My Secret Auckland: Comedian Joel Vinsen shares his favourite spots in the city

Billy T Award nominee Joel Vinsen grew up in West Auckland. Photo / Supplied

In this Herald on Sunday series, we ask well-known Aucklanders for their favourite spots in the city. This week, comedian Joel Vinsen takes us on a tour of his top places.

Favourite beach?

My favourite beach is Āwhitu, in the Manukau Heads. It’s a bit of a mission; about 1.5 hours drive, often barely anybody there, there’s no surf, and there’s shade. Really peaceful and a wonderful place to hang out and get away from everything.

Brunch spot?

Little Algiers on K Rd. The owner is a real character; friendly, funny, and remembers everybody. Incredibly cheap also; feels like K Rd did 15 years ago.

Best restaurant for dinner with friends?

There are definitely classier places to eat, but the Little Turkish Cafe on K Rd is iconic. The kebabs are consistently great. It’s pretty hectic at night sometimes too. I reckon the staff could collectively win the Billy T by just recounting all of the stories that they must have from working there.

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The place to take a visitor to?

The most authentic Auckland experience I can think of: as soon as the weather is good, get in the car and drive to the Coromandel.

Best spot to finish a night out?

The Little Turkish Cafe. Nothing like a good 3am kebab.

Best coffee?

The Hardware Cafe in Titirangi. It’s where I grew up and probably the first place I ever had a flat white.

Favourite fish-and-chip shop?

I can’t remember the last time I had fish and chips in Auckland, but I have had chips without fish at the Little Turkish Cafe. So the Little Turkish Cafe.

Hiking trail?

Karamatura Falls in Huia is a great walk, bonus is that you get to swim at the end.

Venue for a gig?

Cardboard Comedy Club in Kingsland is a new non-profit venue that is really worth checking out. The interior is made of cardboard and there are a couple of great classic cars on site. Also, the Audio Foundation in Poynton Tce is my favourite music venue – experimental music and it’s BYO.

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Best spot for a bargain?

I try to save money on gas by riding my bike to Woolworths, and then negate those savings by spending $100 on like three things. For real though, my Comedy Festival show is a bargain. For about the price of 1kg of beef, you get 120 kilos of man.

See Billy T Award nominee Joel Vinsen at his new show Renaissance Man on May 12-16 at BATS Theatre, Wellington, and May 19–23 at The Classic, Auckland. Book your tickets at comedyfestival.co.nz.