Mimosa Cafe - Takapuna

Mimosa is a relatively new cafe and one of our favourite places in Takapuna. They have Kokako coffee, Hakanoa Ginger Lattes, Tea Lady tea (that's another post to come one day soon!) and some pretty mean scrambled eggs. Plus, a vintage filing cabinet with toys in the draws, preschool friendly seating, a communal table, piles of magazines and just an all round cool vibe. The latter not being something to be found in abundance in North Shore cafes! 

fluffy...not so fluffy

My friend Keight has started up this cute new blog, Fluffy...not so fluffy, all through the eyes of her delightful wee Ella - not even of legal fluffy drinking age yet and already hunting out the best coffee spots in Auckland. Definitely check it out, she's got some great recommendations there. I hang out at Rakinos after dark quite a bit and can't believe I've never taken Haeata there for a fluffy during the day! Promise we'll hit it up this week and let you know all about it. FREE fluffies apparently! Unheard of!

Photo credit : fluffy...not so fluffy 

Ironique, Mt Eden

We ended up in Ironique on Mt Eden Rd a few weeks ago when my sister was up and looking for somewhere with a good selection of gluten-free treats. They had at least three different gluten-free things on the counter and a big courtyard out the back so we decided to check it out. My sister loved her cake and her lemon tea while Haeata loved the big box of toys, all the space to run around and the resident sparrows. The amazing iron work on the doors and sinks made for a cool surrounding too.

I spotted no less than three high chairs waiting in the courtyard and there was a changing table in the bathroom so perfect if you've got really little fluffy lovers. 

I also spotted some pretty amazing burgers on near by tables so might have to revisit for lunch one day. 

Ironique

448 Mt Eden Rd

La Boulange

As I've mentioned before, Haeata and I don't mind visiting The Department Store in Takapuna one little bit. One of those reasons is the lovely La Boulange cafe. The cafe is situated in the front of the store now right next to the sun drenched windows. Delicious pastries and macaroons, massive fluffies, good coffee and loose leaf tea. There is a box of toys but my niece Lily was happy to wander around and look at all the animal sculptures when we visited last week. There is a bathroom at the back of the store with fancy handwash in them although to be honest, Haeata found the designer toilets a little intimidating at first. There is a Nature Baby store right next to the cafe so once you've finished drooling over the Chaos & Harmony boots you can go drool over adorable little merino onsies.

Bosco Cafe in Te Kuiti

If you're heading down to the snow this week then Bosco's in Te Kuiti is worth a stop. We stopped here on the way to Ohakune last week and on the way back to Auckland. By the time you get to Te Kuiti you're probably 5 minutes away from experiencing a mini mutiny in the backseat so this place is perfectly positioned.

The cafe is sunny, cosy and has big rustic tables. The girls loved the play corner and the massive fluffies (just $1). Most importantly, of course, all the Mums involved were able to enjoy their coffee and tea in relative peace. Liz, a self confessed coffee snob, said the coffee wasn't too shabby either while Emma was really impressed with the vegetarian quiche.

Delish Cupcakes

This little gem of a shop is just around the corner from my house so maybe I'm a little biased but their cupcakes really are delish. They serve Atomic Coffee, generous pots of loose leaf tea and the fluffies are FREE (with any purchase), a too rare occurrence in most cafes these days. It's just a simple little place so there aren't any toys or anything but Colleen and Kathryn are great with kids and don't seem to mind when Haeata rifles through the endless array of cookie cutters they have for sale.

Check out their Facebook page where they upload daily irresistible pictures of the cupcakes on offer for the day. Go on, click, I dare you. And beware the Banoffe Cupcake, it has derailed many a diet.

Mamata Bakehouse

How was everyone's weekend? Hope you managed to get out and enjoy those short moments of sunshine. We were in Grey Lynn on Friday and decided to take shelter from the wind and the rain in the wonderful Mamata Bakehouse. The door was wide open but inside was warm and cosy thanks to the sunshine streaming in through the huge windows.

Haeata was served up a huge fluffy with her gingerbread man and I gave in to the lure of a hot chocolate and some carrot cake. Haeata's fluffy had an impressive foam to milk ratio and our baked goods were of course, delicious.

Mamata has a great corner filled with toys and books, a high chair, stacks of colourful plastic tumblers next to a water cooler and friendly, laid back staff. There isn't a changing table in the bathroom but it is spacious and Haeata appreciated the little stool next to the toilet. As an added bonus, everything is really affordable. My huge slab of carrot cake was only $3.30. Haeata's fluffy was either cheap or free - I need to start taking note of Fluffy prices for you!

Make sure you take home some of their bagels too. They have a big variety of flavours as well as gluten free and dairy free options.

Cafe One to One

Located at 121 Ponsonby Rd (geddit?), just a few doors down from Conch Records, this is a favourite of ours. They have delicious yet affordable counter food, generous pots of loose leaf tea, friendly staff and good fluffies. But most importantly, there is a sandpit out the back in the covered courtyard. Haeata will happily spend an hour in there while I sip my tea and read the paper. The little sparrows that inhabit the grape vines growing across the ceiling were also a favourite of Haeata's.

As an added bonus for parents with babies, there is a changing table in the bathroom and highchairs available. It's a small space but it is possible to get a pushchair in there.