Smith The Grocer

Since 1999, Smith The Grocer has been delighting locals and out-of-town visitors. The Old Bank Arcade on Lambton Quay is a regal setting for the café. It sits on level one with some tables sharing space on an elegant internal promenade. Friendly customer service stands out along with a menu featuring comforting light meals and delectable baked goods. Owner Kirsten Saunders says, “If you want a slice of New Zealand, this is the place.”

There is something for everyone on the menu. From the beloved pistachio-laden ginger crunch slice to the humble eggs on toast. The motto is simple: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The team embraces a classic Kiwi sense of fun and dress up to support major events in the city’s calendar. During the annual World of WearableArts season, you might find your waitron serving you coffee wearing a fascinator. 

The café itself features a soaring atrium, glass elevator, and local artwork. Kirsten talks about the appeal of the “three-zone space”. Customers can sit in the arcade thoroughfare, main café level, or cosy downstairs area. Kirsten says the most important thing is that people feel it’s “a friendly place for a good chat.” If you time it right, your conversation might be interrupted by the arcade clock that chimes every hour. 

Like the arcade itself, Kirsten has lived many lives. She has worked as a jockey, property manager and IT manager. The common thread? Endurance and customer service skills. Kirsten takes inspiration from the television show Cheers, famous for the line “where everybody knows your name”. With this mentality, Kirsten has retained loyal regulars. “We find out about what’s going on in their lives. When family is in town, they bring them here.” Every Thursday, one woman catches the Number 14 bus into the city and settles in for her usual order.