Tomorrow's Brunch – The Midnight Baker

Serving inspired toast options alongside tea and coffee, Dominion Road's breakfast game just got a whole lot tastier. 

When Yeshe Dawa, aka The Midnight Baker, began taking over a cafe kitchen after hours, word quickly spread about her nutritous, wheat-free bread. Packed with nuts and seeds, you might have seen The Midnight Baker's loaves popping up for sale at cafes and markets across Auckland – now she has her very own cosy space where toast is the star of the menu.

Choose between four savoury and four sweet toppings, or the simpler options for "little or big kids" (yes, there are soldiers). Despite it barely being 9am, I went for the Raw Vanilla Cheesecake with a Cacao Drizzle and Freeze-Dried Raspberries. For the sweet-toothed, Yeshe also recommends the Roasted Spiced Pear with Date Caramel, "Whoatella", Coconut-Almond-Crunch and Vanilla Nice Cream, which she assures is as gorgeous to look at as it is to eat. The ingredients are all lovely and wholesome but since every option is layered with indulgent flavours and textures you could never feel as though you were missing out on anything.

The signature topping of Smashed Edamame and Avocado has been available from The Midnight Baker's market stall and is offered alongside other savoury options of Basil Pesto with Roasted Vine Tomatoes, Balsamic & Thyme Mushrooms on Cannellini Bean Mash. The intriguing Pulled BBQ "Not Pork" sounds super tasty too – a veg-friendly version that comes with green apple, fennel and celery slaw and aioli. Sauerkraut, eggs, aioli and extra toast are all available as sides and toasts can be swapped out to meet dietary needs, depending on what they have on hand.

In the cup, The Midnight Baker serves Forage & Bloom's range of artisan teas, Eighthirty coffee as well as locally made juices, tonics and fizzy drinks.

With a menu to suit everyone's tastes (and tummies), The Midnight Baker's relaxed space is bound to become a haven for both breakfast-lovers and those looking to catch the magic light that flows in after lunchtime. Twine-bound loaves are ready to be taken home (although don't count on them sticking around until day's end), as are a selection of nut butters, teas, pickles and syrups, if you're keen to experiment in your own midnight kitchen.

The Midnight Baker
218 Dominion Road
Mount Eden
Auckland
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Friday: 7.30am–3pm
Saturday and Sunday: 8am–3pm
Website
www.themidnightbaker.co.nz