Four of the best: Garden centre cafes

Greenfingers Cafe at the Palmers Garden Centre in Remuera. Photo / Supplied

1. Palmers Garden Centre Greenfingers Cafe
Corner Shore & Orakei Roads, Remuera, ph 09 524 4038, open 7 days, 7am-5pm; and at 4155 Great North Rd, Glen Eden, ph 09 818 7159, open 7 days, 8.30am to 4pm.

One of the originals for cake, coffee and cannas. The Glen Eden cafe also has an adjoining spa.

2. Northcote Garden Depot
129 Onewa Rd, ph 09 419 4216, open Sat 9am-1pm, Mon-Fri 7.30am-4pm.

An oasis in the coffee-desert that is Onewa Rd, Cartello is a cute mobile van in the carpark of a boutique garden centre. Altura coffee and a selection of fresh baking.

3. Brookview Teahouse
1335 Leigh Rd, Matakana, ph 09 423 0390, open six days, 10am-4pm, closed Tuesdays.

The prettiest combination of a charming bungalow overlooking potager gardens and lawns, next to a boutique garden store. Old fashioned home baking.

4. Infusion Cafe at Petals N Pots
25 Paerata Rd, Pukekohe, ph 09 238 8518, open Sat 8.30am-4pm, Sun-Tues 9am-4pm, Wed-Fri 7.30am-4pm.

With a great vista over the garden centre and lake, a roaring fire in the winter, Allpress coffee and a seasonal blackboard menu, this is a drawcard even for non-gardeners.