MELBA Manukau

About MELBA Manukau

Conveniently situated directly across from Westfield Manukau, MELBA Manukau serves as a welcoming community hub and dining retreat from the bustling city centre. Helmed by local licensees Shashi and Kim Bansal, the café combines warm hospitality with deep neighborhood ties, providing an inclusive space suited for morning coffee runs, office breaks, and family gatherings.

The kitchen presents an extensive all-day breakfast and lunch lineup alongside stone-oven pizzas, wholesome salads, and hearty daytime classics. In the evenings from Wednesday through Saturday, MELBA Manukau opens its doors for dinner service, offering small plates, slow-cooked mains, craft brews, cocktails, and wine. With comfortable timber decor, spacious seating, and specialty coffee poured daily, it stands as a reliable, comforting dining fixture in South Auckland.

MELBA Manukau: Warm Hospitality, All-Day Comfort, and Evening Dining Across from Westfield

Since the original Café Melba debuted on Auckland’s historic Vulcan Lane in 1995, the MELBA name has stood as a hallmark of quality espresso, creative café fare, and genuine community hospitality. Over the decades, that winning formula has expanded across the wider Auckland region, finding an especially vibrant home at MELBA Manukau. Situated directly opposite Westfield Manukau on Ronwood Avenue, this location delivers an approachable sanctuary from the bustle of the commercial district.

At the helm are licensees Shashi and Kim Bansal. Deeply rooted in the South Auckland area, Shashi and Kim bring warm leadership and a clear understanding of the diverse local community to the venue. Their vision centers on creating an environment that feels just as fitting for a rapid morning flat white as it does for a languid weekend brunch, a client lunch, or an evening meal with family and friends.

All-Day Dining from Morning Classics to Generous Mains

Morning patrons at MELBA Manukau are greeted by a thoughtful breakfast and brunch selection designed for all appetites. Classics are executed with signature twists, including the winter-warming porridge made with coconut cream and black doris plum, the satisfying Salmon Mash layered with lemon-dill potato, and the decadent French Toast crowned with caramelised banana, maple mascarpone, and meringue crumb. Traditionalists will find comfort in the hearty MELBA Breakfast, loaded with Manuka smoked bacon, bratwurst, grilled mushrooms, and house hash.

As the day unfolds, the menu segues effortlessly into generous lunch options. The Honey Garlic Chicken Salad remains an enduring house classic, tossing free-range chicken with roasted cashews, crisp apple, and avocado. For heartier cravings, the buttermilk Fried Chicken Waffle pairs crispy poultry with a savory parmesan waffle and red pepper maple aioli, while stone-oven pizzas such as the meat-rich Works and the vibrant Tandoori Spice emerge hot from the oven.

Dinner Service, Small Plates, and Specialty Drinks

Expanding beyond conventional café hours, MELBA Manukau welcomes dinner guests from Wednesday to Saturday. The evening menu shifts focus toward shareable small plates and premium entrées. Diners can start with garam masala-infused cauliflower pakoras, Korean fried chicken bao buns, or salt and pepper calamari before settling into dishes like the slow-cooked spiced Beef Brisket, sticky pork ribs, or the prime scotch fillet served with truffle mash.

Drink offerings are equally expansive. Coffee is pulled using MELBA's dedicated roasts—served as double shots standard alongside inventive specialty creations like the hazelnut Mocha Nut and mint-infused hot chocolate. Health-focused smoothies and gourmet milkshakes like the Biscoff crunch cater to all ages, while evening guests can enjoy New Zealand wines, craft tap beers, and signature cocktails such as the Salted Caramel Martini. Whether dropping in for breakfast or unwinding late into the evening, MELBA Manukau stands as a dependable cornerstone of South Auckland dining.

Signature items

• Fried Chicken Waffle
• Honey Garlic Chicken Salad
• King of the Sea
• Beef Brisket
• Tandoori Spice Pizza
• Mocha Nut

Menu

Sides

• Manuka smoked bacon — Two rashers of Manuka smoked bacon
• Vine tomato — Grilled vine tomato
• Baby spinach — Fresh baby spinach
• Avocado — Fresh sliced avocado
• Bratwurst — Single grilled bratwurst sausage
• Creamy mushrooms — Sautéed creamy mushrooms
• Grilled mushrooms — Seasoned grilled mushrooms
• House hashbrown — Crispy house-made hashbrown
• Mixed leaf & parmesan salad — Fresh greens with parmesan
• Smoked salmon — Delicate smoked salmon slices
• Grilled free range chicken — Tender grilled free-range chicken breast
• Grilled halloumi — Seared grilled halloumi cheese
• Chorizo — Sliced spicy chorizo sausage
• Bread with no added gluten — Gluten-friendly bread option
• House aioli or hollandaise — Choice of house sauces
• Chips, parmesan & aioli — Crisp chips topped with parmesan cheese and aioli
• Cheesy Wedges — Potato wedges served with crème fraîche and cheddar

Desserts

• Salted Caramel Sundae — Vanilla bean ice cream, mango, salted caramel sauce, candied cashew & biscoff crumb
• MELBA Cheesecake — Seasonal fruit, meringue crumb

Beverages

• Espresso — Double shot espresso
• Long Black — Double shot poured over hot water
• Flat White — Double shot espresso with silky microfoam
• Cappuccino — Espresso with steamed milk and dusting
• Mocha Nut — Hazelnut mocha topped with whipped cream & chocolate syrup
• Mint Condition — Peppermint laced hot chocolate topped with whipped cream & chocolate syrup
• Lean Green Smoothie — Spirulina, apple, spinach, cucumber, banana, coconut water, cashews
• Caramel Nut Protein Smoothie — NuZest vanilla protein powder, dates, cashews, organic soy milk
• Berry & Banana Smoothie — Raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, banana, coconut water, honey
• Island Breeze Smoothie — Mango cheeks, pineapple, pineapple juice
• Slam Dunk Gourmet Milkshake — Chocolate, nutella, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, flake
• Biscoff Gourmet Milkshake — Biscoff spread, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, biscoff biscuit
• Salted Caramel Martini — Vodka, kahlua, salted caramel syrup, espresso
• Ruby Picola — Vodka, advocaat, rhubarb syrup, house lemonade
• MELBA Sunset Mocktail — Pineapple juice, lemon juice, grenadine, mint

All Day Breakfast

• Winter Warming Porridge — Oats, coconut cream, chia seeds, black doris plum, grilled banana, roasted almonds
• MELBA Breakfast — Manuka smoked bacon, bratwurst, sourdough, grilled mushroom, house hash brown, poached or fried egg, MELBA sauce
• Farmers Feast — Three egg omelette, confit mushroom, chimichurri, marinated feta, caramelised onion, house kasundi
• Buttie — Organic brioche, house pulled pork, manuka smoked bacon, aioli, fried egg, house bbq sauce
• Mince on Toast — Baby spinach, crème fraiche, chorizo crumb, fried egg, sourdough
• Mighty Mushrooms — Creamy mushrooms, fried egg, focaccia, sun-dried tomato pesto, parmesan snow, petite salad
• Avocado Toast — Crushed avocado, poached egg, marinated feta, greens, toasted seeds, beetroot hummus, sourdough
• Eggs Benedict — Poached eggs, house hash cake, house hollandaise, with choice of Manuka smoked bacon, smoked salmon & baby spinach, or grilled tomato & baby spinach
• French Toast — Thick cut brioche, caramelised banana, maple mascarpone, mixed berry coulis, meringue crumb
• Salmon Mash — Soft mashed potato with dill & lemon, topped with smoked salmon, poached egg & house hollandaise
• Eggs on Toast — Poached or fried eggs on five grain

Stone Oven Pizzas

• The Italian — House tomato sauce, mozzarella, spicy pepperoni
• The Works — Chorizo, bacon, bratwurst, mozzarella, mushroom, MELBA sauce & aioli
• Tandoori Spice — Free range chicken, mozzarella, spicy tandoori onions, cherry tomato, coriander, raita, mango chutney
• Margherita — Cherry tomato, mozzarella & fresh basil
• Garden Delight — Mozzarella, jalapeño, olives, pineapple, mushroom, corn, onions, parmesan, aioli, chipotle

Dinner Small Plates

• Pizza Bread — Parmesan, garlic, olive oil, mozzarella
• Cauliflower Pakora — Garam masala infused, maple & chilli aioli
• Fish Sliders — Pickled lemon, aioli & watercress
• Crispy Chicken Nibbles — Panko crumbed & drizzled with our own MELBA sauce
• Chicken Bao Buns — Korean fried chicken, gochujang sauce, slaw, pickled cucumber, chilli, watercress
• Salt & Pepper Calamari — Chipotle & lime aioli dipping sauce
• Scotch Fillet — Creamy truffle mash, garlic butter, seasonal vegetables, peppercorn sauce

All Day Mains & Salads

• Honey Garlic Chicken Salad — Free range chicken, apple, roasted cashew, aioli, avocado, tomato, balsamic dressing
• Angus Beef Burger — Cheddar, dijonnaise, habanero BBQ sauce, salad, caramelised onion, pickle, tomato, chips
• Fried Chicken Waffle — Parmesan waffle, buttermilk fried free range chicken, red pepper & maple aioli, crunchy slaw, caramelised onion & chips
• Creamy Penne Pasta — Free range chicken, mushrooms & manuka smoked bacon, fresh basil, shaved parmesan
• Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich — Panko crumbed free range chicken breast, brie, house apricot chutney, aioli, tomato & greens, toasted focaccia, chips
• Seafood Chowder — Thick & creamy with mussels, market fish, shrimp, calamari, toasted sourdough
• Beef Brisket — Spiced dry rub, slow cooked, cauliflower purée, creamy scalloped potatoes, seasonal vegetables, beef jus
• Pork Ribs — Slow cooked smoky pork ribs, sesame & apple slaw, chips
• Energizer Salad — Crispy kale, grilled halloumi, quinoa, candied walnuts, cranberries, beetroot hummus, honey lime dressing
• King of the Sea — Crispy skin salmon, chive crème fraîche, kale, seasonal vegetables, pickled fennel, charred lemon, crispy caper
• Fish Tacos — Crumbed market fish, organic flour tortilla, mango, chipotle, capsicum, sweetcorn & tomato salsa

Frequently asked questions

Where is MELBA Manukau located?

The café is situated at 1 Ronwood Avenue in Manukau, conveniently located directly across from Westfield Manukau.

What days is dinner served?

Dinner is served from Wednesday through Saturday starting from 3:00pm until late.

Are table bookings available?

Yes, table reservations can be made online via Now Book It through the MELBA website.

Does the café cater to children?

Yes, MELBA Manukau offers a dedicated Kids Day Menu along with family-friendly seating and gourmet shakes.

Is there a public holiday surcharge?

A 10% surcharge applies on all public holidays.

Can MELBA Manukau host or cater events?

Yes, catering menu booking options and meeting room facilities are available across the MELBA network.

Tips

• {"body":"Located just across the street from Westfield, it makes an easy and quiet retreat for lunch or coffee away from mall food courts.","title":"Post-Shopping Escape"}
• {"body":"Keep MELBA in mind for mid-week and weekend dinners from Wednesday to Saturday, when the kitchen serves small plates, steaks, and cocktails.","title":"Evening Visits"}
• {"body":"All standard espresso coffees are prepared with a double shot, ensuring rich flavor whether you order a flat white or iced latte.","title":"Double Shot by Default"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Offers dedicated kids day dining and family-friendly indoor seating.","dietary":"Offers non-dairy milk alternatives, vegetarian choices, and bread with no added gluten.","payments":"A 10% surcharge applies on all public holidays."}