This place was amazing! I am back in the United States 2 months later and currently craving their smoked salmon eggs Benedict. This will be my first stop the next time I am back in New Zealand! read more

Ok well it's time to photo dump and finish up long awaited food places visited I was in New Zealand last month and here is one of the places I visited. Food: 3.5/5. Breakfast was the meal. I had the friend chicken and waffle and a medium mocha. My party had the salmon hash and the creamy garlic mushroom. Texture of the waffle was not crispy but it was tasty with what I perceived as some buttermilk possibly. The chicken was a boneless tender cut with a light crispy coating. The chicken was tasty and the crispy coating held up against the light syrup drizzle and what I describe as a sautéed onion relish with a slight sweet flavor too. The whole chicken and waffle I would describe as an open faced crispy chicken sandwich with slaw. The slaw was average, slight tang to it but not much depth in flavor. Personally I think a pinch of onion powder no salt and pepper would make it perfect for me. What would have made this a 5/5 for me is if the waffle was crispy, and it had to be because it is topped with an onion relish, syrup, and slaw on the bottom layer so as we take each bite it gets soggier and softer. For me, crispy waffles are a must. I grew up eating waffles almost every Saturday morning, as my mom took out her giant heavy waffle maker that had the small square holes not the giant Belgian sized squares. I have this theory that the smaller squared waffles would make crispier waffles. Although the Hilton Hawaiian village has gotten the crispiest Belgian waffles down pat which I can testify to that. The salmon hash was not my favorite as I like texture and this was a mash potato with salmon bits covered in hollandaise sauce, surrounded by baby spinach. A lot of soft textured foods and I would like maybe capers or acidity in my fish dishes. There was nothing outstanding to the salmon hash. The creamy garlic mushroom was tasty and a great healthier option. Plating is on point for all the food presented. Scones were not the best I have eaten in Auckland and this is because it did not use butter, and my orange cranberry scone had a nice crunch but was slightly dry but nothing butter couldn't fix. The pumpkin seed feta cupcake was super moist and tasty as a savory cupcake and was the highlight for me from the bakery case. But I have not had all the baked goods Melba offers so it would be a good idea to check it out again for a better review. Price: the 3 breakfast/ brunch entrees, 3 mochas, 2 coffee white flats, 3 scones and 1 savory pumpkin feta muffin came out to a total of U.S. $84.86 which is pretty good considering the quality of food and ambiance. Ambiance/service : nice clean place. Bright with many windows. Has sort of a modern industrial kind of feel. Our male server was pleasant and prompt but the girl behind the counter when we paid and got the acorns and cupcake was rather unpleasant and rude with both her tone and personality which I will chalk up to maybe having a bad day? I don't know but that shouldn't be brought into the workplace and good customer service is a cornerstone of winning people over to return as regular patrons. Overall I liked the food, nice vibe to the resservice was okay. But don't take my word for it go see it for yourself. read more

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I met a friend at Melba Manukau to catch up, and was fined by the parking company. I presented food/coffee receipts, but it didn't help. I would avoid this place if you plan to meet people you want to spend time with. This happened to a close friend as well. There are plenty of other cafes. read more

Always has quality food and service. Great variety on the menu and drinks. It's a great place to hold meetings with clients. read more

I had specifically gone to Westfield Manukau to take lunch at Kyoto Japanese Restaurant. On arrival my heart however felt very much like the interior walls of Kyoto - gutted. Closed For Renovations the sign proclaimed on the window. A muttered "kuso" (Japanese for "for goodness sake") and it was off through the car park, down the outer stairs & across Ronwood Avenue to: Melba. Melba has very large windows so it was easy to see that the place was heaving with humanity. I almost turned to leave, thinking my chances nil of getting a table, when a cheerful voice called to me and a smiling staff member directed me to a large, long & empty table, obviously designed to cater for the overflow of diners such as I. As soon as I sat down, a menu was promptly offered for my perusal. Melba does not have a comprehensive menu but I believe that it doesn't need to. The All Day Menu consists of mainly standard fare breakfast/brunch items, the other part of the menu lists your luncheon options. Desserts are plated and displayed in a cabinet near the front counter, a blackboard menu further lists the specials on offer for that day. I ordered the crispy salmon off the lunch menu as my main, and the lemon grass & peanut butter cheesecake for afters. To say the food was outstanding would be a gross understatement. Indeed I had to maintain what little sense of decorum I possess and not lick my dessert plate clean, such was the flavoursome combination of the cheesecake ingredients. Coupled with the attentiveness of the young enthusiastic staff, and a kitchen obviously performing well under great pressure, I can see why Melba is such a drawcard. And yes I will definitely return, I've a hankering now to try their breakfast menu - I know for sure that I will not be let down! read more

MELBA - Manukau - Melba, Ronwood Avenue, Manukau - Cafes Near Me - Manukau, AUK

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has declined . This is certainly a big shot across the bow of Urban Soul and Kreem, Manukau's only other decent lunch Cafes outside of mall environments. This is a hip place with nice wooden tables and a menu that includes items for many modern diets. I had the avocado smash which was great as I am on a low carb thing that allows eggs and avocados and salad. But the fish tacos look awesome. The pizzas ok and the quinoa energy salad looks like what I will order next time. Expect me to be checking in here over the next week and look for me. read more

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Great spot in Manukau good coffee and great spot for coffee meeting. Had a simple nibble too but make sure you order a small coffee other wise you get a bucket. read more

Coffee either makes your day or destroy it. Today it has destroyed it. Giving 2 stars for great seating and nice ambience. Coffee needs a big overhaul. Try Urban Souls coffee or Columbus Botany. Now thats called coffee. I suggest staff taking a passion in what they create. Huge pressure on barrista. They only remember your coffee not your smile or muffin. Im quite disappointed with todays presentation of coffee. read more

MELBA - Manukau - The coffee taste like it has come out of home coffee machine. Doesnt feel like a barrista brewed it - Cafes Near Me - Manukau, AUK

Place is nice, service efficient, food delicious but not many choices for vegetarian & portion sizes American sized read more

MELBA - Manukau - Thai beef salad - Cafes Near Me - Manukau, AUK

Theirs shakes are great! This is our go-to cafe in Manukau. It's always busy but the workers are really good at looking after the customers.

We came to this cafe for breakfast before we flew back to Melbourne. The atmosphere is good. Due to dietery requirement I ordered hash brown for myself and my other family members ordered their meals and coffee. The order took a long time to arrive and my hash brown never arrived. I asked the waitress and he said the hash brown was in the chicken schnitzel burger which my mum ordered. I was disappointed as I asked the hash brown on the side. Why did it end up on someone else's plate? My mum already finished her meal and she had no idea that hash brown was on her plate. I ended up empty stomach and left as it took so long and my baby started becoming unsettle. We received no apology and will not return again in my next trip. read more

Very nice place. There's even a barn door! Honestly, although the prices aren't low, it's TOTALLY worth it. My mum is quite fond of the creamy mixed mushrooms - even I liked it. Their salmon hash is to die for! Definitely trying a burger next time. Coffee is perfect (big 5 elements fan here) and the service is amazing. We were taken notice of from the second we arrived to the second we left. Nothing was too much trouble for them. Portions are decent - definitely not small. read more

Best coffee in Manukau...every time I've been there & I work in the area so I go often. Staff are awesome too

in my opinion to expensive for what you actually get it reminds me very similar in ways to the coffee club and they could do with better setting and easier access for elderly or disabled people read more