Auckland’s Healthiest Cafes

After years of eating our way around Auckland we find that we always end up leaning towards the same cafes and eateries when wanting a good meal. The perfect coffee and brunch can be hard to come by and there is really nothing worse than a burnt flat white and a disappointing meal because you hadn’t done your menu research prior to dining out. Here’s our list of eateries and cafes in Auckland that not only serve amazing food but they have top service. Happy Dining! 

Welcome Eatery

Welcome Eatery definitely lives up to its name, it is seriously welcoming, with friendly staff and a chilled, relaxed vibe that makes you feel like you could hang out all day. Open Monday to Friday 7.30am – 4pm, it has the best coffee, smoothies and meals in this area by far. The space is open with polished concrete floors, light wood and indoor plants and certainly not what you expect from the usual café that caters to corporates. The menu changes seasonally with great quality food. Some of the meal options include The Cure – Whiskey and honey cured ora king salmon, brown soda bread, black pepper crème fraiche, pickles with a boiled egg and The Lamb Salad – Braised lamb shoulder with beluga lentils, cauliflower salad, semi dried sultanas and toasted almonds. You will not be disappointed. 181 Grafton Rd, Grafton

Balance Kitchen

Balance Kitchen is well known for its ‘build your own lunch’ menu which lets you pick exactly what you want with all the macronutrient levels listed. You choose your protein, veggies, carbohydrates and sauces with healthy options such as salmon, quinoa, kale, kumara, and moroccan sauce. There’s also a normal menu with choices such as an acai plate, fried snapper filet and the protein pancakes (which are our favourite). The whole menu is available takeaway and the cabinet is full of guilt free treats. Perfect for the health conscious foodie! 6/287 Oteha Valley Rd, Albany

The Botanist

The Botanist is an all day café, bar and florist so the place is always buzzing, not to mention its smack bang in the middle of the city with parking right outside. Well known for their coffee, The Botanist is a great spot for those of us who appreciate a perfect flat white. The menu changes seasonally so there’s always something new and exciting to try. My favourite dish on the menu this season is the crumpet waffle with whipped thyme and honey butter. They serve fresh juices, smoothies and have a cabinet full of fresh salads. City Works Depot 13/90 Wellesley St W

Mondays Wholefoods

One of Auckland’s hidden gems is Mondays Wholefoods in Kingsland. The building is tucked down a long driveway and covered in vines. The entire menu is full fresh and nourishing food, with a large a selection of sugar free cheesecakes, tarts and truffles and smoothies that are ALMOST too pretty to drink. The Banana Chocolate Fudge Smoothie would have to be my favourite, and is made from cacao, banana, cacao nibs, dates, maca, nut milk, vanilla bean, banana chips and sea salt flakes, so it’s guilt free. Monday’s is now also offering yoga classes in the studio above the café. It’s a one stop shop! 503 New North Rd, Kingsland

Bird on a Wire

Bird on a Wire is a free range chicken rotisserie joint that lets you order delicious barbecued chicken takeaway or piled onto their seasonal salads (which are always incredible). They also serve burgers, sandwiches, roast potatoes, baguettes and beer battered chips. There are two locations, one in Takapuna situated at 40 Hurstmere Road and a newly opened location at Ponsonby Central. The Ponsonby location is stunning, with plenty of seats and a new breakfast menu. 136/146 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby

Dizengoff

Dizengoff is usually the place to be every Saturday morning in Auckland and there’s no denying why with such great coffee and breakfast options. It’s clean, inviting and the service is fast. The menu is Jewish inspired, with salmon eggs benedict, creamy mushrooms, eggs and fried pastrami and french toast (sorry bacon lovers, you won’t find any here). Dizengoff opens at 6.30am so if you are in need of a wake me up, pop in for their ‘Famous in Auckland’ flat whites! 256 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby

Odettes

Odettes is situated right in the heart of the city in a old warehouse that’s been transformed into a beautiful café. It’s filled with 1950’s paintings, wooden tables and chairs that give it a great laid back vibe. The café is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Odettes is one of our regular cafes when we’re after something a little different for brunch. The Kumara Smash with saffron and peanut served with a lemon crepe, labneh and a poached egg and the Tongan Vanilla Crepe with whipped honey, brown butter, sesame and seeds with bacon are two dishes that we cannot rave enough about. If you’re going here for breakfast on the weekends, be prepared to wait in line to this popular eatery that is well worth the wait. 90 Wellesley St West

Expedia’s Aussie travellers tend to spend 2-3 nights in the city, so that’s plenty of time to tick a few of these off your list!

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