From the creators of popular Tauranga eateries George and Mr Miyagi comes the cutest little coffee shop you ever saw. But unlike Claire Beard and Luke McCartin’s previous hospitality endeavours, their new cafe, George Kiosk, was a cinch to get off the ground. “We’ve had so many stressful attempts at leases with Mr Miyagi and renewing [the lease for] George; this was just easy,” Claire says.
Bay Explorer, which runs the largest charter boat in Tauranga, leases a jetty with a kiosk, and owner Brandon Stone simply walked into George to offer them the lease. “He said, ‘Just come and have a look’,” Claire says. “We did and we loved it.”
Parquet, pink paint and fringed peach umbrellas give the kiosk a run retro vibe.
The waterfront kiosk was soon given a makeover, with a striking red-cedar pergola and fun tropical decor taking it from down-at-heel to delectable. Perhaps only fish and chippy Bobby’s and the Harbourside restaurant, each at opposite ends of the Strand, can boast such a prime location, but George Kiosk’s ‘retro beach party’ vibe sets it apart from its neighbours.
The interior is painted pink with rimu shelving and plants adorning the space. Fruit hangs invitingly in baskets, large, pickle-filled jars line the shelves and the counter is laden with cakes and pastries such as organic berry and dark chocolate muffins, and peach and custard tarts. Then there’s a cabinet stocked with more substantial cafe fare such as focaccia filled with organic eggplant, courgette and capsicum, along with almond and parsley pesto, vegan mayo and housemade vegan feta.
A customer kayaks over for coffee.
The inspiration behind the interior and the decor in general is simple. “It’s just stuff we like,” Claire laughs. Luke nods and points to the floor. “I made the floor from old rimu framing timber but had to make grooves at the ends myself. Every little piece here has multiple cuts.” A lot of time and energy has gone into the flooring, which flows seamlessly into the shelving and counter, all made from the same recycled tongue-and-groove rimu.
It’s a mystery as to why it’s taken this long to realise the potential of the kiosk, given its location. Mind you, the extensive work Tauranga City Council has done on the waterfront, including building tidal steps and a bombing pier just metres away, has improved the area significantly. George Kiosk is part of the rejuvenation and has already proven a hit with locals and tourists alike with its quality coffee and food. Dog walkers stop in for a takeaway, while families have a bite to eat as the kids enjoy the playground and Hairy Maclary sculptures nearby.
The Allpress coffee is definitely a major drawcard for visitors to the waterfront but the kiosk’s enticing cabinet food is a major point of difference. “Most of the food is vegan and all of it is vegetarian,” Claire says. “We bring everything over in the morning after baking it at George.”
The best thing on the menu? “The vegan peppermint choc-chip ice cream,” Claire says. “Our little farm is just over that bridge [pointing towards the Matapihi Rail Bridge] and we grow just about everything there, including the ice cream ingredients. We’ve had a rough couple of months because of the weather, but it’s still going strong. We’ve had good crops of eggplant, courgette, tomatoes, peppermint, avocado, persimmon, spinach…” She could go on.
The ice cream regularly sells out over the warmer months and the installation of a self-serve acai smoothie machine is next on the cards. During winter, the kiosk will have comforting hot soups on offer, too.
So now one of the most popular walking and leisure spots in Tauranga has quality takeaway coffee and you-won’t-believe-it’s-vegan ice cream to scoff in between bombing sessions in summer; plus those seeking out delicious, organic, fair-trade, locally produced vegan or gluten-free food now have another dining option up their sleeves. By George, what’s not to love?
George Kiosk
4 Wharf Street
Tauranga
Story by: Jared Dobbs.
Photography by: Rachel Dobbs.
This was first published in Taste magazine.
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