Tomorrow's Brunch – The Glasshouse Cafe, Northcote

Spring has well and truly sprung in Northcote. Meet the fresh new eatery over the bridge delighting locals with their hearty brunch and lunch fare.

Auckland's Northcote is in the midst of a revival. The suburb once-devoid of any hearty brunch options now boasts an impressive line-up of local cafes and eateries that you'd typically have to head to Takapuna to find.

The Glasshouse Cafe, a beautifully-lit eatery sitting on Akoranga Drive, offers a delectable range of menu items that'll leave the brunch crowd singing its praises. Wedged between a number of professional services – a doctor's office and a physiotherapist – you'll find this inspired space serving everything from Asian-fusion and hawker fare to contemporary cafe classics, an offering that owner Lizi Dao says the neighbourhood was previously lacking.

During our afternoon visit, we opt for the Bulgogi steamed bun, packed with kimchi, pork marinated with their special in-house Korean sauce and served with an Asian garnished salad. For those craving their daily serving of eggs, reimagined classics like the Upbeat Eggs Benedict – pillowy brioche with a choice of coconut lemongrass braised pork belly, jalapeno hollandaise or beetroot cured salmon with bearnaise.

Cafe-owner Lizi – briefly at the helm of Shore Road Cafe – ensures there's plenty of homemade cabinet offerings for those on-the-go, with a variety of delicious turmeric and beetroot spiced lattes (albeit a little trendy) fitting alternatives to your usual morning cuppa.

The space is flooded with light and two gorgeously green trees reaffirm the warm and welcoming vibe Lizi has worked hard to achieve. Young families enjoy a coffee and a catch-up, while those working in neighbouring businesses call in for a bite on their way back to work.

The Glasshouse Cafe is a welcome addition to a revived new-look neighbourhood that's giving big sister Takapuna a run for its money.

The Glasshouse Cafe
7/3 Akoranga Drive
Northcote, Auckland.
Opening hours: 
Mon–Fri: 7am–4pm
Sat: 8am–3pm
Sun: Closed