This is the best cafe on the street of Howick. There is a reason it is always busy. Father Ted is running a fine operation with great coffee, service and food. The staff are very warm and it is a great place to be on a Saturday or Sunday morning for your weekend brunch/coffee. Likewise, there have been many afternoons where plans have been made to pop in for a beer but I tend to find myself there until late in the night tucking into either the famous battered fish, huge pizzas or beef burgers. The antique atmosphere and bright lights make you feel as if you are in the comfort of your own living room. Always a welcoming place to be in.
Great atmosphere, super friendly staff..... This place serves up the best fries around!!!
Service was Gd and all the food was scrummy. Thanks Apothecary for a great night
Planning a surprise birthday for 20 guests is no party in the park but working with Ted and his team definitely made last night a party to remember. The staff on duty went above and beyond to ensure all our guests were taken care of and the food was lovely and beautifully presented. I would whole heartedly recommend spending your special occasions here for sure.
An excellent menu and service. A real gem of a place. I come to the cafe quite often for the early bird brekkie deal. Recommended.
Great Atmosphere, Great Service and fantastic. Its rustic with modern additions, I highly recommend this to people who want to have a amazing coffee, awesome meal and fantastic service !!!
Ribs are to die for! Such a huge serving and great service and staff so happy
Offers a great range of food from breakfast through to dinner. If you live out east or visiting Howick it’s well worth a visit.
No better way to start (or end) your day than a coffee or meal from The Apothecary. Outstanding atmosphere and service provided by Ted and his team. Great community feel!
Had a lovely lunch, food and drinks were great. Amazing atmosphere and our waitress amazing!
Great morning at the apothecary today! The duty manager went above and beyond to get the sky tv working so our French friend could watch the rugby. Great service and good breakfast foods! Definitely will be back. Thank you! ��
Had a private function at The Apothecary today and we couldn't be happier with our choice of venue. Nothing was a problem and the staff were fantastic. We would highly recommend this venue if anyone is looking around for a place to celebrate your special event. Thank you to the team at The Apothecary, we will seen you again soon.
Richie and I had our engagement party here last night. Ted and the staff were amazing! We could not of asked for better service and ease. Food was incredible (as always) music system fantastic, and just simply an incredible night. Perfect place. Thank you x
Came around 9am on Saturday, a good amount of people were already seated.
Ordered the crepes and big breakfast. Service was a bit brisk but polite.
Crepes were nice, but not the most substantial. Big breakfast was tasty as well, the highlight being the bratwurst sausage.
• Forgot to take a photo however have just arrived home after a lovely lunch here. First time visiting and definitely not the last. Ordered the Smoked Chicken Caesar Salad, as well as the Prime Cheeseburger GF. Both very tasty and really good portions. Wanting to try the breakfast menu next.
• The ambience is really cool too. The taxidermy art, layout of the bar and different decor is all very different yet unique.
• Shout out to the person who served my partner and I. Came back several times to inform my hangry self about the food in which contained gluten - noticed your patience.
Overall, really enjoyed my experience here.
Such a cute cafe place. Perfect for a meal with your friends! Food was good and came fast 💨 but our drinks (ordered coffees) took 15 mins to come. Worth it though because the coffee tasted so good!
The pasta of the day was amazing!! It was packed with bacon and mushroom. We got our food pretty fast but it wasn't too busy so I guess you'd hope that would be the case! Sometimes it takes a while to be noticed by staff but other than that I always enjoy coming here for a meal.
It looks like a normal restaurant from the outside but the inside is a whole different story. The first thing I notice after entering was the giant moose head on the wall. After sitting down you notice that little cupboard all contain interesting items reminiscent of an old-style pharmacy.
The menu is a bit different from standard cafes, with a slight Asian twist to some items. They also have the super shakes available as well, the menu on a blackboard on the wall. The food is alright. Portions are decent. I didn't particularly like the flavour of the pork belly as it was a bit to bitter. The school prawns were good. The chocolate super shake was also really good, although they added so much candy toppings that it lasted a few days after.
It did get hard to get the attention of the servers though after ordering.
The Apothecary is a fabulous spot for brunch with a great selection to complement those with a sweet tooth or to find a savoury meal. The meals are fairly priced with vibrant looking dishes. The food was delivered within a reasonable time and the staff are friendly and great to chat with. Would definitely recommend to check this place out for brunch when you catch yourself in the Howick area.
This is one of my go-to places for a cute brunch date or a coffee with a friend. The Apothecary serves top notch coffee and have great pastries and bites to complement it. My favourite is their almond croissant! The place has a vintage yet lively touch to it and the staff are all friendly! The food is reasonably priced, but if I were to be picky I’d say I expected the serving size to be slightly larger. Would definitely recommend!
Have been here three times in recent months, two of which great visits with amazing food and service. Other time not so much, order was incorrect and was overcharged, ciabatta was stale and hashbrowns missing. Was in a rush so unfortunately couldn’t mention the issues to the manager, however I am sure he would’ve been helpful as he has been other times.
If you are a coffee aficionado then a trip to the Apothecary is a must! After sampling coffee from all over Auckland, this place is definitely one of my favourites. Their menu & cabinet food is always fresh and delicious & the ambience is great with plenty of space between tables. Love the wine selection too. I will happily become a regular at this establishment!
Lovely place, great coffee, great food, great staff. Definitely one to return to when in Howick. May not look entirely “family” but it certainly caters very well for kids, loved that they have both sparkling or still water free, self service!
We ordered Apothecary breakfast and the multi-layered sandwiches. Quite a big portion and very good food quality. I like the hash brown most, very unique that you cant find it anywhere. We did enjoy the atmosphere there and the nice service by a french girl. Just cant get it why so many complaints for the service before. Would defintely visit again and try the coffee.
Robyn Ripindar Schuller
+3.5
Great place and atmosphere! Would recommend for a Saturday or Sunday morning brunch :) the food was fresh and came out in a good amount of time.
I've always walked pass The Apothecary but this was my first time grabbing something from the place. A friend and I came for a coffee and both ordered a matcha latte.
The latte was more on the W/chill side which was disappointing for the cold day. The latte had a nice taste and wasn't overly sweet (powder based instead of artificial syrup). But the milk was quite thin and lacked body.
The decor is great and the food selection is diverse. I wouldn't go out of my way to come back but it's a decent place to have a meet-up.
Overall experience is good.
The night was hit and miss but hey...its just one of those days.
We came in n its relatively busy n not sure where to seat as we did not make any reservation. So my friend approach one of the staff n she manage to clear the table that we like to seat.
The staff is very friendly n that is awsome though they got our drinks wrong and forget one of the calamari dishes that we ordered 🙈
They make it up for the delicious mushoom rissoto balls and pizza that we ordered! Dishes are great for sharing and quiet fulling. Everything that came out is good to eat.
Love the ambience and set up of this place..feels really cozy.
If you come in with great company...you will leave this place smiling.
Excellent service, very attentive to our needs. Was a busy night with the bar booked out for a private function but still under pressure the food was amazing as always. Nice ambience great to see a busy restaurant
I had beef cheeks and it was perfectly cooked
Finally a good chef cooking there.
Let's support him and apothecary.
The place is great, and has a good atmosphere.
The a la carte is quite small not many dishes to choose from but what I had was really good.
Recommended to anyone.
Great place for a nice ambience, staff very friendly & coffee is superb. Apothecary has everything, Wine bar & restaurant. Both of which can be hired out for weddings or functions. They have recently changed the menu, couldn't fault the food. And my kids loved the smoothies in the perfect sized jars for little hands. I will return!
Hadn't been for some time. Very surprised to find it packed out on Friday morning. Every appearance of continued popularity with the punters. We always enjoy the bric-a-brac throughout. Stands out around the preccinct with its special character. Good service.
The Apothecary is a cafe in Howick Village which is incredibly popular with the locals. I have visited on multiple occasions and love the antiques. The decor is very unique compared to other cafes I’ve been to and is definitely worth checking out. We don’t have many cafes out in East Auckland so this place is quite refreshing.
Mary Charmaine Duhig
+3.5
My best friend took me here for my birthday last year as a treat! The girl serving us was friendly and we ended up having a nice conversation with her. I ordered seafood - calamari, it was nicely presented on the plate but disappointingly a very tiny portion for a main meal on their menu. Our drinks were great though! The ambience was alright...it was very quiet for a Saturday afternoon, and there was only two other families. I loved the decorations, it really did give a rusty apothecary feel to it.
We had our 50th here at The Cellar Bar which is part of The Apothecary and it was great. Good staff, excellent food and great vibey venue. Everyone was raving about the ham on the bone and delicious canapes. The staff made it hassle and stress free.
I've popped into the Apothecary twice for breakfast and a lunch. The ambiance is wonderful and the food is delicious! The Eggs Benedict was cooked to perfection and the Buttermilk Pancakes are a dream. Coffee is also fantastic and they have the best Iced Coffee around!
My only real criticism would be the service (and the only reason I wouldn't give the place a 5/5): it can very slow at times and the waiters customer interaction is very standard and sometimes even unfriendly. I'd also enjoy the experience more if the waiters could take orders at the tables rather than having to go up to the counter.
The place is also very pricey and I'd only go every so often for a treat, but I think the food is delicious and worth the treat if you can make the trip :)
Just had the best cheese scone here this morning, so light and fluffy. Whenever I've ordered food here over the last few months it's been super delicious. Ambience is always great and the staff are lovely. One of my favourite places in Howick. Plus it's a fabulous venue for events - loooove the the comedy nights!!
I've been going to the Apothecary for a few years now and seen a few chef changes and staff changes for the girls at the front but all in all not many changes at all. The service has never been better than now backing up the great consistent work of the kitchen. The Apothecary is the perfect start to my day and consistently pumps. Great work.
Attended a 21st here recently, awesome venue. Had the place to ourselves and the decor and atmosphere made for a refreshing and enjoyable experience. Service was good and The fact that they have New Zealand craft beers on Tap for an affordable price is fantastic! Will be in for brunch sometime soon!
I enjoy the atmosphere here, been here a few times and the food tastes great and prices are ok, had the big breakfast but was smaller than I'm use to quality food. Would recommend for a good brunch
Love the Apothecary. Love the food, great portions, speedy service. Friendly and smart waiting staff too. The vintage vibes are neat too, the place is well decorated with several antique pieces, which we appreciate.
Wanderlust/ Use My Code- WAND2878 To Get 20% Zomato Gold
+3.5
I was very eager to eat at this place, because the place seemed to be so popular. I went with my family for a weekend breakfast and ordered buttermilk pancakes, eggs on toast, and eggs white omelette. The pancakes were delicious and so was the eggs. Seeing so less options for vegans on their breakfast menu irked me a bit. The decor and the vibes were at this place was superb. The presentation of the food was purrfect. Would have given more stars, but so less options for vegans bugged me. But overall it was a nice pleasurable experience. :)
The place has a very welcoming feeling and this is how the staff made me feel when I arrived. The Peroni battered snapper was generous but fairly tasteless and the batter was a little too thick. The chips were oustanding. Did find the music a little loud but the song selection was very good. Would like to come back and try a breakfast as they looked like they could be excellent.
We came for brunch and ordered an eggs benedict and poached eggs on ciabatta. Both dishes looked good with a generous garnishing of rocket, though the hollandaise sauce disappeared from the eggs soaking into the bread almost straight away. The latte and hot chocolate were also good. The service was prompt and we didn't feel rushed at all.
The cafe itself is welcoming with lots of seating and an interesting decor that includes some apothecary items and a vintage counter. The original owner outfitted the place from his antiques store which is still next door, and the cafe was full of bric-a-brac. Since then the place has been decluttered and slightly remodelled with a white tiled feature wall and extra seating.
We went one morning for brunch after driving by a few times and it always looking pretty busy. We were seated in the corner next to the window which is very bunched in and quite claustrophobic. The service was average, staff weren't very friendly and always seemed to be too eager to get away when ordering or requesting something. The food was ok, crazily salty though - the potatoes had a lot of salt in to start then a fair sprinkle of sea salt over the top was too much. The place's biggest downfall however was the cleanliness - you couldn't even see out of the windows, the floor looked like it had never been mopped and just a lot of little things suggest it isn't getting cleaned very well or very often. Don't think I'll be heading back anytime soon as there are a lot of good breakfast/brunch establishments in Howick.
Awesome breakfasts, who can go past mince on toast! The coffee at the Apothecary is excellent, they also do a nice selection for lunch. One of my favourite spots for breakfast meetings.
Confessions Of A Foodaholic
+4
When we arrived, the kitchen was closed (fair enough as it was already 3pm). So we had a selection from their cabinet to share. I only took a photo of their glutenfree plum and orange cake. But we also shared the almond croissant and the lemon tart as well. The cakes were good, the plum and orange cake was my favourite. Coffees were good as well and we all had a different animal coffee art each!
Huge thanks to Ted and all his staff for a fantastic night on Saturday for our 21st party. Venue was perfect and food was excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed by all who were there.
My friend and I came here for dinner, we were pretty hungry and ordered a main each and another to share. Lucky we did so because the portions were rather small even after it all we were still left hungry.
The food was very tasty though, my favorite would have been the shrimp dish- well cooked with great flavors!
A nice little eating spot though with a great vibe but not if you're after a decent sized meal.
Been here a couple of times now for breakfast when we're not in the city, it's one of the few cafes in the Main Street of Howick with a bit of atmosphere - they've got a nice little theme going.
There is no table service but the food and drink are on your table pronto.
The food is not a huge pull, but I'd recommend it if you were limited to the Howick area. I generally get the Granola or the French toast which are both pretty decent in size and are enjoyable without blowing me away.
I would like to thank The Apothecary for an amazing evening celebrating my birthday. The staff were charming and the meal was amazing- our party would highly recommend the Short Ribs, melt in the mouth and made for a big appetite!! Loved the new menu.
Good little character cafe out this way - as there are not a lot of cafes out East, but amongst it all, this place isn't too shabby at all. The food is up to standard and the setting is pretty cool. The coffee is not really my cuppa though - it just always seem too bitter and borderline burnt at times. Come for lunch (from 12pm) and try the Peroni battered fish n chips - its pretty good.
Enjoyed a very lovely breakfast here on Tuesday morning. We had the french toast which was beautifully presented and my friend had the mushrooms which she said was yummy. The coffee was great. Took time to thank the lovely young lady chef and her partner who both seemed very young but so in control, will be back for sure. Great cafe.
Came here for lunch on Saturday, the place was quite packed which shows a good sign that this place is popular! Service could of been better, when entering didn't feel welcomed but the food and atmosphere made up for that. The food and drinks came reasonably quick since the restaurant was quite packed. Overall it was a good Saturday brunch! For drinks we got ice coffee and the feijoa and apple smoothie. For food we got the seafood chowder and the buttermilk pancakes! I loved my smoothie it was so fresh I loved it and the chowder was super good too! Good portion for the price
I remembered this place do really good pancakes so we decided to come back and try something else. My bf ordered a big breakfast, and I got a steak sandwich. i also got a coffee, that was super yummy and he got a mango smoothie it was yummy too! Its good that they do it lactose free.
We also ordered a popcorn shrimp on the side to try because we never had something like that before.
The food was good. Their pop corn shrimp was amazing but a little salty. The steak was cooked perfectly and the chips came with the steak was perfect, crispy and flavorful. The hash brown in the big breakfast was not too salty which is good and it came with heaps of bacon!
Howick isn't usually somewhere I'd head out to for a bite but it was definitely worth the trip to The Apothecary today! Located on the main street there is plenty of parking nearby. The restaurant is a great size and has heaps of neat props to give it a quirky vibe - rustic draws, wooden skies, sleighs and all shapes of bottles. It's obvious a lot of time and effort was put into the decor. It was cozy and relaxed during our brunch visit, there was a decent queue when we arrived and most tables were full.
We ordered the Creamy mushrooms ($18) and the Brioche French toast ($16). Both dishes were well presented and a good size. I enjoyed the the creamy sauce with the thick portobello mushrooms, and the contrast of the pesto sauce. My friend enjoyed the French brioche which looked delicious on the plate.
Would recommend this place to anyone that lives nearby or if you don't mind going for a drive.
Possibly the best French toast I've ever had! It's nearly always crowded and tables are full etc but the decor is awesome and just love the bustling vibe here. Coffees were also very good.
One of the best looking cafe I have been so far.
Beautiful and elite ambience.... very rustic and english
Customer service is great too... staff were friendly and accommodating
And omg food was simply beautiful.... best breakfast and coffee in yonks...
Most recommended
Haven't been to Howick for 20 odd years so took some overseas visitors there to look around. Stumbled upon this place. Such an inviting decoration - the deeper in you were the oldie worldly it felt!
We all ordered the big breakfast and what a delight - the quality of the ingredients was very evident - chewy tasty bacon and perfectly poached eggs - and a hash brown like no other. Topped off with a super hot splendidly poured coffee and we were in foodie heaven.
We live in Ponsonby and frankly the food here was superior to our locals! - worth the drive and will be there again very soon. Well done to this cafe. Not the cheapest but worth every cent.
A good place for breakfast and lunch. We had yo wait in line for about 10 minutes to order, wait time for food was around 20 minutes but the food was very good as was the coffee.
Staff were friendly and attentive.
I have been going to the Apothecary for a number of years now and just recently, a lot more often! The menu is outstanding, with excellent quality food that's worth the money. The service is amazing, warm and genuinely friendly. I would recommend the Lamb Sliders and the Sticky Salsa Fried Prawn Salad. A great place to take friends/family for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Restaurant Inspector
+3.5
We went for breakfast the bacon was like cardboard and the scrambled eggs must have been under the heat lamp for Mitch too long very dis pointed
Second visit this week, food and service is always good. I've tried a fair few eggs Benedict at many different cafes in Auckland and I can confidently say this place does it best. I haven't tried anything else on the menu yet but I'm sure the rest of their food is just as good
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A large group of us came here tonight for a farewell dinner. They had provided a large table that sufficiently accommodated all of us. When I first walked in, I was very impressed with the decor of this establishment. I also felt an old English ambiance about this place that was warm and memorable. It reminded me of my visit to the UK - Very authentic.
I started off with a piñacolda and enjoyed my drink so much ;) I could have had another one and another one and another one. Five minutes after our drinks arrived, we received a massive complimentary tapas board accompanied with a selection of toasted bread - Superb! After this, we placed our orders. The food arrived relatively quick considering there was a large group of us. I ordered the lamb sliders and found this dish enjoyable. I also has the chance to try some of the other dishes... I was slightly let down by the fried chicken wings as the chicken had excessive seasoning, it was incredibly salty. The pop corn shrimp was served in the cutest pot! The little pieces of shrimp were crispy and delicious. Lastly, the fried Camembert cheese with jam was out of this world- Such a brilliant combo!!
Before we left, we were given complimentary desserts as well! How generous and kind. We were given this amazing pavlova/cream/raspberry/strawberry filled dessert glass for dessert. I had about 2 and a half servings. Seriously, it was so good... Probably up there in my top 5 favourite desserts of all time!!
I'm already planning my next visit, I definitely recommend this place.
Great place and great decor :) the food is good and reasonably priced as well. I liked the portion sizes as well. Its in Howick which is a bit out of the way but it's a very nice local restaurant .
Went for dinner last night. The layout and atmosphere was really inviting. Even though the menu is very small, all of the items on the menu sounded amazing. We were feeling hungry so had the House Pizza, salso prawns and lamb sliders. All round very impressed with the food, prices and the service! Definitely want to come back and try the rest of the items on the menu.
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I adore the old town village-ness of this area- it's a nice change from the hustle and bustle of the hip and modern city areas sometimes. I took a friend here for lunch and was once again wowed by all the trinkets and decor adorning the walls and restaurant despite having visited before. It definitely lives up to it's name "The Apothecary." The menu hasn't changed much from last year when I visited, but that's not a bad thing as it's nice to come back for that certain dish you want and for it to still be there. There's a nice variety too. I ordered the Creamy mushrooms and was estatic when it arrived because I discovered that it was all portobello and no button- talk about good value! It was very filling, and none of that nausea-inducing-over-the-top kind of creamy that I've experienced at so many other restaurants.
My dining companion ordered the Crumbed cambenbert and smoked chicken salad which was a very healthy and light option. The entire restaurant has a very nice and casual/ relaxed atmosphere, and clearly quite popular with the people in this area. With you classic cafe staples, this is definitely one to visit. I hope they introduce more specials though because I want to come back often but feel like I've already experienced most of what the menu has to offer.
To the lovely team at the Apothecary,
Came for breakfast with a friend and your service was friendly, prompt, the food delicious and the place has a wonderful vibe.
Thanks for having us and we'll be back!
Kind Regards
Dina
Food:
French toast
Location:
Outdoor seating
Service:
Good
The food was very flavourful, portion size was decent too. Definitely could tell they used clean oil to cook the fried dishes because there was no sickening after taste (fish and chips... X2!). The smoothies are super creamy too if you are into milky flavours. The reason why this place was not a 5 is because we couldn't order the fries separately but another customer did.
Not a Fan of Cabratta Bread which is what the eggs Benedict consists of. These lovely people bent over backwards to accommodate a substitution. The service was excellent. Coffee was maybe slightly too strong for my preference but a Must go ..... and i will be returning. Thanks
First experience at this buzzing friendly cafe. Service was great. We ordered two full breakfasts, healthy granola and egg white omelette. Food was presented beautifully and tasted great. I will certainly return to try out the tempting lunch menu.
Looking for a new cafe to try for Saturday brunch and came across this neat place.
Food was great, cafe was great and service was fast. The place had a great atmosphere about it, we were very impressed.
Initially we weren't sure wether we should wait to be seated, but it seems you just go up and order then pay and find a seat so all good.
Would totally recommend this place for a work lunch, or casual catch up with friends
Love the design of this place! Super awesome, have been here 2 or 3 times. Mocha smoothie was life-changing, definitely on the agenda to come back and try another one.
Favorite meal was probably with my mum for breakfast once, think I had ciabatta with tomato and avocado & got a side of mushrooms (I thought it was a bit pricey for a side of mushrooms, but when it arrived I was blown away! a great little bowl and they were amazing - best mushrooms I'd had in years). Only thing I didn't like was I accidentally poured myself water that I thought was ordinary water and it was sparkling and just got a bit of a shock after a big gulp as I don't like sparkling water haha
All in all, super great place - atmosphere too, really trendy and seems to have its loyal regulars.
The food was great. I ordered their biggest breakfast and to my surprise it was quite filling for such a small plate. The food palette was very unique but not quite colourful although each portion of food went quite well with each other. I will sure to be returning to this place for breakfast or lunch soon. :)
Very cute small shop with good service. Been there a few times for th breakfast. They may it fresh and lovely every since time, presentation of th food is divine, and it is a good serving size - excellent cups of coffee. A very cute spot for couples!
Good environment and atmosphere. I really liked their decoration of the cafe, it's very interesting.
Only had an afternoon tea with a girlfriend here so didn't try their food, only had some desserts and coffee.
I had cronut and she had almond croissants. We both enjoyed it :)
Will visit again sometime for brunch.
Not too bad, wasnt fond of the area. Finding a park took a while. I ordered a Mocha and brekky, it was ok, i think ill go in for dinner next time for something more than ordinary. Customer service was not bad.. not complaining. But mmmm that Mocha!
Had a business meeting there yesterday. The staff were very friendly and incredibly helpful. Great place to meet. Popular café, cool place. Great having fresh coffee on hand! Food was good. Would recommend.
I got the Seafood Chowder with iced mocha and my friend got the Egg Benedict with bacon with iced coffee. The food was delicious and it didn't take long to come and quite reasonable priced.
Two things
1. Your new chef is awesome!
2. Your new barista also made me a mean as coffee this morning. Also got to give Big Ups to Ewan the main Barista.. Never get a bad coffee off him !!!!
Great place to Meet,Eat and Drink !!!?
As a regular customer over the past several years, it's great to see such improvements constantly happening here, you will not be disappointed. Amazing food, you have to try the oysters, and that is from one that normally doesn't eat them! Great service as well, thanks.
Having been coming to The Apothecary for the last few months, I've seen many positive changes in this short period! The new chef team have changed the menu, and what I have tried will definitely keep me coming back.
The decor is as beautiful as always, with a seemingly endless supply of Antiques filling the spaces available!
My most recent time spent at The Apothecary was last week, where I decided to sit in the wine bar area for a bit of a change. The new bartender is very friendly and knowledgeable, happily taking my drinks and food orders from her counter in the bar. Sitting in this beautiful ambiance, I listened to a range of great music, sipping away at my wine (Three Miners Pinot Noir - amazing!) until my food arrived. I'd ordered the Bruschetta and Camembert - which are both new on the menu. All I can say is that they were to die for.
I would highly recommend dining at The Apothecary, whether it be for breakfast, lunch or dinner - it will be an experience to remember.
It's my local- go to cafe- that always delivers "good" coffee! Not much more to say really...
Excellent little cafe, love the atmosphere and the staff. This is the best coffee I have had in a long time..!! Would like to recommend this cafe in the heart of Howick to everyone. I brought my business meeting here in December of 12 people and we were well looked after. Will be returning. Thanks, Sue
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We went along to check out the markets in Howick village on Saturday morning. It wasn't a particularly nice day so we decided to go to one of the cafes for brunch.
We were pleasantly surprised by the options - a lot of the cafes seemed to be popular and we finally decided to try out The Apothecary after having a quick look at the menu outside.
I ordered the brioche french toast with banana and bacon. This was delicious! The banana had been mashed and sandwiched between two thick slices of brioche before being fried. The brioche was flaky and crispy. I also really enjoyed the vanilla porter mascarpone on the side which made the dish even more decadant and it was generously flecked with vanilla seeds.
My husband ordered the fry up breakfast, which was better than your average fry up. It came with eggs, bacon, potatoes, sausage, ciabatta, mushrooms, tomatoes and black pudding (which was a bit different - we both quite liked it). The fried potatoes on the dish were really nice - crispy and salty on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside.
We didn't order any drinks so can't comment on what the beverages are like. There were a lot of people working and most of the staff were friendly (there were a few who seemed a bit moody). The decor is rustic - lots of antiques, and plenty of labelled jars lining the walls to complement the theme.
We enjoyed our meals a lot and would definitely come back if we're ever in the area again. The fact that it was so busy on a Saturday morning is a testament to the quality of the food.
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The moment I stepped into the cafe I felt like I was conveyed into a different realm. It was filled with ornaments, figures, animal compositions which made the interior and theme of the cafe rather interesting. I love cafes that are interactive when they incorporate their products into the theme. In Apothecary they were selling creams in old fashioned packaging which was placed next to the ornamental aged medicines. Caught my eye and got me going SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!
Although none of this interior was reflected on the outside of the cafe, I felt that it was such a wasted effort to have created such an incredible ambiance inside and not have it carried through to the outside.
The outside scene seemed to look neglected. The seating was squashy and tables were wobbly as it was on a slope and my food dish was sliding away at most times.
We ordered the mushroom Benedict and the Seared tuna salad. Both generous portions. The mushroom Benedict was nearly flawless but the Ciabatta bread was too salty. The seared tuna was questionable as it didn't look seared enough.
I don’t have much to say about the service as it was very casual and straight to the point. It wasn't a to-the-moon-and-back type of service which is dandy by me as I didn't experience any problems. Good on the lad that helped us with the photos. I felt like a tourist inside that cafe.
Overall it was a good experience going to The Apothecary cafe. It definitely stands out of the crowd which I find is something truly important. The cafe could improve on their menu selection as it was simple Jane, I expected abit more in range. Nonetheless, it was a beautiful cafe with great setting, decent food and coffee. I would return again and I recommend visiting. Make sure to bring your cameras as there’s many bewildering things to catch your eye left, right, front and center.
Best fries in Howick! Nice, friendly staff. The place is clean but can feel a little cluttered when full (and it is full most of the time because it is so popular). Nice job guys!
My first review of this cafe was scathing but having given it another try I was very pleasantly surprised. Mushrooms were to die for. Staff very pleasant & welcoming. Good effort.
Excellent! Not very many cafes in Howick that are spacious and as popular. Routine to get a coffee in the morning, really great coffee and staff are always hold friendly conversation. Not once have I been here with uninviting staff. Obviously popular as it is always busy. Wednesday (night) Pizza Deal, with house wine/beer and Monterey movie tickets is such good value. Pizzas are to die for. Also had a private function here, wonderful location and feedback from others attending was of the highest standard. Always difficulty choosing from the tempting menu, never been given one reason to complain. Highly recommend for any occasion!
A group of six of us went last weekend. Not our first visit as the food is always fantastic.Two duck dishes, one lamb, two fish and my pizza. We all thought the meals were amazing. We will continue to go back.
Great dinner on a Saturday night. The meals are generally unpretentious but very flavourful. I had a steak which just had a knob of garlic butter on it, but it was delicious to the last mouthful. we ordered a raaddachio salad as a shared side, and my wife had duck leg with lentils. Perhaps a few too many lentils, but that is a small grizzle. The fries were good, the wine list adequate and the service was very good considering there were only 2 on tables and a big group. Goes to show what can be achieved with 2 efficient, intelligent and friendly staff, overseen by a watchful owner.
Will happily go again.
Had a lovely meal, service was excellent despite there only being two waiting staff on (who knew there menus well, they were very polite and helpful)plus there was nearly full restaurant.
Menu wasn't huge though covered all meats and vegetarian options. Will definitely return
I visited Howick last year and came across this lovely cafe. The coffee is amazing and also the food. The meals are very efficient too. I love the atmosphere and the decorations throughout. You can see there is a bit of history displayed around the building and area of what it used to be. I love it. I have been back here twice now since my first visit. Highly recommended :-)
I decided to take my fiancé out last night to your bar followed by a movie so we took the Wednesday Pizza, Beer and Movie Ticket deal which was great value! The food was superb, service very friendly and prompt. My Fiancé wasn't feeling a beer so you happily swapped it out for a house Pinot Noir which was greatly appreciated. I think we will make this a regular thing and look forward to the next one. Cheers.
Just had lunch at this local Howick eatery and felt compelled to write a review because of the excellent meal and fantastic ambiance. This place is a real gem and an absolute credit to the owner and the staff. I struggled to choose from the specials because everything was so tempting but choose I did and what I had did not disappoint. This is not a run of the mill, bland and generic cafe, this is a establishment of character, warmth and interest. Love it.
I have had lunch and breakfast here always a great menu, service and atmosphere. Recently held my husbands birthday here and it was exceptional!!!! Easy to work with, no stress at all. The night was fabulous and surpassed my expectations. The food was abundant, delicious and presented beautifully. The staff were awesome and gauged the crowd really well. Attendees were from 17-69 years and all loved it. Cant recommend highly enough!!
Lunch here is my favourite. A smallish menu but excellent food and fab wine list. Love the atmosphere created by people buzz but more imptly, the antiques. Very attentive staff. Howick is lucky to have some many great dining options.
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I came here on Sunday it was extremely busy. We ordered got our coffee's & tea promptly then not long after our breakfast arrived which was great. There was a lot of staff on, there was 2 people taking orders and one cashier, there was always a staff member out clearing tables. One staff member delivered my sisters tea and dropped it all over the table with no apology we had to ask her for something to clean it up with, this young lady seemed unhappy, however I think the manager picked up on this as later I noticed her on dishes duties. I love the decor and the music in the back ground. However there is a coffee menu on the wall but no food menu up, I was looking around for one couldn't find one, when we finally got to the cashier I noticed them next to the till (there was a long line), these menu's need to be in a more accessible place as you have to walk in front of people that are before you to get them. I would have given "The Apothecary" 5 stars if they had table service and menu's either on the wall or tables and if it wasn't for the attitude of one staff member. This place is busy and has a lot of take away coffee and I feel if table service is offered and menu's on the table's the till would not be so congested.
Great place for a drink or meal way out in the suburb of Howick. It's a treat and surpassed my expectation. There was more I wish I had room to try from the menu, but imagine I will visit again soon.
My friend drives the 30mins to go here as she loves it so much
As a pre movie treat we ate dinner last night at what must be the best eatery in Howick.....maybe Auckland for that matter. The new extension to the Apothecary is all class, we orded 2 dozen bluff oysters and had a $15 pork dish special for St Patricks day that simply melted in our mouths. The service was top class, not over bearing.... just right! The night went off with a bang.... maybe it was the bluff oysters ?
Anyway as a regular during the day at the main cafe the extended resturant/ bar did not disapoint and overall another example of Howick stepping up to the plate as a great destination for a great night out. Well done Apothecary we are regular movie buffs and plan plenty of future visits to your fine establishment. Keep up the good work !
I always enjoy eating here, have had outstanding food on valentines day and the titanic dinner. A perfect place to sit and have lunch or coffee with a friend. There is always a fantastic selection of hot and cold salads to choose from the cabinet, along with the delicious baps and an array of sweet delights, which are ever changing so you never get bored of the same thing. It has a wonderful atmosphere on a late Friday afternoon for a end of week wine!
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We are frequent visitors to the Apothecary. We just love it. There is only one thing that lets it down and both my partner and I have commented on it...and that's the slapdash presentation of the wait staff themselves! Saggy baggy t-shirts displaying bra straps, shorty denim shorts over black tights - bleeeugh!!!! (yes I KNOW it is the fashion and some chaps like this look). HOWEVER. The owners have obviously spent a lot of time and money sourcing items to create the cafe's ambience (i.e. the complete fitout from a Parisian apothecary). To pull that whole Parisian, classy thing off would be for their staff dress to appropriately in either black or white waiter shirts, black ties and smart aprons - because you wouldn't see a bra strap or bum cheek on a waitress in a cafe in Paris unless you took a wrong turn and ended up in the Moulin Rouge. And the other thing I'd like to see is the Apothecary open more nights for a drink. I am sure they have this in mind, and I can't wait as summer's on its way and this is a great setting to watch the world go by.
As a regular to this establishment, both in eating and drinking it is without doubt unique, from the Titanic Night to a Friday evening relaxing drink it never fails to impress, a great place to socialise.
They sell a beer in a large bottle not sure of the name but it is about 8%, more than 2 and you may be carried out, they also sell Cleveden Hills Syrah.
Well done to Ted and Jill for bringing it off, as a resident of Howick for 28 years it was needed.
Howick has been craving a cool spot like this. We regularly visit here for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a relaxing drink. The food is creative and always delicious. Stunning decor, a clever mix of Antiques, industrial & vintage. The staff are always friendly and the service is great. I love having such a great place so close to home. This place is definitely worth a visit. Enjoy!
Wow! Great decor and a lively fun atmosphere. And... the food was just as good with superb flavours. The espresso was excellent, the staff friendly and the service great. We will be back for sure!
It really doesn't get any better than this! We were lucky enough to secure boarding passes for The Apothecary's Titanic centenary dinner on April 14th. The atmosphere created by Ted, Jill and his dedicated crew was just superb. The menu for the night was an interpretation of the original last dinner on the Titanic. Every course was truly excellent. The evening began with canapes and champagne, followed by a sumptuous seafood buffet, meats, vegetables and finishing with chocolate painted eclairs, French vanilla ice cream and champagne jelly with peaches. Food, presentation and service were stunning - it really was a night to remember!
Dropped in to the Apothecary for a couple of quiet beers last night on the way to a different venue... and then never left.
The atmosphere was really good for a late evening, chilled-out drink in Howick. Very unique setting, surrounded by antiques and curios.
Tried the Organic Pilsener from Dunedin (name escapes me) and it was excellent.
Shared a plate of the sticky ginger ribs. They were delicious!
Good, friendly service. Will definitely be back -- maybe fairly regularly!
I am a big coffee lover and very fussy when it comes to a tulip flat white. These guys nail it 9 times out of 10. The food is perfect and I struggle to venture from their eggs benny as this is my favourite breakfast when dinning out. However, when I do try other areas of their menu and cabinet food I am never disappointed. The chef is great, the people are great, the vibe is perfect and the staff are all more than happy to ask you how your days going! Keep it up and see you tomorrow for a flat white guys!
What a fantastic dining experience! A wide variety of meals and sides means that there is something for everyone. The salad platter was served in a very innovative way which just added to the unique feeling of the place. Full of quirky antiques the cafe is buzzing with life. A great selection of wine and ales which ensure a great evening also. Staff are very polite and friendly overall 5/5 and would recommend to anyone.
New chef is great love all the lentil and raw energy salad options, the only negative is why can't any cafes make a decent gingerbread loaf, it looked the part but when I tasted it was sickly sweet, had strong overtone of almond essense and had virtually no ginger taste - kinda tasted like a sickly sweet mild date loaf would taste (rather disappointing)! If you are going to add icing to the top you better make sure it has plenty if zing from real ginger and maybe add some salt to balance out all the sweetness from the golden syrup!
Recently had a great night here at a 30th birthday party. Good selection of wines and the lamb was amazing. The atmosphere is unique and the staff are very friendly. During the day the cafe food and coffee is easily the best in howick. The new chef has added a new dimension to the cafe. Recommend to all.
This cafe is just what Howick needed! The food was fantastic and the staff were very friendly, on top of that, the atmosphere is great and your surrounded by gorgeous Antique pieces. Has an awesome vibe and a delicious menu to choose from. Definitely recommend this place, and will be a regular spot for me.
Briefly: the best eatery we have tried in east Auckland, also helps that we were able to have a glass of wine with lunch. The fit out of antiques (priced for sale) is 2nd to none and is our first choice to take overseas guests to. Lastly we went to the Valentines degustation night which was fully matched with French and NZ wines for $90 per head (6 glasses of wine and 6 meals) outstanding! We have booked for the next one.
Have waited a long time for a cafe to come Howick that has that certain buzz, plays groovy music, offers interesting food and of course the best coffee. Most importantly has great staff who make you feel welcome and hands on owners who live it and breath it. Well done team.
No generic food here, a mouth watering choice from a meal with wine or a divine cake and coffee. Not just a cafe but a total experience. The fit out with the antiques and collectibles (which are for sale) is fascinating. I am always telling people it is well worth the trip to Howick just to visit The Apothecary.
Great Atmosphere, fantastic service and food with a great antique feel and buzz. good coffee, wine and unique beers, and happy staff. found the food all hand made from scratch to be absolutely delicious and can't wait to go back again. highly recommended to all.
In response to "Poon" , do yourself a favour & go back & give them another try !
The chef is new, the coffee operator is new the coffee is awesome & so is the food.This place has to be the best on offer in Howick
Great place. Food was very good, fast service, wait staff attentive and fun. Physical atmosphere curious, which makes it more interesting than many places. Will be a regular for us!
Roger “Lazardo66” Kimiangatau
+5
The Asylum is on the move in Howick on Wednesday for #fastfoodfriday as Friday we have famz coming. The Apothecary Licensed Eatery in Howick was the choice tonight as it's Rib night (normally $32 Wed night $22). Everyone had ribs. Only 2 finished 🤣. Outstanding ribs which were generously portioned. Cheese bread looked like 🍕👍. Sides were Mac and cheese tasty. Pan dried scallops cooked just right tender and juicy. Crispy fried calamari with a sweet sauced salad (think I tasted pomegranate). Dessert had by 3. Passionfruit Cheesecake had a thick gelatinous topping which I'm not used to and as for taste, well there was nothing left on the plate 🤣. Creme Brulee tasted tested by T was judged as really good (really good translates to outstanding) 😆. Finished with cappuccinos and mocha and flat white. This could be the first 5/5 for Fastfood Friday Foodie Bumz Big Upz to The Apothecary💯 and big shout to Abby our hostess with the mostest 👍🤙. Nice job Abz. 🍽 🤙🤙💯😁😁. Oh yeah the moose is called Murray 🤣🤣
Great restaurant with plenty of seating, good atmosphere and service. Food and coffee was excellent, highly recommended
Had a quick bite last Saturday. Food was amazing, great atmosphere, awesome service. Can't wait to come back on the next Saturday to try more food!!!🤩
This is our 2nd visit. Our first visit we brought our big family for Father's Day (us + 6 kids) and they took great care of us.
Absolutely love the Eggs Benedict (I picked 🥓).
Loved it so much my wife and I snuck out this morning so I could have it again!
Nice atmosphere and awesome decor inside with the massive Moose head. We attended a private function where it was booked out and had a great night. There are plenty of options on the Food menu and we ordered the Platter for Two to share. Great service
I ordered the scrambled eggs and mushrooms on Ciabatta. Highly recommended! No wonder I always return!
Popped in one morning for a coffee and scone. Coffee was perfectly strong & hot. Cheese scone was crusty on the outside and warm and fluffy inside. Very tasty with the addition of onion and rocket. Served with 2 portions of butter which is generous in these times. Lovely relaxed ambience, friendly staff. A unique & popular eatery in Howick. Keen to return for lunch or for one of their special dinner nights.
Wifey booked online through Google, all worked well. So happened to be here on the same day Howick was hosting a Hot Rod show in the main street (which was closed to traffic) so was quite busy.
Food was great and despite being busy came out in good time. Wife and I had burgers while friend had a big breakfast.
Toilets on premises and were nice and clean. Hand dryer was a bit weak but otherwise bathroom had soap, was clean and a good size.
Overall rating 88/100
A fantastic dining experience at this unique cafe in the heart of Howick.
Unexpectedly, a simple order of toast with eggs delivered a world class menu item, and the standout was surely the jalapeño relish. I am not local to NZ and have tried to recreate it as best as I can but have failed.
This stuff is extremely tasty and I will revisit for sure when back in NZ.
Coffee quality is also top notch, the best I had in my 3 day stay in AKL.
I don't like to look for criticism for the sake of it but when you find a place that gets so much right the tendency is to look for cracks. With Apothecary I simply dont see any. We went for breakfast this morning and I had the Big Breakfast. It arrived stupidly fast, piping hot and beautifully presented. The scrambled eggs are done American style and they were creamy and the perfect silky texture. The sausage is that rarity these days- a real, butcher styled sausage and utterly delicious. The bacon is equally impressive- thick cut and incredible. Add in sourdough toast, sweet red tomatoes, a crispy rosti, simple but perfect mushrooms and a very tasty relish this is easily one of the best breakfasts I've tried. No surprises that the coffee is also great. Best of all though- the service is amazing- friendly and attentive without being remotely intrusive. Five stars all the way and totally worth the 40 minute drive from where I live.
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