Rush Munro's Ice Creamery — Attraction in North Island

Always loved going to Rush Munro’s NOT ANYMORE - daughter an I call in for a sundae, about 5:30pm today “takeaway “ the girl asked , “no eat here” I reply OH we’re about to close so will have to put it in a cardboard container - ok but can we eat it here I ask ? ( they have a lovely eating area) Yes the girl replies . Daughter gets hers then I order mine , the girls misheard me thinks I said banana and chocolate in my maple walnut sundae , but I said vanilla and chocolate - oh she saids - she takes the top scope of chocolate off throws it on top of the chocolate with traces of banana on it, discards the banana scoop on top of the banana icecream . She then gets me my vanilla in the container then puts the same scope of chocolate back on with remanants of banana - when I complain she’s says “look you won’t even be able to taste the banana it’s only a little bit - after pushing my point - she does the roll eye , grabs a plastic glove grabs the chocolate scoop with her gloved hand and dumps it back on the choc container, then gets me a good scope of chocolate ice cream as I ordered , mumbling under her breath. I pay and politely ask her name “Fibie” she says . I say I’m not impressed with your ‘roll eye’ , look it’s the end of the day she replies , and I’m the Manager she adds ( proudly I might say ) you’re the manager ? yes she says so do you want to “........” ( mumbling I never caught it all) anyway off I go to my ice cream in the paper takeaway . A family was waiting to be served . Trying to enjoy my sundae in their garden , the family enters and guess what - the woman has a sundae in glass plate ( the eat in ) with utensils. SO WHATS THIS??? When we finish I take our rubbish back and I question the so called manager “Febie” - oh she says look it’s just a paper cup you had , yes that’s right after you refused us the glass bowl as you said you were closing, then the pakeha lady who orders after us, she gets the glass bowl - what’s that all about ?? I’m Maori I say ( which is clear to see ) The so called Fibie gets all uptight - her words ( which I recorded on my cell) you can’t accuse me of racism , it’s just a paper cup you got ! EVERY ONE WORK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF - She then says it’s company policy to give the icecream sundae I’m the paper cup when we’re about to close - Again I ask , well how come the pakeha woman served after us got hers in a glass sundae plate ? I WONT BE GOING BACK...

A very pleasant space to spend Sunday morning. Cheerfully welcoming and enthusiastic staff added joy and sparkle to mine and my daughters morning. It was deserted when we arrived and very tranquil setting. Two fountains with lively goldfish. We sampled lemon sorbet and passionfruit icecream. Both delicious. Not too sickly sweet. Lemon just right balance between sour and palate cleansing. Passionfruit well blended tart with sweetness.

Garden is gorgeously done, but customers can do a better job of picking up serviettes under foot. Bins were available and clearly signposted but I found 7 napkins around the place that were better suited to be in the rubbish.

Coffee was 3/5, coconut milk slightly split. Kiddie cone was a bit over priced at $5, water was also $5. It would be a nice touch to have water and glasses available. The single cone was a decent size. But if you are going with a family group pay for. Best to save up for the experience 1-2 times a year;as you can easily spend over $50 here just...

I grew up in Hastings and Rush Munro's once stood out as a destination, renowned for its rich, creamy ice cream made with real fruit. Sadly, those glory days are long gone, leaving in it's place a mere shadow of its former self. What was once a unique experience has become indistinguishable from any generic corner dairy.

Gone are the iconic "peaked" shaped cones and the unmistakable flecks of real fruit in the ice cream—a true irony given its location in New Zealand's "fruit bowl." While the old site was celebrated for its gardens, goldfish ponds, cozy shade booths, and signature red and green decor, none of that can make up for the drastic decline in the quality of the core product.

My recent visit left me disheartened. The quality was a far cry from what it used to be, and the prices are now unjustifiably high. The feijoa ice cream, in particular, was a complete letdown. Save yourself the disappointment—you're better off picking up a couple of tubs of ice cream from the...