Café
Allpress Espresso Roastery Café
The Freemans Bay home of Allpress Espresso, a light-filled roastery café near Victoria Park Market with its own art studio, pastries and light lunches on weekdays.
Ima Cuisine
Yael Shochat's Middle Eastern and Mediterranean café-restaurant on Fort Street, serving mezze-style plates built on salads, vegetables and legumes for over 20 years.
At a glance
- Type
- Middle Eastern café and eatery
- Area
- Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- imacuisine.co.nz
Good to know
- Breakfast and lunch on weekdays
- Baking
- Catering
- Function spaces
Why we recommend it
Ima Cuisine has been part of the Auckland city centre for more than 20 years, run by chef and owner Yael Shochat from its home at 53 Fort Street. The food here is generous, home-style Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking designed to be shared.
The menu is built around mezze-style eating, with many small plates brought to the table so everyone can try a little of everything. Salads, vegetables, legumes and fresh herbs are at the centre of the cooking, which makes Ima a good choice for vegetarians, although the menu is not strictly vegetarian and includes meat dishes too. Baking is also part of the offer, so it works as a morning café as well as a lunch and dinner spot.
On weekdays Ima opens at 7am, serving through breakfast and lunch until 3pm from Monday to Friday. Dinner is served from Tuesday to Saturday between 5.30pm and 9pm, and the restaurant is closed on Sundays. The early weekday start makes it a useful breakfast option for visitors staying in the downtown area.
Ima describes its offer as breakfast, lunch, dinner, baking and catering, and the mix of a café-style morning service with an evening restaurant gives it a broader appeal than most downtown cafés. Groups are well catered for. Online bookings can be made for up to ten people, and larger groups should email the restaurant. Ima also has function spaces: the back section holds 20 to 45 people, the front section 50 to 80, and the whole restaurant can be booked for bigger events. Catering is available for groups of 15 to 250, and food can be ordered for delivery through Delivereasy and Uber Eats, which is useful if you want a mezze-style dinner in your hotel room or apartment.
Ima suits families, groups of friends and vegetarians, as well as solo travellers looking for a warm, unpretentious place for breakfast or lunch. The family-style approach is relaxed and suits shared meals.
Fort Street is in the Auckland CBD, within reach of central hotels. Gift vouchers are sold through the website. For enquiries or group bookings, call +64 9 377 5252 or email [email protected].
Ima Cuisine FAQs
When is Ima Cuisine open?
Monday to Friday from 7am to 3pm for breakfast and lunch, and Tuesday to Saturday from 5.30pm to 9pm for dinner. It is closed on Sundays.
What kind of food does Ima serve?
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes served mezze-style, with many small plates to share.
Is Ima good for vegetarians?
Yes. Salads, vegetables, legumes and herbs are central, though the menu also includes meat.
Can you book?
Yes, online for up to ten people. Larger groups should email [email protected].
Does Ima host functions?
Yes. The back section holds 20 to 45 people, the front 50 to 80, and the whole restaurant can be booked.
Does Ima offer catering?
Yes, for groups of 15 to 250 people.
Who runs Ima?
Chef and owner Yael Shochat.
Where is Ima?
At 53 Fort Street in the Auckland city centre.