With no higher ambitions than having a good cup of coffee (a proper flat white) and a nice breakfast I ducked into Columbus Coffee in Auckland one morning. You know the type of stop, where you’ve walked around the city centre for a while and now just want to sit down somewhere which is unpretensious and easy. Turns out it was, it’s a neighbourhood café serving honest food done without fuss.
It is the sort of place locals probably swings by on their way to work. There’s nothing fancy about it; the entire experience is simple, but what stayed with me was how much that simplicity matter. It had a good cup of coffee, a solid plate of eggs benedict, and an easy-going atmosphere that left me wishing I had more time to hang out then I actualy did.
Simple Breakfast and Good Coffee at Columbus Coffee
Columbus Coffee
The shop is easy enough to find from the pavement. It has an unpretentious sign and does not try to hard to attract customers’ attention. As you enter, you immediately feel as if this isn’t a place that chase trends but focuses instead on getting the basics right.
Everything you’d expect in a café that knows its business were on display. Chilled sandwiches and wraps lined up in the cabinet. A basket of scones seemed to have just been plucked from the oven.
Cakes sat under glass awaiting the afternoon crowd. I stood there waiting to place an order and scanned the offerings, nothing too fancy but pretty decent-looking all the same. Nothing too polished or Instagram-perfect about the baked goods lining the servery, just that homemade appeal.
The interior was kept simple, timber tables, window counter seating with bar stools that gave you a good perch if you was flying solo. I nabbed a table and got comfy. Sometimes all you want or need is something functional and comfortabley, and it ticked both of those box.
I got the flat white (with some nice latte art, always appreciated but not really thought about) and my friend got one as well. It was smooth, balanced, the sort of cup of coffee that slows you down a little, tastes good. We both agreed that was exactly why we came in.
So I had the ham and eggs benedict; proper as you’d expect. The hollandaise sauce were creamy and light, and the perfectly poached eggs oozed their yolks when I cut them open. It wasn’t about to change my whole outlook on breakfast, but it was satisfying in an uncomplicated way that a good breakfast should of be.
Salad bowl with grilled chicken & rocket, My friend had this. It appeared generous and fresh. , was actually ripe.
If you don’t fancy anything too rich this would be a solid choice.
On my way out I took a quick look at the kitchen menu posted on the counter; there’s enough variety on offer here to make me want to return and try something else another time. That morning, I found what I was looking for with Columbus Coffee in Auckland… No unnecessary flourishes, no pretence, just well-made coffee and food in a space that actualy felt welcoming.
That’s sometimes all you need from a café, and it’s surprising how hard it is to get done so well. This is one of those places if you’re walking about the city centre and looking for somewhere reliable for breakfast. What are your favourite no-nonsense cafés in Auckland (or elsewhere for that matter)?
I’d love to hear your recommendations.
