming and stock is refreshed daily.
- 34Children of VisionNewtonChildren of Vision stocks labels from the fashion fringe such as locals Jimmy D and Company of Stranger to imported gems from Bernhard Willhelm and Complex Geometries.
- 414Eighthirty Coffee RoastersNewtonEight Thirty is dedicated to doing coffee well. Great coffee and a concise offering of goods from Cool Food as well as the divine cakes from The Caker. All in a sparse but warm brick interior in a sunny spot on K’Rd.
- 557Coco's Barretta is the more laid back neighbour to Coco's Cantina and that is just how I like it. Barretta is dark, warm and inviting, with the cute trade mark chequered table cloths and same friendly service as next door. I like to settle down in the comfortable booth down the back either with a group or a more intimate one on one date. You have the option to order from the full Coco's menu but you can also just settle in for a glass of wine and bowl of delicious polenta chips.