The Takapuna Beach Cafe is hugely popular, and for good reason. Food is always excellent and there’s plenty of choice, and if you overeat, you can walk it off along Takapuna Beach afterwards.
Favourite restaurant for dinner with friends?
Anise is the new little sister restaurant to Sid and Chad Sahrawat’s French Cafe and the tasting menu is mind-blowingly good! If you get in quick and book a “First Table”, you can experience the amazing degustation menu for half the price.
Favourite place to take a visitor to?
The historic Cornwall Park is a remarkable expanse of land in the middle of the city – with magnificent Harry Potter-style trees to under which to find shade. The historic little house at the top next to the lovely tea rooms is a fascinating “discovery hub”. If you’re feeling energetic, you can continue climbing up One Tree Hill among the grazing sheep to the obelisk which marks the burial site of the man who gifted this wonderful place to New Zealand in 1901: Sir John Logan Campbell.
Favourite spot to finish a night out?
When I’m at the Viaduct, I often feel I could be in Europe – it has an international feel to it. I love having a nightcap at Dr Rudi’s Rooftop Bar, overlooking the yachts and the pretty lights. The late-night DJs there always deliver great dance music, too.
Favourite place to get coffee?
Daily Bread on Eversleigh Road in Belmont has the best coffee. Its a two-minute walk from my house and has freshly made pastries, dangerously good (given my proximity to the cafe) rhubarb and raspberry donuts, and mushroom and truffle toasties to die for!
Favourite fish-and-chip shop?
Orewa Beach Fish and Chips has queues out the door for good reason. The fish is always fresh and succulent and they have gluten-free options for the batter. Then there’s fresh fruit ice creams for dessert, all to be eaten on Orewa’s beautiful beach just across the road.
Favourite trail for a hike?
I discovered this during lockdown when I lived over the road from Kennedy Memorial Park in Castor Bay and it was a life-saver. It needs to be timed right, because you won’t get all the way at high tide unless you want to get wet, but the coastal path from Milford to Murray’s Bay is very special, and about a 1km round trip with gentle hills and some clambering over rocks included.
Favourite venue for a gig?
Eden Park has proved to be a great music venue as well as a sports venue, and I hope Auckland Council approves the park’s request to allow more international acts into the venue in the coming years. It will be interesting to see how Base Spaces at Silo Park turns out for Six60′s gig in March next year – what a brilliant location right on the waterfront, and I could get the ferry over from Bayswater! And since I’m a thespian, The Pumphouse Theatre deserves a special mention! Its a magical venue right on the edge of Lake Pupuke in Takapuna and its outdoor amphitheatre is perfect for Shakespeare!
Favourite place to find a bargain?
I’ve found some good quality treasures in the Re-generate Fashion shop in Hurstmere Road in Takapuna – including the perfect retro outfit for a friend’s Sopranos-themed 30th birthday party!
See Suzy Sampson in Richard III as part of Auckland Shakespeare in the Park, playing from January 18 to February 15 at The PumpHouse Theatre.
