Kiaora Bro! Hello! A Maori greeting emblazoned on the wall which matches the welcome from the friendly staff at this great little cafe in Raglan.

A couple of hours from Auckland, nothing in the scheme of things!
We were staying with good friends who live near the little coastal town of Raglan, which has a laidback atmosphere because of several good surfing beaches nearby.

gone surfin’. A sign seen on many shop doors in Raglan when the waves are rollin’
After an invigorating, blustery walk along the beach we’d worked up a good appetite we felt it was time to be rocking It in Raglan. It was time for brunch, one of New Zealand’s delightful customs. Brunch is a meal that seems to be served all day in many cafes and diners – fortunately none resembling the greasy spoons of yore in the UK!
The Rock-it cafe is a recent venture, situated in an unprepossessing shed which shows its origins. It started as a surfing shop, which still occupies part of the building,

I dig Tractor Radio 88.2 Raglan
and also accommodates a local radio station’s studio, Tractor Radio 88.2 Raglan.

Like so many places in New Zealand the welcome is terrific!
It was good to get out of the wind and choose from the menu displayed behind the counter. Most of the food is prepared on the premises using local produce where possible, with one exception that we discover later.

We started with hot drinks. My particular NZ indulgence is a moccachino, a combination of hot chocolate and coffee. The former for, er, my memory and the latter for the kick! Another of New Zealand’s delights is the respect and pride they have for making good coffee, as here.
Sweetcorn and char-grilled herb fritters
Salt ‘n’ sauce
Rock-it Hash
Breakfast of Champions
Rock-it Hash, with Kranskys
Click on the photos to see the dishes.

Our food didn’t take long to arrive and, as you can see, it was a good thing that we’d been out for our invigorating walk!
A visit to Rock-it would not be complete without a taste of an intriguing speciality which I’d never heard of – the Cronut. Have you heard of this pastry?
A cross between a croissant and filled doughnut, this delicious (and calorific) confection is the exception to their home cooking rule as it is made by a specialist baker in Auckland.

On a fine day as well as more seating on the deck there is a great safe open space

and a tractor to play on.
Who’s on the naughty bench?
Of course, looking suitably naughty
We were intrigued by this bench-with-no-view… Click on photos to see why.
The Rock-it cafe serves delicious friendly food and is a good addition to what is on offer in Raglan. It has just been granted its alcohol licence and is open on Friday evenings as well as every daytime. As it is just outside the town by a creek you can paddle your kayak there!
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