Lily Eatery Freemans Bay

About Lily Eatery Freemans Bay

Lily Eatery brings its signature ethos of simple, honest dishes made from scratch to the ground floor of the GHD building in Freemans Bay. Originally established as a beloved neighbourhood cafe on the North Shore, the eatery serves an ever-evolving breakfast and lunch lineup driven by fresh, seasonal ingredients.

The kitchen takes pride in crafting every component in-house, pairing imaginative brunch plates—from house-cured toppings to vibrant frittatas and rösti creations—with expertly poured Eight Thirty coffee. Alongside the cooked menu, visitors can choose from a well-stocked cabinet of house-baked sweet and savoury treats, all served within a bright and welcoming contemporary space.

Lily Eatery Brings Scratch-Made Warmth to Freemans Bay

Bringing its thoughtful culinary perspective to Freemans Bay, Lily Eatery operates with a singular focus: doing simple things exceptionally well. Situated on the ground floor of the GHD building on Napier Street, the cafe offers a calm, polished refuge for office workers, local residents, and visitors seeking something far beyond standard cafe fare.

From the outset, the guiding philosophy behind Lily has been an insistence on scratch cooking. Rather than relying on pre-packaged components, the kitchen crafts its sauces, marinades, curds, and baked goods entirely in-house. This dedication to craftsmanship translates into dishes that burst with balanced flavour, bright herbaceous elements, and contrasting textures.

Thoughtful All-Day Dining

The breakfast and lunch menu showcases familiar staples re-imagined with creative culinary accents. Rather than serving conventional eggs Benedict on sliced bread, Lily presents its Benny on a crisp potato rosti, topped with your choice of pulled pork, bacon, or mushrooms. The Corn Frits are elevated with creamy labneh, a touch of harissa heat, shaved fennel, and fresh mint, providing a refreshing twist on a classic Kiwi morning plate.

Seafood enthusiasts will appreciate the kitchen’s distinctive take on Kedgeree, combining flaked smoked kahawai with labneh, a tangy pickled egg, salsa verde, and a crunchy kumara topping. Those seeking a sweeter morning can opt for house waffles layered with coconut kaya, banana, roasted berries, and granola crumble, with the indulgent option to add savoury bacon jam.

Cabinet Goodies and Fine Coffee

For diners needing a quick bite between meetings or on the commute, the counter cabinet features a shifting selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, savoury pastries, and sweet tarts. The menu regularly rotates to follow seasonal availability, ensuring produce is sourced at its peak flavour.

Coffee service is anchored by specialty beans roasted by Eight Thirty, providing rich, balanced extractions whether you order a flat white, a long black, or an iced latte. Plant-based milks—including oat, soy, almond, and coconut—are readily available alongside an extensive drink lineup featuring cold-pressed juices, refreshing house sodas, and Hakanoa infusions.

Whether dropping in for a sit-down meal or picking up lunch to go, Lily Eatery delivers warm service and genuine, handmade cooking in central Auckland.

Signature items

• Benny on Rosti
• Corn Frits
• Kedgeree
• Turkish Eggs
• Waffle

Menu

Extras

• Sausage — Add-on side
• Mushies — Add-on side sautéed mushrooms
• Small Vine Tomato — Add-on roasted vine tomato
• Smoked Salmon — Add-on side smoked salmon

Smoothies

• MANGO Smoothie — Mango, banana, coconut, and pineapple
• GREEN Smoothie — Spirulina, banana, coconut, green apple, and chia
• BERRY Smoothie — Berry, banana, honey, coconut, and apple

Hot Drinks

• EIGHT THIRTY COFFEE - Black — Espresso extraction using Eight Thirty beans
• EIGHT THIRTY COFFEE - White — Eight Thirty espresso paired with steamed milk
• Hakanoa Lemon honey — Warm Hakanoa lemon and honey infusion
• Harney & Sons TEA — Selection of fine specialty teas
• HOT CHOC — Steamed drinking chocolate
• CHAI (Sweet / Spicy) — Spiced chai latte brewed sweet or spicy

Cold Drinks

• COLD PRESS JUICE — Choice of orange, apple, or carrot ginger
• Ice Latte — Chilled espresso with fresh milk
• Ice Mocha — Chilled espresso, rich chocolate, and milk
• Ice Americano — Espresso poured over chilled water and ice
• Ice CHOC — Chilled chocolate milk over ice
• Lemmy / Lemonade / Cola SODA — Selection of craft sodas
• Sparkling water — Chilled sparkling mineral water
• Ginger ale — Sparkling ginger soda
• Kombucha — Fermented chilled tea soda

All Day Menu

• AVO on TOAST — Goat curd, saffron, olives, and poached egg
• WAFFLE — Coconut kaya, banana, roasted berries, and granola crumble; optional bacon jam
• TURKISH EGGS — Lemon yoghurt, salsa matcha, dill, and sourdough; optional prosciutto
• CORN FRITS — Labneh, harissa, poached egg, fennel, and mint
• BENNY ON ROSTI — Served on potato rosti with choice of bacon, pulled pork, or mushrooms
• SMOKED EGGPLANT SCRAMBLE — Salsa verde, heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella, and sourdough
• PULLED PORK TOSTADA — Avocado crema, slow-cooked pork shoulder, pickles, and escabeche
• KEDGEREE — Smoked kahawai, pickled egg, labneh, salsa verde, and kumara crunch
• EGGS on Toast — Free-range eggs prepared on toast, with optional gluten-free Freedom Bread

Frequently asked questions

Where is Lily Eatery located in Freemans Bay?

Lily Eatery Freemans Bay is situated on the ground floor of the GHD building at 27 Napier Street.

What are the opening hours at the Freemans Bay cafe?

The cafe is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, and is closed on Sundays.

What time does the kitchen stop serving food?

The kitchen closes at 2:30 pm daily, though cabinet treats and drinks remain available until 3:00 pm.

Are gluten-free choices available on the menu?

Yes, the menu includes dedicated gluten-free options, and Freedom Bread can be substituted on toast dishes.

Does Lily Eatery cater for private or workplace functions?

Yes, Lily Eatery offers catering services; enquiries can be directed to hello@lilyeatery.co.nz.

What coffee roaster does Lily Eatery use?

Espresso and filter coffees are crafted using beans from local specialty roaster Eight Thirty.

Tips

• {"body":"Order cooked menu items before 2:30 pm, as the kitchen winds down half an hour before closing.","title":"Keep the Kitchen Cutoff in Mind"}
• {"body":"Check the front display cabinet for rotating house-baked tarts, pastries, and lunch sandwiches made fresh each morning.","title":"Explore the Daily Cabinet"}
• {"body":"The Benny is served on a crispy potato rosti base rather than standard toast, making it one of the kitchen's standout plates.","title":"Try the House Benedict"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Child-friendly setting with highchairs and sweet cabinet treats.","dietary":"Offers gluten-free items and Freedom Bread substitutes; dairy-free milk options available."}