Breakfast for my team and me at Just Like Martha. Not knowing Auckland particularly well, I was pleasantly surprised to find this lovely café tucked beneath an apartment building, with what looks like another apartment development and new homes being built next door as part of the urban intensification happening in Three Kings. It feels like one of the last remaining sites in the area where this kind of development can still take place.

As soon as we arrived, we were asked for our coffee orders. I went with a regular coconut milk flat white and made sure to request a double shot. It was a very well-made coffee—smooth, balanced, and exactly what I was hoping for.

For breakfast, I ordered the poached eggs on toast with a side of rosti. Everyone else’s meals arrived first, and I have to say the presentation was impressive. I was curious to see how they would plate something as simple as eggs on toast, and they did a good job.

That said, I was a little disappointed with the toast. It was more charred than toasted, which made it quite dry, even with the butter. The poached eggs were nicely cooked, though I would have preferred them slightly softer. The standout for me was the rosti, which was beautifully cooked—crispy on the outside and soft inside.

Before leaving, I also picked up a coconut and caramel brioche for later because it looked incredibly appetising. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to its appearance. It was overbaked and quite dry, and while the caramel sauce seemed intended to add moisture, it wasn’t enough to make up for the texture.

Overall, it’s a good café and one I’d happily return to. Now that I know how they prepare a few things, I’d probably tweak my order next time. The service was friendly, the atmosphere was welcoming, and it clearly seems to be a favourite with the locals, with a steady stream of customers stopping in for coffee.

Website: Just Like Martha

Address: 985 Mount Eden Road, Three Kings, Auckland 1024