There’s an unmistakable smell of freshly roasted coffee when you make your way down an alleyway off Takapuna’s Lake Rd leading straight towards this bright and thoughtful cafe/roastery. It’s the best place to be if you like a slow brew, or if you like to brew slowly at home — Ark stocks a wide range of pour-over and immersion kits, coffee paraphernalia and mugs. In the hot weather, treat yourself to some cold coffee jelly on the bric-a-brac seats in the parking lot out the back.