Bestie Cafe — Restaurant in Waitematā

A hidden K-Road gem!

Tucked inside the beautiful St Kevin’s Arcade on K’ Road, it has stunning views over Myers Park and the Sky Tower framed by retro leadlight windows. It’s the perfect backdrop for a relaxed weekend breakfast!

The atmosphere is warm, vibrant, and filled with natural light. It’s thoughtfully laid out, making it accessible and easy to move around. The decor has a fun vintage vibe with loads of plants, giving it a fresh and relaxed energy.

The food is outstanding. Everything on the menu is creative, seasonal, and comforting from the brie flatbread with labneh to the legendary cheese toastie with a chilli fried egg on top. My partner and I ordered the ‘chilli butter fried eggs on sourdough’ and the ‘fried halloumi bites with hot honey and herby whipped ricotta’. The flavours were bold, fresh, and so well balanced. Both were out of this world, you can tell a lot of care goes into the menu and preparation here.

Their cabinet treats are just as good, don’t miss the gooey brownie or Louise slice! Coffee is spot on too (they serve locally roasted Eight Thirty), and the cold-pressed juices and turmeric lattes are perfect if you want something different.

Dietary needs are clearly catered for with plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Staff are friendly and take real care when handling specific dietary requirements such as vegetarian or gluten-free dedicated prep and cooking areas which is so appreciated.

It gets busy, especially on weekends but it’s well worth the wait. Highly recommend grabbing a seat by the window if you can. Bestie isn’t just a cafe, it’s an experience. Easily one of my favourite brunch spots in Auckland, cannot wait...

I recently visited Besties Café in Auckland CBD, and it was a cozy and delightful experience. We ordered the Hotcake Stack with Bacon and the Toastie, which came with sourdough bread, a fried egg, and little pickles, along with a flat white.

The Hotcake Stack was a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The pancakes were fluffy, and the bacon added a nice salty contrast, making the dish indulgent and satisfying. It was a hearty option for breakfast, and the portion size was just right.

The Toastie was simple yet well-executed. The sourdough was toasted to perfection—crispy on the outside and soft inside. The fried egg paired nicely with the tangy pickles, creating a delightful mix of flavors. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something quick and light yet flavorful.

The flat white was spot on as well—smooth and well-balanced, with the right amount of richness. It was a nice complement to the meal and rounded out the experience perfectly.

Overall, Besties Café is a great spot for a casual breakfast or brunch in the heart of Auckland CBD. The cozy atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious food make it worth a visit. Whether you're in the mood for something sweet like the Hotcake Stack or something more savory like the Toastie, you'll...

It may have been a dream. I can’t remember now. All that matters was my vision quest to find a bathroom. I’d been slamming flat whites into my bladder all morning. The caffeine shook my bowels like a city on a fault line. Was there going to be an earthquake in my pants?

Not today. I’d found the promised land. There were toilet-rolls stacked in towers. There were dried flowers in a vase. A neutral smell clung to the air, reminiscent of a well-scrubbed floor. The door lock worked, the toilet flushed and the taps of the sink flowed with beautiful, clean water.

Meanwhile, I looked above to the high heavens. My disembodied bowels grounded themselves in the waters below. When I woke, there was a shelf behind the cistern. Had it always been there? There was reading material. Books. They had my name on them. Did I put them there? I can’t remember now.

Everything felt like a dream. Was it wild of me to hope that my words could occupy a mind while the body perched on a porcelain throne? Perhaps, I live here now. Even books, shall eventually...