Bestie Cafe
The view from Bestie (pictured above, photo by Lea Jordan) is the one of the bestie in Auckland. Order one of their excellent coffees and say ‘hi’ to Tane for me! 183 Karangahape Road, Auckland.
Popped Culture is a series of unique breakfast events run in conjunction with emerging chefs, bakers and hospitality personalities.
Popped Culture
I don’t eat breakfast or enjoy being awake during the morning, but I’d make exceptions for Popped Culture. poppedculture.co.nz
Mercury Plaza foodcourt in Auckland.
Mercury Plaza foodcourt
I ate here weekly for the two years I lived in the neighbourhood. Mercury’s abundant foodcourt, the New Gum Sarn supermarket and the Street Fighter arcade machine are sadly slated for the wrecking ball. Mercury Lane, Auckland.
Flattened rice
Rice that’s been pounded flat into flakes which are quickly rehydrated and turned into delicious Indian snacks such as poha (pictured). Available at Indian grocers.
Maangchi
Chef Maangchi expertly whips up an encyclopaedia of Korean dishes on her YouTube channel. Do not watch on an empty stomach.
Best Ugly Bagels and yerba mate.
Best Ugly Bagels
Strong Havana coffee and dependable kai from the Taste’s office’s neighbour. 90 Wellesley St West, Auckland.
Yerba mate
A low-caffeine herbal tea. Light and smokey. Available at tleaft.co.nz.
Tuatara Sauvinova
A not too hoppy beer from Wellington’s Tuatara.
Stone Soup Syndicate
A choice indie magazine featuring all sorts of under-the-radar culinary stars. Top notch photography and writing, what’s more: it’s free. @stonesoupsyndicate
Mike Watson is the art director of Taste magazine. Subscribe to the magazine here.
