Kohi Beach Eatery & Store — Restaurant in Ōrākei

Reconstruction of the place to consolidate the cafe/bakery/coffee into one was a good idea and provided a much needed facelift. It's a popular spot and in fact just the only place you can get any food/drink in this area - talk about monopoly...

What I like about the place: New refurbishment of the eatery, looks clean and can handle more people inside the store/cafe. Better flow of order to pick up. Satisfactory food and drink offerings.

What I dislike: Inconsistency of coffee making, sometimes the coffee is good, sometimes it's very poorly made - always a gamble if you don't have the right staff making the coffee it can spoil your day; inexperienced staff who don't know the ropes of serving customers quickly and getting their orders right - today's experience was lackluster as there was one staff who didn't quite know what to do and looked like she needed more support from her co-worker (but co-worker was clearly trying to multi-task with taking orders and organising food), whereas the coworker who took my order for coffee got it wrong and ended up wasting coffee as I had to go back to get it changed. Signage of the food was non-existent as you can see what is there in the display cabinets but no description of what is on offer or how much it is. Open-for-all bakery goods had some good intentions, BUT I saw some customers pick up loafs/baguettes with their bare hands and changing their minds and putting it back in the shelf -- this is a breach of food hygiene... It's only a matter of time before someone gets food poisoning.

Can it get better? Maybe but depends on how the new management cares about making sure the locals/regulars are happy and improving the whole experience. I've been coming here for the past couple of years already and I'm usually 50/50 if I want to purchase something from here or make an effort to go elsewhere. That's how I currently feel...

Today we were very disappointed with the service. We got there a minute after another couple just sat down. They were served within a couple of minutes and his coffee came out within 10 minutes. We however were not attended to. It was over 20 mins of waiting when we gave up and asked the staff again for the menu. $14 for a quarter glass of red wine.REALLY! The only red wine on the list. The salt & vinegar wedges costed $10 for only like 8 pieces ( 1 full potatoe). For $10 you can buy a 10kg bag of potatoes! Aioli wasn't served with it as stated on the menu. We had to ask for it. When it was served, it seemed like other people's leftover aioli was scrapped out and put in the dish served to us. There was some stuck outside the dish. The whole experience felt horrible. Because we were hungry we ate what we ordered. It wasn't busy as. Other customers arrived but due to the colour of their skin were served pretty much instantly. We were obviously the only coloured skin around. We wanted to spend more time and money but were extremely disappointed with the treatment, food and service. We left and went down the road to Bald Eagle Diner to continue our afternoon of fun which we were hoping for. So much for helping out our local businesses as the PM Jacinda Ardern...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Kohimarama Gem – Exceptional Service & Coffee!

I’ve been a regular at Kohi Beach Café for over 5 years, and every visit reaffirms why this place is a standout in Auckland’s café scene. The combination of stunning beachside views, top-tier service, and incredible coffee makes it an absolute must-visit.

A huge thank you to LeeLou, who always provides warm and attentive service—her hospitality is second to none. Nina, the manager, ensures every detail is impeccable, from the presentation of the food to the smooth service flow. It’s clear that she has an exceptional eye for detail, making every experience seamless and enjoyable.

And let’s talk about the coffee! Salvi and Maria are absolute masters behind the machine, crafting the best coconut milk iced frappe coffees I’ve ever had. Their skill and consistency are truly unmatched, and I always leave with a perfectly made coffee in hand.

If you’re looking for a café in Kohimarama that delivers outstanding food, great coffee, and excellent service—this is the place to be. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Kohi Beach Café is an absolute must-try!

#BestCoffee #KohimaramaCafe #AucklandEats...