A really great find, right on the highway (SH 1) heading north out of Whangarei - not particularly appealing from the outside but don't be put of by this. The selection of food available is staggering. A cafeteria style eatery, with lots of cabinets as you enter down one side containing plated food (cakes, pies etc.) and the counter at the end. The cooked food is more like a traditional transport café in the UK. Order and pay at the counter and your food is delivered to your table. Staff are friendly, helpful and chatty. Spotlessly clean, light and airy. Opens at 0530 most days and closes at 1700 hours but check the web-site for timings as they do vary.

Written March 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.

Cass FP

1 contribution

Our favourite one stop shop!

May 2022 • family

We love going to the roadhouse cafe. We get the most delicious English muffins from here on the way to school at least twice a week! I also get my iced caramel latte too which hits the spot every time! This roadside pit stop never fails to impress! Always clean and well presented, with an enormous variety of hot and cold food, ranging from European faves, to freshly made sushi, bento bowls and dumplings. Simon, his beautiful wife and their crew, are the bomb! So happy and welcoming, this is definitely one you don’t want to miss on your way up north.

Written May 21, 2022

Karen Smith

Auckland Central2 contributions

Best Cafe heading North and Back!!

Dec 2024 • solo

Tania B must have no taste what-so-ever! Or you are just a stuck up cow!! You won't be missed!! I have been going to the is place for years when I am travelling up North and back again to Auckland!! Staff are great, food amazing, my favourite the seafood basket!! You rock! Cheers Karen

Written December 25, 2024

Paul L

New Zealand155 contributions

A MUST STOP

Oct 2021 • none

This cafe is one of the best roadside cafe and loo stop you will find. Great selection of cakes, pies, sammies and sushi a well as really good hot cabinet food. Hot chocolate very good, as are the afghan biscuits.

Written November 28, 2021

GrandTour602558

Melbourne1 contribution

The best food in town

Nov 2023 • family

The best surprise… friendly staff, delicious food, lots of variety and affordable. We were so impressed that we returned on the way back. It was as good the second time :) This little place is popular with locals and is a must for travellers.

Written November 6, 2023

Queen Rio

Whangarei317 contributions

Best Roadside Shop

Nov 2020 • solo

Best place I’ve ever stopped at on side of the road. It has a huge a range of options from sandwiches to pies to sushi as-well. There menu is awesome and everything is relatively cheap and delicious.

Written November 2, 2020

Lorna

Townsville33 contributions

Morning tea/ roadside stop

Sep 2020 • couples

Consistantly good. Huge range of tasty food. Coffee is usually very good. Hubby quite often has the all day breakfast. Great, friendly service. Toilets are handy too.

Written September 22, 2020

Tania B

2 contributions

No good

Sep 2024 • family

Terrible pies and chicken kebab was foul. We are not going to be going there again. Was good must have new owners. Give this place a big miss.

Written September 7, 2024

Didi M

Whangarei108 contributions

Consistently excellent

Nov 2019 • solo

Huge variety of food and only extremely fussy eaters could not find something to cater to personal taste or dietary needs.

Written November 5, 2019

Diane S

Whangarei35 contributions

Great food and you don't have to wait long.

Sep 2019 • none

The staff are friendly and helpful. The food was great and we didn't have to wait long for it. Its on the main road North and parking right outside. It has cooked food or sandwiches etc.

Written September 1, 2019

Ross B

Kerikeri164 contributions

Huge selection of food

Aug 2019 • none

This cafe is a very popular establishment, you can sit inside or outside or get food on the run.The selection of hot and cold food is huge, with full meals available as well. Food was excellent as was the service. If your hungry of thirsty this is the place to go.

Written August 12, 2019

TROPHYKerikeri

41 contributions

Cheap, Cheerful and delicious

Sep 2018 • friends

Call in here every time we go to Whangarei as the food is very tasty and ever so cheap, seems like it is a big hit with wagon drivers as they get a good feed and it doesn't cost the earth, my friend and I visited on Saturday, I had Sausage, eggs on toast, chips and a pottle of beans, all washed down with a cafetiere of coffee, about 16 dollars, hows that for a bargain.

Written October 1, 2018

Allgoodthyngs

Shrewsbury1609 contributions

Only Stopped for Coffee But Breakfast Beckoned too!

May 2018 • couples

Found this place by accident on the way back to our accommodation in Kamo and decided to stop for coffee. However.... the food looked good and the smell of bacon irresistible so we had breakfast too. Friendly fast service, good food and drinks, reasonable prices- most satisfactory!

Written June 17, 2018

Zak B

London38 contributions

Great value breakfast

Mar 2018 • couples

We stopped here on our way home and had all day breakfast. Food was good and excellent value. Service was efficient and polite. Clean and tidy bathroom was added bonus.

Written March 3, 2018

john j

Auckland405 contributions

Food Was Good, Cafe Was Dirty

Nov 2017 • business

We stopped here for some lunch which we planned to eat in house, but after looking in the Cafe and seeing that unfortunately it looked dirty with a lot of food bits on the floor, we decided to take the food away. The service was friendly, and the food and coffee was good.

Written November 14, 2017

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