The best brunch dishes in Auckland

Presenting the six best brunch dishes in Auckland, as chosen by the Metro food judges.

Photos by Ken Downie.

Read more: The Top 50 Cafes in Auckland 2015.

Freekeh at Beirut

It’s harder than it should be to find a decent porridge in a cafe. I like it hot, mouthfilling and also full of flavoursome surprises. I’m also happy when it’s good to look at, but irritated when the appearance is achieved at the expense of the food itself (one cafe I know serves about 5mm of porridge in the bottom of a wide bowl covered in flowers — which tells me the chef looks at but does not eat his own food). At Beirut, they get it completely right. The freekeh (toasted wheat) is caramelised and lavender flavoured, with bits of plum and, the masterstroke, flakes of baklava on top. – Simon Wilson.