A space to slow down, connect, and savour great food and drink, Gather is the latest addition to Smales Farm — a beautiful glasshouse café from the trusted team behind Ripe Deli. After over two decades of bringing vibrant, fresh food to Aucklanders, founders Angela Redfern and Greg Snelgrove are beginning a new chapter, one that leans into slower moments and the joy of dining in. “After 24 years of running Ripe Deli, the team at Smales Farm offered us the opportunity to try something new and set up a dine-in eatery,” says Redfern. “We’re excited to offer the same incredible food and service we’re known for, but in a venue where customers are invited to sit down and enjoy, not takeaway.”

Gather is led by two long-serving members of the Ripe family: General Manager Gemma Heffernan and Head Chef Patrick Schmitt. Both bring decades of hospitality experience, shaped by early beginnings in family restaurants and honed through years on the tools at Ripe. “We’re taking everything we’ve learned in our years at Ripe and building something new,” says Heffernan. “Gather is a place to feel at home, to enjoy great food, warm service, and take a moment to breathe.” For Schmitt, it’s about balance, “Our vision is simple: exceptional food and drinks, served in a space that feels both special and comfortable.”

On the menu, seasonal, nourishing dishes reflect Ripe’s signature approach — comforting yet full of flavour. Breakfast might be paired with an expertly brewed Ozone coffee, while lunch encourages sharing and conversation. A boutique wine list, small-batch cocktails, craft beers, and hand-crafted fermented fruit shrubs round out the drinks offering, alongside matcha, hojicha, and smoothies. “Gather’s menu will reflect Ripe’s signature approach to food – seasonal, nourishing, and full of flavour, served alongside expertly brewed coffee, smoothies, and a curated list of local wines and beers,” says the team.

The interiors elevate the experience further. Designed by architectural studio Izzard, the striking glasshouse structure is wrapped in recycled French brick and expansive red scoria glass windows. Inside, Jonathan Goss (Ellegard/Goss) and Ripe’s creative director Amy Melchior have crafted a space that balances elegance with ease, layering natural textures, handcrafted details, and cosy nooks. The result is warm, relaxed, and welcoming; a setting that invites you to stay a while.

Whether you’re dining solo, gathering with friends, or celebrating with family, the ethos is the same, to slow down, connect, and savour. “Our goal is to create a beautiful, welcoming space where everyone feels catered for, and where both the food and atmosphere reflect the very best of what we love about this industry,” says Heffernan. “Gather is really about taking a moment from your day and giving yourself time to enjoy the simple pleasures.”

Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, Gather is also licensed until 1am and available for private bookings and catered events — making it as versatile as it is inviting. More than just an eatery, it’s a space designed to bring people together.

Opening Hours:
Monday — Friday, 7am — 3pm
Saturday & Sunday, 8am — 3pm

gathereatery.co.nz