This Resort season, it's all about celebrating the best of what's in our own backyard ~ and we're doing just that with the local spots shaping our city + socials. Auckland's cafe, bakery + wine bar culture is having a moment, and truth is, we couldn't pull off half the shoots we do without the generous + gorgeous spaces that welcome us in + help make the magic happen.
RUBY Brand Manager (+ part-time hospitality scout), Bailey, presents our ultimate RUBY 2025 guide to the places we love to shoot at, sip at + keep going back to...
Waterboy, St Heliers
Right on the beachfront in St Heliers, Waterboy feels like you've just stepped straight into the Sydney coast. The space is just as effortless as the name, and the kind of spot where ordering a coconut margarita at 2 pm feels completely justifiable. We shot here on a Monday ~ what most would call an off-day ~ and it was still humming. Locals drifting in with their dogs, fresh from the beach, giving that laid-back RUBY Resort energy we know + love.
Mama, Newmarket
Mama is the new kid on the Newmarket block, taking over the old Burger Burger site + giving it a full Spanish-leaning glow-up. The European influence hits you from the minute you walk in ~ the wine display, art + entrance that feels like a moment all on its own. It’s the kind of space where every detail feels considered and it shows.
OOH-FA, Mount Eden
From the same team behind iconic Pici on K Road, OOH-FA is a teeny 'blink and you'll miss it' spot on Dominion Road ~ but once you step inside, you know you made the right call. It's moody, intimate + home to some of the best pizza in town, making it the dream backdrop for our Liam new arrivals. The sheeney java jacquard picks up the deep browns in the space beautifully, and yes, the pizza is so good you're fully allowed to spill it on yourself.
Blue, Ponsonby
The team behind Blue has been part of RUBY's DNA for years. They've taken everything they do best ~ building a community + pouring it into their very own neighbourhood cafe by-day, wine bar by-night at the top of Ponsonby's Franklin Road. Founders, Karl + Ophelia, have hosted countless RUBY moments but what keeps us coming back to Blue is that feeling of walking into someone's impossibly stylish home - eclectic finds, good energy + a team that makes you feel part of that.
Beabea's Bakery, Westmere
If RUBY were a bakery, we’ve always said it would be Beabea’s. Our custom RUBY Pink Bun we collaborated on last year still lives rent-free in our minds. The space complements their menu: vintage tiles, stainless steel benches, and a kind of WIP feel that celebrates process ~ something we share alike with RUBY Says Recycle. Bonus points if you get to see their incredible bread maker doing its thing.
Takapuna Surf Club, Takapuna
For the waterbaby Rubette ~ the one who hits the beach, pops into RUBY Takapuna, then wanders down Hurstmere Rd for an afternoon drink. The space has a playful, good-time energy: pinball, arcade machines, DJ setups, and locals drifting in straight from the sand in their togs and towels. The kind of spot you find only on the Shore…
Gilt Brasserie, Auckland CBD
Stepping into Gilt felt unlike anywhere we've ever shot. From the outside, you'd never guess what waits inside - once you step through the doors, the space just keeps revealing corners that only get better. Tucked inside Chancery Chambers, it gives a hint of Parisian escape right in the middle of the city's hustle + bustle. The interiors made the perfect backdrop for our eventwear pieces, complete with the softest carpet you'll ever walk on. Our favourite spot was the dreamy chef's kitchen with fresh fruit, flowers, and a latte on the counter ~ genuinely Pinterest come to life.
Jacuzzi, Ponsonby
Jacuzzi is a new household name for a reason. From the moment you arrive ~ astronaut sculpture + all ~ it celebrates the wacky, a vibe that comes through in every shoot we've done there. Makes you want to dance, snack on martini olives or blow out a candle for no reason at all. With a definite Los Angeles influence inside + out, it's the perfect spot for a summer's day under the umbrellas, people-watching ~ and if you're lucky, spotting a few Rubettes in the wild. One time, I counted four pink Burgundy Emma knits - not mad about it.
The Fed, Auckland CBD
The Fed is a classic in the '09 from Al Brown - a spot that nails the New York diner vibe without trying too hard. From the moment you step in, it pulls you in: checkered floors, leather booths, the works. We’ve shot all kinds of content here, from our team pretending to eat cotton Matildas to twinning for a sale series, and they’ve always welcomed us with open arms, whether we’re perched on the bar stools or sneaking behind the counter. Even the doorbell fits the vibe, chiming that unmistakable diner welcome as people come + go.
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