If there's one thing Aucklanders do well (definitely NOT driving), it's sniffing out a good coffee from a mile away. Coffee culture is ingrained in the city's DNA - from meetings to dates to catch-ups to quality time with family, that large cup of social lubricant is never far from an Aucklander's hand.
But with a café or coffee bar now on virtually every corner, Aucklanders are truly spoiled for choice. With such an abundance of options, it can be hard knowing where to take your important client or current love interest - and you definitely don't want to recommend a place that serves your stickler mother-in-law a burnt brew.
Thankfully, the city's coffee connoisseurs have spilled the beans on their favourite places for a good cup of java. Taking to the Auckland forum on Reddit earlier this week, a person listed six places where they have been served a "standout" coffee this year, with other Auckland locals also pitching in their recommendations.
"Auckland has a great coffee scene. I'm here to share some of the best coffees I had this year," the original poster wrote. "There are a lot more but these have been the standouts so far."
In the top spot was Fount Coffee Co in Mt Eden, a coffee bar housed in a custom-built container on Normanby Road. Founded in 2019, their beans are sourced and roasted locally in Auckland to form their signature blend.
Coming in second place was Camper Coffee in Commercial Bay, a micro speciality coffee boutique, and rounding out the top three was Stolen Summer, an espresso stand on High Street in Auckland's CBD.
In fourth place, the user picked Better Me Espresso café, a small coffee shop on Grey Lynn's Great North Road. Next on the list was Coffee Lab, a specialty coffee shop, supplier and café in Wairau Valley on Auckland's North Shore. Last but not least was Vibe Coffee Roasters, a café and coffee supplier also in Wairau Valley.
It didn't take long for other Auckland locals to weigh in with their suggestions and not-so-secret hotspots, with one advising: "The Kōkako flagship in Commercial Bay is my go-to. I think it's the milk they use, but their coffee is noticeably smoother compared to other places and their beans have a nice flavour too. And also the Havana [Coffee Works] in Parnell. It's $4 for a white coffee regardless of size ($3 for black)."
"I'd agree, Kōkako is my favourite coffee in Auckland," another agreed.
"I brew coffee at home and definitely can say Auckland has an amazing coffee scene. Here are my favourites where I also buy beans and get to talk with the staff. Roastery cafés are the best," a third chipped in, recommending Dear Deer in Onehunga, Ozone in Grey Lynn, Mt Atkinson Coffee in New Lynn, Toasted in Wairau and Coffee Lab - again - in Wairau.
"Mt Atkinson is my favourite. So good, so silky. And their cheese scones are great too," another agreed.
Red Rabbit in Parnell and Atomic in the CBD also proved popular, as well as Bow And Tie Coffee Micro Roastery in Ellerslie, Ace Coffee Shop in Balmoral, Anastasis Coffee Roasters in Te Atatū South, TOB Coffee in Rosedale and Coffee General in Birkenhead.
"For Westies: Sozo, Glen Eden; Latte Tei, Glen Eden; Rampant Coffee Co, New Lynn; The Tannery, New Lynn; Orra Coffee Shop, Westgate," a west Auckland-based user pitched in, with a second agreeing: "As a fellow Westie from Glen Eden, I approve this."
Other CBD hotspots included Receptionist on Lorne Street, Welcome Eatery in Wynyard Quarter, Remedy Coffee on Wellesley Street West, Daily Daily on Karangahape Road and Frankie on Sale Street.
"Man if I had known this post received this many comments I would've listed at least 40 coffee shops that I think are top tier," the original poster said in a comment.
"Hopefully the baristas get to see this to know that we can't function without great coffee."
With all that being said, I think it's time for a coffee break.
