They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but why settle for the usual smashed avo when you can take a morning trip around the globe—no passport required? Whether you’re craving a Middle Eastern feast, a buttery croissant (oui oui), or a spicy Indian delight, these Auckland spots will have you mentally planning your next visit before the last bite.
From Mumbai to Marrakech, Paris to Seoul, these breakfasts prove that Auckland’s food scene is as diverse as it is delicious. So next time you’re stuck in a cereal rut, swap the Weet-Bix for something a little more worldly—you won’t regret it.
Kejriwal Eggs
V.T. Station | 73 Davis Crescent, Newmarket, Auckland
Image credit: V.T Station | Facebook
Step into the hustle and bustle of Mumbai’s Victoria Terminus (without actually stepping on a train) and order the Kejriwal Eggs—sunny side eggs perched on chilli cheese toast with a hint of mustard and capsicum relish from V.T. Station. It’s the kind of spicy, cheesy, buttery goodness that’ll have you rethinking your usual eggs on toast. Grab a side of chai and chai-soaked buns for the full experience. Available every Sunday as part of V.T'.s Irani Cafe, 9am-1pm.
Turkish Breakfast Spread
Bodrum Kitchen | New Lynn, Mission Bay & Newmarket
Image credit: Bodrum Kitchen | supplied
If Mediterranean mornings are your thing, Bodrum Kitchen is where you want to be. Go for the Turkish breakfast spread—a table-filling feast of cheeses, olives, fresh bread, and honey-drizzled kaymak. Or keep it simple with a steaming plate of Menemen—scrambled eggs cooked in a rich, tomatoey, pepper-laced sauce that screams comfort.
Shakshuka
Scarecrow | 33 Victoria Street East, Auckland
Image credit: Scarecrow | Facebook
Charming city-side spot, Scarecrow Cafe, brings a taste of Tunisia with its banging Shakshuka—eggs poached in a saucy mix of spiced tomatoes, served with fresh focaccia to mop it all up. Best of all? Ingredients are sourced from local NZ producers. It’s hearty, it’s wholesome, and it’s a one-way ticket to flavour town.
Spam Musubi
Sweet Azz Hawaiian BBQ | 31A Beaubank Road, Kelston (various markets & events)
Image credit: Sweet Azz Hawaiian BBQ | supplied
Hawaiian breakfast? ʻAe, please. Track down the for a bite of Spam Musubi—a sushi-like stack of rice and grilled Spam wrapped in nori. It’s salty, savoury, slightly sweet, and pure island comfort food. Plus, it's run by a husband and wife duo who have relocated from the United States, so you know it's the real deal.
French Pastries
La Petite Fourchette | 9 Britomart Place, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Image credit: La Petite Fourchette | Facebook
You don’t need to book a flight to Paris—just grab an espresso and an all-butter croissant from French patisserie and boulangerie, La Petite Fourchette. Flaky, golden, and perfectly paired with caffeine, this is breakfast at its simplest (and chicest). They also have a second location in Wynyard Quarter, so your slice of Paris is never too far away!
Nordic Breakfast
SNÖ | 12 Saint Marks Road, Auckland
Image credit: SNÖ | Facebook
Sweden meets Aotearoa at SNÖ, a cafe specialising in traditional dishes from the Scandinavian region. The Nordic Breakfast V2.0—a hearty spread featuring Isterband sausage, thick-cut bacon, creamed dill potatoes, house-baked beans, and poached eggs is the kind of breakfast that makes you want to wear a woolly jumper and build a snowman (even if it's 20 degrees outside). And on the sweet front, their heart-shaped blueberry waffles or 'våfflor' hit the spot every time.
Anything From Honey Bones
Honey Bones | 480 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn
Image credit: Honey Bones | Facebook
Friendly neighbourhood cafe, Honey Bones, serves up some delectable dishes from the regions of the Middle East. I can hand on heart say you won’t go wrong no matter what you get here (from the Cilbir Eggs—pictured—to the Merguez…). But the showstopper is the Middle Eastern Breakfast Platter—colourful array of heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, Persian feta, honey, za'atar, and fluffy Turkish pide. One bite, and you’ll be dreaming of spice markets and sun-drenched terraces.
Khachapuri
Esther | 4 Viaduct Harbour Ave, Auckland CBD
Inspired by the golden-hued palate of the Mediterranean, Esther (by renowned chef Sean Connolly who was inspired through his extensive Mediterranean travels) delivers a next-level Khachapuri. This Georgian classic features a wood-fired pide stuffed with barrel-aged feta, mozzarella, and a runny hen’s egg—essentially, a cheesy, golden boat of pure indulgence.
American-Style Griddle Cakes
The Fed | 86 Federal Street, Auckland
Image credit: The Fed | Instagram
Channel your inner New Yorker at The Federal Delicatessen and order the American-style griddle cakes— think thick buttermilk pancakes loaded with blueberries (in the batter and as a compote), cinnamon butter, and strudel nut crunch. Warning: post-brunch food coma highly likely.
Yóu Tiáo
The Stove Cafe | 465 Dominion Road, Mount Eden 1024
For an authentic Chinese start to your day right here in Mount Eden, grab a bowl of congee—a silky, savoury rice porridge best paired with crunchy yóu tiáo (Chinese fried dough sticks) and a glass of unsweetened soy milk from . It’s simple, satisfying, and the ultimate warm hug in a bowl.
Kimchi Fried Rice
Chur Bae | Suite 13, 90 Wellesley Street West, Auckland Central
Image credit: Chur Bae | Instagram
Western-Korean fusion at its finest. At Chur Bae you can get stuck into the Bibim-Myeon—cold spicy noodles topped with fresh veggies and a kick of gochujang—or opt for the Kimchi Fried Rice for a breakfast with serious character (and a little heat from the fermented cabbage to wake you up). Chur to that!
Malawach
Ima Cuisine | 53 Fort Street, Auckland 1010
Image credit: Ima Cuisine | Facebook
Middle Eastern mornings don’t get better than Ima’s Malawach—a flaky, golden Yemeni puff pastry pancake served with eggs, bourekas filled with cheese, and all the indulgence you can handle. It’s rich, buttery, and best enjoyed with a side of strong coffee. (P.s. These folks also do a mean khachapuri.)
Want more like this? Check out:
- The Aucklander's Ultimate Breakfast Hit List
- Revive Your Weary Soul With A Cup (Or Six) Of Auckland's Best Coffee
- Matcha More Your Vibe? We've Got A List For That Too
Main image credit: Akuri from V.T. Station's Irani Cafe menu | Instagram.