Logan MacLean

Cocktails on the beach. That's what Tania Sumich envisigned when she purchased Logan MacLean Café nearly three years ago, but her plan to manage the café during business hours and relax off duty were quickly derailed. Instead, she found herself transforming the café into a vegan-friendly, eco-minded, local champion. Despite her margarita dreams, Tania isn't one to rest on her laurels. Having studied visual art design, environmental science and nutrition, she turned her creative eye towards hospitality: “I'm a serial student – I like to try a bit of everything.” For a café that treads lightly in terms of the environment – “We like to kick it old school: brown paper and twine instead of plastic bags, metal straws, green takeaway cups…” – Logan MacLean makes a big impact. The food is generally vegan (though meat is available) with ‘good for you hot drinks', including mushroom hot chocolates made with reishi mushroom powder; it's earthy, spicy and surprisingly tasty.

While vegan food may cause some carnivores to tiptoe past the entrance, don't be deterred. Logan MacLean's vegan pies are meat-eater tried, tested and approved (Tania's family often volunteers). Ask about her Trifle Pie – it's made with aquafaba (chickpea brine), which is an excellent substitute for egg whites. The more you know… 45 The Centre, Waipu.

(09) 601 3230, on Facebook.