Fig Tree Café

Nestled in the leafy green suburb of Heretaunga, the Fig Tree Cafe has made its home in a converted church. The high, lofty ceilings are a giveaway to its roots, as is the remarkable jarrah floor and occasional stained glass window. The high ceilings are conducive to plenty of natural light, and the casual outdoor seating and additional parking out back make any visit to the Fig Tree Cafe an easy and tasty experience you’ll probably want to repeat.

Emanating a feeling of everyone being extended family, the Fig Tree Cafe is the kind of place where you go for a cuppa and stay for a chat. It’s a place where patrons socialise and as the sense of community grows, people return for more of the same. Its location sees a range of clientele, from professionals and tradies, to retirees and school aged kids, flocking for the conversation, the setting and of course, the delicious food and locally roasted Karamu coffee.

With an ethos of making food themselves where possible (as opposed to sourcing it elsewhere), all sauces, relishes, hashbrowns and meats (including the bacon and brisket) are all made on site. And when homemade isn’t possible, ingredients are carefully chosen to ensure the best quality for every dish. The team loves a challenge, and they have just started working on creating their own ginger beer. Good things take time however, so watch this space.

The menu has an array of sweet and savoury dishes, from smoothie bowls and pancakes, to classic shakshuka, mince on toast and corn fritters, all at reasonable prices. Featuring all the goodies (including homemade bacon and hashbrowns) the Big Fig Breakfast is certainly a customer favourite, and the cabinet food is always a temptation. The cafe takes pride in catering to various requirements and needs, whether that's food and drink related, or simply a welcoming ear to chat.