Sage and Brew

About Sage and Brew

Established in 2022 on Byron Avenue in Takapuna, Sage & Brew is a local cafe focused on handcrafted brunch, specialty coffee, and house-made baking. The kitchen emphasizes scratch-cooking using fresh seasonal produce, free-range eggs, and thoughtfully sourced ingredients.

Alongside all-day breakfast and lunch offerings, the cafe serves espresso crafted with locally roasted Be Specialty beans and organic barista milk, as well as specialty drinks including Uji Kyoto organic matcha. Their daily cabinet features fresh pastries and cakes, supplemented by custom artisan cakes crafted under their in-house brand, Pastel by Vik. Catering services are also available for events of various sizes.

Sage & Brew: Handcrafted Seasonal Brunch and Artisan Baking in Takapuna

Located on Byron Avenue in the North Shore suburb of Takapuna, Sage & Brew has built a loyal following since opening its doors in 2022. Founded with a clear passion for daytime dining, the kitchen operates on an ethos centered around scratch cooking, seasonal produce, and quality presentation. Rather than relying on standard cafe short-cuts, the team prepares the vast majority of their ingredients on-site, serving comforting dishes made with free-range eggs and fresh local ingredients.

Whether dropping by for a quiet morning coffee or meeting family for a leisurely weekend lunch, visitors will find a bright, welcoming environment matched by a comprehensive kitchen and cabinet menu.

Thoughtful Sourcing and Daily Brunch Classics

Sage & Brew approaches classic morning fare with distinctive touches. Morning diners can choose from staples such as free-range eggs on artisan toast or the popular Eggs Benedict, served over a crisp potato rosti with house-made citrus hollandaise. For something sweeter, buttermilk pancakes are elevated with stewed spiced apples, steel-cut oat crumble, and salted caramel balanced by crispy bacon.

Plant-forward and dietary-conscious options form a natural part of the menu. Smashed avocado on sourdough arrives brightened by pickled fennel, radish, and fresh chimichurri, while the wild mushroom risotto and creamy mushroom on toasted brioche cater generously to vegetarian diners. Those looking for nutritious, protein-rich options often turn to the Grilled Salmon Bowl, which pairs a 180-gram Atlantic salmon fillet with puffed quinoa, sesame avocado, and citrus palm sugar dressing.

Fresh Pasta, Hearty Plates, and Specialty Drinks

Come lunchtime, the kitchen turns out substantial plates anchored by slow-braised meats and fresh pappardelle pasta. Wagyu beef cheek is braised in Cabernet Sauvignon until tender, featured both as a standalone main with parsnip puree and roasted Brussels sprouts, and folded through tomato ragu over fresh pappardelle. Seafood lovers can opt for chilli prawn pappardelle or a wine-glazed prawn risotto simmered in rich fish stock reduction.

The drinks program is given equal dedication. Coffee is pulled using beans roasted locally by Be Specialty, textured with velvety organic barista milk. Beyond espresso, the beverage list highlights Japanese matcha drinks prepared using organic, unsweetened green tea powder from Uji Kyoto, alongside blended fruit smoothies and milkshakes.

Rounding out the cafe's offerings is an ever-changing front counter stocked with daily pastries, savouries, and sweet slices. Celebratory occasions are catered to through their bespoke cake line, "Pastel by Vik," which provides custom artisan cakes made on premises.

Signature items

• Grilled Salmon Bowl
• Eggs Benedict On Rosti
• Beef Ragu Pappardelle
• Slow-Braised Beef Cheek
• Apple Crumble Pancakes
• Wagyu Cheese Burger

Menu

Sides

• Shoestring Fries — Served with house-made aioli.
• Free Range Egg — Cooked to preference.
• Toast — Choice of bread.
• Avocado — Fresh sliced or prepared avocado.
• Mushroom — Sauteed mushrooms.
• Halloumi — Grilled halloumi cheese.
• Streaky Bacon — Crispy cooked streaky bacon.
• Pork and Fennel Sausage — Pan-cooked savory sausage.
• Smoked Salmon — Cured smoked salmon portion.
• House Made Hollandaise - Aioli — House-made citrus hollandaise or garlic aioli.
• Cream Cheese — Side serving of cream cheese.
• Jam — Portion of sweet fruit jam.
• Peanut Butter — Side serving of peanut butter.
• Chimichurri — House-made herb chimichurri sauce.

All Day Lunch

• Grilled Chicken Salad — Sage grilled chicken thigh, creamy parsnip puree, puffed quinoa, sesame coated avocado, tomatoes, roquette, mesclun, grilled broccoli, fresh herbs, mustard dressing, and pickled fennel.
• Wagyu Cheese Burger — 220g Wagyu patty, gherkins, lettuce, tomato, onion jam, double cheddar, onion rings, milk bun, house-made aioli, and shoestring fries.
• Slow-Braised Beef Cheek — Cabernet Sauvignon slow-braised Wagyu beef cheek, creamy parsnip puree, red wine thyme jus, aged balsamic and sherry roasted Brussels sprouts, baby carrots, and fried brioche.
• Steak & Frites — 200g pan-seared sirloin steak, housemade chimichurri, red wine thyme jus, and shoestring fries.
• Grilled Salmon Bowl — 180g grilled Atlantic salmon fillet, roquette, puffed quinoa, fresh orange, toasted walnuts and seeds, sesame coated avocado, pickled fennel, radish, citrus palm sugar dressing, and fresh herbs.
• Beef Ragu Pappardelle — Fresh pappardelle pasta, slow-braised Wagyu beef cheek ragu, crushed tomatoes, aged parmigiana, pangrattato, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil.
• Grilled Chilli Prawn Pappardelle — Fresh pappardelle pasta, fish stock reduction, grilled chilli prawn, tomatoes, roquette, fresh herbs, pangrattato, extra virgin olive oil, and grated parmesan.
• Creamy Bacon and Mushroom Pappardelle — Fresh pappardelle pasta, bacon, mushroom, cream, egg yolk, parmesan, extra virgin olive oil, fresh greens, and grated parmesan.
• Mushroom & Spinach Pappardelle — Fresh pappardelle pasta, mushroom, peas, baby spinach, cream, egg yolk, toasted pinenuts, truffle oil, parmesan flakes, and fresh herbs.
• Wild Mushroom Risotto — Truffle butter toasted arborio, vegetable stock, sauteed wild mushrooms, peas, aged parmigiana, truffle oil, and fresh greens.
• Grilled Prawn Risotto — Fish stock simmered arborio, pan-seared white wine glazed chilli prawns, braised tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, roquette, and parmigiana.

All Day Breakfast

• Free Range Eggs On Toast — Poached, fried, or scrambled eggs served on sourdough, ciabatta, mix grain, or gluten-free toast.
• Winter Porridge — Creamy oat porridge served with star anise and vanilla poached pear, coconut yoghurt, spiced crumbs, Medjool dates, and maple syrup.
• Apple Crumble Pancakes — Buttermilk pancakes topped with pot stewed caramelised spiced apple, steel cut oat crumbles, creme fraiche, salted caramel, maple syrup, and crispy streaky bacon.
• Creamy Mushroom — Creamy mushrooms served with toasted brioche, poached eggs, grilled broccoli, parmesan, and extra virgin olive oil.
• Smashed Avocado On Toast — Sourdough toast topped with smashed avocado, roquette, fresh herbs, pickled fennel, radish, vine tomatoes, and chimichurri.
• Eggs Benedict On Rosti — Potato rosti with free range poached eggs, house-made citrus hollandaise, baby spinach, and fried shallots.
• Big Breakfast — Eggs your way, potato rosti, ciabatta, streaky bacon, pork and fennel sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, and house-made citrus hollandaise.
• Vegetarian Big Breakfast — Eggs your way, potato rosti, ciabatta, avocado, halloumi, tomatoes, mushrooms, and housemade citrus hollandaise.
• Omelette Your Way (3 Fillings) — Served with whipped ricotta, mesclun, and sourdough with your choice of three fillings: cheese, spinach, tomatoes, mushroom, onion, bacon, or smoked salmon.

Specialty Drinks & Bakery

• Specialty Coffee by Be Specialty — Espresso drinks made with locally roasted beans paired with organic velvety barista milk.
• Uji Kyoto Organic Matcha — Matcha beverages prepared using authentic unsweetened Japanese green tea powder.
• House Specialty Drinks — Selection of fruit smoothies and milkshakes.
• Fresh Daily Cabinet — Selection of freshly made daily cabinet items, including pastries, cakes, and savory baked goods.
• Custom Cakes — Artisan custom cakes made by in-house brand Pastel by Vik for special occasions.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Sage & Brew located?

Sage & Brew is situated at 5/7 Byron Avenue in Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand.

What are the cafe's opening hours?

The cafe is open seven days a week: Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

What coffee beans does Sage & Brew use?

Sage & Brew serves specialty coffee roasted locally by Be Specialty, served with organic barista milk.

Does Sage & Brew cater to dietary restrictions like gluten-free or vegan?

Yes, the menu includes clearly marked gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, such as the Grilled Salmon Bowl, Smashed Avocado, and Mushroom Risotto.

Can I book a table at the cafe?

Yes, table reservations are available directly via the cafe's website booking link.

Does Sage & Brew make custom cakes or offer event catering?

Yes, event catering is available for various group sizes, and custom artisan cakes can be ordered through their dedicated in-house brand, Pastel by Vik.

Tips

• {"body":"The cafe serves their Eggs Benedict on a crisp potato rosti rather than standard bread, topped with a signature citrus hollandaise.","title":"Try the House-Made Potato Rosti"}
• {"body":"Beyond coffee, they offer hot and cold matcha beverages made with authentic, unsweetened Uji Kyoto organic matcha.","title":"Sample the Specialty Matchas"}
• {"body":"Because seating fills up quickly during prime weekend brunch hours, book your table ahead through their online portal.","title":"Weekend Reservations Recommended"}
• {"body":"In addition to the seasonal kitchen menu, the cabinet features fresh daily pastries, slices, and cakes baked by Pastel by Vik.","title":"Check the Daily Baking Cabinet"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Offers gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan menu options made with free-range eggs."}