Everyone has places which are like second homes to them - places where they feel welcomed, which they love and where they spend time with the important people in their lives.
As a regular coffee spot for me, my friends and family, Postal Service Cafe (formerly known as Kokako Cafe) in Grey Lynn has become a place to call home.
One of my favourite things about local cafes is the regular customer base which is built through the relationship between the staff and visitors. I may be a little biased, but the Postal Service team creates this cosy environment and makes it memorable. However, no good cafe is complete without a fabulous menu served alongside good coffee. Having served Kokako coffee for years and working alongside All Good Organics too, Postal Service has a strong focus on serving organic and fair trade beverages. The baristas truly know their stuff and the perfect morning start is guaranteed with a large variety of plant based milk alternatives on offer too.
The entire cafe is vegetarian but almost everything can be made vegan if not already. The menu classics; the Huevos Rancheros, Agria Hash and rotating pancake variations, have been seasonally altered and served for years due to their popularity - and it’s no surprise!
Postal Service’s huevos rancheros is a take on the Mexican classic breakfast dish consisting of blue corn tortillas, black beans and fried eggs or scrambled tofu, and is one you can not pass up on. The balance of savoury flavours paired with a sweeter salsa keep you coming back for more. Another classic, the agria hash, is what I would call a fancier and heartier take on a hash brown but placed alongside seasonal greens, poached eggs or scrambled tofu and the housemade harissa and cashew aiolis - both of which are to die for.
As well as these rotating classics, the Postal Service menu is regularly updated with new and exciting seasonal dishes. Featured on the current menu is a roasted cauliflower, miso glazed eggplant, mushrooms and halloumi on toast, winter porridge and pumpkin risotto - all of which are incredibly delicious and wonderfully generous.
As a vegan who always quite liked dairy, it is great to see places like Postal Service serving vegan cheese toasties and scrambled tofu alternatives.
It’s the only cafe that isn’t solely vegan that I’ve come across with a plant based cheese toastie on offer.
Not only is it on offer, it is also a beautiful rendition of the comforting favourite, being beautifully crispy on the outside and full of oozy cheesy goodness within.
The options within the fresh and daily made cabinet selection are perfect for those on the go or wanting something a little lighter. With a wide range of plant-based meat alternative sandwiches and lovely sweet treats, there is plenty to choose from when in a hurry - all of which match perfectly with a coffee to go of course.
As we are going to print, I learnt that the cafe is changing hands with new owners who I hope will continue the commitment to the plant based food that Postal Service is known for. Places like Postal Service never make a vegan feel like they’re missing out. (Sofia Roger Williams)
Postal Service Cafe, 537 Great North Road, T: 09 376 6086, www.facebook.com/postalservicecafe
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Published 6 August 2021