Stopped in on way to Hastings with the kids. We haven’t stopped at a cafe Dannevirke before and we didn’t think there was very much there except for takeaways. The kids always want to stop at McDonalds but I wanted something more for breakfast. I had the lambs fry and bacon which was really yummy and the kids had pancakes. Service was friendly and efficient and the coffee was hot and delicious. We will be back because even the kids reckoned it was great.

Great food, excellent service and nice surroundings. A great little cafe to stop off at between Wellington and HB. I travel through frequently and will be making this my regular stop from now. Discovered it after visiting Pahiatua Black Stump – the waitress recommended it as they were closed for a wedding. So glad she did because we didn’t realise there were two Black Stumps and sometimes I travel via Manawatu so miss the wonderful Pahiatua one. Now I have a choice! Will be telling my Wellington work colleagues about this one – they certainly all know about Pahiatua’s Black Stump because our office has their menu on the staffroom wall. I will be adding the Dannevirke menu to that one!
It’s great to know we can get such good food and great coffee mid-way between Wgtn and the Bay. Only recommendation I would make to them….consider setting one up in Taihape – franchising your business would be a great move.

Last Sunday on our way home from Wellington we stopped at the first cafe we came to in Dannevirke and found a real gem. The Black Stump Cafe and Bar will be our regular stopping point between HB & Wgtn from now on. We had lunch and were surprised to find such excellent food in a small rural town. The waiter was very warm and friendly and told us to sit and look at the menu rather than stand in a queue. Within minutes he was over to take our order and even though it was very busy our lunch came out really quickly. I had the pasta, my wife had the breakfast and the boys had fish & chips. The food was really well presented – right up there with city standards. Not only did it look good, everything was cooked perfectly. Good sized portions left us very satisfied. I had a machiato which was made perfectly – so many cafes have yet to master this. The boys managed to tuck into a generous slab of cake that was moist and cooked to perfection. The cafe is very nicely set out with modern decor. It was a nice day and so the tables outside were full otherwise we would have loved to be able to sit out there – maybe next time (but not in the winter in Dannevirke!)We will definitely be back and will be telling all our HB friends of this great find.

We waited 15 minutes for the staff to stop nattering and come out to serve us. The coffee took a long time coming and was cold. I had a caramel slice which was as hard as rock.

The urban decor is clean and tidy but the place is soulless and actually quite depressing.

We drive straight to The Vault now.