Always impressed here. Friendly staff and good service. Can get quite busy and some things are quite pricey but the food and coffee is always top notch. Would reccomend if you are looking something away from the busy city and the base!

We went here for Sunday lunch. Good parking outside and lots of outside seating.
Unfortunately we had to wait 25 minutes for any of our ordered food to appear. Coffees first, then about 10 minutes later our slice appeared. When we said that we were still waiting for our 2 chicken wraps there was a bit of concern from the table staff member who went to investigate. Another 10 minutes later 2 wraps arrived – rather hurriedly put together and sadly lacking any taste.The aioli appeared to be missing. We suspect that they had served our 2 from the cabinet to other customers. A lot of the tables hadn’t been cleared when we arrived which is not a great look for potential diners.
We will not be dining here again.

Went for Brunch on a Sunday morning. Quite busy but still good service and friendly staff. The food is good although not that much on the menu, definitely a brunch place and not lunch. Is really nice on a sunny day to sit outside and watch the world go by.

Consistently poor service on a Sunday.
Thought we’d give it another go, but after today’s effort, definitely won’t be returning.
35 min wait for a coffee.
Cooked breakfast was served, but apparently it takes longer to put a muffin on a plate as this was brought out 10 min after cooked breakfast!
Prior to this, on another visit, had gone for brunch as a family, but staff decided to bring out adult food first, and had children wait 15 minutes for their meal!
Unbelievable.

This place is really expensive!

$47.00 for lunch for three people. That was two small pieces of quiche ($22), a croissant ($11), two coffees ($9) and a cup of black tea ($5!).

I don’t mind paying for good food (I live in Central Auckland) but these prices for quick eats from the cabinet is taking the mickey.

The service was sluggish, but not super-slow. The staff were neither friendly nor super-rude; but certainly disinterested.

The coffee was excellent… But sad to say we won’t be back.

Great Service. Great Food. Good Coffee!

Nice wee suburbia cafe hidden away in Forest Lake. Nice chilled out atmosphere with friendly staff who help add to that atmosphere. We were all very happy with our brunchs and coffee also very good.

Will be back! Thanks Sugar Bowl.

Poor service and long waiting times. When ordering we asked if they served feijoa juice, and were told all our juices are over in the fridge. After going to the fridge, they didn’t stock it which would have been good to know beforehand. A lot of the menu items have vegetarian options, the girl who took our order didn’t know what the option included, when the two vegetarian meals arrived they had the meat component removed, with no substitution although the price was the same. We had to wait a long time for our meals, although they weren’t overly busy and were served burnt coffee. Would not bother going back

This is the friendliest cafe in town. Stopped here for coffee and to grab a quick sandwich to take away. Cafe was doing a roaring trade after Saturday Sport – and taking the business completely in their stride. The Baristta in particular is so chilled out and in control. I noticed that the sandwiches were refreshed in the time we were waiting for our coffees to be made – so I like the fact that the food isn’t pre-made heaps in advance – the obviously replenish the cabinet as the food sells. Considering how busy it was, we didn’t have to wait long at all. Coffee was fab. I LOVE the take-away cups they use – my coffee was piping hot, but the cup wasn’t hot to touch. Even though it was busy, still got a park at the door.

good service and good parking the new asphalt looks a lot better, all round good cafe

First time at Sugar Bowl today for brunch. Located on reasonably quiet road with excellent parking right outside. Great selection on the menu and prompt service. Very impressed with the Eggs Bene with Baked Salmon option – perfectly cooked and presented and extremely well priced.

Also in the current edition of the Waikato/BOP Entertainment Book. Will be back.

Great little cafe, perfect coffee every time, yummy food, friendly staff, excellent cafe experience all round.

Food and the coffee is always great and the atmosphere makes the Sugar Bowl an enjoyable place to sit and relax. No problems parking and the summer dinners are fantastic. They offer a range of wines, the organic ones are some of the best available.

First i thought this was an excellent cafe being open for dinner in the weekends, but then i noticed the hours stated to change. some week ends they are open and some there not. the coffee is very good and the guys that run the place are very friendly and welcoming, gets an average by me, because there closed half the time i turn up for coffee.