Very disappointing. Nice waiting staff, but hopeless organisation in the kitchen.
We thought we’d try this place as we were in the Coatesville area. It was quite busy on a Sunday lunchtime – but not overly so. Having ordered our meals we waited patiently for half an hour. There didn’t seem to be too many meals arriving at the tables around us so we asked when we might expect ours to arrive. We were told 10 minutes. 20 minutes later we asked again and the waiter went off to find out but didn’t return. After a few more minutes with our patience exhausted we pulled the plug.
As I told the person in charge, if there was going to be that sort of wait we should have been told up front so we could have made an informed decision instead of hanging around for nearly an hour without result.
Either they have too many tables for their kitchen or their kitchen was seriously understaffed. One of the tables next to us asked for some bread & butter for their children after what must have been a similar wait. The table next to us seemed similarly exasperated.
If you come here I suggest you check the wait when ordering from the menu so you know to opt for something from the cabinet if the wait is going to be excessive.
Shame – the experience spoiled what could have been a pleasant and relaxed Sunday brunch.

My partner and I had brunch at Fernielea on a whim, whilst driving through Coatesville after staying in Kumeu the night before at our friends wedding – needless to say we were feeling a little worse for wear… and what a LOVELY surprise Fernielea was! The service from the counter and the waitresses was efficient and friendly, the price was absolutely fair for what we ordered (approx $10 dearer than our usual brunch out but WELL worth the extra $10!). The food arrived quickly, was piping hot, well presented and absolutely delicious. Fernielea, I was thrilled to see you so busy that fine Sunday morning, and I’m not surprised at all judging by the experience we had with you. I have highly recommended you to many others – so do me proud and keep up your excellent excellent standards. I don’t usually RAVE about restaurants and cafes on MenuMania, but you deserve it – we will be back when the world sends us your way (we are not locals) and I for one cannot wait! Thank you.

Enjoyed a Sunday breakfast there with friends. My request for a combination across two menu items was dealt with warmly and easily. Friends devoured their big breakfasts and were very pleased. An enjoyable experience and perfect for a weekend breakfast treat.

We have just come back from having lunch. The service was appalling, no one smiled, or chatted to us. Just put the plates on the tables and walked away. The adults got served first and 5 children had to wait for theirs. We will not be coming back…

Went once & this cafe was amazing – beautiful setting, great food & wonderful service. Took friends back after raving about it & couldn’t have been more disappointed! Service was appalling, took ages for anyone to help us & when they did they got our order wrong. What we were served was very average & they didn’t even really apologise or compensate for their error. Very disappointing & we won’t be going back …

We had a large group, lovely food, and great staff, reasonable cost, big thumbs up to new owner, certainly will return.Great for Kids

My family and I have travelled from the Eastern Suburbs to celebrate birthdays and get togethers at Fernielea for a number of years. We have always enjoyed the excellent food. However on our last visit on Friday 19 August 2011 our enjoyment was marred by an overcharge of $12 for items listed twice. This was only discovered when I asked for a detailed list, which should have been offered before my credit card was charged. The $12 was refunded, but I am still waiting for an apology.

I have never had a home made hash brown that has tasted so good! The coffee is great and so is the service! I started with the Sunriser sandwich, it was so good I stayed with it for a while and now I have moved on through the menu and haven’t found anything that I dislike. My waistline is growing because I have also been going through your homemade cake selection and the dolly slice is a particular favorite! My sons love the large portion size of the Ten acre classic and the iced coffees and smoothies go down a treat. Greet team at Fernielea, cheers Martin

As a frequent customer to Fernielea, we have been consistently impressed with their beautiful food, breakfast especially. I appreciate there handmade pesto and salsas which i always order on the side of my poached eggs. There is always a friendly greeting from their lovely staff and as over time the cafe has got busier and busier as more people find out about there fabulous little Coastesville hideaway. We have always been informed if there is a wait but the atmosphere in the garden or in the cafe is always so nice that this has never bothered us. This is defiantly the only place we like to take people for breakfast or just a casual lunch where you are more than welcome to bring your other family members, like your dogs and if your lucky you will get a surprise visit from the neighboring parakeet. A special treat for children where they can play in the playground while you take time out to enjoy your breakfast. Well done Fernielea, looking forward to our breakfast this Sunday as always!

We really enjoy the food at Fernielea, there’s a great selection of food to choose from. The coffee goes down a treat as we are big fans of millers coffee.
Service is friendly and efficient and would definately recommend a weekend brunch outside (if it’s warm) or tucked up in the corner with the Sunday paper.
Great for kids as there is a super cute playground outside too.
You may have to reserve yourself a table on Sunday (this is the day we usually go) as we missed out the last time due to poor planning on my part.
Great service, atmosphere and importantly delicious food.

Went there this Sunday (29th). I was really impressed. The staff were really friendly and seemed on top of everything, well managed I suppose! The food was great and I was particularly impressed by the choice of teas, and it was leaf tea not just a tea bag! Definitely value for money and a very good ambiance, I will become a regular.

I visited here 3 months ago and experienced a 2 hour wait for food… and wrote a review. We received an apology and vouchers for a free meal.
Today we returned for our free meal and the difference was astounding – we arrived a little early but it was only a few minutes before we were seated. The service was prompt and our food came within 10 minutes of ordering. The food here is extremely good and all 4 of us thoroughly enjoyed Fernielea second time around. We have put the cafe on our list of “we’ll come again” venues. It is a really pleasant venue and on a sunny weekend day I highly recommend eating here. We will all be back – thanks Fernielea, you have won us over.

We went there on mothers day. No reservations but they seated us outside right away. Had a beautiful meal on a gorgeous day with our little one having a great time wandering around the fenced yard and playing on the playground. The staff is polite and friendly. I have absolutely no complaints about this place. Great Job.

I took some friends in and booked a table for 10
and it was so nice to be treated politely by their staff
Incredible wood fired pizza, it was the middle of winter but the gas heaters and friendly atmosphere made the experience all the more like a cafe in whistler, I hope this cafe stays secret because I hate having to book weeks ahead to go somewhere

My girlfriends and I meet once a month at this lovely venue. Service with a smile, nothing is too much trouble and the food is delicious. Even though it is out of my way by quite a distance, I don’t mind the trip when I know a welcome awaits.

This is a wonderful country cafe that we locals frequent for the great food and ambiance. Sometimes we walk to the cafe with our dog and other times we ride our horses over for a coffee or a glass of wine. The staff are all friendly and efficient, and you are always made to feel welcome. The dinners are also excellent, and it’s often a surprise to our out-of-town visitors that they can get such quality food and service in a rural area like ours. We are blessed to have such a cafe in our community.

Often pop in here for a coffee on the run. A great place for meeting friends too. have had some lovely meals. Very child friendly.

Fantastic Cafe. Great atmosphere, great staff and service and great food. Excellent to take your kids with the playground and chilled out feel. We have regular Mum’s and babies catch ups and everyone i have taken has been back and recommended to others!

This is one of the best cafes in Auckland. Food is superb, and the play area and toys are excellent for keeping the kiddies entertained whilst the grown ups enjoy a relaxing brekkie. The pot of tea is a triumph in tasty beverage.

no atmosphere,cold, food basic, pie on plate with small pot of pickle, not the sort of place I would take friends too

the best food i have tasted and enjoyed for a long time, the new winter beef and mushroom pie has the flavour to kill for and the eggs benny is always without fail an award winner
coffee great service friendly atmosphere relaxed perfect out door area for the children , loved it ill be back for sure, good clean homemade exciting food

Our table of 11 people were there for my partners birthday – Brunch. We were seated on the deck. Beautiful day! My meal was ‘eggs bene with Salmon’ accompanied by a flat white and I took home a ginger slice that was delicio!!

The service was great apart from the end when I think our table should have been cleared before I asked but it was relatively busy, that I can understand as I’ve worked in hospitality.

Great place and will visit again and recommend to others

Well done!!

Honestly the best meal I’ve had for a while. I had the seared Salmon which was cooked to perfection, even the baby spuds were a treat in themselves, not a fault to be found with anything. The staff were friendly, the coffee was excellent. The prices were extremely resonable, infact less than inferior city cafe’s for such generous portions and quality. It was so good we went back again and it was consistently great.