In a word: delicious. Or perhaps creamy. Or sumptuous. Orgasmic. Outstanding. And other such adjectives.
Takapuna Beach Café & Store’s ice cream is certainly worth the venture into the North Shore. Situated at the edge of the main beach, and patronised by what could well be New Zealand’s most beautiful people, the chic and breezy eatery scoops out scores of ice cream of the hot summer days.
Packed with indescribably creamy goodness, the ice cream has been awarded accolades aplenty – most notably winning the Supreme Ice Cream of the Year Award for a Boutique Manufacturer with its now-famous salted caramel gelato.
The other flavours are certainly no wallflowers either. The selection is natural and fresh – think honeycomb, passion fruit, lemon curd, coconut, hazelnut and berry, to name a few. I haven’t met a flavour I haven’t liked (and I’ve had a fair few by now).
Served in cups, prices start at $4.50 for one reasonable-sized scoop. Staff are fairly knowledgeable, albeit rushed and brisk. Every flavour I’ve come across have been gluten free, but always pays to check.
The only downside is the queue. On a sunny weekend be prepared for a fair wait – the line has been seen to snake out the door and round the corner. On the plus side, it gives you a chance to eavesdrop on the latest gossip from the north, which is always entertaining. I’m looking forward to the inevitable reality show – Takapuna Shore perhaps? Or the T.C.? The options are endless.
And the ice cream is damn fine.
My rating: 9/10
- Quality: 10/10
- Value: 7/10
- GF selection: 9/10
- Service: 7/10
- X-Factor: 9/10
Takapuna Beach Store & Cafe | 22 The Promenade, Takapuna | www.takapunabeachcafe.co.nz
