Tupu'anga Coffee - Mt Eden

Had a meeting here yesterday, 1st time here. Delicious oka and taro chips, coffee was good too. Can't wait to come back and try more of their menu .

I have been to Tupu'anga many times now for meetings, to catch up with friends and have used their services to host a nieces 21st recently. I must say the catering for special events is on point! Esp for Pacific Island option foods. It's affordable which is something I appreciate, their dinner menu (I had the ribs), I highly recommend. Grateful for a cafe, locally owned, and located in Central Auckland, affordable and a great selection of cabinet food and on the menu. The service is a hit and miss, I have been when it has been amazing service and then I have also been when it wasn't the greatest. The only other food related issue I have had was with the coconut bread, however that was quickly rectified by management, which I really appreciated. Highly recommend!

A great cafe with a purpose in serving the community. The food is fresh and well presented, especially the sweet treats. The atmosphere is served with warmth and music to create a joyous vibe and service with a smile. Malo Tupu’anga team for being an exceptional cafe that we all enjoy.

Great place to eat. Food, service and atmosphere was amazing. Heaps of spaces to dine with multiple areas to choose from. I had the steak and it was cooked exactly how they asked. First time for an outer towner, so decided to try other foods that aren't offered up in my hometown. Tried the Lusipi Lamb pie - Oh my Lord was amazing. I was catching up with friends and had been there around 3 hrs, so decided to finish off with something sweet. Went with the Suafa'i. Great to Pacific Island dishes, Tongan on the menu and beautifully made. I will definitely return when I come back to Auckland. Thanks team

"A Hidden Gem in Mt Eden!" Absolutely love this place! The food is so authentic, you can taste the love and tradition in every bite. The coffee was sooo good and the otai was so refreshing. The staff are super warm and welcoming, and it feels like home. A must-visit for anyone wanting a true taste of Tonga ???????? .

If you’re looking for a hearty and satisfying start to your day, Tupu’anga Café’s Big Breakfast is the perfect choice. The dish offers a generous spread featuring fluffy scrambled eggs, crisp hash browns, succulent sausages, perfectly grilled bacon, and juicy grilled tomatoes. Complemented with baked beans and toasted bread, it covers all the breakfast essentials, leaving you happily full and content. What stood out to me was the quality of ingredients and how well everything was cooked to perfection. The creamy scrambled eggs were deliciously soft and seasoned just right, and the crispy hash browns added a delightful crunch. The sausages were juicy, while the bacon and tomatoes were well-grilled, adding that comforting and classic taste we all look for in a big breakfast. The accompanying butter and sauce choices enhanced the experience. Pair this delightful spread with their well-crafted coffee, featuring a perfect balance of robust flavor and creamy texture. The presentation of both the meal and the coffee was elegant, making it feel like a treat. If you find yourself near Tupu’anga, do give their Big Breakfast a try—it’s a hearty meal to kickstart your day!

A Hidden Gem with Heart: Snapper Fish and Chips with a Purpose When the fish and chips arrived, I knew instantly this wasn’t your average takeaway. The color and texture were noticeably different—golden, crisp, and inviting. One bite in, and I was hooked. The batter was light and crunchy, not oily or heavy, while the fish inside was thick, juicy, and wonderfully springy. It was the kind of meal that lifts your spirits and makes you feel, strangely, more alive. The coffee surprised me too. It looked modest at first glance, but the flavor was unexpectedly delightful—smooth, bright, and full of character. My taste buds approved. I walked into the place with a bit of hesitation, but left genuinely impressed. Curious to learn more, I did a little digging—and that’s when the story became even more remarkable. The café is run by Alipate and Emeline Mafile’o, through a community-focused organization called Affirming Works. Their eatery, Tupu’anga—a Pacific educational model meaning “growth from the roots”—is more than just a restaurant. It’s a social enterprise dedicated to addressing key needs in the community, from literacy and numeracy to helping youth transition from school to the workforce. The coffee they serve is 100% Arabica, grown in Tonga through fair trade practices. Profits from the café go directly back into social programs, supporting more than 400 children and their families each year. Co-founder Emeline Afeaki-Mafile’o brings a wealth of experience in social work. She authored Tonga’s Family Violence Conceptual Framework and developed training manuals for practitioners. She served for seven years on the Ministry of Social Development’s Pacific Advisory Group and was named one of New Zealand’s most influential women (Community and Social Enterprise category). In 2006, she was awarded the Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Award. Because the café doubles as a training ground for young people entering the workforce, you may find the service a little shy, a little rough around the edges—but it’s earnest, heartfelt, and filled with potential. You’re not just buying a meal; you’re giving someone a start. This isn’t just food—it’s a story of culture, empowerment, and community. Highly recommended.