Honey Cafe Ponsonby

About Honey Cafe Ponsonby

Honey Cafe Ponsonby is a relaxed neighbourhood cafe nestled on Saint Marys Road in Saint Marys Bay, Auckland. Recognised on Restaurant Guru in 2023, the cafe offers an unhurried, welcoming setting designed to feel like an extension of your own kitchen, whether you are stopping by for a morning coffee ritual, catching up with friends, or settling in for an artisan brunch.

The kitchen takes pride in a seasonal menu featuring elevated brunch classics, house-made baked items, and distinctive plates that pair global influences with fresh local ingredients. Complementing the food is locally roasted coffee, including signature honey-infused beverage creations, handcrafted specialty drinks, fresh juices, and a curated selection of wine and beer. Honey Cafe Ponsonby also provides private event hosting, party bookings, and specialty cake orders.

Honey Cafe Ponsonby: Artisan Coffee and Inventive Brunch in Saint Marys Bay

Perched on Saint Marys Road just moments from the vibrancy of Ponsonby, Honey Cafe Ponsonby has carved out a dedicated following among locals seeking thoughtful cooking, artisanal coffee, and a relaxed dining atmosphere. Designed to evoke the feeling of a welcoming second kitchen, this Saint Marys Bay neighbourhood favourite balances polished culinary standards with genuine warmth, earning a spot as a recommended destination on Restaurant Guru in 2023.

From early weekday mornings through bustling weekend services, the cafe operates as an unhurried sanctuary. Whether you are settling into a sunlit corner with a flat white to kickstart your workday or lingering over a hearty weekend spread with friends, the emphasis remains squarely on care, seasonal ingredients, and generous hospitality.

A Menu That Reimagines Brunch Classics

The kitchen at Honey Cafe Ponsonby takes classic daytime fare and enriches it with bold flavours and international influences. Sweet and savoury pairings take centre stage with dishes like the Karaage Chicken Waffle, where Japanese-style crisp fried chicken thigh rests on a house-made waffle, finished with streaky bacon, sweet and spicy sauce, and a bright fennel and green apple slaw.

For those who lean sweet in the mornings, the Spiced Apple French Toast is an indulgent highlight, featuring cinnamon and vanilla-soaked brioche adorned with mascarpone and crème fraîche icing, butter-poached apples, crumbly textures, and salted caramel drizzle balanced by crisp bacon. Savoury plates are equally creative: the Chorizo Chili Scramble Eggs arrives on house-made flatbread laced with vegetable chips, fried shallots, and Sichuan-style chili oil, while the Brie & Caramelised Pear Toast pairs hot honey, roasted fruit, and poached eggs with rich romesco.

Heartier lunch choices range from creamy Seafood Risotto loaded with prawns, clams, and mussels to a Slow-Braised Short Rib Ragu Fettuccine with red wine and parmesan, and an Open Steak Sandwich featuring Scotch Fillet with chimichurri and battered chips.

Handcrafted Drinks and Neighbourhood Hospitality

Coffee at Honey Cafe is pulled using locally roasted beans selected for their honest, full-bodied flavour profile. Standard espresso drinks are served with double shots by default, ensuring depth in every cup. For adventurous coffee lovers, house specialties like the Tiramisu Latte and Peanut Butter Latte offer playful twists on routine caffeination.

Those looking beyond standard coffee will discover an extensive beverage program, ranging from house specialty drinks sweetened with honey and made with coconut milk—such as Vietnamese coffee, Matcha Lattes, and golden Turmeric Lattes—to invigorating fresh juices and nutrient-packed fruit smoothies. Honey Cafe Ponsonby also holds an on-premise drinks menu with local wines from Marlborough and Central Otago, craft beer from Garage Project, and warming alcoholic cocktails like Irish Coffee and Hot Toddies.

Beyond everyday counter service and table dining, the venue accommodates private functions and celebrations, alongside an online portal for ordering bespoke cakes. With its relaxed atmosphere, attentive kitchen, and prime location connecting Ponsonby and Saint Marys Bay, Honey Cafe remains a neighbourhood anchor well worth a visit.

Signature items

• Karaage Chicken Waffle
• Spiced Apple French Toast
• Chorizo Chili Scramble Eggs
• Seafood Risotto
• Brie & Caramelised Pear Toast
• Tiramisu Latte

Menu

Sides

• Karaage Fried Chicken Thigh — Three to four pieces of crispy fried chicken served with slaw.
• Chips — Served with house aioli on the side.
• Potato Wedges — Served with sour cream on the side.
• House Smoked Salmon — House smoked salmon side portion.
• Streaky Bacon — Side portion of streaky bacon.
• Grilled Lemongrass Chicken — Side portion of grilled lemongrass chicken thigh.
• Grilled Halloumi — Side portion of grilled halloumi cheese.
• Chorizo Sausage — Side portion of grilled chorizo sausage.
• Portobello Mushroom — Side portion of cooked Portobello mushrooms.
• Roasted Tomato — Side portion of roasted vine tomatoes.
• Potato Croquette — House-made crispy potato croquette.

Brunch & Mains

• Free Range Eggs — Two eggs your way (poached, scrambled, or fried) with your choice of ciabatta, mixed grain, sourdough, or bagel.
• The Big Brekki — Streaky bacon, chorizo sausage, poached eggs, mushrooms, house potato croquette, roasted tomatoes, seasonal greens, and toast.
• Karaage Chicken Waffle — Crispy Japanese-style fried chicken thigh on a house-made waffle with streaky bacon, sweet and spicy sauce, and fennel and green apple slaw.
• Chorizo Chili Scramble Eggs — Soft scrambled egg mixed with green chili sauce, served on house-made flatbread with crispy vege chips, deep-fried shallots, and Sichuan-style chili oil.
• Spiced Apple French Toast — Cinnamon and vanilla soaked brioche, mascarpone and crème fraîche icing, apple compote, butter-poached apples, butter crumble, vanilla maple syrup, salted caramel, and streaky bacon.
• Seafood Risotto — Creamy seafood risotto with bread-crumbed prawns, prawn cutlets, clams, and mussels, served with dill and Parmesan cheese.
• Eggs Benedict — Potato croquettes, poached eggs, fresh baby spinach, house Hollandaise sauce, and beetroot hummus.
• Brie & Caramelised Pear Toast — Sourdough toast topped with brie, honey and olive oil roasted pear, poached eggs, hot honey, dukkah, cranberry compote, and romesco.
• Slow-Braised Short Rib Ragu Pasta — Slow-braised beef short rib ragu with fettuccine, cherry tomatoes, parmesan, herbs, red wine, and chili oil.
• Apple Compote Porridge — Creamy porridge topped with apple compote, hot butter-poached apples, and toasted seeds and nuts.
• Shakshuka — Eggs baked in a spiced tomato and capsicum base with courgette, eggplant, and chili beans, topped with feta, served with warm focaccia.
• Open Steak Sandwich — Beef Scotch Fillet, lettuce, sliced tomatoes, onion relish, aioli, jus, and chimichurri on sourdough, served with battered chips.
• Creamy Mushroom — Creamy mushrooms on ciabatta, one poached egg, parmesan, and truffle oil.
• Citrus Cured & House Smoked Fish Bruschetta — Citrus cured and house smoked fish on sourdough with pickled onion, capers, dill, and trout caviar, served with fennel and green apple salad.
• Lemongrass Chicken Salad — Grilled lemongrass chicken thigh, quinoa, roast pumpkin, grilled mango, halloumi, spiced cauliflower, crispy vegetable chips, greens, aioli, and yuzu dressing.
• Mince on Toast — House-made prime beef mince cooked with cherry tomatoes on ciabatta, served with one poached egg, Parmesan cheese, and sour cream.
• Omelette — Three egg omelette served with Romesco sauce, with choice of three fillings from salmon, spinach, mushroom, onion, cheese, bacon, ham, or feta.
• Lamb Fry (Lamb Liver) — Served with potato croquettes, free-range bacon, grilled vine tomatoes, a poached egg, house chili oil, and herb butter.

Alcoholic Beverages

• Irish Coffee — Hot coffee with Irish whiskey, brown sugar, and cream.
• Hot Toddy — Warm whisky with lemon, honey, and winter spices.
• Squealing Pig Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough, NZ white wine available by glass or bottle.
• Awatere Valley Pinot Gris — Marlborough, NZ white wine available by glass or bottle.
• Oyster Bay Chardonnay — Hawkes Bay, NZ white wine available by glass or bottle.
• Stoneleigh Wild Valley Rose — New Zealand rosé available by glass or bottle.
• Gancia Prosecco DOC NV — Italian sparkling wine available by glass or bottle.
• Huntaway Reserve Pinot Noir — Marlborough red wine available by glass or bottle.
• Rua Pinot Noir — Central Otago, NZ red wine bottle.
• Yalumba Galway Vintage Shiraz — Australian red wine available by glass or bottle.
• Heineken — Premium lager bottle (5% ABV).
• Corona — Crisp Mexican lager bottle (4.5% ABV).
• Garage Project Chipper Hazy Pale Ale — Hazy pale ale can (5% ABV).
• Garage Project Tiny PA — Non-alcoholic pale ale can (0% ABV).
• Somersby Apple Cider — Refreshing apple cider bottle.

Coffee & Hot Drinks

• Flat White — Double shot espresso with steamed milk.
• Cappuccino — Double shot espresso topped with frothed milk and cocoa.
• Latte — Double shot espresso with silky steamed milk.
• Short Black — Single or double espresso shot.
• Long Black — Double espresso extracted over hot water.
• Americano — Espresso diluted with hot water.
• Short Macchiato — Espresso marked with a dash of milk foam.
• Long Macchiato — Double espresso marked with steamed milk foam.
• Piccolo — Single espresso shot cut with warm steamed milk in a small glass.
• Fluffy — Steamed milk foam served with marshmallows.
• Hot Chocolate — Rich chocolate blended with steamed milk.
• Mocha — Espresso combined with rich chocolate and steamed milk.
• Chai Latte — Spiced black tea blend with steamed milk.
• Tiramisu Latte — Specialty espresso drink layered with tiramisu flavours.
• Peanut Butter Latte — Specialty espresso latte infused with peanut butter.
• Honey, Lemon & Ginger — Warm soothing hot drink with honey, lemon, and fresh ginger.
• Matcha Latte — Stone-ground green tea latte sweetened with honey, made with coconut milk.
• Strawberry Matcha Latte — Green tea matcha latte layered with strawberry and sweetened with honey.
• Turmeric Latte — Spiced golden turmeric latte sweetened with honey and coconut milk.
• Vietnamese Coffee — Black coffee served with condensed milk over ice or hot.
• Tea Selection — Teapot serving of English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Green Tea, or Jasmine.

Cold Drinks, Smoothies & Fresh Juices

• Iced Chocolate — Chilled chocolate beverage served over ice.
• Iced Mocha — Espresso and chocolate served chilled over ice.
• Iced Latte — Double espresso poured over chilled milk and ice.
• Blueberry Smoothie — Banana, peanut butter, vanilla, and almond milk.
• Strawberry Smoothie — Banana, mango, vanilla, and coconut milk.
• Green Tropical Smoothie — Mango, pineapple, banana, spinach, and coconut water.
• Mango Lassi — Banana, yoghurt, vanilla, milk, and mango syrup.
• Yellow Juice — Fresh pressed orange, lemon, ginger, and apple.
• Orange Juice — Freshly squeezed pure orange juice.
• Apple Juice — Freshly pressed pure apple juice.
• Red Juice — Fresh pressed carrot, lemon, ginger, and apple.
• Green Juice — Fresh pressed cucumber, green apple, green pear, lemon, and ginger.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Honey Cafe Ponsonby located?

Honey Cafe Ponsonby is located at 13 Saint Marys Road, Saint Marys Bay, Auckland.

What are the opening hours and when does the kitchen close?

The cafe is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM (kitchen closes at 2:00 PM), and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM (kitchen closes at 2:30 PM).

Can I book a table in advance?

Yes, table reservations can be made online via the cafe's booking link or by contacting the team directly.

Are there vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices available?

Yes, the menu includes dedicated vegetarian dishes, dairy-free options on request, and gluten-free items. Please notify staff of any dietary requirements or allergies.

Does Honey Cafe serve alcoholic drinks?

Yes, they offer a licensed selection of New Zealand and international wines, craft beers from Garage Project, ciders, and hot alcoholic warmers like Irish Coffee and Hot Toddies.

Can Honey Cafe Ponsonby host private functions or events?

Yes, the cafe is available for private venue hire, function parties, and bespoke celebration cake orders.

Tips

• {"body":"The kitchen closes earlier than the cafe doors—at 2:00 PM on weekdays and 2:30 PM on weekends—so arrive early if you plan to order hot food.","title":"Watch the Kitchen Cutoff"}
• {"body":"All coffee drinks are prepared with double espresso shots by default unless you request otherwise.","title":"Double-Shot Coffee Standard"}
• {"body":"If you are planning an event or special gathering, custom cakes can be ordered in advance through their dedicated cake portal.","title":"Order Celebration Cakes Online"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Vegetarian and gluten-free items marked on menu; dairy-free available on request."}