Pukeko Junction Cafe
458 Ashworths Rd, Leithfield Beach.
We’d heard... It was a good pitstop on State Highway 1, about 35 minutes north of Christchurch, to refuel with really tasty food.
If you go... Don’t rush your visit. We stopped at Pukeko Junction Cafe en route to Hanmer Springs. The plan was to grab some takeaway coffees and drive on, but the smell of bacon, and the sun-drenched deck drew us in. Before we knew it we were happily stretched out under the rustic veranda, sipping on two of the best coffees we’ve had in quite some time with breakfast on the way.
I couldn’t go past the fried halloumi with smashed avocado, cherry tomatos and basil on grilled ciabatta ($19). I suspected this dish was going to be a winner and I wasn’t disappointed. The halloumi, which has a tendency to be rubbery if not cooked well, was executed perfectly with a soft texture. Avocado, tomato and basil are always a tasty combination and today was no different.
My partner’s Farmhouse Breakfast ($21) with dry-cured bacon, poached free-range eggs, potato cake, grilled mushrooms, and buttery wholegrain toast impressed. It was nice to see a decent amount of care and thought had gone into the dish. So often this style of breakfast is thrown together using storebought ingredients. He opted to add the gourmet sausages (an extra $2.50). The bangers had a spicy kick, which nicely complemented the creamy potato gratin flavoured with thyme.
Pukeko Junction Cafe markets itself as ‘‘a delicious stop on your travels‘‘, but it is a destination in its own right.
The service was… Super friendly and fairly efficient. There were a few dirty dishes lying around on tables. This was only a minor qualm outweighed by the speed we received our meals and quality of the food.
The atmosphere was... Laid back with a rustic country charm. Despite its proximity to the highway, the outdoor seating was reasonably quiet. Inside, the walls are painted an electric shade of yellow and Kiwiana antiques are dotted about, creating interest and personality.
Don’t miss... A quick visit to the charming little wine cellar and gift shop next door.
Rating out of 5: 4 – Laura Baker