They roast their own coffee, brunches are fabulous, the atmosphere laid-back, and there's a good newsagents with a wide range of imported magazines and newspapers (including the Guardian Weekly) just a few doors away. Open air seating out back with a small sandpit for the kids. The Atomic has been around so long that it's become a bit of an institution and so a wee bit shabby. But then shabby is part of the NZ experience.
121 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland; Tel:09 376 4954
Updates
It is not the Atomic any more. They seem to be getting out of running cafes and just concentrating on roasting. It is still a cafe, though I haven't been. Owner, Chris Mansfield, has sold his coffee roasting business to concentrate on the cafe now called One Two One (The address - geddit?). Still serves excellent coffee and a wide range of food including veggie. Now has live music, mainly jazz and acoustic folk, Wednesday to Sunday inclusive. Highly recommended.
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