Concrete Playground’s Royal Family of Kingsland Eats

Kingsland was formerly known as Cabbage Tree Swamp. I think the name Kingsland is considerably more fitting. Why is it more fitting, you ask? It isn't because the place is particularly regal in appearance, nor because it is a notably wealthy area. There are no palaces or turrets or thrones. No. The reason Kingsland is such an apt name for the place, is because Kingslanders dine like kings. It is a place where countless foodie treasures are hidden and new gems are popping up all the time.

Here’s Concrete Playground’s royal family of Kingsland eats.

1. Little Bird Unbakery

Were the Little Bird Unbakery a member of the royal family, it would undoubtably be Kate Middleton. It's well-loved, on-trend, and so super healthy that you kind of just want to show it to a pie and see what happens. Everything on the menu is organic and anything that isn't completely raw is baked at a mere 46 degrees to ensure the food retains all its nutrients. If you’re thinking wilted kale salads with dressing on the side, then you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Nothing on the menu tastes like rabbit food, and you’ll leave feeling full, healthy and quite Gwyneth Paltrow-esque for being so thinspired. If the New Year’s healthy eating resolution is wearing thin, then go grab a Little Bird cheesecake ($9). It’ll kill the sugar craving and keep your vow intact. Plus,cheesecake. Am I right?

385 New North Rd, Kingsland, Auckland

2. Citizen Park

You know how Kate Middleton and Dutchess Camilla are in constant feud? Well I guess that makes Citizen Park the Camilla of New North Road, because it is the anti-Little Bird. The American street-food inspired joint has a menu packed with hotdogs, greasy burgers and deep fried goodness. The place has a fun vibe, with an industrial interior and a well-stocked bar. The hot wings ($14) are a must; served with house made hot sauce and cucumber sticks, there is a perfect balance of spicy and cool. Almost too perfect, since you may feel obliged to eat the entire dish alone. You’ll leave feeling a little guilty about your calorie intake, but completely satisfied. Just don't pass those kale-eating, elliptical-running, yoga-pant-wearers at Little Bird when you leave. Because who needs Kate’s collarbones when you can have fries dripping in mayo?

424 New North Rd, Kingsland, Auckland

3. dot..

Proof that good things come in small packages, the aptly named dot.. is a petite little cafe, but both the service and the food are very impressive. The interior is cute and dotted with novelty gnomes and other various knickknacks. The brunch menu is only a dot of a thing, but covers all bases, and the cabinet offers a range of slices and treats. Order the hash stack ($17) purely for the homemade hash brown, they are probably the biggest thing about the whole joint, and they're divine. Also, the evil child hot chocolate ($4.50) is excellent. The newest addition to New North Road is definitely in the running to be heir of the Kingsland throne, which must make the cafe Kingsland’s very own Prince George.

480 New North Rd, Kingsland, Auckland

4. Portland Public House

Portland Public House is hands down the Prince Harry of the royal Kingsland family. It is good looking, a little alternative and a lot badass. PPH hosts live music in the corner of the dining room, and is decorated in shabby couches and metal stools to cultivate the almost Welly-ish vibe. On top of this, the drinks are served in glass jars  and delivered to either the dimly lit restaurant area or to the ever-popular garden bar. These cool additions mean that PPH is unarguably the coolest kid on the block. The drinks menu is extensive and the food menu is Maori-inspired, which all adds to the kicked-back atmosphere of the place. I can recommend the ribs and the crumbed prawns, but the fries with maorioli ($8.50) are right up there with the best fries in Auckland.

463 New North Rd, Kingsland, Auckland

5. Loop

For those who spent lunch at Little Bird and are still on that healthy buzz, head to Loop for dinner. Since it compliments Little Bird so well, the the new kid in Kingsland must be the Prince William to the Unbakery's Kate. The menu is littered with so many gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb-high-fat options that you’ll wonder what the food is actually made from. Whatever the ingredients are, they work. The bacon and egg entree ($14.50) is the highlight of the menu, consisting of crispy pork belly, scotch quails egg,and a celeriac and apple salad. And the twice cooked fries with parmesan aioli should go into a battle round with those from Portland Public House. The place has a half-industrial modernist feel, and the staff are super friendly and passionate about their seasonably sustainable, diet-friendly menu.

462 New North Rd, Kingsland, Auckland

6. Shaky Isles Coffee Co.

Kingsland’s Shaky Isles is the Prince Charles of royal eateries. Not because it is old or wears really atrocious cardigans. But have you seen Charles’ ears? They’re funny. And so is Shaky Isles, with witty cartoons covering the walls that make diners laugh out loud, and staff that are willing to engage in a bit of banter. Also, I feel like Charles is a good guy, and Shaky is a good cafe. A heavy-on-the-eggs brunch menu offers a mean eggs bene on brioche ($17.50) and soft boiled eggs with soldiers ($9) that will make you feel like a ten year old wearing an animal onesie on Easter morning. What's more, the coffee is never a disappointment, and the caramel slice from the cabinet deserves a shout out. It is decadent, super rich and goes great with their brewed coffee.

492 New North Rd, Kingsland, Auckland

7. The Fridge

The Fridge is reliable, dependable and it’s been around for a while. You can see where this is going. The Fridge is the good old Queen Lizzie of Kingsland. It sets the benchmark for eating well in the area, and keeps all the other eateries in order. That isn't to say it's out-dated, because in my humble opinion, there is still no pie in Auckland that can steal the crown from The Fridge’s mozzarella and cheese. All of the cabinet food is pretty impressive, and they boast that their eggs bene is the best in the city. I would have to argue that Shaky Isles across the road would give them some stiff competition in that department. If you’re still on that healthy New Year’s resolution and are off to Little Bird for a salad, don’t let yourself go near The Fridge. You might accidentally go inside and get a pie and gobble the whole thing in two bites.

507 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland

8. Le Garde Manger

Just like Prince Henri d’Orléans, Count of Paris, Le Garde Manger is French, sounds fancy, and is significantly less good looking than one would expect from the City of Love. The place isn't pretty, in fact its decor is quite tacky, with checkered table clothes and a food-court-ish vibe. But to be quite honest, I would dine in a graveyard for one of their crêpes. The Crêpe William ($14.50) comes with poached pear, vanilla ice cream, a decadent caramel sauce and then it is flambeed with brandy. It is divine and will have you forgetting all about the naff table cloths, and instead bowing down to Le Garde Manger, King of Crepes. Other than that, the menu is extensive and french-inspired. The chicken liver pate is good, and so are the escargots, but if it was up to me I would have a crepe for my entree, main and dessert.

479 New North Rd, Kingsland, Auckland

9. 601 Sake Bar

Japan doesn't have a royal family, but 601 Sake Bar would definitely be the Emperor: Akihito. Kingsland locals like to think the place is their little secret, what with all the new eateries popping up and attracting the non-Kingslanders, but 601 should not be overlooked. The menu is small for a Japanese restaurant, but I’ve never been disappointed with a meal. The sashimi is amongst the best in Auckland and I’m yet to find a tempura that beats their ricotta cheese, tofu, edamame and corn option. The food is not as Westernised as the rest of Auckland’s Japanese, which proves somewhat refreshing, and the menu is always changing with the season, so you get to try a new dish with every visit. Don’t let the Kingslanders keep this one to themselves. But remember to make a booking, everyone is after a piece of Emperor 601 Sake Bar.

601 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland

10. Atomic Cafe and Roastery

Atomic Cafe and Roastery should marry The Fridge. Because if the coffee from Atomic and the food from The Fridge were combined, the result would be a beautiful thing. I guess that makes Atomic Prince Phillip, Queen Elizabeth’s hubby. The food is fine despite an unremarkable menu, with a perfectly edible dish of oatmeal pancakes ($10) that comes with caramelised apple and orange marscapone. But the food isn't what earns Atomic its place as the Queen’s significant other. Their coffee cannot be beat. The place has an on-site roastery and brew bar which is rare in the city, and the coffee menu is massive, to satisfy all avid Kingsland coffee cravers. The place has undergone a makeover and is now an impressive size, with a massive slab table in the centre, which means that the cafe is a good coffice for those who cant afford to break from their workload whilst they relax with a cuppa. Buy your fresh beans from them too, and never drink bad coffee again.

420C New North Rd, Kingsland, Auckland