Garnet Station

Unexpectedly good little tea shop buried in the heart of suburbia. I loved my ginger slice and the coffee was well flavoured and poured.

My local, live just round the corner and usually stop in a couple times a week for coffee and the odd bite to eat. Consistently excellent coffee, eclectic relaxed environment with lovely staff, caramel cinnamon brioche is outstanding. Easily my favourite spot in Westmere.

Out for a night of Cabaret in their Tiny Theatre and we decided to dine at Garnet Station before the show. This place has some serious character, we were led through to the back rooms where the villa retains its charming features and showcases retro and unique Kiwi décor. It’s one of those eateries that immediately seduces you into relaxation and we were treated like old friends by the staff. They worked their socks off to make our experience as pleasant as possible and managed to make it look effortless at the same time.
If you are into organics then this is the place for you. The dinner menu is simple but varied — salads, pizzas and pastas. Our pizza was perfectly fired, the pesto base a knockout, the organic sausage juicy and full of flavour and the antipasto platter had great variety. Everything was scrumptious.
I polished off a mean long black during the show, but there’s a great wine selection if you’re not driving. I remarked that I hadn’t noticed Garnet Station before tonight and was amazed it had been open for eight years before I found it. The lady running the show said ‘Oh you weren’t ready for it. But you’re ready now.’ How brilliant is that?

Great little local café with delicious homemade treats, take a walk down to the west mere butcher afterwards to pick up some delicious meats

Garnet Station’s owners Lisa and Verity are insane and I love them for it. You might have seen their posters around town where they pose in a coffee cup — Lisa in her trademark cowboy hat and Verity dressed up theatrically. The pair have made a wonderful café in Westmere with great homespun treats out front and a real small town bach feel to the back area where you can sit at a formica table and chill out. There’s a big area to bring your kids to play while you enjoy your flat white and Lisa and Verity will be around to make sure you’re having a good time… just as soon as they’re done serving the mad rushes of people that appear to all coordinate when they’ll come to the café!

I stumbled across Garnet Station this week after strolling back towards Westmere from Grey Lynn after a meeting. What a find! It’s not a shrinking violet by any means so you can hardly miss it. Even if it’s a good day for sitting outside I would urge you to order at the counter and then venture into the back room (s) where homely lounge furniture and quirky decoration make it instantly relaxing. I was served an ace coffee and delicious toasted sandwich very quickly and was so comfortable I stayed for another hit of warm brown.
They also broadcast Garnet Radio from the premises on a web only basis — check it out on their website.