[migratory birds]

On a recent trip, I found food in many restaurants to be very expensive to cover all meals for our family's 2 wk trip...but discovered some wonderful cafes! What are some of your favourites? What do you like about them?

- Rhubarb Cafe (Roslyn neighborhood, Dunedin) - quiche, mixed salad, pesto orzo, antipasti of marinated roasted veggies and fresh mozzerella, cured black olives $6 NZD + half-sized/kid serving eggs benedict with ham or thick meaty bacon $7 NZD

- Lembas (Raumati, Kapiti coast) - don't recall exactly what we had, a bit pricier but a fine chef, abundant servings, funky neighborhood atmosphere

- Wholemeal Cafe (Takaka) - hopping place at lunchtime, great selections of wholefoods entrees

Cappachino (sp?) excellent everywhere (but at the airport!)

Quiche a great buy everywhere and hearty enough to keep you going thru the next few hours

Carrot cake in NZ - loaded with nuts and dried fruit, mmm!

[gil]

Cafe Paris in Howick, next to the antique market in Picton Street. Our Saturdays always start with a trip there for me, Imogen and Francesca for one of their delcisious cakes: the girls' favourite is Banana and White Chocolate cake, and I have a penchant for their Lemon cake, Carrot cake, Almond and Fig cake, Cinammon and Apple Crunch cake and Orange and Raisin Scones. Flat white for me and chocolate ice frappes for the girls! Yum!! :D
Gil

[incredible hulse]

- Lembas (Raumati, Kapiti coast) - don't recall exactly what we had, a bit pricier but a fine chef, abundant servings, funky neighborhood atmosphere


Yep - pretty good (especially the fried breakfasts). Another good one down here is Rosetta Cafe (Raumati Beach). Good home cooked food and changing menu at 15 dollars

[Potato]

Mussell Inn between Collingwood and Takaka - absolute classic!

[migratory birds]

Mussell Inn between Collingwood and Takaka - absolute classic!

Especially on one of their quiz bowl nites - go with a group of friends and join the fun! 7pm...was it Wednesday nites?

Composting toilets (locally made, I believe, complete with framed instructions on how to use it on the wall next to the loo)

...and those bowls of steaming mussels going by sure smelled good!

[Sam B]

Deli on the Corner - Cambridge - yum.
The Lilypad cafe and sculpture/art gallery and gardens just outside Cambridge on the Mystery Creek Road - double yum,
The cafe de l'arte just outside Taupo, past acacia bay - triple yum.

[migratory birds]

Jester House - just west of Nelson on the north side of the main road heading toward Motueka.

Owned by close relative of Mussell Inn owners (you'll find more of the same composting toilets with gem-framed instructions at the Jester House). Can't speak to the food as we stopped to feed the eels in the stream and get a bite for my suddenly very hungry daughter.

Lovely well-spaced, intimate outdoor dining areas throughout the sculpture gardens, awesome wooded play area in the forest for the kids. Moderately priced.

[ourquest]

you'll find more of the same composting toilets with gem-framed instructions at the Jester House

Lovely new addition to their menu, by the sound of it!

[Moorf]

Route 66 in Cust - upstairs for a lovely view, great pizzas.

Cafe 51 - Oxford. http://www.cafe51.co.nz/index.html

Agree with Wholemeal Cafe in Takaka - loved it there and food was fab.

She - Governors Bay - great views and handmade chocs, too (especially the Decedant Choc Medjool Prunes!). http://www.shecafeandrestaurant.co.nz/

Grumpy's Cafe and Bar - Alexandra - doesn't look much from the outside but great atmosphere, service and food (don't over-order, portions were huge!).

[Potato]

...and those bowls of steaming mussels going by sure smelled good!

Yep, lovely stuff!
There are so many good things about that place. They also get some good music there.
And not to mention the famous Captain Cooker beer, brewed with Manuka leaves- brilliant!
I shall not mention the Feijoa Cider. Not my idea of fun! :wah

[LesleyS]

Bobby's Fish and Chip Cafe - Tauranga Wharf... :yes

The freshest fish caught daily and fried for you with chips - the best we've ever tasted. Don't look for tablecloths and cutlery - look over the bay at the view it's to die for.

Last time we were there, a couple sat down to fresh Oysters, then Fish and Chips, washed down with a brought bottle of 'Moet' from fancy champagne flutes (I kid you not!) - only in New Zealand!! Fab :D

[LesleyS]

Ooh.. I forgot to mention the price.....Fish and Chips $14 for 3 portions......!!!!!

[PeteS]

Try the old railway station at Domett. The only cafe in NZ that doesn't deliver coffee on geological timescales....... And the Carrot cake is nice as well. Good service and good food.

And, "The Living Room" on Maxwell Road in the centre of Blenheim. Almost european in it's level of service!

[rant mode on]

45 minutes is the longest wait for coffee so far. A Small cafe in Cheviot (lefthand side, far end of town, when southbound on highway one) has that honour. Can anyone do better? And why does it take so long to make a coffee? And why, if they can make such good coffee, can't they make good tea?

[rant mode off]

[Sam B]

I'm happy to wait for my coffee because it's always so good.

[Moorf]

Did I hear the famous Choc Fish Cafe in Welly has shut? :confused:

[sizzlingbadger]

Choc Fish Cafe is moving down to another building, the old boat shed or something :confused: I think another cafe is opening in there now as well :uhoh

Where do we start with cafes over here, too many good ones :D Love The Pantry and Rapa Cafe (formerly Lady Featherston's Cafe) in Featherston. Greytown, The French Baker, The Deli, Cahoots, Cecilles, The Corner Cafe. Martinborough has the Martinborough Cafe.

All do superb food and coffee, no wonder the scales are creeping up :laugh

[jubjub]

another couple of Auckland ones...

Hawthorn Dene, down a long driveway off Botany Road (just next to Kings Plant Barn) does the yummiest freshest muffins ever, in a lovely peaceful setting with a sandpit for the kids! It reminded me of an old fasnioned english tea room!

http://www.times.co.nz/cms/lifestyle/dining_guide/2005/10/art10008463.php

The cafe in Howick historical village does a great carrot cake too!

[mossum]

Pukeko Junction - leithfield

on the main road north of ChCh - just before Amberley . Everything i've ever had there has been fantastic & theres a gift shop too . Very reasonably priced & all home made - I love their pizza - strange but delicicous combinations of ingredients /very generous portions $7.50 !

coffees great too

vic

[Mels]

Did I hear the famous Choc Fish Cafe in Welly has shut? :confused:

Noooooooo. :no No Choccy Fish. :wah

We can't go, changed me mind :exit

Please tell me its still going to do that wonderful kedigeree (? sp)

only joking (about the not going bit)

[macs gold]

Agree with many of the above, and can add a few more:

Vudu in Queenstown - coffee and eggs benedict

Riverside in Moutere Valley, Nelson - great platters

Careys Bay pub, Dunedin - just for the view

Naked Bun, Mapua, Nelson - relaxed al fresco

Mazigram, Dunedin - best coffee ever

Rocks? Cafe, Riverton - great on a sunny day

St Clair salt water pools cafe, Dunedin - stunning setting.