Restaurants aren't easy to come by on a trip around New Zealand's East Cape but when you do discover them they are sure to please. Cafe 35 was one of our most satisfying surprises and it made for an interesting stop as well as a delicious meal.
You can choose to eat inside or out in this newly finished "cafe" which seems to serve as everything from a truck stop with take out to a pub to a friendly breakfast joint. The owners poured their hearts into Cafe 35 with cast concrete counters and funky "found" wood for both furniture and decoration.
We came across Cafe 35 in a search for a late breakfast and were rewarded with a friendly smile and welcoming hospitality. We shared a plate of Paua (Abalone) fritters and fries topped with a pair of perfect eggs New Zealand style and a fresh salad on the side. The meal was excellent and the coffee was good and we even took away a Paua meat pie away for a snack later in the day. Cafe 35 was a gem on a gorgeous trip around the East Cape, I hope they succeed and thrive as they add a dimension that we didn't find anywhere else in the region. read more