Fig Tree Café

Nestled in the leafy green suburb of Heretaunga, Fig Tree Café has made its home in a converted church. The lofty, pitched ceilings are a giveaway to its roots, as is the remarkable jarrah floor and occasional stained glass window. The high interior is conducive to plenty of natural light flowing in, and the casual outdoor seating and additional parking out back make any visit here an easy and tasty experience you’ll probably want to repeat.

Emanating the feeling of an extended family, it’s the kind of place where you go for a cuppa and stay for a (long) chat. It’s where patrons socialise and as the sense of community grows, people return for more of the same. Its location sees a range of clientele, from professionals and tradies, to retirees and school aged kids, flocking in for conversation, the setting and of course, the delicious food and locally roasted Karamu coffee.

With an ethos of making food themselves where possible, all sauces, relishes, hashbrowns and meats (including the bacon and brisket) are made on site. And when homemade isn’t possible, ingredients are carefully chosen to ensure the best quality for every dish. The team loves a challenge, and they have just started working on creating their own ginger beer. Good things take time, however, so watch this space.

The menu has an array of sweet and savoury dishes, from smoothie bowls and pancakes to classic shakshuka, mince on toast and corn fritters, all at reasonable prices. Featuring all the goodies (including their homemade bacon and hashbrowns) the Big Fig Breakfast is certainly a customer favourite, and the cabinet food is always a temptation. The cafe takes pride in catering to various requirements and needs, whether that's food and drink related, or simply a welcoming ear to chat.