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Your Auckland winter warmer guide to Takapuna eateries! Chilly weekend? No problem. Takapuna’s hospitality scene knows exactly how to defrost a cold weekend. From rich red wines to spicy street food and soul-soothing lattes. We’ve scouted some of the best spots to keep you warm all season long. No umbrellas required. Just pure comfort. The cosy connoisseur: Strand Wine Bar A world-class drop of red can easily turn an hour into a whole evening. Especially with intimate lighting and sanctuary vibes. The wine list is curated, the team know their stuff. So, settle in and pair your pour with delicious morsels on the menu like baked brie, honey and pear. The spicy escape: Rosie’s Red-Hot Cantina Spark some real heat with fiery jalapeño poppers. Be

Winter can be a beautiful time of year — slower mornings, cosy layers, warm drinks, comfort food and the perfect excuse to pause. But cooler weather doesn’t have to mean disappearing into hibernation until spring. In Takapuna, winter is a great time to reset, recharge and check in with yourself, with a wide range of health, beauty, fitness and wellbeing businesses right here in the heart of the town centre. Whether you’re craving a warming treatment, looking to move your body, needing a little recovery support, or simply wanting to feel more like yourself again, Takapuna has plenty of ways to help you feel good from the inside out. Start with movement. Keeping active through winter can make all the difference to your energy, mood

Kayu Studio marks five years in business with new bricks-and-mortar showroom in Takapuna On Friday 5 June, New Zealand furniture and homeware brand Kayu Studio, marked five years in business with the opening of a new showroom on Takapuna’s Hurstmere Road. Founded in 2021 by New Zealander James Mitchell, Kayu Studio is a considered furniture brand centred on timeless design, natural materials, and enduring craftsmanship. The new Takapuna space offers the most refined expression of the brand to date, made to feel like visitors are stepping into a home rather than a retail environment. It brings together Kayu Studio’s in-house furniture collections, objects and homewares in a way that encourages exploration and relaxation. Kayu Studio has carved out a distinct aesthetic, blending elements of minimalism

Takapuna offers you a 190,000-year-old volcanic story, between two beautiful beaches. The coastal track between Takapuna and Milford is a choose-your-own adventure where geology meets the sea. Want to play marine biologist in the rock pools? Done. Want to see centuries-old pōhutukawa trees and fossilised forests? Easy. Pair it all with a world-class coffee at the end and you’ve found the North Shore’s best morning out. Quick guide: Milford to Takapuna Walk Distance: 2.5km (5km return) Difficulty: Easy (some uneven rocky sections) Time: 1.5 hours (the more rock pools you find, the longer it takes) You can start at either end. The track winds through a mix of paved heritage paths and volcanic rock. While most of it is easy going, the beach-hopping sections between

Goldie’s Bar & Yard is the North Shore’s new country-inspired oasis. We’ve been in for a visit already, and can promise you it’s the hottest scene in town. We’re talkin’ cowboy hats, leather boots, peach iced tea with vodka, and fried chicken with bourbon BBQ sauce. The new Hurstmere Road bar promises to take up the mantle of The Elephant Wrestler that previously occupied the same location, with big nights, long lunches and the best of Takapuna’s party scene. “The Elephant Wrestler was an institution for Takapuna, and after many years it was time to breathe fresh life into the space,” says Star Group CEO Sam Egerton. “The inspiration for a Western bar came from a strong sense that our customers would embrace a country

This season, Takapuna is serving up a front-row seat for every kind of rugby fan. Whether you want to analyse the breakdown in crystal-clear high-def or soak up the sun in a courtyard with a cheeky eye on the score, we’ve done the scouting for you. Let’s check out the best sports bars and clubs with a great screen for the big game. The super-fan sanctuary: Cousin Scott’s This American-style sports bar is a cathedral of high-definition, boasting over 20 screens that make sure you have a great view from every stool in the house. It’s a high-energy, loud and an unapologetically sporty atmosphere.  Food: Think buffalo wings, loaded fries, and ribs.  The luck of the Irish: Florrie McGreal’s This Irish pub offers a soulful

As the seasons start to shift, autumn is one of the best times to explore Takapuna. Whether you’re looking for things to do in Takapuna for your weekend, planning a relaxed day by the beach, catching up with friends or looking for your next shopping spot, this seaside spot on Auckland’s North Shore has everything you need. Start Your Day at Takapuna Beach There’s no better way to kick things off than with a wander along Takapuna Beach. With crisp air, calm water, and those iconic views out to Rangitoto, it’s the kind of setting that instantly slows things down. Grab a takeaway coffee from Regatta Bar & Eatery or Takapuna Beach Cafe and take it beachside — or settle in and soak up the

Bubble tea is a simple concept, originally from Taiwan: fresh tea shaken with milk or fruit syrup, usually served cold with a signature oversized straw. But it’s versatile. It’s creative. You can go light and zesty, decadent and creamy or colourful and wonderfully weird. The flavour combinations are vast. And arguably the best bit: the add-ons! Tapioca pearls, coconut chunks, fruit lumps or something more exotic… there’s a whole world of flavour and texture to explore! Feeling overwhelmed at the menu? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Start here for your first bubble tea But if it’s your first time, we recommend the classic: Pearl milk tea. It’s the cold creamy, sweet drink that started the trend. How to order yours: Read on for some