Little Sister Café

Overview

Thank the sweet merciful mother of brunch food, West Auckland's suburbs are steadily filling out with decent cafés. You've got Woodworks and Rosebank Coffee & Kitchen, and several other awesome establishments leading this brunch resurgence, but Little Sister was the one that started it all out here.

We visited in need of something delicious to balm our wounds, and we're happy to say Little Sister delivered just like it always has. If you haven't been before it's in a funny old location off Lincoln Road — a spot that isn't exactly known for its dining options unless you're after McDonald's or KFC.

The café itself is eclectically decorated, with an antique bicycle suspended from the roof, a hodge podge of quirky furniture and a glass cabinet adorned with the most incredible looking food. The menu's stocked with all sorts of brunch/lunch delights, but our favourites were the field mushrooms ($17.50) and the Big Sister ($18.50).

The latter is a classic Kiwi big brekkie, featuring all the staples like bacon, eggs any way, bratwurst, a delightful house tomato relish and fried vine tomatoes. Execution is on point here, and this would measure up against any big breakfast in the 09. The field mushrooms on the other hand are perfect if you're up for something a little different — smashed gourmet potatoes, eggplant, phenomenally-salty grilled halloumi and feta combine to create a unique breakfast meal that hits all the right spots.

The coffee quality seems to dip as you get further away from the city central, but that's not the case here. Sister's brews are near perfect. And there's a bunch of other options if you're not a caffeine fiend — from organic fizzies, to juices and smoothies. My pick of the bunch is definitely the cacao smoothie ($7.50) with dates, cinamon and almond milk — it's like desert in a glass (but healthy).

Don't even get me started on the cabinet food. The benchtop looks like a scene out of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and the donuts are next. level. Cheers to Little Sister for providing westies with the brunch they deserve.