walking . is . overrated

One of my favourite spots to grab a hearty chicken sandwich and coffee after lectures is Real Cafe, inside the Auckland Public Library on Lorne Street. I don’t know how long it’s been there, it must be fairly recent as I hadn’t noticed it before this year! Anyway, despite one massive issue it’s a pretty good place to eat! Oh - and it’s accessible!

First things first, this is an unashamedly modest place, perfect for lunch breaks at work or grabbing something when you’re tired of all that reading.. (you crazy people!) As such, it has a selection of salads, sandwiches, and a smaller selection of pastries, muffins, etc. The coffee is delivered in a noticeably small cup but reasonably priced I guess, and I’m a huge fan of the chicken and avocado sandwich. I get it all over my nose but hey, what’s life without a bit of avocado on your face, eh?

Accessibility-wise it’s fantastic. You can enter through the library’s lovely set of considerate automatic doors, turn left and you’re almost there. The counter’s at a good height, there’s even a neat seating area along this really long bench which allows you to look through these massive windows at all the people walking by. It’s a stalker’s paradise. Their bathroom is fantastic, spacious and everything’s at a reasonable height. I don’t really understand why their toilet paper is like tissues (i.e., not a roll, like single pieces that you pull out!) but hey, you can’t have everything!

BUT - and this is a huge but, for some inexplicable reason (I really should ask why), they’ve stuck a trolley-like thing - similar to this one - behind the door into the bathroom corridoor! My wheelchair could only just squeeze through the hinged door (as this trolley was behind it, it wouldn’t open very far at all), and getting out again was hell! Sorry Real, you lost some serious points here.

That aside, it’s a very well set up cafe, ideal for a healthy well-priced munch amidst the plethora of fast-food joints which seem to proliferate the CBD these days. PS - that’s my girlfriend sitting on the bench outside Real, just thought I’d get that little plug in there.. hehe ;D

THE LOWDOWN

• Yum food, good coffee (if a little small)
• Lots of places to sit, including ones ideal for watching the world go by
• Great access!
• Staff are underwhelming, nothing to really note - just average
• Toilets are good - if you can fit past the door with the trolley behind it!
• Overall accessibility rating: 4/5