Urban Soul Cafe and Bistro

About Urban Soul Cafe and Bistro

Urban Soul Karaka is a day-to-night cafe and bistro in the Karaka Harbourside development, an easy two minutes off the Papakura exit in South Auckland. Known for quality food, great coffee and friendly customer service, it has been flagged as one of Auckland's best cafes — and unlike most, it runs seven days a week with an evening trade most nights.

The kitchen celebrates local produce and homemade baking, with menus refreshed for seasonal changes. Breakfast plates run from the loaded Soul Breakfast and Eggs Benedict on herbed potato rosti to Biscoff Pancakes and a vegan winter porridge, while lunch brings buttermilk fried chicken waffles, tempura fish and chips, sirloin and proper brioche-bun burgers. The coffee is Fair Trade, roasted by Ozone Coffee Roasters, backed by turmeric and beetroot lattes, smoothies, thick shakes and house-made teas.

From Wednesday to Sunday the bistro takes over from 3pm until late, adding cocktails, mocktails, tap beer and a proper wine list. Weekly rituals give regulars a rhythm: Date Night Steak Night on Wednesdays, Believe It or Not Quiz Night on Thursdays, burger specials on Fridays and Happy Hour 4pm-5.30pm Wednesday to Sunday. Families are well catered for with a kids menu and a playground in the courtyard, and the team also hosts private functions and catering.

Urban Soul Karaka: From Early Flat Whites to Steak Nights in Karaka Harbourside

Urban Soul Karaka sits in the Karaka Harbourside development, an easy two minutes off the Papakura exit in South Auckland. Over time it has become a genuine local hotspot — the sort of cafe where quality food, great coffee and friendly service have earned it a mention among Auckland's best cafes. What sets it apart from the average suburban cafe is its split personality: a bright, busy cafe seven days a week, and a bistro that takes over from 3pm until late, Wednesday through Sunday.

Coffee First — But Stay for Dinner

Mornings start early, with doors open from 7am on weekdays and 8am on weekends. The coffee is Fair Trade, roasted by Ozone Coffee Roasters, and it anchors a drinks list that goes well beyond flat whites: golden turmeric lattes, green tea and pink beetroot lattes, house-made teas, smoothies, thick shakes and, in bistro hours, cocktails, mocktails and a considered wine list. The kitchen celebrates local produce and homemade baking, with menus refreshed for seasonal changes. Breakfast runs until 2pm, lunch kicks in from 11.30am, and the bistro carries the evening most nights of the week.

What to Order

Breakfast plates are the drawcard. The Soul Breakfast stacks poached eggs, field mushrooms, pork sausages, bacon, hash cakes, avocado, halloumi and house-made relish; Eggs Benedict lands on a herbed potato rosti with housemade hollandaise; and the Biscoff Pancakes come with mascarpone, crumbed ice cream and raspberry compote. Lighter eaters have the vegan winter porridge, a turmeric crepe with creamy garlic mushrooms, or bagels with salmon and crispy capers.

At lunch, standouts include buttermilk fried chicken on three-cheese waffles, a vegan nourish bowl, tempura fish and chips with house-made tartare, a 200-gram sirloin and the brisket or fried chicken burgers on brioche buns. Flagged gluten-free and dairy-free options make the menu workable for most tables.

A Week Worth Planning Around

The evening schedule gives regulars a reason to keep coming back. Wednesday is Date Night Steak Night, pairing scotch fillet with a house wine or beer. Thursday brings the Believe It or Not Quiz Night from 7pm. Friday is burger night, with specials on the house burger, and from Wednesday to Sunday there's a Happy Hour between 4pm and 5.30pm. Add the bistro's tap beer, wine lists and cocktails and it works as easily for a date as for a long team dinner.

Built for Families

Families are clearly part of the plan. The kids menu covers breakfast through dinner — bacon and eggs and pancakes in the morning, then mac n cheese, mini chicken burgers, chicken or fish and chips, and a design-your-own pizza from 4pm. Better still, there's a playground in the courtyard, so the little ones can burn off energy between courses while the adults finish their coffee.

Functions, Catering and Finding Them

Urban Soul Karaka also hosts private functions and offers catering, with enquiries handled by the functions team. Online reservations make it simple to lock in a table for quiz night or a weekend brunch. Finding it is easy: two minutes off the Papakura exit, open on most public holidays — hours vary, and doors close for Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Whether it's a 7am coffee before the day begins, a long weekend brunch with the kids, or steak and quiz nights under one roof, Urban Soul Karaka has quietly become the neighbourhood's all-day local. Check the current menus online before you visit — they change with the seasons — and book ahead for the popular evening events.

Signature items

• Soul Breakfast
• Eggs Benedict
• Smashed Avocado
• Biscoff Pancakes
• Chicken Waffle
• Wednesday Steak Night

Menu

Wine

• Quadri Prosecco — Sparkling.
• Bird in Hand Sparkling Rose — Sparkling rose, poured in 200ml.
• Laurent-Perrier Champagne — Champagne by the bottle.
• Easy Tiger by Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc — Lower-alcohol sav Blanc at 9%.
• Paritua Sauvignon Blanc — By the glass or bottle.
• Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc — By the glass or bottle.
• Swift Sure Sauvignon Blanc — By the glass or bottle.
• TW Estate Chardonnay — By the glass or bottle.
• Mahi Chardonnay — Vegan chardonnay.
• Lake Hayes Pinot Gris — By the glass or bottle.
• Catalina Sounds Pinot Gris — By the glass or bottle.
• Mahi Pinot Gris — By the glass or bottle.
• TW Estate Rose — House rose pour.
• Rameau d'Or Rose — French rose.
• Spy Valley N Block Pinot Noir — By the glass or bottle.
• Lake Hayes Pinot Noir — Organic pinot noir.
• Dice by Dicey Pinot Noir — Vegan pinot noir.
• TW Merlot — By the glass or bottle.
• Man O War Island Blend — Red blend.
• Mojo Shiraz — By the glass or bottle.
• Paritua Syrah — By the glass or bottle.
• Taylors Fine Port — A fortified finish.

Lunch

• Chicken Waffle — Three-cheese waffles with buttermilk fried chicken, smoked aioli, chipotle and jalapenos.
• Nourish Bowl — Vegan bowl of sesame avocado, edamame, Asian slaw, bok choy and crispy chickpeas; add chicken, salmon, halloumi or corn fritters.
• Fish & Chips — Tempura-battered fish of the day with beer-battered fries, house salad and house-made tartare.
• Beef Brisket Burger or Buttermilk Fried Chicken Burger — Slaw, pickles and honey mustard on a brioche bun with beer-battered fries.
• Classic Sirloin — 200g sirloin with beer-battered fries, creamy mushrooms and house salad.
• Corn Fritters — With garden greens, honey mustard mayo, beetroot hummus, basil salt and toasted seeds.
• Sourdough Toastie — Build your own — pick one protein and two fillings on everyday sourdough; add fries.
• Beer Battered Fries — A side of beer-battered fries with house smoked aioli.

Breakfast

• Winter Porridge — Vegan and dairy-free, with charred winter fruits, cinnamon, brown sugar and toasted coconut.
• Omelette — Pick one protein — ham, bacon or salmon — plus two fillings like feta, mushroom or caramelised onion.
• Eggs Our Way — Cooked your way, served with ciabatta or 5-grain toast and salad.
• Herbed Scrambled Eggs — Free-range eggs on sourdough with spinach, hash brown, beetroot hummus and toasted pepitas.
• Soul Breakfast — Poached eggs, field mushrooms, pork sausages, bacon, hash cakes, avocado, halloumi and house relish.
• Smashed Avocado — Five-grain toast, creamy feta, cherry tomatoes, chilli oil, grilled lime and house dukkah; add a poached egg.
• Eggs Benedict — Herbed potato rosti and wilted spinach under poached eggs and housemade hollandaise; add mushrooms, bacon, fried chicken or salmon.
• Mini Benedict — Half the portion, full flavour — a smaller take on the benny.
• Midnight Breakfast — Herbed scrambled eggs with bacon, halloumi, grilled tomato, broccolini and seeded loaf; keto-friendly.
• Biscoff Pancakes — Biscoff mascarpone, sweet crumbed ice cream, banana, raspberry compote and maple syrup.
• Creamy Mushroom Crepe — Turmeric crepe with creamy garlic mushrooms, baby spinach and fried shallots.
• Toasted Bagel — Cheese or sesame bagel — herby cream cheese with pesto and tomato, or cream cheese, salmon, pickled onion and crispy capers.

Kids Menu

• Bacon & Eggs — A mini breakfast classic.
• Pancakes — With banana and maple syrup.
• Health Bowl — Rice, veges and chicken.
• Mac n Cheese — The family favourite.
• Chicken & Chips or Fish & Chips — Little plates of the mains.
• Mini Chicken Burger — Served with fries.
• Design Your Own Pizza — From 4pm — pick one protein and two toppings.
• Ice Cream Sundae — Dessert, served after 5pm.

Beer & Cider

• Heineken — On tap in 350ml or 500ml pours.
• Heineken Silver — Low-carb lager on tap.
• Tiger — On tap.
• Tiger Crystal — Low-carb bottled option.
• Tuatara Adapt APA — Local craft pale ale.
• Tuatara Pilsner — Crisp craft pilsner.
• Feijoa Hazy IPA — Feijoa hazy on tap.
• Corona — Bottled lager.
• Speight's Ultra — Low-carb option.
• Monteith's Apple Cider — Crisp apple cider.
• Monteith's Golden Light — A lighter pour.
• Heineken 0.0 — Alcohol-free.

Coffee & Hot Drinks

• White Coffee — Regular or large; oat, almond, soy or coconut milk available.
• Black Coffee — Regular or large, using Fair Trade Ozone-roasted beans.
• Hot Chocolate, Mocha or Chai — Regular or large, with alternative milks on request.
• Golden Turmeric Latte or Matcha — Golden-hued warmers on the specialty list.
• Green Tea Latte or Pink Beetroot Latte — Colourful cafe signatures.
• Kids Hot Chocolate — A little one's warmer.
• Fluffy — The classic frothy kids' milk.
• Pot of Tea — English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Dragon Pearl Jasmine, Citron Green, Chamomile, Raspberry or Peppermint.
• House Made Tea — Lemon, honey, fennel and turmeric; orange, mint and ginger; or cinnamon, star anise and blueberry.

Soft Drinks & Juices

• Karma Range — Karma Cola, Gingerella or Lemmy Lemonade.
• Good Buzz Kombucha — Feijoa, or pineapple and mango.
• Coca-Cola Range — Coke, Coke Zero, L&P, Sprite, Sprite Zero or ginger beer.
• Sugar-Free Soda — Strawberries & cream or orange mango tango.
• Juice by the Glass — Apple, orange, tomato, pineapple or cranberry.
• Mill Orchard Kids Juice — Apple, orange, apple & blackcurrant or apple & boysenberry.

Cocktails & Mocktails

• Mimosa — Bubbly brunch pour.
• Bloody Mary — The savoury brunch classic.
• Aperol Spritz — Bright and bitter orange spritz.
• Espresso Martini — Coffee-forward evening cocktail.
• Urban Mule — The house take on a mule.
• Junior Mule — Mocktail version of the mule.
• Berry, Lime & Bitters — Alcohol-free refresher.
• Virgin Mojito — Minty mocktail, no rum.

Smoothies, Shakes & Iced Drinks

• Berry Cooler — Dairy-free berry smoothie.
• Green Smoothie — Dairy-free green blend.
• Mango Madness — Tropical mango smoothie.
• Milkshake — Chocolate, vanilla bean, salted caramel or banana, with whipped cream.
• Blended Iced Coffee, Mocha or Chocolate — Blended and icy, with optional whipped cream.
• Iced Latte, Mocha, Chai or Matcha — Cafe favourites over ice.
• Iced Berry Matcha — Matcha with berry, over ice.
• Iced Tea — Lemon or peach.
• Iced Americano — A chilled black coffee.

Frequently asked questions

What are Urban Soul Karaka's opening hours?

Monday and Tuesday 7am-4pm; Wednesday to Friday from 7am until late; Saturday and Sunday from 8am until late. The bistro serves Wednesday to Sunday from 3pm, and hours vary on public holidays — open most, but closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Do I need a booking?

Online reservations are available through the website, which is handy for quiz nights, steak nights and weekend brunches. Function enquiries go to [email protected].

What coffee do they use?

Fair Trade coffee roasted by Ozone Coffee Roasters, with alternative milks plus a full line-up of specialty lattes, smoothies, milkshakes and iced drinks.

Is it good for kids?

Very — there's a dedicated kids menu running from breakfast through to dinner (including a design-your-own pizza from 4pm) and a playground in the courtyard.

What's on during the week?

Date Night Steak Night on Wednesdays, Believe It or Not Quiz Night at 7pm on Thursdays, burger specials on Friday nights, and Happy Hour 4pm-5.30pm Wednesday to Sunday.

Can they host functions or cater?

Yes — the Karaka venue offers private functions and catering options. Enquire at [email protected].

Do they cater for dietary requirements?

The menu flags gluten-free and dairy-friendly options, including vegan dishes. The kitchen can't guarantee dishes are 100% allergen-free, but asks guests to flag allergies so it can do its utmost to avoid cross-contamination.

Tips

• {"body":"Doors open at 7am on weekdays but 8am on Saturdays and Sundays — the early table goes to whoever beats the lie-in.","title":"Arrive early on weekends"}
• {"body":"Steak Night pairs scotch fillet with a house wine or beer, and the bistro runs from 3pm till late.","title":"Make Wednesday date night"}
• {"body":"Happy Hour runs 4pm-5.30pm, Wednesday through Sunday.","title":"Catch happy hour"}
• {"body":"The Believe It or Not Quiz kicks off at 7pm on Thursdays — book ahead for a table.","title":"Plan around quiz night"}
• {"body":"Two minutes off the Papakura exit in Karaka Harbourside, open on most public holidays (hours vary).","title":"Easy to find"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Dedicated kids menu from breakfast to dinner, plus a playground in the courtyard.","dietary":"Gluten-free and dairy-friendly options flagged, with vegan dishes; kitchen can't guarantee 100% allergen-free but works to avoid cross-contamination."}