Local Pour - Little Rosie, Parnell

A neighbourhood café near the Parnell Rose Gardens

Tucked on the corner of Gladstone Road and Stanwell Street in Parnell, right beside its older sibling Rosie and a short wander from the Rose Gardens, Little Rosie has settled into the neighbourhood’s daily rhythm.

When Metro featured the space in Issue 448, they described it as a kind of third place after home and work, the unruffled friend you trust with your latte and pastry order.

Little Rosie was founded in 2020 by Amy and Mike de Vries during the period of the pandemic, a time when takeaway became more than convenience. A cup in hand invited a pause, a moment of connection. A sandwich offered comfort. That way of thinking still defines the space today.

What is Little Rosie?

Little Rosie is a neighbourhood café in Parnell, Auckland, centred around a cabinet-led offering and an easy takeaway flow.

Where Rosie next door leans into longer brunches and lunches, Little Rosie keeps things focused. Thoughtful. Efficient. Designed for everyday visits.

The food shifts with the seasons. Savoury brioches with glossy tops. Vibrant salads layered with colour. Generously filled sandwiches. And the crowd favourite herby wraps, soft and housemade.

As Amy shared with Metro, the wraps capture their philosophy best. They reflect the care behind the counter and the intention behind each choice.

The same can be said for the space itself. Metro noted the lingering effect of the room, the polished concrete floors, expansive windows and pendant lanterns overhead. It’s a setting that invites you to stay a little longer with favourite plant-based brew in hand.

What should you order?

If you ask us we always start with the cup.

Little Rosie pours a range of brews, each available with almond, soy, coconut or oat from The Alternative Dairy Co.

For Amy, the decision to pour The Alternative was deliberate. Achieving the right cup is a choreography of machinery, beans, training and milk. For plant-based options in particular, it comes down to textural consistency, overall performance, and flavour balance.

Almond was what first drew the team to The Alternative. Not all almond milks behave the same way behind the machine. Some lean too sweet. Some overpower in taste. The focus here was on a blend that stretches cleanly and supports the flavour of the brew without overwhelming it.

Pulled directly from the Metro interview, Amy shares “with The Alternative Dairy Co. there’s a really good blend of texture and flavour, it doesn’t overpower the coffee,” and, importantly, says Amy, “there’s no marzipan in there.”

Recently, Amy has noticed milk preferences shifting again with her customers, with almond enjoying renewed interest alongside oat.

Whichever you choose, the priority remains the same for us. Consistency and performance in every cup you pour.