42 Douglas Street,
Ponsonby
Auckland,


(09) 360 5040

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I only got back in the country a few months ago so Coffee Supreme was one of the newbies to try out. One of my friends mentioned this little place tucked away down the road that Video Ezy is on. This was my old hood, having lived round the corner on Fitzroy St. Investigations unearthed Coffee Supreme which if there weren't tables out the front, you'd probably just walk right on by. But enter and you'll see why this has become a little piece of gold for its followers.

Coffee Supreme's HQ looks like it's a mix between library, smoko room and laboratory. Covered with all sorts of stuff (from National Geographics to clunky coffee paraphernalia), it's really nicely done with a stripped back industrial feel that looks like it's been there for years rather than trying to look that way. Pride of place in the middle is the steaming frothing hulk of a machine that visit upon visit has delivered sensational coffee, both take out and drink in.

I think this is due to the perfect combination of Coffee Supreme's beautiful roasts, bean selection (Boxer is a home favourite) and superb barista skills by the bespectacled dude behind the machine. He's always smiling, always keen to help all whilst pumping out perfect coffee after perfect coffee. His partner in crime, again bespectacled but adorned with tattoos is a little harder to get some sunshine out of but she's got that place humming.

There isn't a massive array of food on hand - the focus is on coffee after all - but what they do have from the counter is fantastic. I've swung from banana cake (moist and brilliantly tacky on the top of the mouth) to the ham and cheese toastie to cinnamon brioche. All perfect. I must admit, it does seem to take a wee while for your order to get to you, but when it does it's so good that I can't really quibble.

It could so easily slide into 'too cool for school', but it doesn't. And that's because you can go there by yourself, or with a friend or for a business meeting and you'll still get great service and find exactly the right spot to sit (mine is at the window facing out, with a possible bias to the right hand side - keep off!). It may be tucked away down a side street but it's well worth exploring.

And that's why Coffee Supreme has become my little regular. I still haven't dived into the National Geographics, but I will. Because I'm going back. Again. And again. And again. Good One has won a little spot in my heart and I hope it's a long, beautiful friendship.

Agree wholeheartedly or disagree entirely? As always, post your thoughts on this review of Coffee Supreme on our forum HERE.