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The Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Mission Bay, Auckland

Auckland offers a variety of landscapes to enjoy at any given time, from mountains to sea to soaring skyscrapers
Auckland offers a variety of landscapes to enjoy at any given time, from mountains to sea to soaring skyscrapers | © Rudi1976 / Alamy Stock Photo

Mission Bay, Auckland is an area that was made for the lazy stroll down to the coffee shop to get your morning flat white and a tasty pastry. Set right next to the ocean, this spot is the perfect place to sit down with a newspaper and make a little time for a bit of introspection. Here is our guide to the 10 best cafes in the area.

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Mission Bay Cafe

Located in the heart of Mission Bay, Mission Bay Cafe is open everyday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. An ideal place to take family and friends, Mission Bay Cafe has an extensive menu catering to all. The all-day brunch option here is unmissable; from brioche, to French toast to eggs Benedict, these breakfast dishes are available to order all day long. The menu also has daily specials that are always delicious.

The Attic Bar & Restaurant

The Attic Bar & Restaurant is a great place to park up for a coffee and perhaps a crack at the crossword in the latest copy of the NZ Herald. There is a bar area, dining room, outside deck for summer, and a cosy lounge with a fireplace for those winter days when you might be leaning towards a hot chocolate or maybe an Irish coffee to keep out the chill. This is great as it means you’re in for a good time no matter the season or time of day.

Bald Eagle Diner

Bald Eagle Diner is probably the most distinctive cafe on our list, and probably the most fun one, too. This establishment is based around the time when America was at its most, well, American – the 1950s. It was a time of milkshakes and waffles and Philly cheese-steaks, and that is just what the guys and girls at Bald Eagle Diner have set out to recreate. The rock ‘n’ roll is cranking on the sound system, the decorations are shiny and bright, and the food and drink are delicious. Come in and grab a late coffee to wash down the chicken and waffles that you just have to try as a brunch-time treat.

Bodrum Kitchen

Offering countless traditional favourites such as menemem, sigara borek, loukamades, dolmades, and of course lahmacun, Bodrum is something out of the ordinary in Mission Bay. If you want something exotic and flavoursome then look no further because the team here have been delivering outstanding Turkish food in Auckland – they have two other cafes – for almost three years now. Bodrum Kitchen’s menu is inspired by their love of the Mediterranean, with influences from Greek and Turkish cuisines. So if you want something that’ll make your palate sing to go with your mid-morning coffee, then head over to see these guys.

Tana Mera Espresso

Quite possibly the best cup of coffee in the Mission Bay area isn’t found on the main drag of Tamaki Drive, but on the smaller street of Patteson Avenue. The coffee here really is superb and that, at the end of the day, is surely the primary reason for a coffee shop to exist. The emphasis here is definitely towards the quality of the beans and the skills of the remarkable team behind the counter. Head here if you want a taste of what a genuine, independent coffee-making house should be churning out.

The Coffee Club

Yes, it’s a chain, but it’s relaxed and casual. On those Monday mornings when you can’t massage the old crumpet into working at its normal operating level, then at least you can rely on The Coffee Club. It’ll deliver into your hand a cup of coffee that, whilst not being a world-beater, will wake you up enough so you can run the preliminary work week checks – like whether you have your trousers on the right way or have brushed your teeth.

Dos Amigos Cantina

It might be a happening restaurant, but this place also does some killer coffee if you’re in the market for a caffeine fix. If you’re in the mood for some authentic Mexican cuisine, Dos Amigos Cantina offers fresh Mexican food with an affordable price tag. After offering complimentary chips and dip to all diners, Dos Amigos Cantina follows with huge portions that will not disappoint. The lively atmosphere here makes it an ideal place to bring friends for a festive celebration or a casual dinner. The venue hosts popular themed evenings such as Chili Night Thursday and Sangria Sunday, and make sure to check their website for all the daily specials.

Andrea Ristorante Italiano

Coffee and Italy go hand in hand, so it’s no surprise that one of the best places for a cup of espresso in Mission Bay is this wonderful Italian restaurant. Serving simple yet delicious Italian fare is exactly what Andrea Ristorante Italiano strives to do. For dinner with a beautiful view, there’s no place better than this restaurant. Boasting a stunning vantage point across Mission Bay, and using only the freshest of ingredients, diners can sit back with a scrumptious dish here and soak in the incredible New Zealand landscape. From pizza to pasta to burgers, this restaurant has it all. Andrea Ristorante Italiano also offers ‘do your own dinner’ cooking classes that are perfect for diners seeking more than just your average meal.

Starbucks

This Seattle-based corporation may have as much soul as the next multi-national, fast-food enterprise, but there’s no getting past the fact that it’s a very popular venue for those in need of a reliably tasty and quick cup of coffee. Yes, you can feel a bit guilty about not supporting a local business, but if you’re in a rush or don’t know the area then this is a safe port of call in rough, caffeine-free seas.

About the author

Kiwi freelance writer and amateur nomad. I'm not sure of much, but I know that a sunny pavement cafe is my kind of office. 2017 had me bouncing cheerfully around the world, from Luxembourg to Iceland, Morocco to Portugal, Italy to Nicaragua. This year I hope to make myself useful by taking an in-depth look into my homeland; the Land of the Long White Cloud, Aotearoa, New Zealand.

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