The Ten Best Places to Eat Smashed Avocado in Auckland

There are many rad things in this world — that first sip of your morning coffee, meeting your mates for Saturday brunch, finding 20 bucks in your jacket pocket and the holy grail of them all – avocado served smashed. It's a hard road finding a good smashed avo though, it is the eternal quest.

Now if we were in Melbourne, you couldn't walk two paces without falling over a dish of smashed avo but for us Aucklanders, it's not quite so easy. More often than not, avo of the pureed variety seems to be sneaking onto our plates but fear not, we've managed to round up eleven spots that do avocado right.

Meadow

Boasting a farm-to-table policy, Meadow's avo is as fresh as it gets, paired with homegrown mint, lemon and feta. Combine that with their signature bacon bloody mary in their lush outdoor terrace and you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in rural NZ rather than one of Auckland's inner city suburbs.

20 St Johns Rd, St Johns

Kokako

It's the little things that turn a brunch from ho-hum to awesome. Kokako get this. Unsatisfied with serving plain smashed avo, here, they salt their cucumber, pickle their shallots and serve their basil purple (you read that right, purple). If that wasn't enough, they marinate their avo in fennel and herb oil. All to serve you a dish unlike anything you'll see anywhere else. Made from all organic ingredients and a touch of love.

537 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn

Atomic HQ

With sleek, newly renovated digs and a slick new menu, Atomic shake things up, throwing crushed broad beans and peas into their smashed avo mix. Topped with pretty pink peppercorns, it's a visual delight that is second only to the fantastic people watching spot from their long outdoor seating that spans the length of the café.

420 New North Rd, Kingsland

Cali

Need to fuel up before a busy Newmarket shopping spree? Grab your amigos and head to Cali. Their Mexican-inspired avo dish with black beans, salsa and chipotle relish on top of a soft tortilla will set you up for the busy day ahead. But the best part, topping off this dish is a generous portion of dry cured bacon. Wrap up this tortilla and savour every glorious bite.

23/27 Nuffield St, Newmarket

Greedy Guts

Short on time but still need an avocado fix? Greedy Guts is your best bet. Takeaway is their speciality serving up avo so perfectly smashed you can gobble it as you go. The unusual but definitely tasty topping of chilli and citrus zest will ensure you have a real spring in your step all the way too.

44 Wellesley St W, CBD

Pilkingtons

For a special occasion you can't go past Pilkingtons. Don't be fooled by their corporate location, filled with opulent decor and lush indoor greenery, it's like a botanical oasis in the city. Their avo too avoids any association with the hustle and bustle of the city, carefully crafted as a neat smash on homemade linseed with perfectly placed toppings and extras. Best enjoyed on their outdoor terrace, you'll be the envy of many a passerby.

41 Shortland Street, CBD

Takapuna Beach Café and Store

Setting the scene for an Instagramers paradise, Takapuna Beach Café not only has the beach right on their doorstep their sophisticated plating of avocado, beetroot and halloumi is an avocado masterpiece. Almost too beautiful to eat, this is a dish you won't want to end but like all good things it must but fear not, a scoop of gelato from The Store next door will soon turn that frown upside down.

22 The Promenade, Takapuna

The Midnight Baker

For those walk while you talk brunchers out there – yes you, in the pink lycra, head to La Cigale French Markets. The Midnight Baker will be there, serving up slices of her wheat, dairy and refined sugar free freedom loaf with an avo, edamame, pea and mint smash topped with sauerkraut. It's a tasty wee morsel you can devour then and there or save for later while you peruse the markets and brunch at your leisure.

69 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell

Remedy Coffee

Had a big night out in town and need a place to soothe your weary head? Remedy quite literally have the perfect avo remedy to ease the pain, two options in fact. Smashed avocado #1 with tomato, basil and feta or smashed avocado #2 with chorizo, feta, lime and coriander. If deciding even seems too much just order one of each then sink into their comfy sofa with one of their many books or board games and a strong cup of perfectly brewed coffee.

1 Wellesley St West, CBD

Big Sur

Perhaps the most hidden gem we found on our quest was Big Sur on Richmond Road, Grey Lynn. It's an unassuming little cafe filled with vegetarian fare both on the plates and hanging from the walls. Their handwritten menu describes their avo simply as avocado, cherry tomatoes and greens, letting the flavours and colours speak for themselves. You may even be lucky enough to have Tom, their cat invite himself along to your brunch convo.

432 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn