Popped in yesterday for take out lunch food driving through. Have been to this cafe previously and it was good so trusted it see me right this time. And they didn’t let me down. I got a chicken and vegetable filo with a beautiful chutney sauce. Delicious and filling. Also my flat white was excellent! The girl behind the counter who served me was new, but was super lovely and friendly, as was the young man who helped her at the till. Good staff, food and coffee. I recommend you stop in and partake

Licorice is the kind of Cafe that makes you want to move to a place. We recently holidayed in Motuoapa over the Christmas break and were very pleased to discover such a fantastic wee cafe just around the corner. I had a coffee there each morning and was well pleased with the near perfect cups that were presented to me each time. Even when they were run off their feet the coffee was amazing. We had breakfast and the eggs benedict were delicious – clearly using high quality ingredients that were bouncing with flavour. I can’t wait for my next trip up to Taupo so I can stop in at Licorice on the way.

Stopped in here for brunch and with my husband, got fast efficient service and one of the best Eggs Benedict’s I have ever had, will return next time I am passing through.

Love this cafe – fantastic coffee, slices are just devine, pies are up there with the best I’ve ever had, and everything I’ve ever had from the cabinet was lovely

Having heard great reviews from friends about the cafe and a few years ago had a good breakfast & great coffee, was looking forward to re-visiting.

Called in for lunch/breakfast and choose the bagel with salmon & pesto & cream cheese.
Very disappointing, 4 very small salmon pieces/bagel half and enough pesto to flavour several dishes of Italian cooking. Was so much I had to scrap 80% of it off. Couldn’t taste anything except pesto and bagel was over toasted and very crunchy.
Unfortunately this was in complete contrast to the Salmon bagel I had from the Palmers Rotorua cafe a week earlier – no contest there a bagel with lots of salmon & cream cheese for the same price.
The Coffee wasgood.

2 weeks later was back to Motuoapa on way South again. Decided that perhaps I caught the bagel on a bad day, so went for the fritters in the cabinet. All the food looked good.
However once again let down.
The fritters are pre-cooked and when re-heated were chewy and tough.
Its baffling how this cafe received accolades previously and now I will only be there for take out coffee.

Consider the coffee one of the best in the country, far better then Australian and American coffee. Always consistently good. Had scrambled eggs and bacon last Saturday and certainly found nothing to complain about. Would strongly recommend this cafe to anyone.

I am the owner of Licorice Cafe and wish to respond to the review of Kate Mora.Kate and partner came into our cafe and ordered two meals one of which was scrambled eggs and bacon.Once seated adjacent to the Coffee machine Kate Kate proceeded to look through the business cards which support regular local business people.Kate asked the criteria for having the cards displayed and to be unhappy with my reply.It was after that that she complained about her scrambled eggs,suggesting we use inferior methods when in fact we use fresh eggs and cream.The menu clearly states eggs and bacon from $12.50 and $1.00 EXTRA is charged for scrambled simply because of cream.While still seated a lady came to me and said that would be the best scrambled eggs ive ever had and Kate heard that comment.Her critque of our eggs was inaccurate and ill informed and based on the business card discussion.

I am responding to the reply by the owner to my criticism of this cafe. I did not criticize the bacon and eggs because of the business card discussion. It made no difference to me as I was enquiriing for someone else (where we stay) in the region. The eggs were terrible and the menu I saw did not show $1 extra for the cream. When I enquired to the additional charge, the woman at the till also couldnt see it on the menu. I do not bend the truth and am not vindictive. My criticism was based on the bad attitude regarding the standard of the food and the price. People I have told were astounded that $1 would be charged for the cream and simply shows a mean spirit rather than good customer relations. I believe because it is a busy cafe and popular with some that the owner is unable to accept justified critism.

I’m an Japanese. I travelled NZ for 2 weeks recently. I think Licorice Cafe is the best cafe in NZ. Food was good, drink was good, also the staffs were very kind. I’ll come back to there one day.

I have just returned from a week on the road with an Australian friend travelling to Rotorua, Taupo, Manawatu and Taranaki. Out of all the cafes we stopped at The Licorice Cafe has to be the best. Great service, food and fantastic coffee. Well worth a look when next in the Taupo area.