Got a special occasion coming up, but you’re stuck in lockdown? Just need a nice pick-me-up to get you through the week? We’ve got the 10 best picnic spreads you can buy in Auckland right now…
We haven’t had the best luck with the weather since Level 3 picnics were given the go-ahead in Auckland, but the moment we get some blue skies, we’re ready with the goods. In saying that, some of these boxes are just too beautiful and delicious for waiting around for the sunshine, so if you need a little treat to get you through at the moment – or are looking for something a bit special to pick up for a birthday, anniversary or occasion – we’ve got you covered. Here goes!
Orphan’s Kitchen
Get together with your mates and have a sharing picnic with a mouth watering pack from Orphan’s Kitchen. This one is a build-your-own sandwich picnic box, with a bunch of tasty treats, like nasturtium pesto, red lentil hummus, pickled egg with aioli, marinated olives, broccoli & date salad, halloumi with hazelnuts, burnt butter, Mt Cook salmon gravlax, all on Daily Bread’s famous baguette, with a 1 litre bottle of Antipodes. Pick up is available daily from 10am – 2pm 7 days a week at their Ponsonby store.
Ima Cuisine
Ima’s mezze takeaways make for the perfect picnic spread. With everything at Ima’s made fresh from scratch, daily and onsite, you can be sure it’s the freshest fare, made with love. This Mezze selection includes Hummus, Baba ganoush, Labaneh, Tabuleh, Pumpkin dip, Beetroot dip, Pickles, olives and fresh pita – all for a steal of $16.
Ima’s Mezze, $16
Cordis
When my batteries are at their lowest – or I decide to treat myself on my birthday – my go-to is always a spa treatment at the Chuan Spa at Auckland’s Cordis hotel. It is out of this world. Cordis also puts on one of the best – if not the best – high teas in Auckland, so I’m VERY excited that this month they have begun doing High Tea Picnic Boxes. For $55 per person you get a beautiful (and generous) spread of treats, with four savouries on offer (including Lamb confit on a sable with mint cream cheese and Winter truffle ricotta panna cotta with pickled radish), three sandwiches (Cucumber, peas and goat cheese, ham ribbon and egg), five desserts (including Chestnuts and blackcurrant eclair and Apple tarte tatin), your choice of a luxury TWG tea, plus their famous scones, served with artisan jams and butter. It’s a truly decadent picnic spread! Plus you have the option of adding on a 375ml bottle of Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne or Miru Miru NZ Sparking Wine 750 ml for $55 – as well as the option to make your high tea vegan. Just be sure to book before midday, the day before you’d like to pick up your box!
Picnic High Tea by Cordis, $55 per person
Odettes Eatery
One of my biggest cravings while we were in level 4 was for Odette’s legendary hot chips. I don’t know what wizardry goes into making these bowls of heaven, but their menu lists them has being served with berbere, honey mustard and curry leaves. They’re delicious and gluten-free! On weekends they’re serving up their dreamy coffees, smoothies, cups of chips (hurrah!) and special lockdown tacos (including Grilled Chicken, Chilli Scramble or Eggplant Katsu). Contactless pick-up is available on Fridays 9am-2pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 2pm.
Odettes – cup of chips, $5, tacos, $8 each
Esther
It makes sense that Auckland chicest hotel would now also be offering one very stylish picnic spread! QT Auckland’s Esther restaurant (run by Sean Connolly) is offering Picnic Totes filled with delicious treats – a Ficelle baguette, Prosciutto San Daniele, Coppa di Parma, L’Authentique duck live parfait, Ortiz anchovies, mixed marinated olives, house made pickles, Grinning Gecko brie, quince paste and olive oil crackers with a 375 bottle of G.H. Mumm Champagne. Order by 1pm for same-day contactless pickup at Esther from 4pm.
Esther Picnic Tote, $99
Little & Friday
Looking for a few pretty and seriously tasty treats to take to the park? Get thee to Ponsonby Road to Little & Friday’s which has now become a wee hole in the wall to pick up sweet delights and savouries on the go. You can’t go past their legendary Raspberry Cream Donuts ($6.50 a piece), but they also do the most delightful little individual cakes that are perfect to split between two, or give a friend for a birthday if their bubble isn’t big enough to demolish a regular sized cake! With flavours like Orange & Rosewater Cake, Banana & Caramel Cake, or Hazelnut Baci Cakes ($9 each) there’s something for everyone. In their cabinets on any given day you’ll also find cups of mini donuts, sweet & savoury brioches, scones and quiches. Grab a picnic blanket (a knife to divvy up your treats!) and take your haul out to enjoy some sunshine!
Little & Friday, treats starting from $6
&Sushi
Besides doing delicious, beautifully presented sushi by the piece, plus tasty donburi bowls, &Sushi makes beautiful sushi boxes to feed a group – big or small. Sushi is perfect picnic fare – no mess, no fuss, but optimum deliciousness. Their boxes start at $65 which would set you up with a Tanoshi Pack (8 Kumara roll, 8 Chicken roll, 8 Salmon roll, 8 Mayo tuna roll & 8 Vege roll), and go through to the Premium Roll Pack, which is $125 (8 Cali chicken roll, 8 Cali salmon roll, 8 Mayo tuna roll, 8 Prawn katsu roll, 8 Crispy salmon roll, 8 Vege roll). With 11 packs to choose from (including Nigri and Kenko), you’ll find one to keep your picnic party happy!
&Sushi Catering Pack, from $65
Park Hyatt Afternoon Tea
Auckland’s Park Hyatt Hotel does one of the most beautiful, decadent high teas (with a twist) in the city. Thankfully, they’ve opened their (click and collect) doors so we can experience a bit of luxury on our next picnic! They offer five choices – an individual box (made up of five sweet and five savoury teats, alongside a cup of tea – $55 per person), a kid’s picnic (three sweet and three savoury – $29 per person), an Elite Picnic (with an added bottle of Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve Champagne – $190 for two guests), a Luxe Picnic (serves 4 for $290) or an Extravaganza Picnic (serves 10 for $630). With beautiful treats on the menu like Parmesan Eclairs, Salmon & Dill Sandwiches, Dulcey Honey Petit Gateaux and Strawberry Shortcake, this is one picnic box that is sure to impress. Available Friday – Sunday for collection between 12 – 2pm.
Park Hyatt Afternoon Tea Picnic Boxes, starting at $29 for kids or $55 for adults
Baduzzi
If you’re looking for a more substantial picnic box, pick up one of Baduzzi’s special selections and make the most of daylight saving hours with an evening al fresco dinner. Or, if it’s raining, but you want to have a special treat dinner, this should be your go-to. With starters, mains and desserts all included (and no cooking required!), this is a true treat for two. The menu includes homemade focaccia, marinated Sicillian olives, Baduzzi pickles, wood-fired eggplant caviar, fish pate, a salad of Durham farms mixed lettuce, Parmesan, pistachio and grapes, plus polenta fries with Cipriani mayo, slow braised lamb meatballs with Napoletana sauce, Parmesan & rocket pesto and flatbread, vegetarian polpette with bechamel, truffle pecorino, fresh herbs and flatbread, as well as sweet treats to round it out – tiramisu, plus yogurt pannacotta with berry coulis and pistachio! What a banquet! Sign us up.
Baduzzi Picnic Box, $85
Ostro
Celebrating something special during lockdown? A birthday? Anniversary? Surprise a loved one for their special day with a High Tea picnic. Bonus points if you have a stand to take along – and a bottle of bubby – but Ostro has everything else to make it memorable. Each pack includes vanilla, citrus & poppy seed scones with fresh cream and berry conserve, chocolate macarons, apple cheesecake tart, mango or passionfruit layered cake, chocolate coconut delight, plus savoury delights and sandwiches including manuka smoked chicken, plum & Whitestone brie, roast beef with caramelised onions & Dijon mustard and marinated eggplant, tomato pesto, basil & pecorino. Each pack will serve four and require 48 hours’ notice.
Ostro High Tea, $135 for 2
