Cafe Bliss, Ponsonby

Cafe Bliss on Ponsonby Road. Photo / Dean Purcell

Herald rating: * * *
Address: Cafe Bliss 268 Ponsonby Rd

We came here because we had time for a leisurely brunch.

Parking was just across the road - we got lucky - but be prepared to walk a bit further than that normally.

We walked in and immediately thought the red, black and white decor was pretty intense for a morning eatery. Bold-patterned wallpaper and splashes of solid red are not common among the muted tones of Auckland breakfast spots.

The most unusual thing on the menu was the breakfast salad - a bed of lettuce topped with bacon, poached eggs and a balsamic dressing ($14 without bacon).

We ordered the brekkie salad and the eggs benedict with avocado and tomato ($15). Everything was fine without being great, with the exception of the enormous sweet muffin we ordered first ($3.50). It was easily the biggest muffin we have seen, and tasty with it.

The coffee was good.

The service was very good.

We recommend if you come here you sit out the front in the sun or, on a cool day, grab a seat in the cosier lounge at the back.

Overall we thought you will like this place if you like cafes to be shiny and new.