Best of the burbs; where to eat in Remuera
The best restaurants, bars, and cafes in Remuera.
This article was published on Remix Magazine.
Although there is a common misconception that you have to be a lawyer who enjoys golf to live in Remuera, that is wildly incorrect. You have to be a lawyer who enjoys golf and owns a schnauzer to live there, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit.
In fact, today Remuera has a rich and diverse range of culinary offerings within Auckland restaurants. So, here is a list of reasons to visit Remuera that don’t involve golf, schnauzers, or tweed vests:
Table Talk
It pains me to share this secret with you all because I am as territorial of Table Talk as a schnauzer is of its home. I recently lived in Remuera for 18 months, 17 of which I spent drinking coffee and admiring the cabinet food in Table Talk. This place is just exactly what you need in a suburb; friendly staff, homecooked cabinet food that doesn’t look like it’s been there since Democrats were in the White House, and Flight Coffee. It doesn’t overcomplicate things, the decor is clean and simple, and it instead focuses on delivering really high-quality service, and it pays off. Any given morning of the week locals can be found queuing for coffees and cinnamon brioches. And any given morning I will be one of them.
571 Remuera Rd
Morell
There are bountiful outdoor tables at Morell so save the money you would have forked out on a babysitter, bring Twinky the schnauzer along, and redistribute that money to Bluff Oysters. If you find yourself in this leafy suburb, you need to hotfoot it straight to Morell. This is namely because it is the most flawlessly beautiful venue in the area, and also because it is serving up the best fresh fish in the whole of wider Auckland along with a solid wine list. Morell has a lengthy and delicious a la carte menu, so it’s difficult to make a decision. A selection from the ‘starters’ section would be my suggestion, the calamari salad paired (or should I say peared) with rocket, pear, parmesan, roast garlic and balsamic is the best dish involving calamari I have had in a long time. But the standout is undoubtedly the Pacific raw fish paired with coconut cream, tomato, spring onion and lemon. This dish encompasses everything you want in a seafood dish all rounded out in a creamy, citrusy, fresh flavour sensation. Don’t forget to peruse their delicious cocktail menu too, the Sloe Gin Sour is a delight aswell as their bloody mary, truly an epic date night spot.
91/95 Upland Rd
The Corner
The website states that ‘The Corner is your modern local’, and the owners know what they're talking about because that just about sums it up. It fits perfectly into the suburbs echelon, being both friendly and inviting while maintaining an upmarket feel. The menu reads as an extension of trendy food with tacos, bao buns, burgers, and platters all making an appearance, but as basic it is, we all love this style of food. Nobody is complaining while tucking into a pulled pork burger (unless you’re vegetarian of course). There are also dishes that stray from the norm, we’re not sure who Sidhu is but his butter chicken features, not something often found on a bar menu. Predominantly a bar, as expected, there is an extensive wine and beer list, carefully curated cocktail menu, and a number of bevvies on tap.
602-604 Remuera Rd
Flour Mill Cafe
This is more Epsom, by which I mean its postcode is literally 1023 not 1050, but it’s a skip, hop and a skinny cap away from Remaz hard. It’s also super cute. Signature pink adorns are carried throughout, on the coffee cups, on the walls, on the La Marzocca, everywhere. It’s all very pretty, and the food is no exception. ‘Gypsy Toast’ is an intriguing feature and is comprised of brioche soaked in orange and topped with pistachios, pink grapefruit curd and vanilla mascarpone.
409a Manukau Rd
Browns Eatery and Store
If Browns was a person, it would be the personification of Remuera, but in the best way possible. You will be hard-pressed to visit Brown’s without seeing at least three people wearing horizontal blue and white striped clothing and another five in active wear. I genuinely googled Brown’s Remuera and the photo above was the first to show up after I had already written this. Schnauzer's galore, fluffy egg sandwiches, and Allpress Coffee being poured left right and centre. It’s spacious and inviting, located directly on the main strip of Remuera Village, and it’s a pretty unbeatable place for a coffee catch-up with your gran.
409 Remuera Rd