I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent a bit of time during lockdown daydreaming about my next good coffee. I can close my eyes and imagine the familiar aroma of freshly ground coffee that stops you in your tracks when you walk into a cafe. And, living in the Bays, we are spoilt for choice. So, I thought I would give a bit of a shout out to a few of the local cafes, some you may know, some you may have heard of and others you’ll just have to try out.

If you are looking to get a good coffee fix from Mairangi Bay to Long Bay, here are my suggestions for a coffee trail. Take your time, but try them all – it’s a great opportunity to celebrate our new-found freedom, stretch your legs and support some of the small businesses that are right on your doorstep. And if you’re on the run and can’t stop too long, Bean ‘n Gone Drive Thru does a great coffee outside Safe Drive – up on the hill heading out of Browns Bay.

According to Google maps, it is 7.5km from Mairangi Bay to Long Bay, and they suggest that this will take you one hour and forty minutes one way. I’d like to put forward a longer, more leisurely approach, with a few stops along the way. And don’t feel you have to do it all in one day! Spread it over a few weekends and enjoy the warm weather (just around the corner) and take an easy stroll with coffee shops and maybe brunch along the way.

Some favourite coffee stops along the way

Mairangi Bay:  Rhythm Cafe; Pukeko Bakery; Bay Cafe

Rothesay Bay: Bean Grinding Cafe; Eatery

Browns Bay:  Common Ground Eatery; La Tropezienne; White Flower Cafe; Java Jungle; Golden Sands Cafe; Allure Coffee Club

Torbay: Scout

Long Bay: Xtra Ordinary; Little Local; Obella

Support Local!

Article by ShoreLines Magazine, October/November 2021