There is something about stepping into Honey Sundays that makes you feel as though you’re far away from the bustle of the City (despite being very close to its heart). Having taken over the iconic corner spot on Jervois Road that once housed Jess’ Underground Kitchen, this delightful new drop-in is serving perfectly brewed Allpress coffee and tasty cabinet treats (from local producers), as well as offering a selection of impressive surfboards, surf wax and wetsuit-style swimwear. It is a unique but appealing hybrid — easy brunch spot meets laid-back retail space — with Owner Elyse Toomey explaining that the vision behind Honey Sundays was to not only create a cool, cruisy cafe for locals, but also, to have a place in the City where surfers could find boards and wax without having to venture to a mall (a need she discovered after falling in love for the wave-chasing sport herself).
“I discovered my love for surfing when I was working for Allpress in London,” Toomey tells me, explaining that it sparked in her a desire to start her own business that combined her two loves: hospitality and surfing. And after spending eight years working for Allpress in the UK (and six years working for iconic Ponsonby stalwart, Prego before that) Toomey finally returned home to turn her vision into a reality.
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Honey Sundays evokes a wonderfully chill, end-of-week vibe, even if you’re pulling up a chair on a Tuesday. From its fresh, white and yellow colour scheme to its sprawling deck out back (offering the perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee in peace), this cafe is just the kind of welcoming, lo-fi local that the area had been missing. And it looks like it’s only set to get better.
Alongside the drinks menu, Toomey tells me that they have fresh Daily Bread pastries and filled rolls in the cabinet, as well as a selection from Mor bakery (including its famous almond croissants) from Thursdays to Saturdays. And while that comprises the entire food line-up for now, Toomey reveals that a more comprehensive menu is on the cards, explaining how she wants to create a range of dishes from healthy, fresh options (like granola, various salads and smoothies) to a few indulgent sweet treats. (“Life is all about balance, right?” she tells me, with a grin.)
Importantly, Toomey wants to continue to use Honey Sundays to showcase some incredible local brands and makers. Alongside calling on the likes of Allpress coffee, Daily Bread, Mor, Mangawhai Honey and Webster’s Tea (from Tauranga) to shape the food and drinks offering, her retail corner boasts a wall of surfboards from New Zealand-based Le Noel Surf Craft, New Zealand-made natural zinc from Zinc or Swim and swimwear from Fondu Swim (specialising in wearable surf attire for women) and Cold Wave wetsuits (from Te Whanganui-a-Tara) made from premium, Yamamoto neoprene.
Ultimately, Honey Sundays is bringing the beach to the burbs in the best way, with Toomey creating a light, sun-filled space that captures the same laid-back charm as a day spent in the waves. “It’s been amazing to see the response from people so far,” Toomey says, “but there is definitely more to come, so watch this space.”
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday, 6:30am until 3pm
Saturday, 7:30am until 3pm
Sunday, 8:00am until 3pm
