New Zealand - Figaro

8 Scott St, Blenheim

Figaro was noted in the Lonely Planet for its ‘superb coffee’. It was superb, not only in taste, but strength too. Served in the traditional Kiwi latte ‘bowl’, I later discovered it had three full shots – no wonder I went on a small head trip afterwards.

Figaro is a light-filled place, with cream walls and dark wood furniture, and its fully glassed frontage lets in plenty of sun – a perfect breakfast setting. I always find it hard to go past French toast, so ordered theirs with bacon, banana and maple syrup (berry compote and yoghurt is the other option, both $NZ13). Two thick cut, eggy pieces of sourdough were accompanied by a generous bacon serve and, banana that had been halved and grilled in its peel.

Not a big breakfast eater, SG picked up one of the muffins from the counter – fruit and muesli. It was light enough to not sit too heavily on the belly so early in the day, and the muesli gave it great texture, some roughage that made it seem more like a meal and an oaty taste.

The brief breakfast menu works around the egg and bacon staples, with muesli (with fruit and yoghurt, $NZ10) the only non-cooked option.