Cheese on Toast

When eateries start multiplying locations, it’s not necessarily a good sign. But for Cheese on Toast, which now has three spots across the city, it’s a testament to just how very, very good their offering is. Their Birkenhead outpost is our favourite: great coffee, friendly service and a stripped-back set-up with a handful of tables inside and a sunny stretch of footpath seating outside — the perfect backdrop for one of their wonderfully cheesy toasted sandwiches. Made with house-baked sourdough (which you can also take home by the loaf), each toasted sandwich is layered with three cheeses and comes with a side of punchy, sweet-and-sour pickles. The creamed corn option should be seriously considered, but really, with all that gooey melted cheese involved, you can’t go wrong no matter which one you choose.

While you’re in the area: Hospice Retro