Handpicked Coffee Roasters occupies a narrow shop on New North Road in Mount Albert, southwest of central Auckland. Buns and jars of baked goods crowd the white counter; hanging bulbs light the mismatched tables and chairs. The nearby Mount Albert railway station puts this suburban coffee stop within reach of a trip out from the city centre.
Owners Nara Lee and Han Sol Kim roast their own coffee and serve it alongside a breakfast menu with Korean dishes. Allow time for a filter brew and a cooked breakfast. Tables extend onto the pavement, but the small café suits a solo visit or a pair better than a large group.
Coffee
A flat white is a straightforward introduction to the house coffee, with detailed latte art often extending to animal faces. Handpicked also sells Dark Knight, a medium-to-dark blend of Brazilian and Ethiopian coffees intended for espresso, stovetop and plunger brewing. Ask which coffee is on the grinder before choosing a bag.
Filter
Ask which single origins are available for filter brewing that day. The team can discuss the beans and brewing, so leave time for questions as well as the drink. Cold brew offers another way to drink the coffee black. The retail selection includes whole beans, drip bags and capsules for different home setups.
Food
The baking includes roti-style coffee buns, milk buns and cinnamon brioche, with cheese scones and sandwiches in the cabinet. For a cooked meal, try the braised-pork eggs Benedict or bulgogi pasta with Korean marinated beef.
Why Filter Notes shortlisted Handpicked Coffee Roasters
Handpicked earns the Mount Albert detour through its own roasting, a changing filter selection and baking worth ordering with the cup. Make it a morning visit for coffee and a warm bun, or stay for the Korean-influenced breakfast plates before the 3pm close. The café takes Tuesdays off.