Little Luscious Café

About Little Luscious Café

Little Luscious Café is a small, owner-operated café on Ellerslie's Main Highway that has been filling bellies since 2016 — a little café, as it says, that can satisfy large appetites. The team is close-knit and family-like, devoted to its regulars and always happy to meet new faces (and see them come again).

Everything on offer is made on site in the café's own bakery: fresh, seasonal salads, savouries and homemade sweets, all prepared in-house for the best quality possible. That dedication has made Little Luscious known well beyond its neighbourhood for its salads and gorgeous sweet treats, and reviewers consistently praise its counter food too.

The all-day brunch menu runs from the signature Bacon Hash — homemade potato hash, marinated portobello mushrooms, maple bacon and a poached egg under hollandaise — to Eggs Benedict, an Oriental Prawn Pancake, slow-braised Luscious Mince, The Feast and a vegan-option Vege Stack, plus French toast, blueberry pancakes and homemade granola. Coffee is a point of pride as well, with a highly trained barista who has collected plenty of fans.

Alongside the café, Little Luscious caters for events with lunchboxes and mix-and-match options, and is especially popular for training days and corporate morning teas or lunches. It is a peanut-free café, open Monday to Friday from 7am and Saturdays from 8am until 2pm, with tables bookable online.

Little Luscious Café, Ellerslie: Homemade Brunch, Salads and Sweets on Main Highway

Little Luscious Café has been filling bellies from its spot on Ellerslie's Main Highway since 2016, and the tagline tells you exactly what it is: a little café that can satisfy large appetites. It is owner-operated and run by a small team that describes itself as being like a family — devoted to its regulars, and always pleased to meet new people (and see them come again).

Everything made in-house

What really defines Little Luscious happens before service begins. Every salad, savoury and sweet is made on premises in the café's own bakery, because the team believes fresh, tasty and nutritious food is the only kind worth serving. That commitment has earned the café a reputation well beyond its own neighbourhood for two things above all: fresh, seasonal salads and gorgeous sweet treats, all waiting in the cabinet alongside the brunch menu. Regulars single out the counter food for praise, and it is easy to see why when everything is baked and prepared in-house that same day.

Brunch with personality

The brunch menu leans generous. The signature Bacon Hash stacks homemade potato hash with creamy marinated portobello mushrooms, streaky maple bacon, a poached egg and luscious hollandaise. Eggs Benedict comes full or half, on hash or toasted ciabatta, with streaky bacon, champagne ham, cold smoked salmon or grilled portobello mushrooms. Further down the list you'll find an Oriental Prawn Pancake topped with crispy prawn crackers, slow-braised Luscious Mince under basil pesto and a poached egg, The Feast for serious appetites, and a Vege Stack of portobellos, polenta chips and haloumi with a vegan option available.

Some dishes have history here: the Toasted Chicken & Bacon Club, a double-layered club with house roasted free range chicken and smoked paprika aioli, has been a Luscious favourite for over 15 years. Sweet tooths head for the Brioche French Toast with grilled banana and mascarpone chocolate hazelnut mousse, or the fluffy Blueberry Pancake — made fresh to order, and the menu cheerfully warns it is worth the wait. Lighter appetites are covered too, from Eggs on Toast (with rye, sourdough or gluten free toast) to the Smoked Salmon & Avocado Bowl and Homemade Granola, with chunky fries and smoked paprika aioli for sharing. A build-your-own sides list, an old-fashioned toastie and a kids' menu for under-12s round things out.

Coffee with a following

Coffee is taken seriously. The café's highly trained barista aims to exceed expectations and, by its own cheerful admission, has plenty of fans. Flat whites, lattes and cappuccinos come in three sizes, alongside mochas, matcha and chai, loose-leaf teapots and a soothing lemon, ginger and honey toddy. Over ice there are Americanos, lattes, mochas, iced matchas and dairy-free smoothies — Green Goddess, Berry Blast and Mango Madness — blended to order for dine in or takeaway.

Catering and a warm welcome

Little Luscious also runs a busy catering operation, with lunchboxes and mix-and-match options to suit all budgets and bellies. It is especially popular for training days and corporate morning teas or lunches; enquire through the website and the team will get back to you as soon as they are finished baking.

Reviews keep returning to the same themes: friendly, welcoming staff, a little boho-chic ambience, fast service and food that is excellent value. Families fare well — one reviewer called the French Toast a winner with the kids and the mince on toast excellent.

Before you go: Little Luscious is a peanut-free café, but the busy kitchen cannot guarantee against cross-contamination, so mention any allergies when you order. Doors open 7am to 2pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm on Saturday; the café is closed Sundays and public holidays. Tables can be booked online.

Signature items

• Bacon Hash
• Eggs Benedict
• French Toast
• Oriental Prawn Pancake
• Toasted Chicken & Bacon Club
• The Feast

Menu

Brunch

• Bacon Hash — Homemade potato hash layered with marinated portobello mushrooms, streaky maple bacon, a poached egg and hollandaise — the signature dish.
• Eggs Benedict — Two poached eggs, baby spinach and hollandaise on potato hash or ciabatta, with bacon, champagne ham, cold smoked salmon or grilled portobello mushrooms.
• Oriental Prawn Pancake — Pan-fried garlic prawns and a zesty asian salad on a thin egg pancake, topped with crispy prawn crackers.
• Luscious Mince — Slow braised angus mince with a dash of cream, basil pesto, shaved parmesan and a poached egg, with toasted ciabatta.
• The Feast — Bacon, kransky sausage, potato hash, grilled haloumi, portobello mushrooms, vine tomatoes, ciabatta and two eggs any style.
• Vege Stack — Grilled marinated portobellos, polenta chips, haloumi, vine tomatoes, spinach and two poached eggs with balsamic glaze and pesto. Vegan option available.
• Omelette — Fluffy omelette with mushroom, baby spinach and feta, or champagne ham, cheese and tomato; toasted ciabatta optional.
• Creamy Mushrooms — Garlic and balsamic marinated portobellos sauteed with button mushrooms, finished with cream and truffle oil, on toasted sourdough.
• French Toast — Brioche French toast with grilled banana, raspberry coulis and mascarpone chocolate hazelnut mousse, with real Canadian maple syrup.
• Toasted Chicken & Bacon Club — Double-layered toasted club with house roasted free range chicken, bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato and smoked paprika aioli.
• Blueberry Pancake — A large fluffy blueberry pancake with poached rhubarb, raspberry coulis, natural yoghurt and mascarpone chocolate hazelnut mousse.
• Eggs on Toast — Two eggs any style with toasted, buttered ciabatta; rye, sourdough or gluten free toast available.
• Luscious BLAT — Toasted turkish pide loaded with streaky maple bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato and homemade smoked paprika aioli.
• Wagyu Burger — Free range wagyu patty with swiss cheese, fried egg, pickled gherkin, bacon and smoked paprika aioli on a brioche bun, with chunky fries.
• Smoked Salmon & Avocado Bowl — Cold smoked salmon and avocado on rye with two poached eggs, crumbled feta, pumpkin seeds and beetroot puree.
• Homemade Granola — Honey toasted granola with almonds, seeds and dried berries, served with yoghurt, honey, seasonal fruit and freeze dried raspberries.

Add-Ons

• Single Espresso Shot — An extra shot for any coffee.
• Flavoured Shot — Vanilla, caramel or hazelnut.
• Alternative Milk — Soy, oat, almond or coconut.
• Pouring Cream — Add to any drink.

Smoothies

• Green Goddess (Dairy Free) — Baby spinach, avocado, kiwifruit and pineapple pulp, banana and coconut water; dine in or takeaway.
• Berry Blast (Dairy Free) — Raspberry coulis, blueberries, banana and cranberry juice; dine in or takeaway.
• Mango Madness — Mango puree, yoghurt, coconut milk and honey; dine in or takeaway.

Cold Drinks

• Iced Americano — Espresso and water over ice.
• Iced Latte — Espresso and cold milk over ice.
• Iced Coffee — Coffee and milk over ice.
• Iced Mocha — Chocolate, coffee and milk over ice.
• Iced Choc — Chocolatey and cold.
• Iced Chai — Chai served chilled.
• Iced Matcha (Original) — Classic iced green tea latte.
• Iced Matcha (Flavoured) — Strawberry, oreo or mango.

Loose Leaf Tea

• Tea Pot — English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Green Tea, Peppermint, or Lemongrass & Ginger.
• Lemon Toddy — A soothing lemon, ginger and honey drink.

Kids (Under 12)

• Mini Bacon & Egg — One poached or fried egg with streaky bacon on toasted, buttered ciabatta.
• Kids Platter — Champagne ham sandwich, fresh seasonal fruit and a sweet treat, served with a fluffy topped with marshmallows.

Something Smaller

• Bagel, Cream Cheese & Jam — A simple toasted bagel with cream cheese and jam.
• Toasted Ciabatta, Butter & Jam — Three pieces of toasted ciabatta with butter and jam.
• Toasted Rye, Butter & Jam — Two pieces of toasted rye with butter and jam.
• Chunky Fries with Smoked Paprika Aioli — A sharing bowl of chunky fries with the house aioli.
• Old Fashioned Toastie — A classic toastie with up to three fillings of your choice.

Coffee & Hot Drinks

• Flat White — Espresso with steamed milk; small, medium or large.
• Latte — Espresso with milk; small, medium or large.
• Cappuccino — Espresso with frothed milk; small, medium or large.
• Hot Chocolate — Small, medium or large.
• Chai Latte — Spiced chai; small, medium or large.
• Mocha — Espresso, chocolate and milk; small, medium or large.
• Matcha Latte — Green tea latte; small, medium or large.
• Caramel Latte — Vanilla-adjacent caramel favourite; small, medium or large.
• Hazelnut Latte — Nutty flavoured latte; small, medium or large.
• Vanilla Latte — Classic flavoured latte; small, medium or large.
• Long Black — Espresso topped with hot water; small or medium.
• Americano — Small, medium or large.
• Espresso — A single straight shot.
• Macchiato — Available short or long.

Build Your Own Sides

• Grilled Tomato — Simple add-on side.
• Baby Spinach — Fresh add-on side.
• Eggs x2, Any Style — Two eggs cooked the way you like.
• Kransky Sausage — A grilled kransky side.
• Side of Chunky Fries — Served with smoked paprika aioli.
• Potato Hash x2 — Two pieces of the homemade hash.
• Smoked Salmon — Cold smoked salmon side.
• Grilled Portobello — Marinated and grilled mushroom side.
• Streaky Bacon, 4x Rashers — Four rashers of streaky bacon.
• Creamy Mushrooms — A side portion of the creamy mushrooms.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Little Luscious Café?

At 101 Main Highway, Ellerslie, Auckland 1051.

What are the opening hours?

Monday to Friday 7am–2pm and Saturday 8am–2pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.

Is Little Luscious Café peanut free?

Yes, this is a peanut-free café. Do advise staff of any allergies before ordering, as the busy kitchen cannot guarantee against cross-contamination.

Are there vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes. Vegetarian dishes include the Vege Stack, Creamy Mushrooms, French Toast, Blueberry Pancake and Homemade Granola, and the Vege Stack has a vegan option.

Does Little Luscious offer catering?

Yes — catering includes lunchboxes and mix-and-match options to suit all budgets and bellies, and the café is especially popular for training days and corporate morning teas or lunches.

Can I book a table?

Yes, tables can be booked online through the café's bookings page.

Is there a kids' menu?

Yes, for children under 12: a Mini Bacon & Egg, and a Kids Platter with a ham sandwich, seasonal fruit and a sweet treat.

Tips

• {"body":"It is the house signature: homemade potato hash, marinated portobello mushrooms, streaky maple bacon, a poached egg and hollandaise.","title":"Order the Bacon Hash"}
• {"body":"The Blueberry Pancake is made fresh to order — the menu itself says to be patient, it is worth it.","title":"Worth the wait"}
• {"body":"Open 7am–2pm weekdays and 8am–2pm Saturdays; closed Sundays and public holidays, so plan brunch accordingly.","title":"Mind the hours"}
• {"body":"Lunchboxes and mix-and-match options make this a go-to for training days and corporate morning teas or lunches — enquire ahead.","title":"Catering for the office"}
• {"body":"Tables can be booked through the website — handy for a weekend or group visit.","title":"Book online"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Kids' menu for under-12s, plus smoothies and hot chocolates.","dietary":"Peanut-free café; vegetarian dishes marked and a vegan option on the Vege Stack; gluten free toast available. Flag allergies when ordering — cross-contamination can't be guaranteed."}