Overpriced coffee and terrible hospitality/service.

Me and my brother popped in here quickly to grab a couple of coffees to take away. The blonde lady that served us couldn’t even greet us with a smile or a hello and made us feel pretty unwelcome. To the point we were counting down/laughing about how much longer we we would be here until we could leave.

Friends had a similar experience when they went down later that day so to me ours wasn’t a one-off experience.

The kicker – coffee prices are more expensive than central Wellington. Would not recommend this cafe to others!!

I was a very strong supporter of this business when it opened, loved sitting outside with my dog watching the world, aka Featherston, go by. Then the attitude changed and I stopped going. Now I prefer to drive to Cuba Street or Lyall Bay to hang out in a Cafe. Small communities need one place where the locals can meet and greet, unfortunately it seems this one has missed the bus.

Stopped off for a coffee on the way to Wellington. Bad bad idea. I ordered a flat white and you couldnt even call it a hot milk. Paying $5 for it was a waste of time as it was undrinkable. Not recommended.

We bought an Entertainment Book and as we were travelling to Greytown this morning (Saturday)thought we would stop for brunch at Cornucopia. The male taking orders didn’t seem too impressed by the coupon being very sullen whilst serving us. I later watched and didn’t see him smile or be friendly to any other customers so it probably wasn’t just us. I ordered the Hollandaise eggs which were ok but had a slightly different taste than I was used too. My wife ordered the lambs fry and bacon and this was arranged very nicely on a bed of mash and was cooked well too. Unfortunately as things got busier around lunchtime, things seemed to fall apart. We saw one foursome send their food back as it was cold, another couple get the wrong order and wait another half hour for it to be filled and a couple next to us got their cake order but when we left some time later, still waiting on their soup. Maybe they are ok at quieter times but we won’t be going back.

Not a brilliant experience. We’d decided to grab something to eat at the dairy on the way through Featherston travelling north but after the kids had chosen drinks and ice creams, my partner and I wanted coffee and something nicer so we went next door to Cornucopia. I sat my children near the door of the empty cafe with their unopened drinks and icecreams and the lovely lady behind the counter handed me a menu while we were perusing the counter food. We were happily contemplating our choices when the chef/owner? from the kitchen came out and said in a not friendly manner while he looked pointedly at my children, ‘I don’t want to lose business but we sell drinks and icecreams.’ My partner said, ‘Well we may just be getting takeaways.’ to which he answered, ‘that’s okay then.’ and he went back out to the kitchen. At that point I handed back the menu to the lady behind the counter and said, ‘I don’t really feel like anything now. We were going to have 2 coffees and some food but if that’s how you feel then I’d rather spend my money elsewhere.’ And we left… and we won’t go back.

If you’re travelling to the Wairarapa, food doesn’t get better than the first cafe you get to over the hill – in Featherston! Only occasionally do you experience a place where people just Get It. In Cornucopia, decor and design are as subtle as the food is superb. Tony Austin and Erin Nesdale do cafe, deli, take home, bistro, cooking demo; a ruralpolitan fusion for city-dwellers of metro and pastoral. Racks of fresh breads in wicker baskets, muffins, pastries, pies (stuffed with the freshest produce) all defy what you thought they could ever be. Look out at the start of Feathers, on your left and drive by only if you’re in a terrible rush …

Today we had the worst experience EVER!!

We met a rep at Cornucopia – as we have done in just about EVERY cafe in the Wairarapa over the years. . .never a problem (until today!!)

Today in Cornucopia we were looking at a new range of samples (one tray of jewellery – approx 10 necklaces in total) & one album. . .We had JUST been given our coffee (& were planning to have lunch there) when a *VERY arrogant* man came to our table & gave us 5 minutes to leave the cafe – he told us his regulars (we were the ONLY people in the cafe at lunchtime) would not like this going on & it wasn’t the place to do business!! We do this regularly in many other cafes in the Wairarapa (& around NZ) & have always been welcomed warmly. . .

We were in Featherston at the cafe on OUR recommendation!!

It was a huge surprise for us all as it came out of nowhere – hugely embarrassing for us & our rep who sells from one end of NZ to the other & he has never had such a thing happen!!

A cafe in our eyes is a *meeting place*. . .

We (also) travel ALOT within NZ & overseas & have NEVER been treated so badly – & it was local!!

To be quite honest – I think we will have the last laugh. . .we own several (like 5) businesses in the Wairarapa & we will tell (have told!!) EVERYONE. . .
DON’T GO TO CORNUCOPIA!!

Featherstons best kept secret. Not to be missed when passing though. Well presented meals, cakes to die for and the best coffee in town. Keep it up guys

My friends and i visited this cafe on our way to Martinborough. We found this spot purely by accident after missing our turnoff. And boy were we glad we did. The greeting was warm and welcoming, and the cabinet food and menu more than adequate. The pastries, muffins and breads mouth watering. The coffee strong and delicious. Everything here was faultless and the staff were incredibly warm and friendly, and made our brief stop an absolute pleasure. I wish we had this cafe in Auckland. As another reviewer has said, best wishes with your fabulous venture.

A very good effort by people who are obviously experienced in the food business. The beautiful homemade bread was devine, the soup was flavoursome and the coffee very good. The fit out is simple and sleak, the staff friendly. All the best with your new venture.