Auckland Cafe Sells 700 Lamingtons a Week for 8 Years

For eight years, a bright pink raspberry lamington has been bringing joy to hundreds of people every single week in Auckland, New Zealand.

Sugar at Chelsea Bay, a cafe in Birkenhead, now sells 700 of these fluffy pink treats weekly. That's double what they sold before earning a spot on Auckland's Top 100 Iconic Eats list, and they still sell out every day.

The lamington has appeared on the prestigious list for six consecutive years since the awards began in 2020. Only one other dish in Auckland can claim that honor: fish sliders from a restaurant called Depot.

Manager Ginny Brocklehurst credits the success to the "epic size" and the double-layer sponge that stays incredibly light and fluffy. The secret recipe includes a blend of mascarpone and regular cream for the filling, coated in raspberry jelly and long threads of coconut.

The cafe's pastry chefs get creative with decorations, theming the lamingtons for different occasions throughout the year. Each one is crafted with care in a historic building that adds to the charm.

The cafe sits inside The Chelsea Sugar Refinery, a stunning structure built in 1884 from 1.5 million clay bricks. The walls were painted "Tuscan Red" in the 1990s but have faded to a now-famous pink over the decades, perfectly matching the signature lamingtons sold inside.

Sunny's Take

Even rising costs for butter and eggs haven't stopped this small cafe from keeping their beloved treat under $10. They know people travel specifically to visit them, and they're determined to keep that experience special.

This year's Iconic Eats list drew more than 2,400 public nominations from residents wanting to celebrate the foods that make their city unique. Annie Dundas from Tātaki Auckland Unlimited says the program reflects Auckland's identity through the voices of its people.

The lamington's enduring popularity shows how one simple, perfectly made treat can become a destination all its own.