When Williams quietly closed its doors earlier this year, the absence was immediately felt — particularly on weekends, when its sunny corner spot would draw a lively crowd for brunch, lunch, afternoon drinks, and catch-ups over coffee. Now, a new arrival is set to fill the void. Enter: Mensa — a modern, Mediterranean-inspired eatery open seven days, set to breathe new life into the Wynyard Quarter corner of the waterfront.
Located on the ground floor of a newly completed building designed by Warren & Mahoney Architects, Mensa sits in one of the Quarter’s most enviable positions — with wraparound harbour views and a clear ambition to be more than just a café. Taking its name from the Latin word for ‘table’, Mensa is built on the idea of shared connection — a place where food brings people together and community is at the core.
Led by a seasoned hospitality team and backed by the Woozoo Group, Mensa’s offering is warm, thoughtful, and refreshingly unfussy. The all-day menu, designed by Reginaldo Richard (of Honey Bones, Williams, and Odettes fame), draws inspiration from the vibrancy of the Mediterranean, with classic dishes given a bright, contemporary spin.
As such, the menu boasts the likes of green falafel with garlic tahini, spiced eggplant, and pickled daikon, and decadent brioche French toast layered with poached pear, almond crisp and crème anglaise. Freshly made Neapolitan-style sourdough pizzas are also a drawcard — perfect for a casual weekend lunch with friends or a grab-and-go option on the move.
Alongside a slick Allpress coffee setup, a small but curated list of local wines and beers is set to follow, creating space for relaxed afternoon drinks as the sun sinks behind the skyline.
With a strong sense of purpose and a palpable generosity of spirit, Mensa is here to restore the rhythm of weekend mornings and midweek catch-ups — and to become a cherished fixture of the waterfront that ticks all of the boxes.
Opening Hours:
Monday — Friday, 7am until 3pm
Saturday & Sunday, 8am until 3pm
Mensa
Ground floor, Beca
124 Halsey Street
Auckland
