This week we’re celebrating the often overlooked tearoom, where one can indulge in a leisurely Devonshire tea, decadent high tea, or simply a good brew. Here are five places to check out.
1. The Customs Coffee House has been in Auckland's Queens Arcade for 60 years, serving tea (there's over 60 varieties of loose leaf), coffee and food and also selling tea- and coffee-making equipment. A great inner city option, inside a beautiful old building.
• Shop 38, Queens Arcade, 34-40 Queen St, Auckland.
2. Canterbury's The Tea House is housed in a beautiful 1890s villa. Head there for the Royal High Tea or the classic Devonshire Tea tea with scones, clotted cream and jam.
• 6 Robert St, Lincoln.
3. Six years ago Judith Eager took over an almost 170-year-old building in Howick with her delightful cafe. The Tearooms at Shamrock Cottage offers delicious home-baking, take-home meals and traditional high teas.
• 73 Selwyn Rd, Howick, Auckland.
4. Spilling into a beautiful garden is the Puhoi Cottage Tearooms, just north of Auckland. The tearooms, famous for their Devonshire Cream teas, were established over 40 years ago in a 1907 villa.
• 50 Ahuroa Rd, Puhoi.
5. Another beautiful historic location, the Melrose Cafe in Nelson is housed in one corner of the beautiful old Melrose House. Take your time over tea and scones on their balcony, which looks over lush grounds.
• 26 Brougham St, Nelson.
