This post is a courtesy of my friend Sara, who is a rising expert for healthy food & wellbeing and who is absolutely in love with Auckland & its selection of healthy eateries.
“As you already know, I spent first five – six months of my trip to New Zealand in Auckland – the concrete jungle where busy way of life doesn’t differ much from other cities that tend to be quite boring. Just that Auckland is not boring! Only give it a chance and I guarantee you it won’t disappoint you. I was asked so many times: “how you can stand it in this confusion and chaos, this is not New Zealand”. Maybe not, but to me this place offered more than you think. Once your work mates become your family, small hostel your new home and every street known as if they would in your own hometown, then you could imagine how happy and satisfied you can wake up in a morning and run on a street, with the biggest smile and tell a road cleaner and the rest of the world how glad you are to live in this city. Aucklande became your home. And even Auckland can be a little cosy place, charming in its own way.
And what I was doing in those months? As I’ve already said, you have to give the city a chance. Seeing its most hidden corners. And when you find them, you fall in love with them. Don’t try to judge it before you get to know it better. So many yoga centers, cafes and restaurants with healthier food offers; parks, where you can meet people from all around the world while flying or floathing as a fetus and preforming wild stunts with local group of acro yogis; discovering the city by its walking paths, from one to another side of the ocean; heaps of vulcanos. I wasn’t bored at all! When I had a day off I didn’t stay on the couch of stuffy hostel watching other travelers how they want to see crappy movie for the hundredth time or lay in bed with computer in my lap. Not saying this is wrong, but that just wasn’t my cup of tea. Usually I went out, exploring. You know exactly what 🙂 – food industry and coffee culture of course! The food of local markets, cafes and restaurants. I was carrying my little notebook everywhere I went and writing down ideas and details of places … This is what I’m going to share with you now!
Little Bird Organics – I had found a FB page of Little Bird Organics before I even left home and I had promised myself I’m going to try it when I arrive to Auckland. This is a story of Megan and Jeremy, who created this top foodie place with organic raw food, smoothies with all sorts of superfoods, with huge coffee and tea selection, served with “home made” hippie milk etc. Breakfast, lunch or dinner. The food is delicious, staff helpful and really efficient, the place with diverse offer can satisfy even the most picky foodie.
Little & Friday – cafe or eatery where you won’t be able to say “no, i can’t eat this” or ” no thank you, I’m full”. You have to try at least one little piece of doughnut, pie, no matter if savory or sweet. I love decoration inside and unique water bottles with mint leaves or cinnamon stick infuesed in water.
Wise Cicada – little place inside the healthy shop, where you can find superfoods among the others. So, just an idea: on a Saturday morning you walk to New Market, get some ingredients for next day’s lunch on your way, and take a short break with smoothie or a quick snack at Wise Cicada. I guarantee you, you can’t fail!
The Store – the location is perfect due to its proximity to a farmers market every weekend. After shopping you could go for chai latte and granola with home made vanilla yoghurt and rhubarb. The menu is just amazing, you will have some problems choosing what to take. And just around the corner of the building, there is a little bakery where you can buy sour dough bread and almost french kind of croissants.
Food Truck Garage – before I came to New Zealand I found chef Michael Van de Elzens’ show on TV. He and his food truck was a sensation. And what made him so special? Fast food, made in his own, healthy way.
Skaky Isles – coffee adicts, this is it! And you might even find some brownies to go with your favourite coffee choice.
Mondays – I haven’t had a chance to visit it since I left Auckland before, but as much as I can find online, this is my “must do” to do when I’m back ;).
Dear Jervois – this place was only opening when I left Auckland, but today I read on their FB page: “This is our gluten free, vegetarian Zucchini Fritter with beetroot, micro watercress, pine nuts, freshly chopped herbs, grated pecorino and lemon sour cream“. Sounds delicius right? I guess another “must try” on my list.
So, what do you think about the choice?”
For more about Sara, her ideas about healthy eating & wellbeing, and about her adventures, visit her Creative Kitchen Avalon blog!
Auckland : Inside Out 