10 best brunch spots in Auckland

There’s no denying that Aucklanders love to brunch. After all, this is a city where practically every suburb has at least one great café (more often two or three), the yum cha options are endless, and downtown hotspots like Britomart, Wynyard Quarter and Federal Street boast some of the best brunches in all of New Zealand.

Making a shortlist from so many great brunch options is near-impossible, but somehow, we did it. Brunchers, start your engines: Here are our 10 best brunch spots in Auckland.

1. Odettes Eatery

In a city full of beautiful restaurant interiors, the all-day eatery Odettes is a standout. Located in the industrial-chic City Works Depot, Odettes is a big, sunny space decorated with calming Mediterranean blues and lots of wood.

The morning menu features some of Auckland’s best gluten-free brunch options, and an espresso-infused smoothie for those who can’t face yet another flat white.

Flying solo? The bar at Odettes is a great spot to flick through the paper (or your phone) in peace.

2. Dulcie

Jump on a Fullers360 ferry from town and you can be sitting down for brunch at Devonport’s Dulcie in less than half an hour. Housed in a heritage building with views of Waitematā Harbour across the road, Dulcie is a relaxed cafe where the attention to detail is second to none.

This is a true brunch spot. You can roll up at 10am for scrambled eggs or avocado toast while your friend digs into chicken pot pie or seafood pasta – no judgement here! 

The menu is designed with local ingredients and sustainability in mind. On a sunny day the courtyard is one of the loveliest spots in Devonport.

3. Eight

Looking for Auckland’s best buffet breakfast? You’ll find it at Eight, the unique eight-kitchen restaurant at Cordis Auckland. Made-to-order omelettes, smoked salmon and seafood, pancakes and waffles, freshly baked pastries galore – practically any breakfast food you could want, you’ll find it here.

Possibly best of all is the famous chocolate fountain, perfect for dipping into with skewers of freshly cut fruit.

Unlimited barista coffee is included in the price, making this all-you-can-eat brunch a great deal for caffeine fiends.

4. Federal Delicatessen

First things first: no, you can’t get a barista coffee at Federal Delicatessen. This Federal Street institution is modelled on the great Jewish delis in places like New York and Toronto – that means it serves (excellent) drip coffee only.

On the plus side, it also means “The Fed” is Auckland’s best place for bottomless coffee, as well as deli classics like Reuben sandwiches, salmon latkes and the best bagels in town.

The Fed gets busy on weekends and is walk-in only, so if you have your heart set on booth seating, get there early or be prepared to wait.

5. Bestie

Inside the historic St Kevins Arcade on Karangahape Road is one of Auckland’s favourite brunch spots. Bestie uses the arcade’s gorgeous Art Deco interior to its fullest, with all the seating in the main hall itself.

Grab a table by the window so you can enjoy the decor as well as an incredible view across Myers Park to the Sky Tower.

In keeping with the creative vibe that K’Road is known for, Bestie’s menu is full of fun culinary ideas and classics with a twist – their cheese toastie topped with a chilli fried egg is a must-try.

6. Crave

Crave in Morningside has it all – a buzzy atmosphere, a reliably delicious menu, and an ethical approach to business. The light-filled café has a creative, ever-changing menu and reinvests its profits locally. It has become a cornerstone of the locale, known for great coffee and delicious breakfasts in a welcoming atmosphere.

7. Huami

Auckland is home to one of Australasia’s biggest Asian populations, meaning there are plenty of great places to eat dim sum, and Huami is among the very best.

But don’t expect racing food trolleys and lots of shouting at Huami’s yum cha brunch. This is a more refined experience, where diners order from an extensive menu full of delicious Hong Kong-style morsels. The ha kao truffle-prawn dumplings are to die for, as is the mānuka honey-glazed char siu pork.

Huami is located in the SkyCity complex, but you don’t need to be staying at SkyCity Hotel or The Grand by SkyCity to eat there. Its handy Federal Street location makes this a brilliant option for anyone staying at a city centre hotel, such as Crowne Plaza, Copthorne Hotel Auckland City or President Hotel Auckland.

8. Daily Bread

Ask Aucklanders for the best brunch spot in Britomart, and you’re sure to get a range of answers as it’s buzzing with delicious eateries. Many locals go for the stylish, Italian-inspired Amano, while others are die-hard fans of the central-courtyard dining at The Store – and both are excellent options.

But Daily Bread is where it’s at for a fresh experience. A huge, two-level space inside one of Britomart’s historic former warehouse buildings, Daily Bread specialises in gourmet pastries and delicious things on toast. Try the breakfast bun with fried egg and pork-and-fennel sausage – it’s Britomart’s best hangover buster.

Bonus: The lunch menu at Daily Bread starts at 10am,so if you’re in the mood for steak frites for brunch then you’re in the right place.

9. St Heliers Bay Bistro

At the far end of Tāmaki Drive, past the restaurants and cafes of Mission Bay and Kohimarama, lies St Heliers Bay Bistro, purveyor of some of Auckland’s best waterfront brunches.

The service at this self-styled “seaside eatery” is second to none, and the menu features such delectable dishes as spiced mince with a poached egg and pickled beets, and French toast with vanilla mascarpone and chocolate sauce.

The bistro is such a comfortable spot that it’ll be hard to tear yourself away. But once you do, be sure to take a restorative walk along the beach before you leave.

10. Little Bird Kitchen

These days, almost every Auckland brunch menu has at least one or two healthy options, and there are plenty of cafes that specialise in vegetarian or gluten-free dishes. But Little Bird Kitchen is in a class of its own.

After more than a decade in business, this Ponsonby cafe is still doing some of the healthiest, most delicious brunches in Auckland, featuring such unusual ingredients as macadamia butter, seaweed crackers and teff (a type of grain).

Everything Little Bird sells is both vegan and highly nutritious, while their raw dessert treats are so yummy they’ll have you swearing off biscuits for good.

If you’re searching for Auckland’s best healthy brunch, you’ll find it at Little Bird.