We have been to the Monarch a couple of times and have always found the food delicious and the service great. Today we went for lunch. One member of the group ordered the burger, we were told that it would take a few minutes longer than normal service, which wasn’t a problem and all the food arrive at the same time, hot and well presented.

Service is great and the standard is ok its just the food prices that really irk me. I pay this in Ponsonby but not Pukekohe. Will be back for special occasions and I hope that the new menu will be just as good!

We had a nice meal, the steak was cooked just as requested. The only downside was Banoffee pie which was a big let down. I was expecting a generous layer of caramel with chucks of banana on a thick biscuit base, but it was more like a homemade cheesecake with hardly any taste of banana.

Overall, it was quite expensive for what it was, not a place for regular eating !

Dined at monarch for lunch just over a month ago with some friends. It wasnt busy at all. Waitress offered drinks in ok timely manner but took forever for her to return to take menu order. Food took longer than expected seen as though it was only our table and about tow others! Food was ok i wouldnt rave about it to be honest for the price. Very small portions – if you are hungry you need to order a side which then makes in an even more expensive meal!! What really dissapointed us was ordering our drinks at the end of the meal, they took forever….. the person on the bar seemed far me preoccupied talking to his friend who was sitting at the bar. Then some drinks came out whilst the rest of us had to wait about 10 minutes longer for ours to arrive. All i can say is just a bit disspoiting for a restaurant who charges top dollar – you expect to go there and get alot better service than that. Word around town from other people is the same so hopefully they will take these honest helpful reviews on board.

We dined at The Monarch last Thursday night and I can honestly say we were more than impressed and very happy customers. We were entertaining clients and when we arrived we were greeted in a very friendly yet professional manner and offered the choice of two tables. The waitress was well prepared and immediately took drink orders and advised us of the night’s specials. The food arrived in a timely manner and was of a very high standard. Well done Monarch we will return and will rave about your great restaurant to friends and colleagues.
Many thanks for a very successful night.

***Warning*** do not visit this cafe!!!! It took 45 minutes for our food to arrive, other tables that arrived after us got their food before us. Half an hour after we ordered we asked how long the food would be and were told that it was on its way. 10 minutes later we still did not have our meals. It was only breakfast so dont know why it took so long. We asked again when it was coming and they said that it had only been 20 minutes which was a complete lie as I had been watching the time as I needed to be at an appointment (which I had told them about). The manager came to our table and spoke to us and I said I had to go to my appointment so just cancel my order and don’t charge the my family for it…he was making excuses for the food being late stating that normal wait time was 20-30 minutes and we responded by saying it had been 40 minutes since we ordered. There was no apology given to us which was absolutely appalling and when my sister went to pay for their meals she was spoken to rudely by another manager who yelled at her and stated that what happened didnt warrant an apology! This is absolutely appalling customer service and we will never visit this cafe again!

Was very amusing reading all the reviews of the Monarch Cafe as quite a few of them are friends of the owner!
I was contemplating where to dine this Mothers Day and had thought about the Monarch but after reading the reviews I have changed my mind.
I have eaten there in the past and would back up the reviews that spoke about the young waiters/waitresses that don’t give a good service especially when there is a full house as this seems to be there weakness.
The price is as described by one review as central Auckland prices therefore the service and food has to be exceptional does it not?

Went for Dinner, our second attempt, last time was late Nov 2010, and we arrived at 9.45pm, to be told that the kitchen was ‘closed’, so we asked if we could have a drink then and were told that the bar was closed as well!!, the restaurant was about half full.

So we went on Wed 9th March 2011, first table was filthy, covered in wet glass rings, and the explanation tendered was “we have been really busy today” – what we have to sit at dirty tables then?. Waited over half an hour from ordering to delivery, Me the stuffed chicken breast (only warm and very dry, like stodgy dry) and she the fish o the day, snapper, (alright but i was given a piece to try and it had a couple of scales on it!!!)- and curiously enough we both had a very similar sauce, me about a table spoon full, not enough to take away the dryness of my dish.

Wasn’t cheap, and didn’t live up to the price/standard. Me two beers, she a vodka and soda, and a glass of wine. When paying on leaving, I’d been charged for 3 coronas, not 2, and a glass of Shiraz, a monteiths beer, and something else that I don’t remember. Added about forty dollars to the bill. Not even a sorry, when I challenged the bill, I was told, “We’ll check it” and then you’re right, but no apology. There was a woman working the staff roster with our waitress, but she attempted no intervention, I asked if she was the manager and she told me she was a consultant just trying so sort out messes like mine.. on pressing my case I was volunteered an apology, but I guess it was another case of a restaurant being run and staffed by teenagers with no idea on how to conduct themselves… a restaurant charging prices we would expect to pay in Ponsonby or Parnell, or Lygon St in Melbourne, but not capable of backing it up in delivering the dining experience. I think I’d rather stick pins in my eyes than go back again..

We just had dinner here tonight. We really enjoyed sitting out in the evening sun and I have to say we both had a fabulous meal. I had the chicken breast, he had the steak. Both were perfectly cooked and presented. The service was excellent, the waitress was really lovely, she even brought out a bowl of water for our dog (without being asked) which was very thoughtful as we had been traveling. Probably the best meal and service we have had this year.

Always a nice & relaxing atmosphere.

Food is good although we now have to space our visits apart since the menu hardly ever changes.

Service is relaxed but a little slow, but very very welcoming.

A good local spot that is always reliable for a good meal.

very been there twice now, both times was a nice meal. this place is always busy regardless of time or day so I guess that says something.

I would just like to say that I and many of my friends have drank and dined at the cafe over the years. the food and service have always been of high standard. the freshness and high quality of the produce used combined with the experienced chefs is a credit to the owner.

I am up here on business from Christchurch and wanted to take my friend, who I’m staying with, out for a meal. She suggested the Monarch. It was a great choice. The staff really make this restaurant; attentive and responsive. My friend ordered a rare tuna steak and it came out well done. When drawn to his attention, the Maitre’d removed the meal and was replaced with a meal as ordered. Very impressive. For an out-of-town establishment this place has a very high standard and is highly recommended.

A fantastic place to dine!! Food is always spot on! We were worried about taking our younger daughters cause it dosent look like a family friendly place. but we were so surprised. they made sure our girls orders came out first. Not to mention the very friendly waitress brought out crayons and paper so our girls had something to do while we waited.

We had lunch with friends on 11 May (Mother’s Day). We booked a table for 2 pm. I drove past a few times after coming back from shopping before 2 pm and I saw that The Monarch was packed. We arrived at 2 pm, our table was ready. The extremely busy day and volume of people and obviously volumes of food that had to be prepared did not make any difference to the superb efficiency of the staff. Service was excellent and the food was superb. Normally on days like this I have often experienced long waits in restaurants like this – not at the Monarch! Thank you so much for the excellent service and food, as well as the affordable prices.

I have been to just about all the restaurants in the Franklin District – none of them can hold a candle to you – well done!

Had awesome service and wonderful meals we all had, they were very yummy and good prices. We will be back. Thanks for a good night.