Your Full A-Z Guide to the Best Hungover Breakfasts in Auckland

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but when battling the night's sins, it evolves into something magical. The normal rules of breakfast disappear and you enter the world of sides, carb overload, 3 different drinks at the same time and for some, maybe even two courses.

It is my pleasure to bring to you an A-Z hungover breakfast guide for Auckland. There's nothing worst than wasting your bottomless stomach hangover on a cafe that just simply cannot cater to the state you are in, so I'm here to help. For the next few weeks I will be downing the bubbly and shots of rum each Saturday night and dragging my shabby top knot to cafes throughout Auckland for your reading pleasure.

Whether you are a seasoned hangovee or intermittently hung I will bring you everything you need to know and more on how to really make the most of this hard but incredible day, starting with cafes A - F.

Alleluya

A timeless classic. Situated in St Kevins Arcade this is definitely a hangover haven. It's simple and welcoming with vintage tables and chairs well spaced out - it kind of feels like sitting in a friend's rather large lounge. A lounge where you can weather your hungover storm.

Service: Relaxed, some fantastic cool kid outfits, and they leave you in peace which is a huge yes.

Food: I ordered the omelette with a side of avo. Not one single complaint. The menu had a good range, from greasy to more healthy options.

St Kevins Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD

The Botanist

Tucked away neatly in the fast expanding City Works Depot you will find a florist and cafe combined. The mix of perky chrysanthemums and a choice of three coffee bean brands (Millers, Three Beans or All Press) give this place an easy A. They have just introduced their sit-down breakfast menu, which is something a little bit special. Out with scrambled eggs and avocado, in with smoked fish omelettes and cardamon yogurt. A little inside info: a cocktail list is currently in the making for those who prefer the hair of the dog approach.

Service: Cheerful and relaxed - understandable considering their surroundings.

Food: Out of this world. I had the house-cured salmon served with roast beets, charred sprouts, miso yogurt and rocket. I know your mouth is watering right now and so it should.

Shed 13, City Works Depot, 90 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD

Cereal Killa

Mashed potatoes for breakfast? Yes please.

Tucked away behind far too many dumpling houses you'll find this little treasure. Super relaxed feel with quirky little things spread throughout the cafe to stare at aimlessly. A few of my favourites were the menus printed on regular A4 paper clipped to ripped up cereal boxes (genius) and the mini cereal boxes resembling something pop arty on the wall. Last night was all about the Riesling for some stupid reason so with the drys from hell it was delightful to see a selection of freshly made juices. There was health boosters, energy boosters, of a course green one and wait for it... Nutella and Banana. I looked but I didn't touch. Magazine supply was in abundance and my table was big enough to eat and flick through my magazine and his paper, a very rare luxury these days.

Service: The staff topped up your water glass. The staff topped up your water glass. The staff topped up, your. water. glass.

Food: I ordered the Veggie Big'un and he ordered the Half English. Mine was huge with selection galore including rosti, haloumi, avocado, egg, mushroom, tomato, spinach prefect for when you don't know what way your stomach is going to go. His was sausage, spinach, tomato, poached eggs, hollandaise on the most softest and fluffiest mashed potato I've ever seen. I had a booster juice which is easily in my top 5 juices, for those of you who can handle a milky smoothie his banana berry got 2 thumbs and the delish Eighthirty coffee (not for the faint hearted) got 10 thumbs from every person in the room

360H Dominion Road, Mount Eden

Dizengoff

Hangovers in Ponsonby can be a tad daunting, mainly because everyone's happy. But I can't blame them when they have Dizengoff at their doorstep. Making my way through the crisp white walls boasting some beautiful art I discovered their upstairs seating area (ideal for the hungover crowd). With an all-day breakfast, all-day lunch and all-day soup I nearly made my order "one of all of the above, please." The selection was wide which made the already appealing menu even more exciting - I almost didn't realise there was no bacon on the menu.

Service: Clearly the staircase they were having to trek up and down for me was no issue as it was all super fast and friendly.

Food: My friend had a very satisfying plate of half scrambled eggs and half creamy mushrooms, the eggs were happy (free range) and fluffy and the infamous mushrooms lived up to their name. Feeling a little worse for wear I opted for the good old poached eggs on toast with a side of avocado. Sound boring? Anything but, I don't know how they made such a simple dish taste so good, but they did - and again when we ordered one more serving to share. I'm sorry bacon, you were not missed.

256 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby

EIGHTHIRTY COFFEE ROASTERS

Found yourself having "just one drink" on a week night? Famous for its ridiculously good and strong coffee there was no other place that was going to do. Sometimes life can't stop, you just have to suck it up and pretend you feel great. When you're on the go this place will help.

Service: Fast and that's all that matters

Food: Jam packed sandwiches, healthy and delish salads, brioches and muesli to go. They have a yummy vegetarian selection too. The sought after Caker cakes are available by the slice - a semi guilt-free treat for your guilt-filled night. I ran away with a coffee and a sandwhich for later when my appetite would return.

553 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD & 4 Brown Street, Ponsonby

The Fridge

Holy, This place has expanded. What used to be a grab a pie, coffee and run kind of place has now something like five different seating areas - so would be rude to not have a seat and see if they can cater to the infamous hangover. Menu variety was strong with a generous selection of cabinet food: savoury and sweet, of course the infamous Fridge Pies, and freshly-juiced health juices (to balance out the pie/s).

Service: For a cafe that's bigger than some Auckland restaurants I applaud them.

Food: Branching out from the pies that we know so well and love I went for the homemade baked beans. I can't recommend these enough. They did what needed to be done to an exceptional level. I always thought a hangover cure was rolled into a ball and deep fried goodness, but apparently the real cure is shelled and cooked in flavour rich tomatoes. A must try.

507 New North Road, Kingsland

GOOD ONE

Believe the hype. With all sorts of fast comfort food within arms reach and a selection of Coffee Supreme superbly made it’s no wonder it’s a popular spot. Being in such a residential part of Ponsonby means it's perfect for grabbing a selection of Little and Friday goodies, heading back to the comfort of home and lining them all up in a pretty little row before eating your way through. This counts as exercise, trust me.

Service: Good timing, good suggestions and good looking.

Food: Like I said before you will want more than one. Standouts were the Mediterranean frittata and cinnamon brioche.

42 Douglas Street, Ponsonby

HUMBUG

Feeling adventurous with this hangover I decided to stray from the local city hot spots and ended up in West Auckland’s Humbug. Now I like to think I come up with a lot of great ideas when I'm hungover but that has got to be my best yet. This beautiful retro style cafe is in a gem. There are two different seating areas - up front with all the usual noise and clanking of a busy cafe (including outdoor tables) and one out the back, with big comfy pillow-laden couches with tables, low coffee tables and a bit of peace and quiet.

Service: The waiters are the jolliest bunch of people, warm fuzzies and helpfulness go a very long way when you’re not feeling 100%.

Food: Simplicity at its best. You want a traditional-no-mucking-around-it-is-what-it-is meal? Humbug marks the spot.

32 Rua Road, Glen Eden

IRONIQUE

There's a rumour going round that to get rid of a hangover you should keep drinking, so I gave it a go. This led me to Ironique. It's a very spacious cafe with lots of lounge style seating inside and out, outdoor seating is a lovely courtyard - courtyards, beers and hangovers are usually quite good friends. Ironique's traditional, dependable, breakfast menu took the strain off my headache when it came to ordering which was most appreciated.

Service: Really relaxed and they don’t bug you – generally a very homely vibe.

Food: Scrambled eggs on 5 grain with beer. Plenty of happy tummy rubs I tell you.

448 Mount Eden Road, Mount Eden

JAM ORGANIC CAFE

Every time I mention Jam Cafe the usual response is "yummmmm" and it is just that. With the most incredible outdoor area this place screams group hangover. I recommend coming here for the summertime hangovers – winter somehow doesn’t really suit the shore.

Service: Try not to look at them too much, they’re all really pretty and great at what they do.

Food: We had the guacamole on toast with poached egg and lemon rocket which was ridiculously good and healthy. The complimentary Jaffa with your coffee is smile worthy.

33-45 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna

Kokako

The refurbished building oozes charm, with a decent amount of organic produce and vegetarian-based meals to help make you start feeling human again.

Service: Friendly, knowledgeable

Food: Organic and vegetarian

537 Great North Road Grey Lynn

L’OEUF

French-themed cafes are the new cupcakes. Popping up everywhere and all nearly as delish as each other. Little L'Oeuf, located in an odd part of town, is a beautifully decorated. A perfect cafe to put you into cruise control.

Service: Table service with a smile and staff happy to answer all questions.

Food: Cronuts? Pfft. Behold, THE BRONUT. Yeah, they went there and so should you.

4a Owairaka Avenue, Mount Albert

MOJO

Mojo is very cool. Very, very cool. Even though it was busy the ex-automotive workshop cafe's comfort level passed expectations. I felt like I was up at the batch and I didn't want to leave.

Service: There's a happy little blonde prancing around the place, lifting your spirits and your plates.

Food: Yeah, wow. I highly recommend the cauliflower fritters. Not your ordinary hangover cure but that's because it's in the extraordinary category. The whole menu in fact. I also highly recommend saving room for some of the counter snacks.

110 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket

NADU

Oh, look, it's mid-week hangover time again and this one was less intentional than the last. No need to fear – Nadu is here. Another chirpy and fast takeaway joint, serving freshly juiced health concoctions and the fantastic Kokako coffee. It should be known to all Newmarket residents and workers that there is a hangover cure close by.

Service: If none of the above put the spring back in you step, the girl that works there's smile definitely will.

Food: I managed to grab breakfast and lunch which worked well to my minimal movement goal for the day. A scrumptious muesli, berries and yogurt and a baguette-style sandwich packed full of fresh ingredients. Seriously fresh.

99 Nuffield Street, Newmarket

Okra Lounge

I always forget about the old classic that is Okra, which is sad because it really is a goodie with its varied menu and peaceful courtyard. It really does satisfy a hangover. Speaking of satisfying, Okra is one of the few places that have a great newspaper to patron ratio. Thumbs up.

Service: So friendly. These guys love their job.

Food: I can’t recommend the Eggs Royale enough. Any style eggs with smoked salmon, homemade hash brown, spinach and pesto.

161 Sandringham Road, Sandringham

Le Petit Bocal

Now, it's a common occurrence to order a side of salmon with breakfast, however, have you ever tried it with a bottle of Billecart-Salmon Rose? If the answer is no you need to and you need to do it here. With breakfast, lunch, dinner and a beautiful selection of beverages Petit Bocal really covers it all, and earns second place in my top three hungover breakfast spots.

Service: Why is it the french are so mesmerizing...? Fantastic service.

Food: Good luck trying to choose. I eventually decided on the breakfast bruschetta and of course, the billecart. Heaven.

177 Sandringham Road, Sandringham

Queenies Lunch Room

When a café has a good reputation for their Bloody Marys it's clearly the queen of a great hangover breakfast. Sitting on a cute grassy corner Queenies is a hangover destination fit for a queen. (Yeah I went there.)

Service: There are a lot queen puns I could use here too...

Food: Top quality, the cassoulet and prawn omelette was thoroughly enjoyed.

24 Spring Street, Freemans Bay

Remedy Coffee

I came across this place by a recommendation from a friend, but I would have walked past it more times than I can count. But that's the beauty of it: once found you will never forget the comfortable, peaceful treasure that is Remedy. Filled with wholesome, good for the soul food, I would find it difficult to compare this cafe to any other. Again, a treasure.

Service: Happy and comforting staff match the vibe of this amazing inner-city cafe, a rarity in itself.

Food: Wholesome and simple. An endless list of freshly made sandwich options. And may I add, the coffee was made to perfection.

1 Wellesley Street West, Auckland CBD

Scullery

Such a gem! A small cafe with so much to offer. Being hungover you are usually at your most careless, but not at Scullery. Just by choosing this scrumptious cafe you are contributing to their efforts of being a zero waste cafe. Nice one.

Service: Happy and hip, with that relaxed K'road vibe.

Food: I can imagine their contribution to waste is partially due to the fact that no one eating at Scullery would leave any food on their plate.

166 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD

Twentythree

Securing first place in my top three hungover breakfasts is Twentythree; it's seriously good. The courtyard out back is a perfect way to enjoy this busy cafe which serves up Supreme (the brand and the adjective) coffee and an outrageously great menu.

Service: Lovely staff, also happy to alter any meals to suit.

Food: The freshest of fresh. You're spoilt for choice - from the mouth-watering cabinet food to delicious menu selection. The portobello mushrooms with miso garlic cream and cashew nuts on sourdough went down an absolute treat.

23 Mt Eden Road, Eden Terrace

Urban Café

Urban Cafe delivers their coffees on a silver platter. Yeap, a sliver platter. The menu selection is brilliant too - from a raw oatless muesli to an open steak sandwich sprinkled with gluten-free and paleo options in between. There is no excuse to not come here.

Service: Very friendly and fast. No rushing which was a nice change to the norm.

Food: Be sure to try the green eggs and ham; honey glazed ham with pesto scrambled eggs on ciabatta.

139 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket

Vinyl Coffee Shop

This little down-to-earth cafe is a feel good start to your feel crappy day. With Mexican-themed breakfast and burgers on offer your hangover will not stand a chance. Also, a cafe that is full of regulars is always a good sign. This resulted in a small wait for a table but 150% worth it.

Service: Friendly and fast. You'll be wishing you were a regular by the time you leave.

Food: I swear someones heart and soul has gone into this menu - it tastes so good. The toms on toast and chicken burger (with curly fries) were enjoyed beyond words. Hangover gone.

218 Dominion Road, Mt Eden

Willow

Another healthy fix and another tick for the hangover list. This sweet little spot will make you smile from the inside out. Beautifully laid out with simplistic design you can be sure that it will not be contributing to your headache.

Service: Friendly and upbeat staff - this helps.

Food: WOW. This is food heaven I tell you. I recommend absolutely all of it especially the french toast. A serious must-try.

42 Tawa Ave, Albany

Xu Xu

To the ladies that have woken up around midday with your curls still in tact. When this happens you must capitalize on it. Solidify that small spring in your step with a plate of delicious gourmet dumplings. Perfect spot for those summer weekends that seem to never end. Gentlemen? As if you need an excuse to eat dumplings. Enjoy! Service: Lovely service. Very helpful when it comes to trying to pick from all the options Food: Incredible dumplings! The chicken pot-stickers with shitake mushrooms were a favorite. They also offer gluten free and dessert dumplings. Yes, dessert dumplings.

Corner Commerce and Galway Streets, Britomart

York Street Mechanics

Being at York Street Mechanics is like being on a movie set - which is a great distraction from last night's dark cloud hanging over you. Plenty of seating options available from warm and cosy fireside perches to seating outside in the beautiful sunny courtyard.

Service: It's not very often your breakfast comes on a warmed up plate. 10/10 for details,

Food: Delicious. We had the poached eggs with freshly baked mushrooms, sauteed spinach and tomatoes and the cowboy breakfast beans sure did impress the man's appetite. Great coffee too.

3 York Street, Newmarket

Zomer

Talk about ending on a high note. Definitely a summertime must, Zomer is one of the North Shore's hot spots and I can see why. If there's one thing I can't do when I'm hungover it's make a decision, but thanks to Zomer they made that easy for me. I give to you the Zomer Breakfast: a bit of this, bit of that-style dish. Often found in Sydney and now, thankfully here too.

Service: Even with a wait list beginning to form the service was friendly smiley and fast.

Food: The Zomer Breakfast includes: small granola, organic poached or scrambled eggs, parma ham or salmon, avocado, Dutch cheeses & toast.

4 The Strand, Takapuna