Food! York St Mechanics

York Street Mechanics
3 York Street, Newmarket, Auckland
(09) 531 4214

Joy and loveliness, and splendiferously creative fare, and engine oil, and toasty fire, and delightful curios, and friendly casual but attentive service, and glorious bathrooms!

Ahh, what a marvellous melding of these elements is to be found at York St Mechanics in Newmarket. I’ve been here a few times before and loved the food; all gloriously served on thick slabs of oiled wood. Indeed, it’s the attention to detail that really makes York St stand out.

Yes, it’s the careful juxtaposition of rough-hewn wooden cladding with steel and glass cabinetry and sleek shining motorcycles; beautiful old Persian rugs with large leather swabs; antique robots and volumes on all aspects of motorcycling…and the food. Ah the food. Perfectly cooked steak sandwiches with crispy thick hand-cut fries, quinoa salad with roasted beetroot, raw muesli with friendly wee balls of pawpaw marinated in lime juice, eggs benedict with emphasis on flavour; not excessive creaminess, raw beetroot juice and hot chocolates that are actually…hot!

But I digress! As Doug the proprietor reminds us as we are guided through the treasure trove of motorcycles out back, York St Mechanics is exactly that. A mechanics first and foremost where hand built custom motorbikes are created, their body-work lovingly hand-beaten on site.
The enormous space is artfully divided so that the workshop and café/restaurant are at once together but separate. Glimpses of shining spanners can be seen lined up regimentally on the wall in the workshop where three perfectly unique ‘Casanova’s’ are weeks away from completion.
York St has a pleasant easy atmosphere - despite its size it feels intimate and cozy, while the food manages artfully to be both solid and familiar but equally creative and exiting. Meals range from $10-$30 so are perfect for going out with friends in differing financial circumstances…while the ever evolving menu allows vegans, vegetarian’s and carnivores alike to feast happily together.

Overall York St have diversified well (with beautiful merchandise available also), with their big tables a perfect place indeed for a day spent drawing and drinking chocolate milkshakes from tall metal milkshake flasks!

Atmosphere - lovely and delightful…9/10
Food - tasty beyond all tastiness …10/10
Service – fun and friendly-no complaints…9/10
Overall…10/10