Overview
Neighbouring the more populous Mission Bay, Kohimarama Bay hosts a quiet little collection of seaside shops which benefit from all of Mission Bay's selling points (the view, the location, have we mentioned the view?) - but without the niggle of finding a park, or being around a mass quantity of people. And it's in this upmarket but serene bay that you'll find Café on Kohi, one of the darlings of Hip Group (the well-respected founders of The Store, Ortolana, Milse, Takapuna Beach Café etc.).
Like everything else on offer from that group, the café operates under the same ethos of delivering quality food in a modern, streamlined Swedish-ish interior. Unlike their other establishments, Café on Kohi - being one of the quieter cafes of the lot - affords any patron an almost-guaranteed seat.
The café's capitalised on their demographic and settings, pre-emptively thinking about everything anyone who has walked or will ever walk into its terrain could wish for. Takeaway treats (healthy and not so healthy) line the cabinets - for those only stopping in momentarily before work, while a stack of straw sun hats greet clients at the door - a sun safe option for those who'd rather just lounge around enjoying the view from the outside seating area for an hour or two.
The view is as much a piece of Kohi's decor as the Bauhaus-inspired furniture (which may just as well have been standing in a MoMA and none would be the wiser). And again, given its nice quiet location for the most part you can pretend that it's only yours (and everyone else in the cafe's) to enjoy - the intermittent jogging mother-and-pram combo and 60-year-old shirtless male with a six-pack only momentarily upsetting that fantasy.
In terms of food, Café on Kohi caters thoroughly to those who see breakfast as the most important and delicious meal of the day. Classics like the eggs Benedict ($19) come with two perfectly oozing poached eggs, spinach, a slightly crisp English muffin, and an option of salmon, toulouse sausages or bacon; while more Mediterranean options like the patatas braves, halloumi, capers and poached eggs ($19) fill all the requirements of 'comfort food' (note: great post-night out meal option), whilst also providing a spicy tomato salsa which give your taste buds a nice wake up kick. Each coffee ordered was perfection. Soy cappuccinos (the hardest to prepare of the lot), were rightly foamed (a good thick foam brim, no weird burnt aftertaste - signs of absolute barista prowess).
Café on Kohi is a high-quality, low-key addition to the beachfront cafe scene with decently priced meals and one of the best views in town. Definitely one to pay a visit to if you believe in breakfast with a view.
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