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Recommended Reviews - Takapuna Beach Cafe
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Overpriced and tiny portions. Paid $19 for a singular soggy piece of French Toast with some slimy strawberries that seemed frozen, topped off with two basil leaves. The only enjoyable part of the meal was the chocolate marscapone or mousse. Most other decent cafes in Auckland will give you a brilliant French toast, twice the size and with fresh ingredients for the same price. Coffee was fine, service was average, sub-par overpriced food. Overall disappointed in somewhere that seems busy and popular providing such a poor experience. Also saw several people wearing bare feet in the cafe which is unacceptable even if it is by the beach. Would not return again, not worth the money.
Having returned from a stint abroad, I went to TBC for the first time in 10 months this morning to be greeted with "Where have you been? We have missed you." It is this friendly, neighbourhood vibe that keeps me, and locals alike, coming back to this place on the reg. Oh, and the fact that they have a HUGE deck, stunning views, consistently good coffee AND are dog friendly. In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that Takapuna Beach Café is on the expensive side and has been known to be a bit manic on the weekends but as an early morning pit stop with zee dogs you will be hard pressed to find better. Tip: If you happen to be in Taka on a scorching hot day pop in the TBC Store and try their in-house licorice ice cream. It is T.D.F.
Any place that has a rest stop for dogs, will always receive high marks from me. While I did not have lunch, I did have some of their amazing ice cream. I dare say this is the best ice cream I have had yet in Auckland! Pricing is a bit on the high end at $4.50 for a single scoop, but if you need your fix this is the place to get it. I have still yet to figure out why Strawberry is not an option in New Zealand - nevertheless there are many flavors to choose from. I opted for the Espresso. Having a creamy, buttery, nutty flavor it was the quintessential Espresso ice cream. Even the sugar cone was perfectly crunchy. Floor to ceiling windows make every seat in this cafe a perfect one. Too bad the parking lot is right in front. Even still, I would bring a friend here to have an ice cream. Next time I will sample one of their meals.
You know what they say in the real-estate world...location, location, locationnnn. If we're talking area, Takapuna Beach Café is SORTED. There really isn't a bad seat in the house - the indoor seating even overlooks the sea. In typical Hipgroup fashion, they provide complimentary sparkling water, the service is professional & attentive, and the supreme award-winning gelato makes you swooooon. Unfortunately, however, part of this package is also, the $$. Be prepared to drop some dollars here. I indulged in a large afternoon snack of the market fish, served with barley, radish & an avocado dressing. The dish was beautifully presented and (almost) as beautifully delicious. The ingredients were unquestionably fresh, but I thought the flavours didn't quite warrant 5 stars. The gelato, however... (insert: swoon). I went for the chocolate coconut and bayberry sorbet which were nothing short of perfect. Get a double cone and then take a stroll along the beach for savouring. You're welcome. An observation: find it a bit strange that you have to use the public toilets while dining here. For such a fancy spot, the bathroom definitely leaves something to be desired. There wasn't even anything to dry your hands! Tip: They are open 7 days a week (until 8PM no less!)
I might get kicked by a few people for giving this place a three star rating. I didn't have a terrible experience; it just wasn't as great as I had expected it to be (with all the buzz there was around this place). Came in for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon and I suppose we were lucky enough to get a table as soon as we came in. I had the chicken salad myself and can't say I was overwhelmed. It was simple. Nice. But not exactly what I expected for what I was paying. I ordered an iced americano and was offered what they called a "shakerano" or something I can't really remember the name of (I assumed it was their version of an iced americano), so I thought I'd give it a try. I would have liked it if the waitress had told me that it was extremely sweet compared to your standard black coffee. Service wasn't too over the top. But other than that, the setting is great. It's pretty much on the beach. Outdoor seating was great. Would probably come back here and chill for an afternoon coffee once in a while I suppose.
I wish I loved this place but I'm not in love... but I do like it... I arrived here late, on a Saturday morning (practically lunch) and the place was packed and the ambient volume was just under a din but well above a hum. The coffee was quick to arrive and hot and very tasty.... we perused the small but smart menu I raised my eyebrows at the beef short rib eggs benny which sounded strange beyond my comfort zone... but I did it anyway. My brunch date chose the truffle eggs on toast with a side of black pudding. I was starving! The food arrived fairly promptly, the service was a little uppity but efficient and mannerly. A few more genuine smiles might be nice. All was forgiven when I ripped open to a perfectly cooked runny egg which coated the beautifully sweet and tender pulled rib on a tasty crusty carb disk. My date had serious food envy! I tried a bit of his black pudding and while I can't say its something I crave or go crazy for, this was much closer towards the likeable end as far as black pudding goes for me. His eggs were perfectly scrambled with a heady aromatic hit of truffles. As our empty plates with lick marks got whisked away, the table behind us was being served an array of beautiful looking desserts on a tasting board... and we just had to have it.... the Milse tasting board for two sucker punched our barely existent diet plans right in the throat as we indulged. It was a nice array with a touch of everything, something sweet, something creamy, something tart, something tangy, something smooth. It made up big time for my awol 2nd coffee that took two reminders and the better part of 30mins to arrive at the table, without so much as an apology. If you're not into the beauty of nature with vast panoramic views of the sweeping bay and the cute little optimists bobbing out to sea, this is also a fun place to people watch. We had a great time perving at tragically chic locals. Its a tad pricey but a fine example of getting what you pay for.
Well what beautiful place to have lunch. Great panoramic views wherever you sit! I must say the pasta we ordered was delicious but the portion was not very big. In saying that for the price of the meal versus the view ... you are paying for the view. My husband was near to finishing his pasta dish & said to me I'm stopping at Macdonalds after this! Service was good. When you're seated your served with sparkling mineral water which my husband & I are not a fan but if you are then you'd appreciate it. Although the tables are a nice design feature they weren't very practical. They have a large base which restricts your seating. When you're sitting at a table you don't want to be restricted by where you can place your feet. I've rated this place a 3 star because it was over-priced for the portion & that I'll most likely not bother going back. The place is beautiful to sit & relax though!
Takapuna Beach Cafe is a great place for a coffee or breakfast half way through the walk. As a consequence I have only really done breakfast here - but it is also open all day for lunch etc. the menu changes regularly but the various fruit and muesli dishes are always good and the organic eggs are a fav. The coffee is always perfect and they have mugs for those serious caffeine addicts.
Since my usual coffee group was not meeting on a weekend, I decided to set up my own brunch with a coffee mate. Might as well cross the bridge and give North Shore a whirl. Mind you, going here for brunch on a Sunday is asking for trouble, but if you plan ahead (i.e., get there 15-20 minutes before you actually want to eat brunch), you should be okay. The setup of the cafe could be a bit better, there wasn't much room between our table and the next. While white wicker screams summer, the glass table-tops seemed a bit out of place, if not a bit of a hazard when small spaces and small people are involved. I ordered a beet, carrot, and ginger juice to get started while we waited for our actual orders to come in (my order was the scallop omelette whilst my coffee mate ordered the pancakes). Once the dishes arrived, we glanced at the presentation briefly then ate. My omelette left something to be desired, and while my pancake eating friend was still working on her dish, I was already perusing the menu for something else to eat. The smashed eggs were recommended by a fellow Yelper, but as I had already tried a breakfast platter, I didn't want to appear gluttonous, and settled on having a mocha. Granted that the view is nice from this cafe, given if people aren't crowded about in front of the windows outside. We were unfortunately seated next to a family with a very loud child, so that took away from the experience a bit. Their little dairy on the side had a consistent line, as they had plenty of goodies and gelato and even cronuts (don't worry, even a struggling Paleo can resist these things). I might return to try eating some of the other dishes when it's warmer, other than that, I've given it a go.
Well my wife and I went here expecting a fine meal, excellent service and unsurpassed views. It's her birthday so a little breakfast seemed right .. I had previously received letters from the war crimes tribunal declaring my cooking illegal under international law so we took in the Takapuna Beach Cafe. "Back in my day" (TM) the spot was occupied by a trailer park and camper home, I delivered papers along the street and so I knew the area reasonably well, I was still surprised to see dozens of jeeps and SUv's with boat trailers taking most of the parking .. But it WAS a beautiful sunny Saturday, so it was just annoying. Tip: parking can be a problem but that's not the cafe's fault, there is a major boat ramp next to it. Settling in, we were served quickly and efficiently. I had previous ate cronuts from Nosh and was unimpressed, so I gave these ones a try .. I think I found why they are a craze, when made well they are delicious! If you know me, you know there has to be Chicken, Bacon or Steak on the menu or I'm walking, again I was pretty happy with the selections.. Next was the egg Benedict (with bacon) and Classic OJ, the presentation was superb, the taste was amazing and the service during it was quick and pleasant. Breakfast for two was pricey but I especially liked the pet friendly deck and we got to see the lovely mix of dogs being walked along the beach.
I've been here lots of times, but recently there's been a dip in the quality of the menu food. The counter food remains fabulous, coffee good, it's the meals that are a bit underwhelming. Had the beetroot salad recently, nicely presented but not a generous portion. Fish and chips was huge. Have had juices (good), lemon curd cronut (good, but still want an injection of creme patisserie like the ones from Loaf). Have had pancakes too, but finally ordered something savoury on the stern advice of my brunch companion. I've posted the pic - parsley hash cake, mushrooms (I don't like eggs, so that's missing and replaced by a slice of pancetta). Looks disappointing, tasted the same. Hmmmm, really want to give a 2 rating, but this cafe has such a good position right by the beach with views out to Rangitoto and on a sunny day it's a great place to be.
Love this place! Always so busy so that's a sure sign it's a great establishment. Excellent for brunch (and beautiful presentation) with a wide range of options including fresh juices, smoothies and fruit frappes. A friend had the carrot and passionfruit frappe and it was so yummy. Friendly and efficient staff too which makes your experience that much better. Right on the water with big windows and doors that open out onto the deck so a perfect sunny day cafe. Great for groups and can bring the dog! Worth the trip over the bridge if you don't already live shore side.
This continued to be our go-to breakfast place for all four days in Auckland. Service continued to be friendly, and for the third and fourth days I switched from the omelette to the nut granola with yogurt; Nancy tried the crumpet which was also good. read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
6 years ago
Overpriced and tiny portions. Paid $19 for a singular soggy piece of French Toast with some slimy strawberries that seemed frozen, topped off with two basil leaves. The only enjoyable part of the meal was the chocolate marscapone or mousse. Most other decent cafes in Auckland will give you a brilliant French toast, twice the size and with fresh ingredients for the same price. Coffee was fine, service was average, sub-par overpriced food. Overall disappointed in somewhere that seems busy and popular providing such a poor experience. Also saw several people wearing bare feet in the cafe which is unacceptable even if it is by the beach. Would not return again, not worth the money. read more
Having returned from a stint abroad, I went to TBC for the first time in 10 months this morning to be greeted with "Where have you been? We have missed you." It is this friendly, neighbourhood vibe that keeps me, and locals alike, coming back to this place on the reg. Oh, and the fact that they have a HUGE deck, stunning views, consistently good coffee AND are dog friendly. In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that Takapuna Beach Café is on the expensive side and has been known to be a bit manic on the weekends but as an early morning pit stop with zee dogs you will be hard pressed to find better. Tip: If you happen to be in Taka on a scorching hot day pop in the TBC Store and try their in-house licorice ice cream. It is T.D.F. read more
12 years ago
Any place that has a rest stop for dogs, will always receive high marks from me. While I did not have lunch, I did have some of their amazing ice cream. I dare say this is the best ice cream I have had yet in Auckland! Pricing is a bit on the high end at $4.50 for a single scoop, but if you need your fix this is the place to get it. I have still yet to figure out why Strawberry is not an option in New Zealand - nevertheless there are many flavors to choose from. I opted for the Espresso. Having a creamy, buttery, nutty flavor it was the quintessential Espresso ice cream. Even the sugar cone was perfectly crunchy. Floor to ceiling windows make every seat in this cafe a perfect one. Too bad the parking lot is right in front. Even still, I would bring a friend here to have an ice cream. Next time I will sample one of their meals. read more
You know what they say in the real-estate world...location, location, locationnnn. If we're talking area, Takapuna Beach Café is SORTED. There really isn't a bad seat in the house - the indoor seating even overlooks the sea. In typical Hipgroup fashion, they provide complimentary sparkling water, the service is professional & attentive, and the supreme award-winning gelato makes you swooooon. Unfortunately, however, part of this package is also, the $$. Be prepared to drop some dollars here. I indulged in a large afternoon snack of the market fish, served with barley, radish & an avocado dressing. The dish was beautifully presented and (almost) as beautifully delicious. The ingredients were unquestionably fresh, but I thought the flavours didn't quite warrant 5 stars. The gelato, however... (insert: swoon). I went for the chocolate coconut and bayberry sorbet which were nothing short of perfect. Get a double cone and then take a stroll along the beach for savouring. You're welcome. An observation: find it a bit strange that you have to use the public toilets while dining here. For such a fancy spot, the bathroom definitely leaves something to be desired. There wasn't even anything to dry your hands! Tip: They are open 7 days a week (until 8PM no less!) read more
I might get kicked by a few people for giving this place a three star rating. I didn't have a terrible experience; it just wasn't as great as I had expected it to be (with all the buzz there was around this place). Came in for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon and I suppose we were lucky enough to get a table as soon as we came in. I had the chicken salad myself and can't say I was overwhelmed. It was simple. Nice. But not exactly what I expected for what I was paying. I ordered an iced americano and was offered what they called a "shakerano" or something I can't really remember the name of (I assumed it was their version of an iced americano), so I thought I'd give it a try. I would have liked it if the waitress had told me that it was extremely sweet compared to your standard black coffee. Service wasn't too over the top. But other than that, the setting is great. It's pretty much on the beach. Outdoor seating was great. Would probably come back here and chill for an afternoon coffee once in a while I suppose. read more
I wish I loved this place but I'm not in love... but I do like it... I arrived here late, on a Saturday morning (practically lunch) and the place was packed and the ambient volume was just under a din but well above a hum. The coffee was quick to arrive and hot and very tasty.... we perused the small but smart menu I raised my eyebrows at the beef short rib eggs benny which sounded strange beyond my comfort zone... but I did it anyway. My brunch date chose the truffle eggs on toast with a side of black pudding. I was starving! The food arrived fairly promptly, the service was a little uppity but efficient and mannerly. A few more genuine smiles might be nice. All was forgiven when I ripped open to a perfectly cooked runny egg which coated the beautifully sweet and tender pulled rib on a tasty crusty carb disk. My date had serious food envy! I tried a bit of his black pudding and while I can't say its something I crave or go crazy for, this was much closer towards the likeable end as far as black pudding goes for me. His eggs were perfectly scrambled with a heady aromatic hit of truffles. As our empty plates with lick marks got whisked away, the table behind us was being served an array of beautiful looking desserts on a tasting board... and we just had to have it.... the Milse tasting board for two sucker punched our barely existent diet plans right in the throat as we indulged. It was a nice array with a touch of everything, something sweet, something creamy, something tart, something tangy, something smooth. It made up big time for my awol 2nd coffee that took two reminders and the better part of 30mins to arrive at the table, without so much as an apology. If you're not into the beauty of nature with vast panoramic views of the sweeping bay and the cute little optimists bobbing out to sea, this is also a fun place to people watch. We had a great time perving at tragically chic locals. Its a tad pricey but a fine example of getting what you pay for. read more
11 years ago
This place is an institution - a little pricey, but the location, stellar service and amazingly consistent food - oh and they serve Allpress coffee - makes up for it. Noisy but a great spot!!! read more
11 years ago
Well what beautiful place to have lunch. Great panoramic views wherever you sit! I must say the pasta we ordered was delicious but the portion was not very big. In saying that for the price of the meal versus the view ... you are paying for the view. My husband was near to finishing his pasta dish & said to me I'm stopping at Macdonalds after this! Service was good. When you're seated your served with sparkling mineral water which my husband & I are not a fan but if you are then you'd appreciate it. Although the tables are a nice design feature they weren't very practical. They have a large base which restricts your seating. When you're sitting at a table you don't want to be restricted by where you can place your feet. I've rated this place a 3 star because it was over-priced for the portion & that I'll most likely not bother going back. The place is beautiful to sit & relax though! read more
Takapuna Beach Cafe is a great place for a coffee or breakfast half way through the walk. As a consequence I have only really done breakfast here - but it is also open all day for lunch etc. the menu changes regularly but the various fruit and muesli dishes are always good and the organic eggs are a fav. The coffee is always perfect and they have mugs for those serious caffeine addicts. read more
Since my usual coffee group was not meeting on a weekend, I decided to set up my own brunch with a coffee mate. Might as well cross the bridge and give North Shore a whirl. Mind you, going here for brunch on a Sunday is asking for trouble, but if you plan ahead (i.e., get there 15-20 minutes before you actually want to eat brunch), you should be okay. The setup of the cafe could be a bit better, there wasn't much room between our table and the next. While white wicker screams summer, the glass table-tops seemed a bit out of place, if not a bit of a hazard when small spaces and small people are involved. I ordered a beet, carrot, and ginger juice to get started while we waited for our actual orders to come in (my order was the scallop omelette whilst my coffee mate ordered the pancakes). Once the dishes arrived, we glanced at the presentation briefly then ate. My omelette left something to be desired, and while my pancake eating friend was still working on her dish, I was already perusing the menu for something else to eat. The smashed eggs were recommended by a fellow Yelper, but as I had already tried a breakfast platter, I didn't want to appear gluttonous, and settled on having a mocha. Granted that the view is nice from this cafe, given if people aren't crowded about in front of the windows outside. We were unfortunately seated next to a family with a very loud child, so that took away from the experience a bit. Their little dairy on the side had a consistent line, as they had plenty of goodies and gelato and even cronuts (don't worry, even a struggling Paleo can resist these things). I might return to try eating some of the other dishes when it's warmer, other than that, I've given it a go. read more
Well my wife and I went here expecting a fine meal, excellent service and unsurpassed views. It's her birthday so a little breakfast seemed right .. I had previously received letters from the war crimes tribunal declaring my cooking illegal under international law so we took in the Takapuna Beach Cafe. "Back in my day" (TM) the spot was occupied by a trailer park and camper home, I delivered papers along the street and so I knew the area reasonably well, I was still surprised to see dozens of jeeps and SUv's with boat trailers taking most of the parking .. But it WAS a beautiful sunny Saturday, so it was just annoying. Tip: parking can be a problem but that's not the cafe's fault, there is a major boat ramp next to it. Settling in, we were served quickly and efficiently. I had previous ate cronuts from Nosh and was unimpressed, so I gave these ones a try .. I think I found why they are a craze, when made well they are delicious! If you know me, you know there has to be Chicken, Bacon or Steak on the menu or I'm walking, again I was pretty happy with the selections.. Next was the egg Benedict (with bacon) and Classic OJ, the presentation was superb, the taste was amazing and the service during it was quick and pleasant. Breakfast for two was pricey but I especially liked the pet friendly deck and we got to see the lovely mix of dogs being walked along the beach. read more
I've been here lots of times, but recently there's been a dip in the quality of the menu food. The counter food remains fabulous, coffee good, it's the meals that are a bit underwhelming. Had the beetroot salad recently, nicely presented but not a generous portion. Fish and chips was huge. Have had juices (good), lemon curd cronut (good, but still want an injection of creme patisserie like the ones from Loaf). Have had pancakes too, but finally ordered something savoury on the stern advice of my brunch companion. I've posted the pic - parsley hash cake, mushrooms (I don't like eggs, so that's missing and replaced by a slice of pancetta). Looks disappointing, tasted the same. Hmmmm, really want to give a 2 rating, but this cafe has such a good position right by the beach with views out to Rangitoto and on a sunny day it's a great place to be. read more
12 years ago
Love this place! Always so busy so that's a sure sign it's a great establishment. Excellent for brunch (and beautiful presentation) with a wide range of options including fresh juices, smoothies and fruit frappes. A friend had the carrot and passionfruit frappe and it was so yummy. Friendly and efficient staff too which makes your experience that much better. Right on the water with big windows and doors that open out onto the deck so a perfect sunny day cafe. Great for groups and can bring the dog! Worth the trip over the bridge if you don't already live shore side. read more
9 years ago
We come here most Sundays to have a coffee, maybe some breakfast and then to walk the dog on the beautiful Takapuna beach right across the road. Almost always easy to get a park. Great attentive service and fabulous coffee and gelato's. If you are eating, I recommend the potato rosti / fish or the burger. This is a really great spot in sunny weather to set outside and enjoy the viewe. read more
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So good, best place for weekend brunch. Food is super good and the almond milk coffees are a nice option to have. Always so many dogs around which is fun for animal lovers! read more
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