Ellerslie is one of Auckland's most underrated South City Line stations — the train drops you directly into a thriving village centre on Main Highway, with an excellent selection of cafes, restaurants and bars all within a few minutes' walk, as well as a handful of great op shops. Between the station and Great South Road lies a significant concentration of corporate office parks, making Ellerslie a practical train commute.
Cafes
Several excellent independent cafes within easy walking distance — on Main Highway and Great South Road.
A village favourite — "probably the best French toast I've had," standout poached eggs (a rare achievement), a toasted chicken club that keeps regulars coming back, and consistently great coffee. Staff are warm and welcoming, great with prams and families. Open Mon–Sat from 7am (8am Sat). Closed Sundays — regulars wish it weren't.
Mon–Fri 7am–2pm · Sat 8am–2pm · Closed Sun
A Japanese specialty coffee roastery on Main Highway — their standout feature is roasting beans on the spot, with single-origin beans available to purchase. "The Japanese really know what they're doing when it comes to coffee — the quality and flavour are excellent." Popular dirty matcha and pour-over coffee. Already very popular since opening. Opens 6:45am daily, 7 days.
Mon–Fri 6:45am–3pm · Sat–Sun 6:45am–4pm
Bow and Tie Coffee Micro Roastery
"FIND THIS PLACE — you'll be rewarded with THE best roasted Peruvian bean coffee. Artisan coffee at its best!" A tiny micro roastery on Kalmia Street with a near-perfect 4.9 rating. Single-origin beans all roasted locally, knowledgeable and patient staff happy to help you choose beans to take home. "Best coffee in Auckland — always consistent, great taste and well made." Opens at 6am. Weekdays only.
Mon–Fri 6am–1pm · Closed Sat–SunBakeries
Ellerslie has an outstanding cluster of bakeries on Main Highway — including multiple award-winners at the Bakels New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards.
A village institution on Main Highway — "a tiny pie shop that's been open forever and is forever loved." Award-winning pies including a Gold Award Chicken and Vegetable and a celebrated vegan range (vegan burger pie, vegan hash brown rolls). The bestselling Caramelised Pork pie — belly pork with caramelised red onions and pepper — is a must-try. Massive cabinet full of every flavour imaginable. Also serves good coffee. Opens 6am, 7 days.
Mon–Fri 6am–5pm · Sat–Sun 7am–4pm
A regular winner at the Bakels New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards — the steak and cheese took Silver in 2023 and reviewers can see why: "perfect pastry wrapped around chunks of steak bathed in perfectly seasoned gravy and cheese." The steak, kidney and pepper pie is outstanding. Friendly owners, excellent coffee, and classic flavours priced lower than the competition across the road. Opens 6am weekdays. Closed Sundays.
Mon–Fri 6am–4pm · Sat 8am–2pm · Closed Sun
"By far one of the best bakeries in Auckland" — a French-influenced bakery on Robert Street with excellent baguettes, flavourful savoury options, fresh pastries and outstanding coffee. Comfortable seating for eat-in. "If you're planning to visit a café, choose this place instead — it has everything in one spot." Opens 6am, 7 days including weekends.
Mon–Fri 6am–4pm · Sat 7am–3pm · Sun 7am–2pmRestaurants
Ellerslie's Main Highway has some excellent restaurant options for lunch and dinner — from outstanding Italian pasta to comfort burgers.
A vibrant Japanese izakaya-style restaurant and bar, serving yakitori skewers cooked over coals, fresh sashimi and share plates alongside sake, Japanese spirits and cocktails. "The service, food, drinks and ambience were all amazing" — the Lantern Room is a popular spot for groups and karaoke. Lots of gluten free options on the menu.
Mon–Wed & Sun 11:30am–8:30pm · Thu–Sat 11:30am–10pm
Part of the well-known Mexico restaurant chain — a vibrant atmosphere with fresh, flavourful Mexican food and top-tier cocktails. The fried chicken and tacos are a highlight, alongside burritos, nachos and standout guacamole. "Incredible service and delicious food from start to finish." A popular night-out spot in the village. Open daily from 11:30am.
Daily 11:30am–9pm
A small, cosy Thai restaurant run by Saneh and her family — "food definitely is 5 stars," with a much-praised pad Thai, massaman curry and deep-fried snapper. Their own green curry is frequently singled out as among the best in Auckland. "Lovely atmosphere, great service and tasty food." Does its own delivery as well as takeaways. Closed for lunch on weekends.
Mon–Fri 11:30am–2:30pm & 5–10pm · Sat–Sun 5–10pm
Ellerslie's standout restaurant — a small, intimate Italian where you can watch the pasta being hand-made at the counter. The cavatteli, cappeletti, ragu pasta and focaccia are outstanding. "Everything is chef's kiss." The tiramisu has that perfect coffee taste. The whole team has a happy energy and the service is genuinely excellent. Tue–Sat from 11am (4:30pm Mondays). Closed Sundays. Bookings recommended.
Mon 4:30–10pm · Tue–Sat 11am–10pm · Closed Sun
Bold comfort food done exceptionally well — the slow-cooked beef brisket burger with rich gravy dipping sauce, the Thaiger Prawn burger and the OG Chicken Sando are all outstanding. "$2 wings on Thursdays" is a local institution. Kids' menu and gluten-free options available. "Service is impeccable and the food was a 12 out of 10." Tue–Sun from 11:30am. Closed Mondays.
Tue–Thu 11:30am–9pm · Fri–Sat 11:30am–10pm · Sun 11:30am–8pm · Closed Mon
Amura Café & Restaurant
A newer addition to Main Highway — authentic Sri Lankan cuisine served with genuine hospitality. String hopper kottu, hoppers, curries and rice dishes packed with flavour; "generous portions, not greasy." The owners go out of their way to accommodate requests and make visitors feel at home. A true hidden gem. Open 7 days.
Daily 7am–9pmBars
Ellerslie's Main Highway has one of Auckland's most pleasant village bar scenes — a tight cluster of good pubs within a few metres of each other.
A laid-back pub with a great beer garden out back — plenty of taps, friendly staff and excellent midweek deals with free WiFi and phone charging. "Super lovely bar — they even custom made me a poutine!" The outdoor space is popular in summer. Open daily from noon until midnight (2am Fri–Sat).
Mon–Thu 12pm–12am · Fri–Sat 12pm–2am · Sun 12pm–12am
A solid neighbourhood bar and restaurant in a great older building on Main Highway — steak cooked to perfection, a legendary Sunday roast with "the biggest Yorkshire Pudding I've ever seen," and reliable pub meals in a warm, laid-back atmosphere. "A really casual night out — highly recommended." Open daily from noon (closed Mon evenings).
Mon 12–9pm · Tue–Thu 12–10:30pm · Fri–Sat 12–11pm · Sun 12–9pm
A proper Irish pub on Robert Street with Irish staff, Guinness on tap and a welcoming atmosphere. "Great to have an Irish pub with Irish staff." The Pie and Pint is outstanding — tender meat, rich gravy, mash and veg that feels like home cooking. Big screens for rugby, F1 and major sports events. Open daily from 11am (Fri–Sat until 1am).
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm · Fri–Sat 11am–1am · Sun 11am–10pmOp Shopping
Three well-loved charity shops within a couple of minutes of each other on Main Highway — great for browsing before or after a coffee.
Mercy Hospice Shop, Ellerslie
"Nicely set out, with clothing and shoes well displayed by size, style and colour." A large, boutique-feeling store spread over two levels, with a well-curated clothing selection alongside books and homeware — keep an eye out for the crockery section, and the garage sale area out the back. Every purchase supports Mercy Hospice.
Mon–Sat 9am–4pm · Sun 10am–4pm
SPCA Op Shop Ellerslie
"A treasure trove of gems — definitely zero second-hand tatty stuff." A well-curated, colourful and welcoming op shop right in the heart of Ellerslie village, with a changing selection of clothing, costumes and kitchenware. Friendly staff and volunteers. Proceeds support the SPCA.
Mon–Sat 9am–5pm · Sun 10am–4pm
Dove Hospice Ellerslie Shop
"A Dove store full of artistic charm — the decorations are very reasonably priced and thoughtfully displayed." A welcoming shop with consistently praised customer service. Good quality secondhand goods with reasonable prices. Open 7 days, supporting Dove Hospice.
Daily 9am–4:30pmOffice Parks
A significant concentration of corporate office parks sits between Ellerslie Station and Great South Road — a major employment hub easily reached by train.
A major corporate office park at 600–602 Great South Road — five minutes from the station on foot, as noted in the building's own visitor guide. A large multi-building campus housing many Auckland businesses. Sharing the immediate precinct with Central Park next door. Easily walkable from the station via the path between Main Highway and Great South Road.
Mon–Fri 8am–5:30pm
A large multi-building corporate campus at 660–666 Great South Road — directly adjacent to Millennium Centre, forming one of Auckland's largest suburban office precincts. Multiple buildings set within landscaped grounds, home to a range of Auckland businesses. At its heart is The Green, an award-winning food and beverage precinct with a café, a bar and multiple restaurants — including sushi, pizza, hot pot and all-day dining — built around an outdoor space with a movie screen and barbecue area. The South City Line makes this precinct one of the most practical car-free commutes in south Auckland.
Mon–Fri 8am–5:30pmBus Routes
Bus stops for Routes 70 and 782 are on Main Highway. Bus stops for Routes 295, 298 and 321 are on Kalmia Street.
Main Highway stops
| Route | Serves | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Botany ↔ Britomart via Ti Rakau Dr, Pakuranga, Panmure, Ellerslie & Newmarket | Frequent |
| 782 | Sylvia Park ↔ Mission Bay via Mt Wellington, Ellerslie, Meadowbank & Eastridge | Connector |
Kalmia Street stops
| Route | Serves | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 295 | Ellerslie Station ↔ City Centre via Oranga, Royal Oak, Epsom & Gillies Ave | Connector |
| 298 | Onehunga ↔ Sylvia Park via Oranga, Ellerslie & Mt Wellington | Connector |
| 321 | Middlemore ↔ Britomart via Ōtāhuhu, Penrose, Ellerslie, Greenlane & Auckland City Hospital | Connector |
💡 Route 70 connects Ellerslie to Panmure and Botany (eastbound) or Newmarket and Britomart (westbound). Route 782 runs to Mission Bay via Meadowbank. Change here for Route 321 to Greenlane Clinical Centre — stops on Kalmia Street right outside the station.
Ellerslie is also a great transfer point for passengers heading into the city from Oranga (Routes 295 and 298), from along the Ellerslie Panmure Highway (Route 70), or from Abbotts Way and Grand Drive (Route 782). Always confirm at at.govt.nz.
⚠️ Ratings and hours can change. Google Maps ratings were current at the time this page was last updated. Always check a venue's own website or Google Maps for current hours. Bus route information sourced from Auckland Transport — always check at.govt.nz for current timetables.