While this year has been a tumultuous time (to say the least) for the hospitality industry, it’s heartening to see new eateries continuing to open their doors with optimism, warm arms and mouthwatering menus. From sandwich spots to wholesome cafes, these new openings are well worth a visit. You never know, you may just find your new local.
Antheia’s Loft
Scurry up the staircase and find something special at Antheia’s Loft — the newest addition to Kingsland village. Located opposite the train station, this breakfast and lunch destination is the perfect pitstop to fuel up before or after a journey. With a wealth of wholesome menu options and a range of irresistible cabinet treats, Antheia’s Loft is focused on providing delicious vegan and gluten-free goodies (plus plenty of options for omnivores alike). Take your pick from dishes such as kinda creamy mushrooms with dairy-free cashew cream, garlicky mushrooms and dukkah atop sourdough, kimchi pancakes with sweet sriracha and vegan aioli plus nourishing bowls like Antheia’s bowl with quinoa rice, spiced pumpkin, Brussel sprouts and preserved lemon dressing. With coffee, smoothies and fresh juices to boot, there is lots to love at this new eatery.
473 New North Road, Kingsland
Open
Not so much a new opening, but rather an evolved one, the much-loved Eighthirty Coffee Roasters cafe on Karangahape Road still serves the same great coffee it has for the last ten years, but now under a new name and new ownership. Known henceforth as Open, the team of women running the business are already familiar faces from Eighthirty but while the wholesale coffee business thrives elsewhere, the K’ Road site has been given an interior spruce, along with the concept. With an unwavering focus on both their customers and other local owner-operators, owner Christy Tennent and her team hope to offer Open as a conduit for nurturing opportunities for their communities to thrive, valuing the diverse people that call the street home. “We want Open to bring people together from all walks of life,” says Tennent. Having kicked off the new venture in August with an exhibition that saw both local street artists and acclaimed artist Lisa Reihana sharing the space, followed by a boil up event with Awhina Mai Tatou Katoa, fair to say this philosophy is already well in play. So, if you want to support a female-run business doing their bit for their community — or you just want a delicious cup of coffee and a bite to eat — make sure you head along to Open.
553 Karangahape Road
Dedwood Deli
Nestled in the heart of Ponsonby, this cosy cutie is the perfect place to perch for sneaky sando or grab something to sustain you while you stroll. Opened in the space previously occupied by Gelato Amante, Dedwood Deli was conceptualised and created by childhood friends Alex O’Connor and Adrian Hoff. Cheekily curated into ‘To Scoff’ and ‘To Sip’ sections, the refined menu features four sandwiches (think New York Reuben, chimichurri steak, laksa peanut chicken and blue cheese portobello mushroom) and a range of housemade gelato with flavours such as Baileys and whiskey and panna cotta and fig, plus vegan options such as burnt coconut chocolate. Find a small but thoughtful beverage list with Kōkako coffee along with kombucha and cold brew on tap.
49 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
Luxerose
Taking over the prime position previously occupied by Redwall 1939, Luxerose Cafe is the new all-day eatery overlooking Parnell Rose Gardens. The highly Instagrammable space, with neon signage, flowers abound and an enviable view also features an equally photogenic drinks menu complete with pastel-coloured lattes and the signature Luxerose mocha. Food-wise, it’s hard to choose between breakfast options such as lavender hotcakes, charred wild mushrooms and dirty waffles with kimchi karaage chicken and more hearty plates like gnocchi cauliflower with ricotta, hazelnut dukkah and a perfectly poached egg, or black angel noodles with housemade squid ink noodles, dashi and pickled ginger. A selection of pastries and cakes are also available at the counter, providing an ideal treat to take along as you peruse Parnell Rose Gardens’ beautiful blooms.
85 Gladstone Road, Parnell
