Stark’s Café at the Civic Theater in Auckland, New Zealand, ended up being our favorite coffee and breakfast spot in Auckland. The weekday employees were friendly and efficient. The mochaccino and flat white were tasty.

Stark’s is the first place we tried a mince and cheese pie. This comfort food fills the stomach and improves your mood. It made me question why anyone would choose a hamburger from a fast food joint when this was better tasting and just as convenient. The crust was flaky, buttery goodness and the filling was deliciously spiced.

On Queen Street, Stark’s isn’t open on weekend mornings, which was a bit disappointing. Breakfast for two, one pastry and one drink each, ran about $20 NZ. The quiches, chicken panini, and chicken bacon roll were also good. We grabbed a loyalty card, but were only able to get five punches during our time in Auckland. We gave the card to someone who appeared to be a regular.