Its location might be a little out of the way for some Auckland residents, pushing out on the water in its corner of Westhaven, but the fact it’s something of a destination works in Homeland’s favour, making it feel special. The Peter Gordon-helmed venue, which also doubles as a cooking school and “food embassy”, is at base pretty special already: a well-thought-out venture which works nicely as a cafe in the daytime, especially if you nab one of the tables outside that face the boats. There’s plenty of opportunity to go big and treat yourself here — the lunch menu ranges to scotch fillet with kawakawa salsa verde, and lamb loin with feijoa kasundi. Committed to using Aotearoa-based suppliers and produce, Homeland is a good place to take visitors from overseas to show them what we’re up to down here.

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