Providing the bustling main strip of Milford village with innovative yet approachable daytime fare, Supernova is the recently-opened café we’re more than willing to cross the bridge for. It is owned by a trio of foodies — couple Sam and Lili Richardson, and their business partner Samuel Chen, all of whom are passionate about bringing something different to the North Shore’s hospitality landscape.
The Richardsons have years of experience between them, having led popular venues in Auckland including former central city sandwich bar Greedy Guts and Dominion Road’s Cereal Killa café. Lili, a talented barista, was a finalist in this year’s Lewisham Awards for Best Barista and makes sure every cup is top-notch, and Sam’s experience has been predominantly front-of-house for a variety of restaurants such as The French Café — although he’s discovered a talent for being in the kitchen and crafting menus in recent years. The duo spent a few years in Australia, gaining more inspiration and experience, before returning just pre-Covid.
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Supernova opened the doors to its light-filled, airy space in February, and its ever-changing menu aims to strike a balance between classic favourites and progressive dishes that are perhaps not what locals would usually expect to see, but will surely love once they try. There’s an overarching focus on wholefoods and grains with a slight rustic, Middle Eastern bent — Sam describes the menu as “current and unfussy, but produce-focused”.
In that vein, you’ll find the ubiquitous eggs Benedict and eggs on toast (expertly cooked, of course), however you’ll also find the likes of zesty pea fritters with chorizo, pickled cucumber, labneh, and a sprinkle of zaatar; a smoked fish omelette with capers, fennel, herbs and pickled radish, and coconut, chia, granola pudding with rhubarb and fresh fruit. Theres
Open until 3pm every day, Supernova is also a superior choice for more hearty lunch fare — a buttermilk chicken burger is moreishly flavourful, with harissa, kohlrabi and red cabbage slaw and mayonnaise (served, of course, with fries), while a Vietnamese cured salmon salad is fresh and zingy with a peanut-dotted slaw, herbs, crispy shallots and ginger and lime dressing. There’s also a wide variety of baked goods and sandwiches within the cabinet for an easy takeaway lunch option or sweet treat.
The team serves Kōkako Coffee, house-made smoothies, matcha and freshly squeezed juice, and the café is also fully licenced with a concise selection of well-chosen wines available by the glass and bottle, and Hallertau beer.
With a prime location that’s a hop, skip and a jump from Milford beach, the 60-seat space is ripe for evolution — the liquor licence means opening later in the evenings could be a possibility down the track. “I’ve always been a firm believer that our product needs to have a point of difference,” says Sam, and we think if you visit Supernova, you’ll be as charmed by its offering as we are.
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 7am — 3pm
Supernova
116 Kitchener Road,
Milford
