Sunnybrae Road in Hillcrest is lined with engineering firms, hire yards, motor workshops and panelbeaters, which makes Patch Cafe something of a find. It describes itself simply as a neighbourhood cafe and opens its doors seven days a week, yet its breakfast is widely recommended, thanks to a menu that covers the classics while slipping in a few surprises. A busy social feed shows a team that clearly enjoys its work, from latte art to doughnuts and lamingtons, and the kitchen changes things up as the seasons turn. Anyone short on time can also order food and drinks ahead for pickup.
Breakfast covers every mood. Free range eggs come poached, fried or scrambled on grain or sourdough, and a gluten free loaf can stand in for either. The Ooey Godey Benny stacks poached eggs and paprika hollandaise on potato rosti and baby spinach, and diners pick bacon, smoked salmon, fried chicken or mixed mushrooms to go with it. The chilli scramble livens up soft eggs with spring onion, chilli oil, crispy sage, dukkah and chilli floss on sourdough, while the mushroom medley brings creamy mushrooms with truffle ricotta and rocket. A sweet tooth is best served by the French Dream Toast, a brioche loaf layered with banoffee mascarpone, banana, organic maple, berry compote, fruit and bacon.
By lunchtime the kitchen has moved well beyond eggs. Koreana pairs free range Korean fried chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce with rice cake, and the Wise Green piles broccolini, avocado, edamame, green beans, crispy kale, grilled halloumi, pea puree and a poached egg onto gluten free bread with sesame dressing. There is a salmon bowl with smoked salmon, seaweed, mixed grain rice and vermicelli, a Thai grilled chicken salad with kumara, quinoa and yuzu miso dressing, and prawn tacos with jalapeno pickle and guacamole. A homemade potato and chorizo pancake comes with zhug, yoghurt and a poached egg. Pasta follows the seasons too, and a prawn version has stepped aside for a rich, creamy chicken carbonara.
Coffee comes from Organic Kokako, poured hot or over ice, and the rest of the drinks run to matcha, chai, turmeric and beetroot lattes, spiced cinnamon with coconut milk and cold pressed orange juice. Tea drinkers can choose between organic Zealong blends and a long line of Harney and Sons teas. The house smoothies are substantial enough to stand in for breakfast: the cacao blend mixes peanut butter, banana, dates, cinnamon and almond milk, the green version brings spinach, spirulina and chia, and the tropical one combines mango, pineapple and coconut water. The cabinet deserves a look as well, with blueberry doughnuts, strawberry lamingtons and a cheesy savoury bake made fresh every day.
Address: 108 Sunnybrae Road, Hillcrest, Auckland 0627
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