Albany Village Bakery & Cafe

About Albany Village Bakery & Cafe

Fields Cafe is a neighbourhood cafe and eatery situated in Albany, created as an homage to the area's historical roots as a 19th-century fruit-growing district. Balancing heritage with a fresh, contemporary approach, the kitchen crafts a diverse selection of seasonal breakfast and lunch dishes inspired by a wide range of culinary styles.

Designed as an open, welcoming gathering spot where the community can eat, relax, and connect, the cafe features expansive indoor seating and an outdoor deck looking toward Hooton Reserve. With dedicated children's options, an adjoining playground, and versatile spaces suitable for private and corporate functions, Fields caters comfortably to families, workers, and casual brunch-goers alike.

Fields Cafe: Honouring Albany’s Orchard Roots with Fresh, Modern Dining

In the late nineteenth century, after the clearing of kauri forests once harvested for the varnish trade, the rural settlement of Albany transformed into one of Auckland’s foremost fruit-growing districts. By the 1890s, Aucklanders regularly journeyed north to gather orchard-fresh apples, strawberries, pears, nectarines, and peaches. Fields Cafe takes its name and philosophy directly from this heritage, cultivating an environment where fresh produce and communal hospitality sit front and centre.

Positioned as a modern neighbourhood eatery, Fields merges this local farming past with contemporary culinary influences. The menu draws inspiration from a broad array of food traditions without being restricted to any single cuisine. Real, seasonal ingredients form the backbone of the kitchen's approach, resulting in balanced dishes that appeal across generations, from toddlers stopping by after school to groups settling in for a leisurely weekend brunch.

Thoughtful Plates from Dawn to Mid-Afternoon

The kitchen presents an all-day menu built on variety and comfort. Diners seeking classic brunch fare will find elevated interpretations like housemade granola served alongside seasonal fruits and coconut yogurt, and vibrant chilli scramble eggs tossed with fresh coriander, spring onion, and house chilli dressing. The cafe’s signature Wild Mushroom dish balances earthy sauteed fungi with a crisp potato rosti, aromatic sun-dried tomato pesto, and zhug labneh topped with a pistachio dukkah.

Sweet choices provide equal visual and flavour appeal, led by the Matcha Strawberry Hotcake—a vibrant green hotcake complemented by tart strawberry compote, pistachio crumbles, and ice cream—and the decadent Tiramisu French Toast paired with coffee anglaise, candied almonds, and rich chocolate ganache. For a heavier mid-day meal, options shift towards hearty plates like the Spiced Beef Short-Rib Open Burger served on brioche with cucumber tarator, or the Field’s Fried Chicken Don featuring crispy chicken, pickled vegetables, edamame, and gochujang over steamed rice.

Beverages and Family-Friendly Leisure

A full beverage program supports the dining menu throughout the day. Coffee is supplied by Atomic, with baristas preparing traditional espresso builds, long blacks, cold brews, and single-origin batch brews alongside coconut milk lattes infused with matcha, turmeric, or beetroot. Refreshing cold-pressed juices, functional smoothies like The Protein Hit, kombucha, and craft beers from Sawmill Brewery round out the options alongside New Zealand wines and daytime mimosas.

The physical atmosphere is characterised by open space and a relaxed pace. Ample indoor dining is complemented by an outdoor deck where guests can sit in the breeze while watching over nearby green areas and playgrounds. Whether hosting private gatherings, grabbing morning flat whites, or lingering over shared croquettes, Fields provides an accessible and welcoming hub rooted in the agricultural character of Albany.

Signature items

• Matcha Strawberry Hotcake
• Wild Mushroom
• Field’s Fried Chicken Don
• Tiramisu French Toast
• Chorizo Risotto Croquettes
• Can't Decide

Menu

Tea

• Harney & Sons Tea — Selection including English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Raspberry fruit tea, Chamomile, Ginger Lemon, Peppermint, and Chinese Green

Lunch & Mains

• Field’s Fried Chicken Don — Steamed rice, edamame, pickled ginger & cucumber, avocado, kewpie mayo, fried chicken, gochujang sauce
• Salmon Bowl Romesco — Broccolini, parmesan custard, greens, pickled zucchini, sesame seed
• Halloumi Salad — Grilled halloumi, tempura eggplant, mixed leaves, herbed labneh, pomegranate, seeds and chilli jam
• Spiced Beef Short-Rib Open Burger — Cucumber tarator, dill pickle, brioche, greens

Sides & Additions

• Sourdough / Grain Toast — Extra bread slices
• Field’s Seeded Loaf — House-made gluten-free seeded loaf
• Baby Spinach — Fresh side addition
• Rosti — Crispy potato rosti
• Avocado — Fresh sliced avocado
• Roasted Tomatoes — Slow-roasted tomatoes
• Mushrooms — Sauteed mushroom side
• Halloumi — Grilled halloumi slices
• Pork & Fennel Sausage — Savory pork and fennel sausage
• Double Smoked Streaky Bacon — Smoked streaky bacon
• Baked Salmon — Flaked baked salmon fillet
• Fries with House-made Aioli — Crispy potato fries served with house aioli

Breakfast & Brunch

• Housemade Granola — Seasonal fresh fruits, coconut yogurt
• Eggs Your Way — Poached, fried or scrambled, served with sourdough, grain toast, or Fields seeded loaf
• Wild Mushroom — Wild mushrooms on rosti, sun-dried tomato pesto, zhug labneh, dukkha pistachio, poached egg
• Can't Decide — Pork and fennel sausage, truffle mushroom medley, roasted tomatoes, double smoked streaky bacon, rosti, two poached eggs and sourdough
• Matcha Strawberry Hotcake — Matcha hotcake, strawberry compote, pistachio crumbles, ice cream
• Chorizo Risotto Croquettes — Chorizo, mozzarella & parmesan cheese, brava, mixed herbs, rocket
• Chilli Scramble Eggs — Spring onion, fresh chilli, coriander, sourdough, Fields chilli dressing
• Eggs Benedict — Potato rosti, baby spinach, poached eggs, Fields hollandaise with choice of bacon, mushrooms, or baked salmon
• Smashed Avocado — Pickled zucchini, pistachio crumble, mint, whipped feta, a poached egg on sourdough
• Shakshuka — Chorizo, feta cheese, tomato, mint, a poached egg, and focaccia
• Hangover Hash — Diced potato hash, chorizo, salsa, sour cream, fried egg, coriander
• Tiramisu French Toast — Coffee anglaise, candied almond, chocolate ganache

Coffee & Hot Drinks

• Black Coffee — Espresso or long black made with Atomic coffee beans
• White Coffee — Milk-based espresso drinks using Atomic coffee
• Mocha — Espresso combined with chocolate and steamed milk
• Chai Latte — Spiced chai tea with steamed milk
• Hot Chocolate — Rich hot chocolate
• Matcha Latte — Matcha green tea prepared with coconut milk
• Beetroot Latte — Beetroot blend prepared with coconut milk
• Turmeric Latte — Spiced turmeric blend prepared with coconut milk

Beer, Wine & Cocktails

• Sawmill Brewery Beers — Local craft beers including Ultra Low Carb Lager, Pilsner, IPA, and Bare Beer non-alcoholic
• Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough white wine
• Nautilus Pinot Gris — Marlborough white wine
• Black Barn Chardonnay — Hawke’s Bay white wine
• Opawa Rosé — Marlborough rosé wine
• Misha’s Vineyard ‘Cantata’ Pinot Noir — Central Otago red wine
• Col De’Salici Prosecco — Italian sparkling wine
• Mimosa — Cold-pressed orange juice with prosecco

Cold Drinks & Smoothies

• Cold Brew — Slow-steeped cold coffee
• Single Origin Batch Brew — Filter batch brew
• Iced Americano — Chilled espresso with water and ice
• Iced Latte — Espresso and chilled milk over ice
• Iced Mocha — Espresso, chocolate, and cold milk over ice
• Iced Chocolate — Chilled chocolate milk served over ice
• Iced Chai Latte — Spiced iced chai with milk
• Iced Matcha Latte — Matcha with coconut milk over ice
• Iced Beetroot Latte — Beetroot blend served over ice with coconut milk
• Iced Turmeric Latte — Turmeric blend served over ice with coconut milk
• The Protein Hit Smoothie — Banana, peanut butter, cinnamon, oat milk, whey protein
• Supercharge Smoothie — Mango, pineapple, banana, passionfruit, maple, coconut milk
• Cold-Pressed Juice — Choice of fresh orange or apple juice
• Sparkling Water — Chilled sparkling mineral water
• Karma Drinks — Selection including Coke, Diet Coke, Lemmy, Gingerella, and Raspberry Lemonade
• Remedy Kombucha — Choice of Ginger & Lemon or Mango & Passionfruit kombucha

Frequently asked questions

What type of food is served at Fields Cafe?

Fields serves an all-day breakfast and lunch menu featuring fresh, seasonal dishes ranging from hotcakes and eggs benedict to salads, rice bowls, and short-rib open burgers.

Are there vegetarian or gluten-free options available?

Yes, the menu clearly marks vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free ingredient options, including a house-made gluten-free seeded loaf.

What kind of coffee is served?

The cafe pours Atomic coffee, offering standard espresso drinks, cold brew, single-origin batch brew, and specialty lattes made with coconut milk.

Can Fields accommodate corporate or private events?

Yes, the venue offers spaces and catering options suitable for both private functions and corporate bookings.

Are alcoholic beverages available?

Yes, Fields offers a curated drinks list including Sawmill Brewery craft beers, New Zealand wines from Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and Central Otago, prosecco, and mimosas.

Tips

• {"body":"The kitchen closes earlier than the main cafe, finishing orders at 2:10pm on weekdays and 2:30pm on weekends.","title":"Plan around the kitchen cutoff"}
• {"body":"Beyond standard Atomic espresso, the cafe prepares specialty matcha, turmeric, and beetroot lattes steamed with coconut milk.","title":"Try the house specialty drinks"}
• {"body":"Snag a seat out on the deck if visiting with young children so you can keep an eye on the adjacent playground.","title":"Ideal stop for families"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Child-friendly atmosphere with an outdoor deck next to a children's playground.","dietary":"Extensive vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free ingredient options marked on the menu."}