Hill House Cafe
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OUR FAMOUS "SIN IN A BUNS"
Soft, sticky, and unapologetically indulgent — our Sin In A Bun has become a full-blown phenomenon. Made fresh from scratch each morning using a recipe inspired by Ricardo’s legendary South African grandmother (known as the “Dough Queen”), these buns are a Hill House staple and an absolute must-try.
Each roll is hand-rolled, baked to golden perfection, and smothered in our signature icing — developed and perfected by our head baker Jabs.Voted Best Cinnamon Roll in Auckland three years running, and officially named one of Auckland’s Iconic Eats, the Sin In A Bun isn’t just a treat — it’s an experience.
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CHEESE SCONES
A true Hill House classic — golden, fluffy, and packed with flavour. Baked fresh every morning, our signature cheese scones have become a local obsession for good reason. Perfectly crisp on the outside and soft in the middle, they strike the ideal balance of savoury, buttery goodness in every bite.
And for our gluten-free friends — you haven’t been forgotten. Our Gluten-Free Cheese Scones are much loved and incredibly sought after, with many regulars claiming they’re even better than the original (but we’ll let you be the judge). -
HIGH TEA - COMING 13TH SEPT
Elegant, seasonal, and full of surprises — our signature High Tea experience is arriving at Hill House Café from 13th September!
This is not your traditional tiered stand. Expect an ever-changing menu of sweet and savoury delights, handmade scones, refreshing palate cleansers, and handcrafted treats.
Whether you're celebrating, catching up with friends, or just in the mood for something a little extra, High Tea at Hill House is the perfect way to indulge.
For more information or to register your interest, please visit our Contact Us page.
OUR STORY: HILL HOUSE CAFE
In 2021, Peter and Ricardo opened Hill House Cafe, a tiny café tucked inside Nathan Homestead — just 20 seats and a whole lot of heart. Everyone said it would never work: the location was wrong, the timing was worse. Just five days after opening, New Zealand went into its longest lockdown. But instead of folding, Peter (with zero web experience) built a website, and we started baking and delivering fresh goods to our local community. People came for walks, waved through the windows, and Hill House Café became a little spark of connection in a chaotic time.
Fast forward to 2024, we received a letter from Auckland Council that we’d need to vacate Nathan Homestead due to earthquake strengthening. It was a gut punch. But not long after, Jan and Anita from The Arts House Trust offered us a new home at the stunning Pah Homestead — and in April, we moved in.
And then came the unexpected: a ride on a tractor around a 140-acre farm in Clevedon, and we instantly fell in love. The land, the villa, the animals, the vision — it felt like home. By November 2024, Farm House Café opened its doors.
Today, Farm House Café is a celebration of everything we’ve learned along the way — community, resilience, and the magic of shared food. We’re set on a working farm with bees, buffalo, chickens, and fruit trees. We grow what we can, support local producers, and stay grounded in sustainability and heart.
From painting the first walls in 2021 with Mike and Leilana — both now proud co-owners — to welcoming you to a long lunch overlooking the paddocks, this is our story. A journey of good food, warm people, and unexpected beginnings.
You’re welcome at our table now.
Location
Hill House Cafe is located inside beautiful Pah Homestead.
72 Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough
Auckland 2102