Overview
You don't just drink coffee. You know when the beans are fresh, know if the barista has extracted it too slowly (or too fast), hell, you even know by sniffing if the beans are local or imported. It's not just coffee. It makes mornings less scratchy, it turns a long lunch into a longer lunch, and if you're feeling low, it will scrape you up off the floor (especially after that third espresso).
Good coffee = great day, so if you want to have one of those, visit these Auckland gems; where the focus is always on an excellent cup of joe.
Waterview Coffee Project
Founded in late 2012 in a brightly coloured shipping container, The Waterview Coffee Project brought a much needed coffee bar to an area devoid of a central shopping/dining hub. The space is tiny and the staff are casual but enthusiastic about their little local meeting ground. Unprompted, one of the staff was excitedly talking about an event they had organised the day before for the local community, and judging from the cork board covered in flyers on the wall, they certainly support local initiatives. The team seem unfazed at the mess of construction surrounding the suburb, instead evolving into an adaptable and diverse meeting point, which is now owned by eight families and serves up a solid organic Kokako brew.
27 Daventry Street, Waterview
Chuffed
Tucked away on High Street, you need to walk down a rather sterile corridor before you get to Chuffed. Once inside, you'll forget you're surrounded by concrete and commerce, enjoying a selection of coffees from guest roasters in the cozy alcove out front or kicking back in their outdoor courtyard. Offering up espressos, cold drip and batch brews that change frequently (blends of Brazil Esparto Santo, Guatemala Sierra Morena and Sumatra Mendheling), the staff focus on great service and a consistent, excellent cup of coffee everytime.
43 High Street, CBD
Espresso Workshop
Espresso Workshop's Roastery location is tucked up off the high street of Parnell but certainly worth the small detour. A bright, comfortable and airy space to enjoy a coffee and the newspaper, they produce their own brand of small batch roasted coffee with the best quality beans they can source. Their Ethiopia Table Top Natural Yirgacheffe cleaned up a bunch of accolades at last year's NZ Coffee Awards (including best barista) and they've added a city espresso bar in Britomart for those looking for their caffeine hit in the CBD. They also offer coffee workshops for the wannabe barista and have a solid selection of take home beans to brew yourself.
19 Falcon Street, Parnell and 11 Britomart Place, CBD
Eighthirty Coffee Roasters
Offering up four separate coffee bar locations, Eighthirty have grown to have a fiercely loyal following amongst the espresso enthusiasts of the city. Apart from their own brand of espresso and single origin beans, they also offer high quality brewing equipment if you want to give the art of coffee making a go. If you find yourself enjoying a great long black at your local, there's a chance it's Eighthirty as well, as they supply a handful of excellent cafes in the city. Live in the CBD/Ponsonby areas? Sort yourself out and get your beans delivered via bike courier every week.
136/146 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby Central // 553 Karangahape Road, Newton // 56 Parnell Road, Parnell // 35 High Street, CBD
Johnny Feedback
Years ago it was a florist, but now nestled in down the street from K'Road is the home of Johnny Feedback. A proper coffee bar serving Supreme Coffee, there's a few stools inside and a couple tables to bask at when the sun's out on the pavement. On this particular visit, a Caribbean band was setting up with drums and beanbag chairs, so catching some great atmosphere could also be on the cards while you chill out and forget you're on Pitt Street. They also make a mean giant fluffy if you're bringing along smaller people who aren't so enthusiastic about java.
61 Pitt Street
Cherry and Whites
Bad dad door jokes aside (no seriously, check out the door when you walk in), this is the newest go-to coffee bar for those in the Grey Lynn area. This small espresso bar has only been open four months but has already won over the locals and is busy cranking out cups of joe for most of their opening hours. Altura Supreme is served by friendly twinkly eyed staff and they're playing around with cold caffeine inspired drink ideas, so surely you're sorted even in summer.
483 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn
Allpress Coffee
AllPress has two locations and is the featured brew at many excellent cafes (Dizengoff, Mary's to name but a couple). Their coffee bar in Ponsonby is small, but offers Rangitoto Roast espresso and single origin filter brew, with plenty of beans to take home for a more casual cup. The Caffetteria on Drake Street offers the same in a larger space with food options, and the coffee is sent through the ceiling to the counter from the roaster upstairs. The Ponsonby location also offers after hours coffee classes for the serious caffeine aficionado.
Browns Mill Building, Drake Street, CBD and 266 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
Long + Short
Walk up Parnell Road and you'll find a brand new 'hole in the wall' espresso bar, and a mighty pretty one at that. White and minimalist, with a couple tables tucked up the back, this is guaranteed to be the new local for those nipping out on their coffee break. Long + Short serves Atomic coffee by incredibly friendly baristas that are more than capable of making the perfect flat white. Ask and you shall receive, ice cold caffeinated options are available for those hotter days as well. Pop in for a visit and welcome them to the neighbourhood.
211 Parnell Road, Parnell