Small in size. Big on flavour. Huge on homemade goodness.

Tucked away in the pod at the Ahi Kōmau Courtyard on Wairoa's main street, The Alleyway has quickly become a local favourite. Celebrating its first birthday, owner Emma Morton has turned a lifelong passion for food into the café she always dreamed of creating.

Raised in Ruakituri, Emma's love of cooking began in the kitchen alongside her late mum, Marcine Smith. After qualifying as a chef, she honed her skills in high-end restaurants and cafés throughout New Zealand and overseas before returning home to Wairoa in 2020. Today, she's balancing life as a café owner and mum to her young son—and loving every minute of it.

Inspired by her travels and professional experience, Emma has created a menu centred around fresh, wholesome food made from scratch.

“Good food starts with great ingredients,” says Emma. “We believe homemade simply tastes better. We stay away from processed food and focus on creating meals that are fresh, healthy and full of flavour.”

Whether you're after breakfast, lunch or a sweet treat, there's something to tempt every appetite.
Breakfast favourites include the ever-popular Eggs Benedict, topped with Emma's signature homemade hollandaise featuring a delicious truffle twist, alongside waffles and plenty more to kick-start your day.

For lunch, choose from fresh bento bowls, pulled pork bao buns, wraps, bagels and gourmet sandwiches, plus colourful seasonal salads, tempting cabinet food, vegetarian options and a mouth-watering selection of freshly baked treats.

As the weather cools, The Alleyway's new winter menu brings comfort with sticky ribs and irresistible pork belly bites. And if you're lucky enough to visit on a Thursday, don't miss the legendary Paua Pies, which sell out almost as quickly as they come out of the oven!
Need food on the go? Everything on the menu is available as takeaway, perfectly paired with a quality Hawthorne coffee.

The Alleyway has also built a fantastic reputation for catering, whether it's morning teas, birthdays, gender reveals, weddings or functions for up to 150 guests.

Emma is always looking for ways to grow, improve and offer something a little different. She credits much of the café's success to her hardworking team, especially her second-in-charge Caitlin Baty who brings Emma’s visions to life and contributes countless ideas of her own. “Caitlin’s creativity, commitment and leadership have played a huge role in making our cabinet and café what it is today. I'm so grateful to have such an amazing team. We support each other, keep learning together, and always strive to be the best we can be. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past year—from our wonderful locals to the many visitors who've stopped by.”

Call into The Alleyway at 184 Marine Parade.

Open Monday to Friday | 8.00am – 2.00pm.

Follow The Alleyway on Facebook.

24 July 2026

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