Calling GaGa Cafe “hidden” is probably an understatement.
Located inside the recently opened Gravity-X - an entertainment centre and arcade in Newmarket boasting indoor skiing, snowboarding and arcade games - there are no signs to indicate there’s a restaurant inside.
Enter from the back of the building (around the car park where the Warehouse is), and you’ll first see the skiing and snowboarding area. Then you’ll have to walk upstairs, through the party room, where you’ll find a door with stairs that lead to the cafe.
It’s a little easier when you enter from the top end of the building, but even then you’ve got to take a hard look left to discover that GaGa is not part of the entertainment offerings
Drawing inspiration from Asian flavours and cuisine, the cafe opened in June with eclectic brunch offerings here will awaken your taste buds.
The decor - from dreamy greenery to the light boxes on the ceiling - whisks you off to a different world.
GravityX founder Rouyan Zhang said he wanted a cafe that offered premium food despite being part of an arcade, and not a normal one with just chips, pies and lattes.
Consultant Chef Tanky Zong said the menu he curated was inspired by the fun and variety of games and activities at the centre and a East-meets-West concept.
One of the signature dishes is New Zealand scampi with squid ink pasta ($36). With the arresting black, the subtle, briny-flavoured squid ink pasta is dressed in a garlic shrimp sauce and paired with scampi and four king prawn cutlets.
“Dressing the black pasta and bright scampi and prawns with the fiery-orange sauce brings out the fun through their stark contrast in colours,” Tanky said.
Other signature dishes on the menu include the chilli crab scrambled ($26), where real crab meat is used, and the grilled chicken grain bowl with teriyaki sauce ($26) or grilled market fish salad for the more health-conscious.
For beef lovers, there are several wagyu options on the menu, including the wagyu beef salad with mayak sauce ($28), wagyu beef slider burger trio served with truffle Parmesan fries ($27), and signature wagyu beef ribs ($55).
Being located inside a family entertainment centre, families remain first and foremost in mind for GaGa Cafe.
There’s a wide selection on the menu for the children, all priced at $12, from nuggets and fries, pizza slice and fries, fruit and maple croffle and cheese burger set.
The cafe is licensed and has handcrafted cocktails, like Glacier Martini, Passionfruit Mojito, mocktails, specialty coffees, fresh juices, wine and beer.
Use your ChowLuckCard app when you dine at GaGa Cafe in August and September 2025, spend $88, and get a free $25 game of Running Grid - where floor tiles come to life for you to step on or avoid certain ones to complete the levels.
To download your app: APPLE ANDROID
GaGa Cafe is open 7am to 4pm, located inside Gravity-X, 11/15 Railway Street, Newmarket. Bookings: https://www.gravityx.co.nz/restaurant-bar
This article is written in partnership with Gravity-X and GaGa Cafe
