Where to eat in Morningside and Kingsland – an insider's guide

Where to stop for braised beef noodles, iced matcha lattes and chicken schnitzel in Morningside and Kingsland, according to Sarah Choromanski of just-closed Everyday Coffee.

Despite having lived in other suburbs and even overseas for a time, Morningside and Kingsland will always be home for Sarah Choromanski (Te Arawa, Ngati Maniapoto, Vava’u), the owner/operator of Everyday Coffee. “I'm South Auckland born and bred, but spent a lot of time around here when meeting Hubby – he grew up in Morningside and Kingsland in the 90s,” she says.

They’ve lived in the area for years, and some of their kids go to school nearby. “This area was pretty pivotal in shaping us as young people,” Choromanski says. “So it feels sorta nice that it's now shaping our kids too, who call it home the same way we do.” 

In 2023, between raising their five kids, she and her husband Janusz opened Everyday Coffee – a sleek, slip of a space with reliably excellent coffee, cabinet food and vinyl. And while the cafe permanently closed this week, in their three years of operating, the space became a local fixture, thanks in part to its strong sense of community. “Being a Māori and Pasifika-owned business, manaakitanga is at the heart of everything we do,” says Choromanski. “Whoever you are and wherever you're from, we want you to walk into a space that just feels good. Times are hard right now, and true community presence matters more than ever.”

For Choromanski, eating locally is part of understanding her home – from long-standing favourites, to newer openings reflecting how the neighbourhood is changing. “When you run a local coffee shop, spending time at the local spots after a big day is just what you do,” she says. “It’s just nice to step away from behind the counter and spend time in someone else's space.”

Here are some of her insider tips for eating and drinking your way around Kingsland and Morningside.

Three words (other than vibrant) that sum up the food in Morningside/Kingsland: Variety, casual, fun.

My most controversial food opinion about Morningside/Kingsland: The Baker’s Cottage (which used to be known as Connon’s Bakery) makes the best pies in the entire country.

Everyone has a dining out pet peeve. Mine is: Bad service. And dirty tables. Also less-than-friendly hospo peeps…welcoming people into a place goes a long way.

The best restaurant in Morningside is: Tiffin Indian Cuisine.

Why I love Tiffin: Just the yummiest Indian kai around. Not quite a cheap eat when it’s all of us dining as a family, but it’s still so worth it. It seems to get busy on weekends with lots of large groups, so we like to go during the week. If you haven’t been, make it happen.

My go-to order is: Their beef madras is the best. And our kids go hard on the butter chicken (real original).

When I’m craving something cheap and cheerful I head to: The Baker’s Cottage for their steak and cheese potato top pie.

The most underrated local gem is: Kingsland Sushi. It’s a cute Japanese lunch bar next to the AA Auto Centre that is the best quick lunch spot. They have self-serve sushi that always tastes so fresh but my go-to is the teriyaki bento box. The ladies up there are so nice and welcoming and the kai is always so good.

A recent food discovery I can’t stop talking about: St. Leonards Brewing. We were a little late to the party on this one, but, what a cool spot. They have a great selection of beer and cocktails. The food is awesome too. I am obsessed with the chicken schnitzel but all the food is the bomb.

A place I’ve been dying to try is: Sake Bar Icco.

Pub or bar of choice: The Batsmen Brewery. Delicious beers brewed onsite. They bring their Samoan whakapapa into everything they do – including the pisupo pizza which is seki as!!

For a late-night food fix you’ll find me at: At Bangkok Thai Eatery which is open until 10 or 11pm, depending on the night. I’m a huge fan of the drunken noodles. We’re also fans of Canton Cafe, which is open late every day of the week. A classic.

Got visitors from out of town? I’m taking them to: My house for a feed. I’ll be serving Island food and a seafood buffet.

An ideal local date spot would be: Dinner at Umu Pizza followed by a game at Eden

Park.

Make sure to order: the #54: what we call "the potato pizza".

But I’d advise you to avoid: Nothing, it’s all delicious.

Morningside/ Kingsland’s best…

Coffee: Everyday Coffee (RIP).

Sandwich: We did a mean house-made beef brisket sandwich on house made focaccia at Everyday Coffee. 

Noodles: The braised beef and spicy noodles from Eden Noodles. Healing for the soul.

Pie: Steak and cheese from The Baker’s Cottage.

Comfort meal: Dumplings in sweet and spicy sauce from Eden Noodles. Always.

Fish and chips: Tipene's.

And the best place to unwrap and eat them is: At home.

Bread: The fresh wholemeal loaf from The Baker’s Cottage. When it’s still warm it’s mean with heaps of butter.

If you’re after spice, make a beeline for: Zood: our beautiful Thai neighbours, just across the road from us. Their boat noodles are especially delicious.

The place to go if you want to feel virtuous/ healthy: Papagaio inside Health and Sports. I like their protein shakes and burrito wraps. Good value healthy eats!

A splurge that’s worth it: The iced matcha latte from Mustard Kitchen. It’s not crazy pricey but just a bit more than your usual iced caffeinated drinks. They do yum doughnuts too. 

The dairy with the best lolly selection: Rocky’s Superette. My kids do the lolly runs and I eat them. $2 bags of gum and all sorts. They have a solid selection of American lollies too. 

A little local treat that always cheers me up: Chic’en Eats for spicy Nashville-style wings, sandwiches, burgers and chips.

My favourite grocery shop: Sandringham Bulk Foods. 

My favourite local hospo personality: Everyone at Morningside Tavern is lovely.

For outstanding people watching, go to: The Kingslander. It’s in close proximity to the street and there’s usually plenty of action along New North Rd once the sun goes down. Mix that with a sporting event and you’re bound to see something interesting.

The place I go to avoid bumping into anyone I know: The Portland Public House.

A restaurant I would love to relocate to Morningside/Kingsland: The Alderman in Henderson which is a cafe rather than a restaurant but they have the best food. I’d love to have them in the neighbourhood.

The place I return to again and again: Urbanaut, because they have the best beer and their gochujang tofu fries are my absolute favourite. 

Why I love eating in Morningside and Kingsland: It's our local and it feels local. We’re lucky to have so many amazing little spots that deliver every single time in the neighbourhood without anything ever feeling too serious or bougie.