A new micro-bakery dedicated to Japanese-style cheesecake
Auckland-based, Japanese-born business partners Yu Saito and Yori Shinohara are both full-time baristas who have started a sweet side business – an online cheesecake shop. Named Yori, it does one thing well: basque cheesecakes. The light, almost souffle-like treats are immensely popular in Japan, and Saito says Shinohara started baking them as a hobby but was soon encouraged to sell them to the public by all who tried them. You can order them through Instagram, or keep an eye out for Auckland cafes stocking cheesecake slices – such as Williams Eatery and Salt Cafe in the CBD. Come July, they’ll add a matcha flavour to the line-up, with an Earl Grey tea flavour also coming later that month. @yori_craft_cheesecake_akl

Sumthin Dumplin opens on Auckland’s North Shore
Sumthin Dumplin opened its first CBD store in 2018, and soon after that was selling out twice a day. Now, there are five shops city-wide with the latest opening on the North Shore this month. Head to the new Wairau Valley shop for Sumthin’s signature round, thick-skinned dumplings with fillings like the OG (pork and cabbage), three spice prawn, and beef & cheese (beef, onion and mozzarella with a wholemeal outer.) 170 Wairau Road, Wairau Valley, Auckland.

Sid at the French Cafe loosens up
Eden Terrace fine diner Sid at the French Cafe has just launched a new winter tasting menu – and if you’re after something a bit more relaxed, it now has a la carte and snack offerings. Sit in the heated courtyard after work, before dinner or on the weekend for a drink and a snack like crumbed scallop sandos with chorizo and wasabi caviar, and fried chicken with fenugreek and curry leaf. Or, order suitably impressive a la carte dishes such as Wagyu short rib with Sichuan pepper, kasundi, kimchi, carrot and wasabi. “As the restaurant evolves, we want the dining experience to be fun and less stuffy,” says owner Sid Sahrawat. “Opening up the restaurant to people to just pop in is something we’ve talked about doing for a long time. The courtyard is our urban oasis and has never looked better with the herb garden, chimney fireplace, brazier fire pit, heaters and fairy lights.” See the full menus here. 210 Symonds Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland.

Orphans Kitchen evenings to return
Ponsonby Road mainstay Orphans Kitchen started life as an all-day eatery in 2013, then ditched dinners in May 2020 in favour of daytime service. It’s been going strong since then with a faithful menu of brunchy signatures – but it’s clearly time for another switch-up as this week Orphans announced it’ll be opening for nights again soon. Watch this space.

A stacked sandwich pop-up at Bar Martin
With Auckland’s weather forecast looking dire, take shelter inside Bar Martin this Sunday with a pint and a generously filled roll courtesy of Homer sandwich’s pop-up. Homer was created by food-loving friends Euan Fraser and Christien Franich (who’ve both had years of cheffing experience including working together at Williams Eatery) along with Yoshka Bernhardt and Thomas Greig. From 12pm until sold out, they’ll be serving house-made, sesame-topped rolls filled with combinations like broccoli, kale, parmesan and smoked tomato creme fraiche; and lamb shoulder, labneh, fennel and salsa verde. 43 Martin Avenue, Mount Albert. Sunday June 25 from noon.

Poppin’ paella and pinchos every Saturday at Movida Auckland
From this Saturday June 24, Movida Auckland is hosting its version of a long lunch, Spanish style. Book your ticket ($75 per person) and head on up to the second floor where you’ll be greeted with a bar lined with enticing pinchos (Spanish snacks). From the classic gilda to jamon croquettes, mussels in pipirrana sauce and mini tortilla de setas (like a bite-size omelette), you can graze on all the flavourful bites your heart desires – followed by a selection of Movida’s famous paellas. On every Saturday, 12pm-4pm. Book here.

New Zealand’s top toastie has been crowned
Created and sponsored by McClure’s Pickles and Cook & Nelson, the Great NZ Toastie Takeover has seen hundreds of thousands of toasted sandwiches consumed around the country since it started in 2018. The winner was crowned this week: up-and-coming Mount Maunganui chef Brooke Moore of The Freeport with Cleaver & Co, with her fresh take on surf’n’turf. Featuring both smoked prawns and house-made lamb pastrami, her sandwich beat 185 entries – and it’s on the menu until August. Read more here.

Karangahape Road has a new wine bar – for now
From this week for at least the next three months, event and pop-up space Roses Dining Room is evolving into a weekly wine bar every Thursday and Friday night. Head to the cosy, purple-tinged space for thoughtful and distinctive wines, seasonal spritzes and creative plates by chef-to-watch Katie Riley. See our menu reveal here.

Napier’s Harvest Deli is leaving the Bay and coming to Auckland
Situated at the streetfront of acclaimed cocktail bar Teresa – and forming half of the hospitality company owned by Andrea Marseglia and Sarah Mitchell, Harvest Deli is known for its next-level Italian-style sandwiches and sweets. This week, they announced the deli’s closure (Teresa, to the relief of Napier locals, is staying), citing economic difficulties following Cyclone Gabrielle. It’s not the end of the deli, though, as Marseglia and Mitchell are currently looking for a space to open in Auckland after their last day of service in Napier on Saturday July 22. @harvestdeli_