Never having been here before, we called into this restaurant for brunch after rain affected the cricket today.

I ordered my usual Eggs Benedict and was offered it with several options. I chose ham. It seemed a bit more pricey than other places. When it arrived I was amazed to see not just two eggs on a bagel but three huge slices of ham and a potato cake – it was more than worth the extra. It was all absolutely delicious, one of the best I’ve tasted (and I’m a creature of habit).

I also ordered a pot of tea. It came with an egg-timer styled timer – designed to indicate when the tea would be ready to pour – that all on our table thought was lovely.

We had no problems with the speed of service. We ordered at the counter and, although Saturday-morning-busy, found a table easily.

I was curious to see what the tugboat would be like on the inside and was pleasantly surprised and rather impressed. I think we’ll be back.

Hilary from SaRC Social Club

I’m not sure when it became acceptable for a cafe/restaurant to offer food that tastes distinctly like packet food, but Parade Cafe may very well be the first cab off the rank.

A Thursday dinner began with an average chicken burger for my partner and over cooked duck breast for myself. I suspect the cook doesn’t know that duck should be slightly pink inside. It’s not chicken, sweetheart, it won’t poison me if it’s pink. With the mains consumed with an overly warm red wine, we moved on to dessert.

As we both enjoy chocolate fondants, this was the obvious selection, particularly as past experience has shown that the creme brulee to be akin to eating Swiss Made Custard.

After what seemed like an eternity to have our order taken, this being a very quiet night with about 4 covers/tables booked, the chocolate fondants appeared very quickly. There were 2 problems with the fondants. One, they were stone cold and two, they tasted like Aunt Betty’s self saucing puddings. Upon asking both wait staff, I was informed that they should indeed be hot/warm and not cold.

I emailed the manager for clarification on how the fondants ought to have been prepared, only to be told that they were experimenting with the recipe. Now, as an amateur cook, I would expect a cafe/restaurant to have actually done the experimentation prior to the dish being put on the menu. Call me old-fashioned. I did not receive an apology.

I can’t recommend dining here unless you like poorly cooked food that tastes like it’s out of a packet.

Keen to show our wonderful city off to our Canadian visitors we chose this restaurant for dinner, great venue & views…the rest was history. When following up the waitress who seated us to take our drink and food order, she advised me our waiter will be with us soon. A few minutes later the same waitress shows up, I’m thinking are we in a scene from Faulty Towers? We are then advised over 7 items are not on the menu, no pasta dishes no chicken & no mussels. We are told the menu is going through a change so I’m now thinking its time to leave but we order anyway. 5 minutes pass & I’m then advised the pan fried fish is not available either. The food we did have was passable, fish & chips for our visitors & lamb rump for the remainder. Very dissapointed, will not recommend or return.

Food is okay, but the kids love it – mainly for the extra thrill of eating on a boat. Great spot for a quick after work dinner, followed by a play on the beach.

Great place to go for lunch, with very good pricing and a good view

Was planning my sons 1st birthday and was going to hire the up stairs for $150, they asked about the cake and was told they make a round one for $95 or a rectangle for $125. I explained to them my son was allergic to eggs and i wanted to make him a pirate ship cake,they then said i wasn’t allowed to bring my own cake in and another staff said i would have to pay $2.50 per a slice. I would not recommend going their! What restaurant does not allow you to bring in your own cake? Especially for a child’s birthday! What happened to going the extra mile? they are just money hungry!

Good yummy food served on a nicely decked out boat.

Staff were fairly lax but i went there for lunch time snack and so that actually suited me fine that it felt pretty chilled out.

First off, I’m on a boat! Gotta love that, you get one star just for that.

Myself and two friends were drawn in by the two for one special and a friends recommendation of the chicken curry.

The Waitresses took awhile to seat us and eventually we got an average table in the main foyer, next to the kitchen door.

We waited a fair amount of time while wait staff walked past us before I took initiative and rustled up some menu’s.

Eventually we were seen to by the manager on duty whose service was top notch, however as there was only three of us, he declined to let us get two 2 for 1 meals. Which is probably fair enough but since I was shouting and I am somewhat of a greedy guts I was keen to get two meals. But OK still.

My friends got the chicken curry which looked good, was tasty but was not spicy enough for my liking although I love the chilli so that is no mark against it.

I ordered a steak, which was prefectly cooked (med-rare) and the mushroom sauce was mmmmmm yum, the potatoes were a little under cooked and under-seasoned but good meal overall.

Our shared jug of pilsener complemented the beef perfectly.

Was a bit expensive but it was a treat night out to celebrate my new job. Would probably go back again.

Again big ups to the duty manager whose service was impeccable

We went here as it was one of the few places we could find open on Anzac Day. The location and views are great. The food though wasn’t great. We ordered beef burgers which come with wedges. The burgers were huge, but not tasty at all. The sauce that accompanied the wedges was great though. We couldn’t find a kid’s menu, so ordered the chicken pieces and fries starter dish. It turned out to be a massive plate of fries, with a few chicken nuggets on top. Too full for dessert, we had chocolate cake takeaway. If I ever go back, it will be for coffee and that divine chocolate cake.

Visited a few times now, mostly due to only option for location. Would do take away coffee but not eat in as the service is too hit and miss.

Similar view shared with the rest of my dining party who had insisted we go here.

A real shame.

this was the first time eating in a proper restaurant in wellington and i was very impressed the site was great, eating on a boat was a new experience and the views were romantic and the food was to die for! the prices also were outstanding as was the service. we started off with a bread plate and when it was brought to us we were so surprised it was a huge loaf amount of bread it which was lovely and fresh, it also had not one but two types of bread, the dips were also great. after that we had our meals mine was the chicken penne pasta which was delicious and my partner had a Vietnamese beef which he found very moist and delicious. we couldn’t stay for dessert as we had run out of time but i sure will be going back. the staff were friendly and funny and had a very at ease vibe about them. we have been raving about this place for weeks to all our friends and can’t wait to go back again.

This is the same place just in a better location. Lots of options for veges like me, and now with the lovely view of the harbour they are onto a winning formula.

Staff are lovely and helpful and the service is quick even with the long line that often exists (testimony to the goodness being served).

Also a great place to hold a function.

Great atmosphere, staff has always been efficient with their service and their smiles! I have been to Parade Cafe more than a dozen times, and have always came back for their desserts! However, our last brunch there was a bit of a let down; toast was chewy, burger was just flooded with too much sauce, and portion of the other stuff were slightly smaller than usual. BUT, I will still go back to give them another try.

Went there for lunch; Great cafe food; Nice and relaxed, outdoor area and great location; Quick service.

Passionfruit smoothie was excellent;

Wonderful service, great menu, mean as coffee. Consistently one of Wellingtons top cafes.
Best corn fritters I have found in NZ.

Excellent place for breakfast.Good variety and tasty, well presented food. Extremely efficient service; it was very busy and our meals were delivered quickly. Lovely atmosphere with the choice of indoor/outdoor dining.