Nice setting with large interior, coveted balcony and lovely garden area. Right on the main read…read morenext to Alexandra Hotel and Five Stags restaurant. With the awning around the balcony down it looked closed and sign hard to see. Worth stopping to make sure. Very bubbly friendly staff. Delicious banana and fudge muffin and good coffee, but could have been hotter. Recommend it as a good stop off. Opposite is the small heritage and visitors centre. And just along the road is a walkway down to and looping back along the river (45 mins) taking in the remains of the Redoubt (fort)

On our way from Karuma to Waitomo, we stopped for breakfast in Pirongia on Franklin road…read more We tried the first roadside cafe, we came upon (don't remember the name), but we weren't impressed with the menu or the seating. It was only then that we noticed "the Nest" next door. Not a very attractive building, we would have easily overlooked it and we were hesitating to enter. But once inside, we were pleasantly surprised by the cheerful, slightly hipster vibe. The seating areas with ample room for small and bigger groups, comfy chairs and couches for having espressos and a pleasant sunroom. There even appeared to be some kind of picnic area complete with blankets and so on. We ordered our food at the counter and then seated ourselves in the sunroom. With the decor between antique, vintage and eclectic, the statement piece was definitely the giant antique copper / brass espresso machine by Elektra. A real beauty that I wouldn't mind owning myself. The business owner himself served at the counter and was good for conversation and interested in his customers. My husband ordered the scrambled eggs and I had the poached egg with avocado and the most delicious hashbrowns I have ever had. We both had capucinos too. The only thing I would have liked to see is a little more generous servings of bread. Maybe 2 slices per person instead of one. But, I have to say that when my husband asked for extra bread, the owner didn't charge him for it. The breakfast was served on warm plates (YES!!!!), tastefully plated, capucinos presented with coffee art. Both eggs and bread fresh and flavorful. We wanted to come back here the next morning, before driving back to Auckland to catch our flight, but why oh why weren't you open yet at 8 AM??? I had so much looked forward to a repeat of the day before, but alas, it was not in the cards..... Perfect breakfast place!

How can you not love it with a name like that? We stopped by for a late lunch while on a day trip…read moreto the glow worm caves from Auckland. Our tour guide definitely knows food. There is a vast variety of drinks and baked goods as well as sandwiches available. Personally I was unable to resist a square cronut... I ended up sharing it with folks because it was so huge and filling. I also enjoyed a spinach feta Danish with a side salad. Everything was fresh and delicious. The vinaigrette on the salad was spectacular. The ambiance in here is so welcoming and cute. There is indoor as well as outdoor seating. Stop by if you get a chance and don't forget to order a dessert too.

Cute little cafe. Stopped here for breakfast and lunch. Both times the food was excellent…read more Breakfast, we did the eggs and waffle. Chai latte was pretty standard, but good. Lunch we did the nachos all was super delicious. The meat pie and sausage roll were just okay. Service was good and pretty quick. They also have a cute little shopping section with great locally made pieces.

This neighborhood eatery is owned by the folks who run the Night Owl Restaurant, Owl's Nest Motel,…read moreand some other local businesses...I think they pretty much own the entire of 400? Regardless of the near monopoly, the Fat Pigeon serves up wonderful meals and bakes up perfect pastries...all for very reasonable prices. $21 Fat Pigeon breakfast $2: eggs cooked the way you like, crispy bacon, breakfast sausages, mushies, fried potatoes, roasted tomato & toasted ciabatta...a Hobbit's perfect breakfast $18 Bacon Banana Waffle Tower...a true tower representing breakfast! $21 Green lip mussels: savory steamed mussels in a delicious chorizo & tomato sauce, and garlic ciabatta...go good! We enjoyed some other divine dishes as well..be sure to eat here if you're nearby!

Still great. Friendly staff. Excellent array of food. Lamination especially good and beautifully…read morepresented.

We had an adequate dinner here. Nancy very much liked her arugula salad (I didn;t get a taste) and…read moreher pumpkin risotto. I had whjat purported to be a Thai beef salad, and although the greens where very nice and the beef well prepared, it was not discernibly Thai -- no lime juice, no fish sauce, no spiciness, and no cilantro. Nice salad, but not an accurate menu listing

We stopped here to get a bite to eat after touring the caves. They were completely booked but were…read moreable to take an order for takeout. We ordered the chicken pizza and arugula salad. It was probably the best pizza we've ever had. It was perfectly cooked and had a fantastic flavor with interesting spices and the caramelized pears pushed it over the top. The woman who took our order was very friendly and accommodating, which we had not experienced in several places we've been to, so it was a welcome change. I would happily eat here again.

Our tour stopped here so we can get coffee and food. The ladies didn't stress out with the amount…read moreof people coming in to place take away orders. They were calm, friendly, and made our drinks and heated our food quickly. I ordered one of their Japanese teas, which was really good. I also got their butter chicken pie. One of the couples in my group told me about them and O Cafe is the first time I saw it available. The ladies knew time was of the essence and asked if we wanted our pies heated in the oven or microwave. I appreciated that because of the tight schedule we're on. As for the pie - wow! It was my first butter chicken pie and I'll never forget it. The crust was flaky and the chicken was moist. The butter sauce was yummy. This pie was my gateway pie lol. I knew I had to get butter chicken pie wherever I saw it. I'm addicted and I plan to learn the recipe so I can make it at home. The cafe has plenty of tables and seats. It's a casual, welcoming vibe where you can get good food and coffee.

This seems like a good place for breakfast or lunch. We stoped for lunch; I had a ham and egg club…read moresandwich, and my wife had chicken and brie. Both were excellent. Good selection of interesting drinks plus a full espresso bar.

We had an outstanding dinner this evening here, Hello Beasty aside the best meal we have had during…read moreour first five days in New Zealand. Began with a bottled stout beer (too few beers on tap, sad to say). First time trying rewana bread, a Maori sourdough. My garden salad was rich with interesting greens as well as julienned strips of carrot and tomatoes. Nancy was pleased with her salt and pepper squid, almost as good as the first rate calamari of Capetown, the standard by which we judge calamari. My main was Lamb 'N' Vege, tender medallions of lamb shoulder in a stew of cubed potatoes, squash and beets, with a nice gravy. We were too full to think of dessert (Nancy liked the look of her chargrilled broccoli but was too full to do anything but take it home)

Service was excellent. The Thai mussels were tasty every though they were breaded and fried. The…read morelamb shoulder was good and the burger was tasty although the beef was more dense. Good spot in Te Kuiti for dinner that was open to 8:30 pm.

Always a great place to have breakfast....my husband always has the Big Breakfast…read more I love the pancakes ...be sure to check the cabinet food, scones and muffins, Coffee isn't bad either.. Very good service and friendly staff...I must go when you have visitors to new Zealand.

Cute little cafe on a blueberry farm. They feature products made with the very same blueberries…read moregrown there such as jams, spreads and even wines. Great spot for tourists too as they have mini containers of jams and wines that are perfect as souvenirs. I only wish that I bought more of everything. As for the service they were very pleasant and helpful. My parents had ordered what appeared to be sort of an eggs Benedict and they were pretty good. Since I had a ton to eat on the plane I decided to hold off eating and instead got one of their signature drinks. It was kind of like a blueberry lemonade with ice cream. Side note they also won the 2024 New Zealand Fruit Wine and Mead Award for the Table Fruit Wine category. I believe they had 2 different kinds; a dry and a semi sweet. I def recommend coming if you're ever in the area.

A very cute cafe in New Zealand with a very welcoming staff, good quality food, and beverages…read more Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area, kid friendly, and easy parking.

We grabbed a coffee here before heading out on our tours. It was early in the morning and we were…read morein need of a little pick me up. The lady working was quiet and not super friendly but produced the coffee just the same. I tried asking about gluten free breakfast items but she wasn't sure or particularly responsive but another employee mentioned they don't open until later in the morning for food anyway. We settled for a bag of chips and some coffee and overall it was pretty decent to help tide us over before our tour left. The coffee was not of the quality we've come to enjoy in New Zealand, but from American standards it was okay.. not sure if that's saying much. All in all it is a convenient place to grab a quick and relatively reasonably priced snack before creepin on some glow worms.

This is a cafe inside of a cave tour gift shop/check in. Pre made sandwiches, hamburgers and hot…read morebreakfast are offered here. I had a ham croissant and coffee. It was average but I wouldn't return here especially to eat.