Like some people working from home permanently, my partner and I prefer to work outside sometimes. And like some peeps working remotely, the cafe is our go-to place to open our laptops.

A change of scenery and vibe from home really helps us focus on our jobs. We feel like we’re working in the office because everyone around us is also banging their laptops.

Do you know why it’s fun working in a cafe? It’s quick access to drinks and snacks! We visited each cafe in Kingsland to find out which would give us a rewarding meal while finishing our work.

1. Little Q

We really loved Little Q’s minimalist white interior design. It only has one eye-catching painting, which allows us to rest our eyes and focus completely on what we’re working on.

Another great thing is they serve various food and beverages, such as coffee, vegetables, and more. They have more than enough food selection for kids and adults.

When we asked regulars why they kept coming back to the cafe, the answer we got the most was their extensive vegan option. They serve five kinds of salads, the highest number on our best list.

We visited early, so we tried their latte (we love latte) and pancakes, and we did not regret it. You can clearly taste the coffee flavor on the latte despite the milk. The big pancakes have a light, fluffy middle part, crisp edges. They’re definitely not chewy like a loaf of bread!

Little Q is a bit more pricey compared to other cafes we visited, but we found the food worth every penny.

Quick and delicious

“Went for Sunday brunch and it was a little bit busy. It took a while to get our orders taken but considering two or three other tables had their orders taken at the same time, we got our coffees and food really quickly. My oat flat white was one of the best I’ve had. You get the choice between medium and dark roast for coffees. I ordered the Mega Q (big breakfast) and it hit the spot. The cumin hash was amazing. I wasn’t a huge fan of the cheesy sausages but that was just personal preference. My parter ordered the coconut french toast and the toast was substantial and came loaded with toppings. The cabinet offerings were fairly extensive. Overall, everything was delicious and quick. I’ll be back again.”

• Katie Ramsay, Google Reviews

Friendly staff and amazing food

“This Place is amazing, with all the staff being really friendly and also the food being amazing. I’ve been here countless times, and have tried almost everything on the menu. I highly recommend the crispy chicken burger, the pancakes, and the eggs your way on toast, as these all taste amazing, and because you should be able to fufil your taste in the moment by choosing one of those items. For the drinks, all the house made soda’s taste natural, are delicous and refreshing, and are a steal for what they are. There is also the Matcha frappe that i highly recommend, as it a soft taste that just goes perfectly with the pancakes.”

• Joshua, Google Reviews

2. Harlan Pepper

Harlan Pepper is an LGBTQ+ friendly cafe in New North Road. It has a very vibrant atmosphere that’s not really overwhelming. It’s a great escape from the busy streets of Kingsland. 

One dish that’s really popular is their tempura fish taco, which some customers said is the best taco in town. Naturally, we had to try it. The battered fish paired with mango salsa, fried shallots, and chili lime slaw delivers a sweet and spicy taste that lives up to the hype.

Another thing worth mentioning is their wide choice of teas. With eight varieties, there’s something for every tea lover.

We ordered their Earl Grey tea, a dried peel with tea leaves that has a sharp taste. Let’s just say it’s a choice we’ll make again because of how good it is.

The only thing disappointing about Harlan Pepper is that it is not open daily. That’s a huge loss for one of the highest-quality cafes in town!

Great cafe

“Came across the cafe pretty much by accident as it was right next to a job. Staff were really welcoming and friendly, which is actually not exceptionally common when you’re a tradie used to receiving the raised nose treatment upon arriving at the counter.. Food looked as awesome as the cafe. I was pretty impressed. The cafe is somehow quite large, yet doesn’t feel wide open with no atmosphere, great design and lay out. Love the flow from indoors to outside. Its really well done. I tried the Moroccan chicken wrap which was delicious, fresh and not overly priced. HIGHLY recommend!”

• Shaun B, Google Reviews

Excellent food and drinks

“Went to Harlan Pepper Food on a grabone voucher – shared tapas platter and drinks for 2.  Had a worry about parking but when we turned the corner discovered they have their own parking area-full marks for that!!!Just grab a coloured label from inside and take it with you to your table – great idea.  Friendly welcoming staff on arrival – kitchen and wait staff very efficient and our food came out in very good time – everything was tasty and delicious and there was plenty of it.  In fact we couldn’t eat it all and took the 2 sliders home.  The type of wine we ordered  was not included in the voucher but staff explained that it was at an extra cost – no problem!!!  Had coffee and a tea as an extra as well.”

• Ailsa O’Donnell – Work, Google Reviews

3. Kingsland Roastery

Kingsland Roastery is the Kingsland branch of Atomic Coffee Roasters. Atomic Coffee Roasters’ first branch was opened in 1992, way before cafes were popular worldwide. They currently have five branches spread across different towns in Auckland.

One thing is for sure: their Kingsland branch has that serene vibe that makes you want them to operate longer so that you have a peaceful place to work at outside your home.

When it comes to drinks, most of the customers we talked to said they serve tasty coffee of any kind. We tried their batch brew coffee, and we really loved how it balances sweetness and bitterness. The water has the right temperature to extract the coffee’s flavor.

We also really love that they have an online shop where they sell coffee beans farmed in different parts of the world, such as Russia, Colombia, and many more. It makes it easier for us to enjoy good coffee at home.

The only bad thing we can say about their Kingsland branch is they charge a fee for their parking space. Yes, it’s not that big, but it would be better if none at all.

Remarkable food and service

“We came here on recommendation from a family member and so glad we did. The service was fantastic and we were made to feel so welcome from the moment we stepped through the door. Coffees were large and strong. They roast their own beans, so I bought some to take home and enjoy. The food was delicious (we had the homemade corned beef hash) and they very kindly spread it over two plates as were sharing. It’s clearly a popular choice with locals as it was fairly busy and there was a lovely buzz in the air. I’d definitely come back here and would highly recommend to anyone in the area.”

• Carly Peart, Google Reviews

Very chill place to be at

“Great Coffee, chilled Vibe and delicious food. Having been once before for just coffee, I notice the food on peoples tables looked pretty good. I had the Huevos Rancheros, recommended by them. It was perfectly light yet filling, definitely hit the spot. This time I tried the Barista Trio. It was the Fruit Punch Blend from Columbia. You guessed it… you get a trio of coffee which includes: Flat White, Espresso and an iced coffee. Definitely leave with a little buzz. The Flat white was perfect at bringing out the flavours in the beans. The vibe of the Café is just perfect, you’ve got light conversation, laid back music accompanied by a light hum from the roastery in the back. Plenty of window space too for those who love to gaze out with a mighty fine coffee. Being only 700 meters from where I am this will definitely be my local go to!”

• Harry, Google Reviews

4. Kingsland Social

Kingsland Social is a very simple yet inviting cafe along New North Road (yes, New North Road rocks!). They have a menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

My partner and I came to a conclusion that they are the closest thing to an office. Why? Because of the simple interior design, table arrangement, and quiet environment. It is undeniably the best cafe to work at.

Another aspect where they shine brighter than some cafes is that they are excellent for solo dining. It seems like this is a common practice here, as most customers we saw on our visit were either looking at their laptops or texting and eating alone.

But what really makes Little Q stand out is the number of cocktails it serves—nine kinds! One of their cocktails we’ve tried is a passionfruit martini. It tastes like a balanced blend of passionfruit, wine, and vodka. 

Their only disadvantage to their competitors is that they don’t offer a delivery service. What if you crave their food while you can’t go outside? Ugh, that’s an absolute torture!

Exceptional service

“We hosted my friend’s baby shower here, as a normal table booking not function booking. The service was exceptional. Leading up to the day, Marine was so lovely to deal with, very accommodating and no request was too much trouble. Emails were responded to in a matter of minutes. We booked for 20 people for lunch and I made a special request for 20 cupcakes (from the function menu, not normal menu) which Marine had no problem sorting out for me. When we arrived the tables were all set with a cupcake in front of each chair and it was so beautiful. We were able to bring a few helium balloons no problem. The ambiance was so nice, the service was great, and we had an amazing afternoon. Thank you for allowing us to hang out for 2+ hours catching up with friends. Based on this level of service for a simple table booking, I would certainly consider booking this venue out for a proper function in future.”

• Aurelie Rivalant, Google Reviews

A gem cafe

“In the past I spent 10 years reviewing breakfast cafes in Sydney and while on holiday in NZ of all places I find a cafe that has impressed me more than anything else for a long time. The Royal Crumpets were ordered sans eggs. The combination of bacon, onion marmalade and parmesan was made all the more impressive because of the quality. The bacon was thick cut so it really stood out. It was all brought together by a near perfect hollandaise that was creamy as it should be, with the right amount of tang. And crumpets rather than the usual toast/croissant/muffin helped to set it apart. It just got better with house made rosti and a beef sausage with dense flavoursome interior and a delightful snap. Decadent mint hot chocolate and cappuccino to drink on the side coupled with fantastic service simply made for my favourite breakfast cafe after 2 weeks of dining out in NZ. Thank you, Kingsland Social team!”

• Dane Marcus, Google Reviews

5. The Bakers Cottage

The Bakers Cottage is the only cafe on the list not located along New North Road, but very near from it, which is along New Bond Street. They have been operating since 1907 (how cool is that?).

They are one of the few cafes in town that makes custom cakes, and they do it really well. We ordered one for my nephew’s birthday, and after the party, my sister got loads of calls from other parents asking where the cake was from.

Another strong point is that they open as early as 6 AM and close as late as 5 PM – the earliest opening time and latest closing time on our list! This means you have more time to work or just chill in their place.

What we love about them most is the wide choice of pastries you can have. Well, they are The ‘Bakers’ Cottage, after all. This makes them the perfect cafe to bring your kids to.

Aside from pastries, their coffee is lovely too. We are so delighted with the appearance of their coffee when it is served (and yes, we are also happy with its taste, too).

However, having no outdoor seating makes them less appealing to people who completely like to be outside their houses or any establishments.

Definitely worth the money

“I grew up in Kingsland and loved Connors Bakery like so many locals but this was my first visit to The Bakers Cottage – and it didn’t disappoint! I brought two gourmet potato top pies and two huge donuts for about $27. The first potato top pie was fantastic – great pastry and tasty filling – and the cream and apple donuts were amazing too (but not like the Connor Bakery donuts) but the highlight was the meatball potato top pie which the friendly lady at the store recommended to me! Again beautiful pastry, and tasty meatballs together with the rich tomato sauce and melted cheese make this wonderful pie top three pies I’ve ever enjoyed! I’ll be back for more, there’s so much to love about the great pies and donuts they create here🥳”

• Lelei ‘o Tonga, Google Reviews

Worth the wait

“Food Glorious Food ! Dont mind paying a lil more for great food, this bakery has got it covered. Pies are scrumptious and yes ! Believe or Not it has big chunks of real meat, with real gravey! There is also a amazing menu to chose from.  The salad selection on display is incredible, full of flavour, fresh any yummo! Sandwiches, paninis, bagels , savouries you name it…Bakers Cottage wont disappoint. Selection of slices and sweets , and the cakes…oh lord..the selection of devine cakes is like nothing I have seen in a huge cabinet from lil cakes, med and large. They are so beautifully and tastefully decorated…believe me you will find the best cakes , birthday or for any occasion stop …here. ! Selection of drinks available and the coffee, prob best around.  Can be a bit of a wait, but its worth it.”

• B, Google Reviews

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