Auckland’s Best Sunday Brunch Spots

The delightful Odettes Eatery kicks off the list of Sunday brunch spots with its airy and relaxed setting in the City Works Depot. The glasshouse courtyard is the perfect spot to dine when the sun is shining, otherwise, step inside to the Scandinavian-inspired dining hall. Tropical prints and geometric designs fill the walls, leaving you with nothing but relaxing thoughts. Odettes hosts three different menus depending on the day and time, but we guarantee they’re all equally delicious. Head chef Jonah Huang works his menu around local produce with Mediterranean flavours to create dishes like Baba Ghanoush with pomegranate, ricotta Gnudi, or take it all on with the Odette’s Complete. 

Look next door to Odettes and you’ll find the more casual eatery, Best Ugly Bagels, fronted by celebrity chef Al Brown. If you’re not wanting to take on the whole hog on your brunch outing, head to Best Ugly for your weekend carb-loading fix. Kneaded, rolled, boiled, and fired (on Manuka hardwood may we add), all bagels are made in-store. While they may come out looking less than perfect, what they lack in symmetry they make up for in loaded toppings. From classic spreads like cream cheese and jam, Pic’s peanut butter, or honey and butter, to more eccentric toppings such as the pastrami, swiss and hot mustard, or the zesty king salmon and caper creation, there’s something for everyone at Best Ugly.

Across the bridge is one of the North Shore’s well-kept secrets, Sugar at Chelsea Bay. Standing on the grounds of the Chelsea Sugar Factory, Sugar (the brainchild of Major Tom’s and Winona Forever’s creators Fran Mazza and Aaron Carson) holds one of the best views of the Auckland skyline. The lush green fields are the perfect spot to take in the city and enjoy some damn good food. Watch the bakers live on site whip up fresh treats and enjoy appetising dishes such as the Mexican Benedict with buttermilk fried chicken, or the kimchi scrambled eggs on Russian rye. Pair them with an ice cold beverage or a winter warmer, and you’ve got a pretty good Sunday set-up. 

Heading to town for a spot of brunching and shopping, look no further than The Store, opposite Takutai Square. Eat in or takeaway (for a picnic down at the viaduct), everything at The Store is fresh, vibrant, and full of flavour. From the cabinets packed with salads, sandwiches, and slices, to the main dining area with a full brunch menu of exciting dishes. Ricotta hotcakes, smashed kumara with goats cheese, agria gnocchi, and rhubarb porridge are all on the menu, as well as a full range of cold pressed juices, house-made smoothies, coffees, and cocktails. The indoor-outdoor flow opens up the square, with a buzzing social vibe to the eatery. Grab a table outside in the warmer seasons and sit back and relax in the heart of our wonderful city. 

Nothing beats a Sunday drive and good food! Luckily, we’ve found the perfect place to get a taste a both. Introducing The Franklin, a short cruise to the balmy seaside town of Beachlands, just past east Auckland. With a nod to the stellar location, the tap-house has a nautical theme and a relaxed atmosphere for a leisurely stay. After your morning coffee, go for a pint or glass of bubbles with your brunch. They’ve got an abundance of on-tap and bottled beers, as well as an extensively long list of wines and cocktails. The Franklin has a short and sweet brunch menu with all your favourites, and some additional mentions such as the huevos rancheros with ciabatta, and the hotcakes stack with whipped butter, maple syrup, and a side of bacon. 

With a history dating way back to 1992, Cafe One2one on Ponsonby Road is still going strong. Friendly founder, Chris Priestly, is still in charge and is often behind the counter himself, alongside a furry feline that comes and goes as he pleases. The indoor dining area remains in traditional Ponsonby style, with wooden floors and brick walls, while the outdoor courtyard is a sunny paradise of green walls and hanging vines. For brunch, one2one has all your favourites from macadamia granola, eggs Benedict with super thick cut bacon, wagyu mince on toast, bagels, big breakfasts, grilled cheese toasties, and much more. They’ve also jumped on board with the Turmeric latte trend, creating their own blend of turmeric, honey, ginger, and coconut milk–A must-try! 

Sister-cafe to the beloved Dear Jervois in Herne Bay comes Snö, Remuera’s most popular brunch spot. The dainty black and white parlour adds to the list of growing Scandinavian eateries in Auckland. The inside is beautifully decorated with wooden furnishings and a clean monochrome colour palette. Their food is equally as well-presented, taking over social media with bright green smoothie bowls, charcoal burger buns, matcha coffees, and blueberry waffles. The menu is heavily vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free friendly, with fresh and beneficial ingredients like activated charcoal, quinoa, lemon ginger tofu, turmeric, cacao, matcha, and spirulina. For a real feel-good Sunday session, head to Snö to treat your mind, body, and soul. 

If you’re looking for a side of mimosas with your brunch, look no further than the most popular bottomless venue in Auckland, The Lula Inn. This place has it all – Great location, fantastic food, indoor greenery, and all-you-drink cocktails in the AM! The eatery incorporated flavours of the Pacific when creating their menu, with fresh seasonal ingredients and flavours. The brunch option allows you to pick a classic brunch dish from the menu, with choices like salmon hash and blueberry and banana pancakes, alongside bottomless mimosas, Prosecco, bloody Mary’s, or mock-tails. With an over-water deck, in-house DJ’s, and electric atmosphere, Lula Inn is the perfect place to continue your Saturday night into Sunday morning. 

Blink and you might miss it. The cosy cafe, link textChuffed, is hidden in the storefronts of High Street in Auckland. Instantly taking you far away from the grungy city streets, Chuffed is a breath of fresh air with their sunny outdoor courtyard and sheep-skin seats. The menu is full of hearty home-cooked dishes, from banana porridge to slow-cooked lamb shoulder, as well as a great range of cabinet gourmet toasted sandwiches. Their famous crumpets are a hot pick, available with ginger poached pear and vanilla cream, or gin and citrus salmon and avocado. To drink, take your pick of their wide range of coffee, tea, chai, kombucha, sodas, smoothies, cocktails, wines, and beers to enjoy with your brunch. 

Next up is Morningside’s coolest spot, Crave Cafe. The community-based cafe is all about caring and sharing, offering pay-it-forward coffees on the menu (shout the next person in need a hot beverage), and all profits feeding back into the community of Morningside. The inside is beautifully decorated, complete with an antique toy store inside the cafe itself. The menu ranges from brunch classics like eggs Benedict (with salmon or bacon options) and French toast to antipasto platters and roast chicken dishes served with spiced coconut cream. Crave itself is always buzzing with supportive members of the community, making it the perfect place to people watch, or just soak up the positive vibes.