Nicky Partridge - Street Organics
If someone’s visiting for the first time, what’s the one dish they have to order?
That’s so hard because our kitchen team makes everything from scratch with so much love! If I had to choose, I’d probably say our LCHF Blueberry Protein Pancake, which is one of our unique recipes you won’t find anywhere else. People come back for this one again and again, and it’s a great example of what we’re about. Good, clean, delicious food that happens to tick many boxes for alternative dietary styles.

Jess Granada - Nanam
What inspired you to start Nanam?
For a long time, Filipino food was something you ate at someone’s house. It was birthday food, fiesta food, cooked in big trays and people loved it, but nobody went out for it. Andrew and I could not accept that. We started with a night market stall in 2014, and people kept telling us they had no idea Filipino food tasted like this. That is what we built Nanam on. We want people to know Filipino cooking for what it is: generous and warm, and built around making sure nobody leaves the table hungry, and we want it named in the same breath as Japanese, Korean, Italian and Chinese when someone is deciding where to eat tonight. Eleven years on, that is still the reason we open 
the doors.

Esther Cai - JoyLato
If someone’s visiting for the first time, what’s the one dish they have to order?
Gelato, of course! We offer a wide variety of handcrafted flavours to suit everyone, so if it’s your first time, feel free to ask our friendly staff for recommendations and try a few samples until you find your favourite.

Scott Ruddock - Cousin Scott's
What’s your favourite memory at Cousin Scott’s?
We’ve had some incredible moments, from packed sporting events to our Super Bowl parties, winning Lewisham’s best local North Shore, but one of my favourites was simply watching some kids playing foosball with their grandma. Seeing families enjoying the venue together and creating their own memories is probably the thing I love most about Cousin Scott’s.

Rahul, Meenu and Pinaksh - JAM Cafe
What inspired you to take over JAM Cafe?
Taking over in 2023 was an exciting opportunity to build on a much-loved local café that has been serving Takapuna since 2009. We wanted to continue creating a welcoming space where people could enjoy great coffee, fresh food, and genuine community connections.

Kay Hu - Seven Hills Cafe
If someone’s visiting for the first time, what’s the one dish they have to order?
Definitely our house-roasted coffee and our signature salmon rosti. Some of our dishes carry nearly 30 years of history — they have stories; they're not just a plate of ingredients.

Reuben Ruscoe - Takapuna Surf Club
What inspired you to start Takapuna Surf Club?
The five of us have always loved the Shore. With a few of us being Shore locals and living nearby, the area has always held a special place in our hearts. Consequently, we have long been inspired to open a venue in Takapuna, positioned on the beachfront, to create a meeting space that aligns with the coastal lifestyle and contributes positively to our community overall (whilst showcasing our incredible shoreline!).

Jake Luke - Mussel and Chip
What inspired you to start Mussel and Chip?
We wanted to give the green-lipped mussel the spotlight it deserves: a uniquely New Zealand, sustainable product that we farm ourselves in the Coromandel.

Sandun De Silva - Centro Cafe
If someone’s visiting for the first time, what’s the one dish they have to order?
Our chilli scrambled eggs — it’s a little different, very popular, and has become one of our signature dishes. Our chef has a secret recipe behind it, so every bite is packed with flavour! And also we’re very proud of our coffee at Centro.

Steve Taylor - Taylor's on Hurstmere
If someone’s visiting for the first time, what’s the one dish they have to order?
We have so many loyal regulars, but for those visiting for the first time, I would definitely try our homemade chicken orange and thyme paté, so popular people buy it to take home to friends! Chilled reds and albariño will be popular this summer, along with various types of spritzers!

Charles Williams - Bowler
What inspired you to open Bowler?
A clear mission: get better food to more people. We saw a gap in the market for fast food that was healthy, high quality and genuinely good value. We wanted to make that kind of food accessible.

Read the full interviews and check out more about these businesses on our website ilovetakapuna.co.nz