What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Whare Waka Cafe
Review
About
Travelers' Choice
2024
Whare Waka Café is fully licenced and offers a wide selection of cabinet and a la carte food. Choose from the cosy ambience indoors or the outdoor area surrounded by ferns and native trees and overlooking the waka taua (ceremonial war canoe) and the Pacific Ocean. Whare Waka Café is available to hire for wedding receptions and events throughout the year. With a range of catering options to suit all occasions. In summer (December–April) the café also offers a hāngi dinner on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings.
Features
CUISINES
Cafe, New Zealand
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Free off-street parking
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Seating
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Free off-street parking, Parking Available
Does this restaurant accept reservations?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 9:00 AM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Contribute
3.8
176 reviews
Excellent
77
Very good
40
Average
28
Poor
16
Terrible
15
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Phil & Wendy T
Melville180 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
This cafe is next to Waitangi cultural Centre. Coffee is good. You can get a muffin or savory scone, or cake or slice from the cabinet. I wasn’t overly impressed with the slices. Lemon crumble one was hard although tasted ok. Chocolate brownie also a bit hard. Maybe as it was kept in fridge. No milkshakes available.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SandLexia
Auckland Central113 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
The attractive café is located in a lovely peaceful setting. The breads in the cabinet were curling at the edges so we settled for a piece of raspberry-coconut slice which turned out to be dense & very, very heavy. Loud music inside drove us out to the deck beside the pool where we were fascinated by the eels. Good coffee redeemed our visit.
Written October 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian L
Berkhamsted466 contributions
Nov 2019 • none
There isn't anything special about this cafe but the food and drink is good and the staff are friendly and helpful. you can sit inside or out and the tables on the open grassed area all have umbrellas. You may have to wait a few minutes to secure one.
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Serena J
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • family
The fresh food was tasty. but unfortunately the ŵait was long. The deep fried food was average.
They Seemed to be having trouble with the increased demand of summer tourism.
The garlic bread was mouldy. And our food was also delivered to the wrong table resulting in us missing our cultural performance. They did refund our food price and the treaty grounds agreed to change our cultural performance time. So ultimately it all worked out but was frustrating.
Written December 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curiosity49799551333
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • couples
Fish was so small!
Oil must’ve been old because it was so brown!
Salad was literally slapped together, with just lettuce and sweet chilli for the dressing.
Chowder tasted like flour.
Drink options were limited, no grab & go fridge just hot drinks, iced drinks or water.
Customer service was the best though.
Written January 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Journey63964068579
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • family
Always feel the manaakitanga of the Tāne working here.
Can taste the aroha in the Kai, please give the boys a raise so you don’t loose them lol.
A change might just up set the ultimate service you have going right now.
All staff have the best language and communication with everyone in the cafe and know how to make you feel at home within this space.
Always hitting it on the spot with service, attitude. Taste, and the presentation is on point?? If the Chef is not a qualified chef, pay for his papers asap, because he is a chef for sure.
Please look after your staff to the maximum cause they are legendary.
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim S
Havelock North80 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
Two of us had lunch.
The cafe / restaurant is an interesting Architectural design.
The staff were friendly & service vg.
We shared a Barbecued Beef Brisket open sandwich. Beautifully presented with delicious ingredients.
A piece of Lemon Sponge Roll was the perfect way to finish the meal.
Based on our experience would throughly recommend.
Written October 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aotearoa2021
1 contribution
Jul 2021 • none
Going in I was met with a board displaying their drinks and coffee menu in te reo Māori. Wow awesome. I thought I could ask my order in te reo and be responded to in te reo. Not so. Total disappointment. Manager served me with nothing more than a glazed look when I questioned the purpose of the menu board written in te reo. Stop using te reo Māori to sell your food if you can't serve people in te reo Māori! And being situated at the Treaty grounds - what a cheek! Best to spend your ten dollars at Kaikohe or Kawakawa where you get a kia ora and a ka kite! Wont be going back there again. Seagulls liked the scroll bread though.
Written July 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dorothyspiotta
Auckland Central4 contributions
Jan 2023 • family
Tiny piece of lamb. About a teaspoonful. Rest was potato and a little gravy but was very dry. Size of pastry pouch vs its contents was deceiving. For $12 a pie (we had two) a massive disappointment and filled up on a yummy bowl of hot fries. - fries were good.
Written January 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GaryandLesleyTravel
Auckland Central7853 contributions
Apr 2021 • couples
This quiet spot hidden away at Waitangi is a great option for breakfast or lunch, open 7 days between 9am and 3pm. Choose your food off the menu or out of the cabinet. Inside and outdoor seating available. Food, drinks and service were excellent.
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Departure36211407716
1 contribution
Jul 2023 • family
An unexpected highlight of our trip. Great coffee and excellent dining. Much higher standard of food than one would normally expect from a tourist attraction cafe. I particularly enjoyed the pork belly with creamed watercress in fried bread. The kids were well catered for also. You pay for what you get but you get what you paid for!
Written July 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
julie m
Melbourne21 contributions
Jan 2021 • none
Delicious sausage roll served promptly with a lovely mango chutney, heated properly not in a microwave. Lovely hot tea. Impressive service for a cafe at a landmark that aren’t usually great! Highly recommend.
Written January 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raupo
19 contributions
Jul 2023 • family
We had a great experience at the Rewana and Māori bread class in the cafe. We made and ate the delicious breads, left with some samples and starter.
Great atmosphere. Thanks so much.
The next morning we went back for Sunday breakfast . A perfect meal, excellent service and surroundings.
We will be back.
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
coco
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • none
First off the wait staff said it was ok to bring our dog in (on a lead) sitting on the grass area. We got settled and then were told we couldn't have a dog here.
Wanted a beer to have with my meal and was told they couldn't sell it to me because no one had a managers license (maybe cover up the fridge then).
Felt a bit disorganized.
Our breakfast was lovely but our friend had the sausage roll which was dry and sadly the pastry underneath was burnt.
Written August 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Psicky
Turin289 contributions
Apr 2024 • family
Nice and quiet place!
The external environment is pleasant and relaxing, the food is good, varied and fresh. The desserts are also worth trying! The coffee... almost like the Italian one!
Service available
Written April 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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