Overview

SPQR was one of the original cafes in Ponsonby and its popularity has stood the test of time. It is now a sophisticated upmarket restaurant and bar rather than a simple café. It has a certain energy; the later it gets the more it seems to buzz. It draws an eclectic crowd from gays, lesbians and cross-dressers to business people and straights; people watching is a treat here. The beautifully presented food is Italian. Some examples from the menu include char-grilled calamari salad with rocket, roast garlic and lemon oil, and seared, rare tuna with smoked tomato, salsa, rocket, balsamic and caroli oil.