Ponsonby is one of the inner city suburbs of Auckland, located just 2km from the city centre. Here, you’ll find a mix of boutique, on-trend shops and cafes where food and art blend the traditional with the modern. Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast to start the day or a buzzing venue open ’til late, Ponsonby has it.
1. Dizengoff
If you’re looking for an early morning caffeine fix, Dizengoff is an excellent option, opening at 6:15 am every weekday and 6:30 am on weekends. Accompany an early morning brew with a meal of your choice from the extensive menu. Opt for a light breakfast of toasted muesli topped with fresh fruit, yoghurt, and honey. Satisfy a larger appetite with the big breakfast consisting of eggs, sausage, pastrami, mushrooms, and tomato atop fresh sourdough bread. Dizengoff is a simple establishment with a primarily white interior; its menu centre’s on egg dishes and a range of everyday favourites. But what makes them one of the best Ponsonby cafes is that what they do, they do well. Here, the high-quality food matches the service, and this consistency makes them one of the favourites in the area.
2. Salta Espresso Cafe
Located on Ponsonby Road in the heart of Auckland, the Salta Espresso Cafe offers a spacious yet cosy venue in an ideal location for commuters. The glorious garden provides shelter from the sun and rain so that you can sit back and relax whatever the weather. Famous for its quality Allpress coffee, the Salta Espresso Cafe also offers an excellent venue to pick up tasty baked goods. Plus, this cafe recently released a new menu that provides a range of delicious breakfasts, brunches, and lunches, from avocado smash to a warm salmon salad. Yum!
3. Fusion Cafe
The Fusion Cafe offers a tranquil setting hidden from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Open since 1997; this relaxing venue serves the perfect combination of freshly brewed coffee and delicious food. Fusion Cafe offers a fresh twist on several dishes where east meets west, yet it maintains simple favourites to suit all tastes. From classic eggs benny to authentic Banh Mi sandwiches, Fusion Cafe offers the best of both areas. Choose from the all-day menu (served until 3 pm), select one of the specials from the chef’s menu, or create your own plate combining breads, meats, greens, and relishes.
4. Little Bird Kitchen
If you’re looking for Ponsonby cafes for breakfast and lunch, the Little Bird Kitchen offers an extensive menu and full table service. This cafe prides itself on showcasing the taste and variety that plant-based cuisine can provide. The all-day menu includes chai waffles, kimchi pancakes, and the mushroom reuben sourdough toastie. At the same time, the lunch menu adds tacos, crepes, and a Sri Lankan curry. The restaurant also offers a takeaway option with reusable glass packaging. If you have no use for the packaging, you can return it to the venue for 50 cents a piece.
5. Sol’s Place
Enjoy an early morning brew and breakfast at Sol’s Place which offers everything from honey-roasted granola to eggs benny with salmon and the big veggie breakfast. Sol’s is one of the best cafes in Ponsonby for brunch, with a delectable range of dishes and a delightful outdoor seating area where you can make the most of the morning sunshine. This is one of Ponsonby’s favourites, thanks to the establishment’s friendly vibe and old-world charm.
6. Cafe Cezanne
Enjoy the retro vibes of Cafe Cezanne; a spacious venue filled with cool and quirky decor. This breakfast and brunch venue offers an extensive range of breakfasts and lunches. Start your day with a fresh fruit salad, bacon & mushroom omelette, or the big Kiwi breakfast complete with bacon, egg, sausage, mushroom, tomato, fried potatoes and focaccia toast. If it’s lunch you’re after, enjoy a midday meal of meatballs and pasta, Moroccan chicken salad, or an open steak sandwich.
7. Conch Kitchen and Bar
With its roots in the record industry, the Conch Kitchen and Bar offers the perfect blend of food, music, and good vibes. Beginning as a market stall, this record shop soon moved into its own premises, which is now more famous for its coffee than its music. Still, Conch is a key entertainment venue in Ponsonby that offers more than just a cup of coffee. While you’re here, enjoy Mexican tapas or a freshly baked pizza and choose your favourite tipple at happy hour which runs every night from 6 pm onwards. This is one of the best Ponsonby cafes open late with Friday entertainment via “Earshot” and a host of in-store events from touring artists.
