I’d describe this cafe as Vanilla. Plain. Nothing flash. Food ok, nothing spectacular. Husband ordered scrambled eggs and bacon, was LOADS of eggs but not much bread. I had BLAT which was, ok. Nothing to write home about. we also ordered a side of fries which came in a super salty seasoning. Chicken seasoning maybe? Whatever it was, too much. While it wasn’t the most horrendous experience, I don’t think I’ll be back.

Ordered food from the cabinets and it was nice enough, but the staff were inattentive and they forgot our coffees…An apology would have made all the difference, but there was none to be found. Seems like this is common procedure for this place, judging by the other reviews. I doubt we’ll be back. More on to it staff would make a huge difference to this place but I get the feeling they just rely on tourists and don’t care to get regulars.

Nothing special but also nothing to complain about. The coffee was good and the carrot cake also. The location is of course really nice. We thought it was a great idea to mark the soy flat white by writing soy on its froth with chocolate – to avoid any confusion. Good idea for other cafes as well!

I hadn’t been to the Carriages Cafe since it had changed ownership about a month and a half ago. However, quite a few of my friends had started commenting to me that they had been frequenting the place and it was wonderful, so I couldnt resist any longer. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised as the quality of the food was great, the prices very reasonable, the service brilliant and the location of the cafe is nice and relaxing. Overall I must say that I’m very pleased Carriages Cafe. I’ll definitely be going back regularly with my friends and family.

We stopped here early on our way to Muriwai yesterday, it was rather subpar to be honest…just the usual let-downs of an indifferent staff giving very mediocre service, as well as dry/stale counter food. I regret ordering from the display- just thought it would be faster, but in fact our order took much longer than it should have (no inkling of an apology from waitstaff). Must say it is an interesting, novel layout – sadly, possibly its only redeeming feature.

Went here as it was one of the few cafes open after Christmas that was near where we were visiting. Will not return again, even if it is the only place open. After making a simple order of nachos and fries for my daughter and I, my brother in law made his order. At no point were we advised that there was a long wait. 45 minutes later and becoming concerned watching the waiting staff looking lost carrying food around, the table beside us got their coffees with an apology regarding the time it took. Finally my sister and brother in law got part of their meal. They had to get it returned to the kitchen as they had requested no cheese – but it arrived with cheese. Their second order then arrived. 5 minutes later their nachos returned minus cheese. At this point I asked what had happen to my daughter’s and my order. They returned to advised it had got lost and would now take 5 minutes or we could have our money back. With an hour already gone we choose to wait. 5 minutes later slightly heated nachos arrived but no fries. By this time more patrons were complaining to the staff and trying to chase down how much longer they would wait. With no fries arriving we returned to the counter to try and get a refund for the cold nachos and fries (we only got a refund for the fries). Sloppy food,service and communication from staff. A disappointing ending to a lovely morning.

Have made 2 stops here only to use my entertainment vouchers though – as they are gone i wont be returning!

Service 3/10
Price 4/10
Food 2/10

TRAIN CRASH!!!!

On arrival with my family, I felt I had to apologise for interrupting the gossipping counter guy and the kitchen hand to place our order. We had to take a sec and actually check that he was staff ,as he was dressed in a bomber jacket and tight black jeans…….As it became all a little confusing, my wife eventually said HI! to the counter guy, to receive a rather not amused glare. At this stage we are wondering if we are allowed to order, and feeling like we may be told off if we do, but risk it and go ahead…….this was where we went wrong….we should have taken in all the above, used our initiatives and just left. however, having ordered, we made our way to the carriage with the toy area, (we have 2 toddlers) to be greeted by a customer in her 80s, who told us about the amazing $6 egg special! (“you have to ask about it because its not advertised”) came the words of wisdom. However in hindsight, this woman was more appropriate and welcoming than the staff, in fact you should find her and employ her!.. Coffee arrived in fine time, but was unceremoniously dumped on our table….by a seriously surly faced barista…again we are wondering if we have been naughty and somehow annoyed everyone? We looked at each other and simultaneously decided we have made a big mistake…and were now frightened at the prospect of our meals arriving….. They did, with a loud brash auctioning, then again dumped on the table. Wishing now that the counter guy had kept on the bomber jacket, then we wouldn’t have had to be exposed to the curious amount of tattoos on display from the short sleeved T????? Onwards….myself and son both ordered hot cakes…..which seemed fine until I turned them over to find a black burnt bottom, my wife had the mushrooms, “in cream & blue cheese sauce & bacon” Mushrooms close to cold, cream sauce clearly days old and thickened with what seemed to be more than a generous amount of corn flour…..and as for the bacon,,,should have been called a garnish. I tried this gluggy mess, as wife couldn’t get it passed her back teeth and actually laughed out loud!!! Unfortunately no body bothered to ask us how we were enjoying our food, but maybe they knew better?? Embarrassed, embarrassing, but what else to do!! Sorry carriages, last attempt at giving you the benefit of the doubt, complete downhill slide in the last 2 yrs, shame – Saving grace was that we were actually fare welled on departure, but maybe counter guy was just happy to see the back of the customers? Oh yeah, the kids enjoyed seeing the ducks…

Disappointing cafe experience. Have previously eaten there and the prices have risen considerably since then. To top it off they were charging 15% surcharge for a public holiday on top (Sunday 2 Jan) when the actual public holiday for New Year was moved to Monday 3 & Tuesday 4 January. Was also horrified to see that all the dirty dishes were piled up on a counter in full view of the counter where we ordered. Not a good look! Won’t be going back.

Come here with my family quite a bit, enjoy the surroundings and the food

Went there for the first time in the weekend for coffee and cake and it was quite good. Pleasant atmosphere, friendly staff and good coffee.

Previously a happy Carriages customer, but went to lunch there today with family visiting Waitakere and wont be going back.

One of our group had a disability – knee wont bend, walks with crutches etc so needs extra leg room at the table. I phoned ahead to check they could accomodate this, was assured yes, and reserved a large spacious table at the end of the carriage. Arrived to find no such reservation, all larger tables full, we ended up with her leg stuck out in the walkway with people knocking her leg as they passed whilst she tried to eat lunch. Just draw attention to her disability and made for a horrible embarising dining experience. Food was adverage, coffee & hot chocolates were not just luke warm but cold with undisolved chocolate in the cup! Very Disapointing Carriages.

No where near the level it used to be which is unfortunate.

Never in my life have I had Eggs Benedict with Tomato Salsa that had corn and kidney beans in it between the egg and the muffin. YUCK!!

The sausage that came out on the Big Breakfast was just a joke. A 14″ Frankfurter/Kabanosi! Ramsey would have had a fit!

The kitchen is obviously run by amateurs.

Sorry guys – you have changed for the worse.

Your prices have sky rocketed and your coffee isnt that great anymore.

Sorry wont be back

My husband and I used to go to the Carriages cafe years ago and loved the food and experience. It seems it has changed owners since the re-opening. The menu looked good but the food was very disappointing to say the least. My husband is a big eater and ordered the big breakfast. The bacon went hard as soon as it reached our table. The beans were tasteless and cold. Everything on the plate was tasteless, looked good but did not taste good at all. Very disappointing, will not be going back.