Bestie

For a long time the mark of a good café was its eggs benedict. While the purists might say that’s still the case, the truth is that now the mark of a good café is one which has a breakfast menu that features something a little more interesting than the classic eggs bene. Bestie well and truly ticks that box. Do yourself a favour – go now for the spiced lentils with egg, labne and flatbread. It’s one of the best breakfasts in Auckland, without a doubt.

Spiced lentils aside, Bestie is a very good addition to Auckland’s ever-burgeoning café scene that is well worth a visit. The café is housed in the back of K’ Road’s historic St Kevin’s Arcade. The café space itself is beautiful, full of pink and dark green painted walls, grand old windows that frame Meyer Park’s trees, and beautiful Billie Cully artworks. Seating is provided in the arcade itself, so there’s a constant hum of people coming and going.

Coffee here is by Auckland’s Eight Thirty roasters, and it’s excellent. Service is casual but sweet. The food lineup is stellar. Cabinet options are especially good (hearty sandwiches, great home baking, excellent chorizo sausage rolls), but it’s the brunch and lunch menu that will undoubtedly win you over. The menu changes with the seasons (though apparently the lentils won’t ever be going anywhere), and features plenty of healthy twists on café-style breakfast favourites. The cheese toasted sandwich with a fried egg on top and pancake offerings are particularly good. A rotating selection of hot dogs seals the sweet deal.

There’s a lot to love about Bestie. The café’s name is apt, we think – we’re calling it: it’s one of the best cafes in Auckland.