People go to Charlie and Chu’s for the delicious and affordable food and coffees, the great vibe, and the warm and welcoming staff.
Walk in the front door and there’s a noticeable energy as meals are being prepared and customers chat with the café’s exceptionally friendly team.
It’s got plenty of free parking nearby and is the perfect spot to catch up with friends or break out the laptop and get some work done.
Already one of east Auckland’s most popular cafés, they’re celebrating the one-year anniversary of opening at their current location in Rodney Street, Howick.
The business is owned by Charlie Nguyen and Chu Lim and is based in a light and airy space previously occupied by Khaos Cakery.
“Of course we want the business running well and we want to build on it,” Charlie explains as he reflects on the café’s journey over the last year.
“When we first came in, we thought this had been Khaos Cakery and they were doing very well, and we want to continue at the same level.
“We want our customers to have good food and a good experience, and we want them to be repeat customers.”
This reporter has visited Charlie and Chu’s more times that he can count and personally recommends the plant-base sausage roll and pies, the vegetarian club sandwich, and the japchae noodles, as well as the oat milk hot chocolate, which never disappoints.
The café’s regulars will have noticed a change in recent weeks as the previously plant-based menu has expanded to include meat in an effort to cater to everybody.
“When we first started we wanted to be vegetarian and to try to get people to eat healthy as well,” Charlie explains.
“But now we cater for everybody so whole families can come here together and get that great experience.
“We want to bring whole families together to enjoy great food so we’re catering for everybody with a meat menu and a vegetarian menu.”
Charlie emphasises they see the business as “the local café” for east Aucklanders.
“We want locals to support us and have them feel like this is their home.
“Our customers bring dogs here as we’re dog-friendly and have got dog bowls outside.
“Come and check us out. See the vibe and the environment here. We’ve got something to offer.”
- Charlie and Chu’s is at 64 Rodney Street in Howick.
