St Heliers Bay Bistro — Restaurant in Ōrākei

I will give this place zero stars if I could. I went to this place alone because of good Google reviews during afternoon on a week day.

The initial treatment I received from this place was horrible. Someone who seemed to be a non local staff immediately received me. Then when I asked to be seated for just one person- they kept asking me the same question like it’s a big shock.

I told them I wanted to sit near to the beach area cause of views. Then this staff told me I need to ask permission for it from another staff. So I talked with them, they agreed and I realised the place is reserved 2 hrs from the time I arrived ( the second staff who seem to be overseeing things told me they need the seat back in 1 and a half hrs and I agreed)

I sat down and the 1st staff came to me and asked me if I wanted coffee. I am caffeine intolerant so I said no not coffee what’s your drink menu? The staff made a sarcastic face and told me there it is can’t you see?( The menu is a folded white paper and a client can’t immediately say cause it was hidden under other stuff on table)

Then I said I need a light beer and the person acted all awkward and send another staff suspiciously to ID me. (I look younger than my age - I am 26yrs) So now i’m sure all this rude behaviour I am getting is probably because they are assuming I am a femme presenting minor at the bistro.

I respectfully gave them my ID but the humiliation I have been made to feel till then - I told the overseeing staff that i’m not happy with the service here. The mood got all awkward now they are treating me even more carefully to the point it’s overbearing.

I ordered a chips and the beer. It was honestly meh. I don’t see the hype or the overly positive reviews at all. Probably cause people usually have a good time when they see the beach. But then again maybe I can’t judge how their food is based off chips.

After I ate and in a hurry to leave cause my mood is super low after what happened-I saw the overseeing staff again and they asked me if I wanted anything. I said no but the initial treatment of me was horrible and calmly explained my case to them and they didn’t even apologise to me for all the embarrassment and poor treatment of a customer.

All they were trying to do was tell me their boss likes the menu to be put on table that way and the 1st staff who was rude is just the coffee person.( I don’t know why they came to serve me if they don’t know how to treat a customer )

I told them not to do that ever again and be respectful to a customer- especially if they are coming to eat alone.Gave me so many excuses and didn’t even acknowledge what happened.

I do not recommend this place at all!!!!!!

It doesn’t take much for a place to treat everyone that comes to eat at their place ( that they pay to go to) kindly.

Horrible and rude experience and rude staff overall - and mysteriously overrated.

If the owner is reading this- I want you to do better! Treat your customers with respect. It’s a horrible environment to eat or to have...

I met a friend on Tuesday 11th February 2025 in the morning for a coffee, chat and lite bite, my friend requested a window table, he was asked if we were eating, which we were. We decided on a pastry rather than a cooked breakfast, and a waitress was sent over to tell us to move because we weren't having food (despite the fact we were eating pastries out of their pastry cabinet.) I'm a 50 year resident of the Bays, and I enjoy supporting local businesses. I have been a regular client at the Bistro for as long as it's been open, both for regular coffees in the morning, drinks in the afternoon and the odd meals at night, I often bring outside visitors with me. I went to speak to Peter, the patron, who knows me well, to ask why we were being asked to move, his response was unfriendly, loud and agressive. Is that how a long term regular client is treated? At this point, the friend I was eating with came over to support me, seeing that I was having an angry exchange. At this point, Peter turned his agression to my friend,(my friend pointed out that we had ordered food, it just hadn't yet arrived at the table), then Peter came extremely abusive to my companion, calling him a liar and other insults. We were asked to leave - which we did. I have since been told I am not welcome at Bistro. The Bistro itself is a brilliant venue, with excellent caring staff, however, the whole atmosphere is spoilt by the toxic attitude of the owner. Peter should not be in...

Can't believe that it can happened here in Auckland, being treated dismissively, especially in front of your son and friend—is deeply hurtful and unacceptable. Discrimination, whether subtle or overt, leaves a lasting sting, and it's especially jarring when it happens in a place where you expect warmth and hospitality You witnessed a lack of accessibility for a wheelchair user, which already set a troubling tone. You were trying to enjoy a simple coffee outing with your son and a Asian colleague. You were initially treated kindly by one Asian female staff member, but then encountered a dismissive and exclusionary attitude from another young European female staff. The comment implying “some other people will be sitting there, not you” was not just rude—it carried a discriminatory undertone that made you feel other like she try to remind me that you brown color with an Asian are not welcome to eat in. When you questioned it, the staff member had no clear explanation and deflected to a manager. These moments matter. They reflect how unconscious bias and systemic exclusion can show up in everyday interactions. And when it happens in a public space, it’s not just about one person—it’s about the message it sends to everyone watching, including your child. we just moved to next small community cafe called " Village Co-Op" and enjoyed the place, people around us and staff engagement with customer. on top that they are pet friendly and have water for...