Vegan-friendly
Organic
Western
Juice bar
Take-out
Breakfast
Organic wholefoods store housing a vegan and gluten-free deli & cafe. Serves all vegan food (since 2016); exception is for dairy milk option for drinks. Find a range of prepared salads and vegan cakes plus smoothies, juices, breakfast foods. Previoiusly at 23 Crowhurst St. Confirmed closed Feb 2019.
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88 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand
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- Wheelchair accessible
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Last update on 25 Feb 2019 by CLRtraveller
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36 Reviews
First Review by Naki Girl
Exquire
Points +311
Pleasant every time - Edit
The Wise Cicada an unlikely refuge in its Newmarket neighbourhood. The busy, car-dominated streets, big-box stores and mainstream retail of the area make this vegan cafe and organic non-veg grocer (and bookstore, and healing center) a bountiful urban oasis.
Read moreThe strong community sense around this institution is unusual and wonderful for Auckland. You might think that it’s to do with the alternative-minded adjoining bookstore or the pricey but high quality grocery section, or that the staff are knowledgeable and responsive to specialised diets, but my personal theory is that it’s been embraced because the food rocks.
You can come to this place and be served a range of hot prepared meals from a slow-cooker, plus there’s a breakfast buffet and a generous menu of hot drinks, but what stands out is the salad bar.
The selection is dynamic - it changes with the seasons, what’s available and what’s sprouted that day. It’s always fresh, always colourful, and brings juicy new flavours to even the most experienced vegan foodie.
So if you want to experience the Wise Cicada’s glory then get a large (really large) selection of salads, sit at a long table, eat slowly and let yourself fall into a nearby conversation. It’s a very social cafe (especially for NZ) with frequent meetup groups, friendly regular characters, and occasional live musicians.
You won’t struggle to find someone to eat dessert with, and despite my best intentions I don’t think I’ve ever left the Wise Cicada without dessert. Today I had a raw German-style chewy chocolate cake, last week I had a decadent raw cheesecake, but my usual is the chewy coconut-chocolate rough speckled with flecks of tangy dried fruit.
If you like the Wise Cicada (the new-age sense is not for everybody) then this is one place you can return to for a further exploration of what’s on offer.
Pros: Great food, Oasis hideaway from Newmarket
Cons: Occasional variable food quality & size
Guest
koneko
Points +1654
Compelled to review - Edit
I can't believe you guys are closed! I wished that I had Happy Cow back when we were going to you guys for your delicious food, and your cheesecakes!
Read moreHad your Mushroom Stroganoff, Falafels, Jackfruit burger, Sunfed "chicken" Chiang Mai curry, Adobo tofu, Dal Makhani and chedder melt - all of it was great but your curry comes out on top along with the Adobo tofu. Beautiful flavours and ingredients which is what anyone would want for the price.
The Tiramisu was a bit frozen and tasted not Tiramisu-ey lol but your cheesecakes were so good! Interesting ideas and flavours and they always looked soooo pretty.
If you open up again somewhere in the world, let us know!...or I'll find you :)
Updated from previous review on 2020-03-27
Cons: Closed?!!!
Guest
LilyHarper
Points +507
Favourite place in Auckland - Edit
We spent a whole afternoon in here just going back to the counter to buy more. I had a matcha green tea and cake, and we went up several times to refill our salad plates! Good prices
Read moreGuest
rosu12
Points +347
Good but expensive - Edit
The food was really fresh and delicious and tasty however a bit pricey.
Read morePlease note this cafe and the supermarket attached will be closing down soon.
Pros: Wholefoods, All vegan except cow's milk for drinks, Friendly staff
Cons: Expensive
Guest
SP
Points +1401
tempting options - Edit
I had the mushroom stroganoff which was interesting (but not wow) with the black bean spaghetti which I thought was only so so. I was passing through town on a holiday and if I'd had more time I would've gone back to try something more.
Read morePros: it's an all-veg place, the shop next door
Cons: not all vegan
Guest
nabenson
Points +610
Delicious vegan cafe - Edit
Had the BBQ jackfruit burger- highly recommend this it’s so yummy. We had the mushroom stroganoff with black bean spaghetti and that was tasty too. Nice grocery store as well with loads of vegan options.
Read morePros: Many vegan options, Coffees, desserts, entrees, etc, All plant based
Cons: Parking
Guest
DanielMcGoverin
Points +18
. - Edit
Amazing food. Definately 5 star.
Read moreGuest
Limmey
Points +139
Vegan gluten free dream - Edit
Hands down the best vegan gluten free place in ALL OF AUCKLAND. Seriously don’t bother with any where else. Support this place because it’s the best vegan thing going for Auckland
Read morePros: Vegan, Gluten free, Nice vibe
Guest
Noda
Points +611
Yum - Edit
A friend told me about this place so thought I'd check it out. Got the mushroom Stroganoff and it was absolutely delicious, just a little to small for my liking. The cakes and slices are amazing I ended up eating 3 and still wanted more 😋
Read moreLovelly staff as well.
Guest
YasminJiang
Points +449
Favourite spot for a treat - Edit
Wise Cicada is where I always like to go to pick up some vegan pantry items, always stocked with essentials such as wheat gluten and vegan cheese. Can't resist their cakes in the cabinet! Coffee is okay but there is a large selection of plant milks so that's a bonus.
Read moreGuest
SamanthaFairley
Points +147
Yummy! - Edit
I love wise cicada! Fantastic food, really healthy and just tasty and fresh. The best for healthy vegan food around remuera/ new market . a tad pricey.
Read morethe entire menu is perfectly vegan, which is awesome, a great effort in the cafe . amazing fruit juice and fresh smoothie blends menu.
its tucked around a corner down a carpark entry from broadway.
they have a huge shop attached, with many neat healthy offerings in natural cosmetics etc, but I did see some blood products in their store offerings... but only maybe 2-3 in a shop of hundreds of things is better than most, i wonder why they bother to cater for that still? They should lead a bit better, push stronger for the animals...let the old ways go!
----NZ was the first to give women the right to vote 100 years ago, lets be the first to give animals the right to non violence!! -----
Updated from previous review on 2018-02-17
Guest
ben_eitel
Points +325
Auckland’s finest! - Edit
Really this place should be rated as vegan.
Read moreThe most delicious menu, you really want to eat your way through if! And then there’s the sweet treats!!
Guest
Kiwivegan
Points +56
Vegan café with great selection of food - Edit
Fantastic vegan café inside an awesome organic food store! Wide variety of tasty and nutritious food available.
Read morePros: Wide variety of food, all vegan, Friendly, helpful staff , Great location in Newmarket
Guest
BudgetBucketList
Points +1334
Vegan Heaven (if you have money) - Edit
True, not everything is vegan here. I traced down (organic) meat and dairy, BUT 95% is. I was in heaven, as everything vegan from make-up, essential oils to supplements and food can be found here. That said, it's not cheap. I paid for example about 13 dollars for tea tree oil which I found later in the Wharehouse for 3 dollars, bummer. But people are kind and the vegan spirit made my day.
Read morePros: Mostly vegan, Lots of supply, not only food, Cafe included
Cons: Expensive
Guest
joanneveganaus
Points +104
wise cicada - Edit
always visit here for groceries/snacks and the cafe food is pretty good too
Read morePros: great range of nice food
Cons: bit pricey but worth it
Guest
lotus.light
Points +1078
Love - Edit
Love the cafe and the store! Wish it was 100% vegan; hopefully they'll make that change soon.
Read moreGuest
tash8293
Points +54
Beautiful Cafe - Edit
I love this place!!! Amazing tasting food, mostly vegan and wonderful service! Everyone is always smiling and it makes this place such a lovely environment to be in. The organic store right next to it is very convenient and has a large variety of vegan options available.
Read morePros: Great service, Yummy food
Guest
StevenWestwood
Points +26
Great for brunch! - Edit
Never fail to deliver. The baked beans are fantastic, the creamy mushrooms are creamier than I thought vegan food could be and the pancakes are out of this world. The lunch meals are always tasty and a good price. Lovely staff too.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2017-02-13
Guest
dcmf
Points +209
Hearty vegan breakfast in a nice environment - Edit
Restaurant is a little hard to find. Great vegan options. We had the scrambled tofu and the baked beans for breakfast, both very good but small for the price. Definitely worth paying extra for the vegan sausages. Unfortunately they charge extra for non-dairy milks despite being a mostly plant-based restaurant.
Read moreGuest
SFrost
Points +34
Great vegan spot with store attached - Edit
Nice cafe with lots of vegan options. Has a health store attached too which also has vegan cheese and mock meats. Good place for a sit in meal and good coffee! Staff are friendly and helpful.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Health food store
Cons: Pricey
Guest
Wuji_Luiji
Points +2563
Good place for vegans - Edit
I went here a couple of times. Had a tasty breakfast one time (good coffee with soy mylk too) and had salad for lunch and a dessert both of which were really good.
Read moreCons: Extra charge for plant based mylks
Guest
Elliemichaela
Points +40
address changed - Edit
Location changed and should be updated to 88 Broadway. I'm happy I found it because the cafe food was sooooo good!
Read moreGuest
PuritaMok
Points +64
Lots of choices for vegans - Edit
Really happy to have their hot meals especially their vegan soup because every other place would have cream in their soups. They also have yummy desserts! Convenient location and handy supermarket inside draws me back every time.
Read morePros: Delicious food, Great variety, Convenient location
Cons: Supermarket not entirely veg
Guest
jre8995
Points +403
Not the full monty - Edit
I went for Sunday brunch, and ordered the 'Wise Cicda Big Hearty Breakfast'
Read moreNow it could just be an English thing, but this was pretty bad as breakfasts go - the bread wasn't toasted, the falafel were dry, dull and completely unnecessary, plus they didn't have any chilli sauce.
All I can say is, if you're English, don't go here for their version of a 'greasy spoon' as it totally fails to deliver
Oh and their long black wasn't very good either
Pros: Charming staff, Good ambience
Cons: Poor breakfasts, Bad coffee
Guest
MorbidMicke
Points +325
hippeis that sell meat.. - Edit
the food might be vegan but the store sells meat... the guys working in this place seemd kind to yoga hippies and ignores the rest of us and then finally serves some mundane, overpriced falafel...
Read moreCons: meat in store'
Guest
mountainfolks
Points +406
palm oil! - Edit
they serve some great salads and vegan treats as well as a wide range of groceries BUT I know that they use palm oil in their sweets without labelling it on the ingredient lists
Read moreI don't get how a shop so 'concerned' about nature and veganism can do something like that
Pros: wide range, good salads
Cons: uses palm oil
Guest
CLRtraveller
Points +8184
healthy food and pleasant service - Edit
Fantastic store! Encountered many products I had not seen before, e.g., a line of pastas by Explore Asian Authentic Cuisine made from wonderful things like (the one I bought) Organic Edamame & Mung Bean Fettuccine shape; and Mash Tun Crackers by The Bloom Theory, made from recycled brewery grain. Frozen vegan meals. Fresh, organic produce. Household products, cosmetics, t-shirts and other clothing items, books, lots of snack food. Then there’s the deli with several salads and desserts, many raw. All look delicious. I had the Big Hearty Breakfast for $17: sautéed mushrooms, scrambled tofu, home-baked beans, soysage, mini-falafel balls, whole-grain (or gluten-free) toast. Tasty and filling.
Read morePros: tasty, healthy food
Guest
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