Good Hood Eatery — Restaurant in Devonport-Takapuna

I don’t think it’s necessary for me to return to experience the service again. Based on the entire exchange, all I can see is defensive justifications without humility and avoidance of the core issues—much like how my detailed feedback seems to have been disregarded. Instead of seeking validation from a handful of dissatisfied customers, you should focus on improving your service. Whether the food is tasty or the premises outdated are secondary concerns that add up later. The most critical factor is, and always will be, the service. A café should make people feel welcome—that is the key point! This is my honest advice to you. As for whether I share my experience elsewhere, that is entirely my decision. （updated on 29/12)

————————————————————————— Today, with both adults and kids on holiday, we decided to visit a popular café in our neighborhood that’s been trending on Xiaohongshu. Unfortunately, the experience was deeply disappointing.

First, the service lacked any warmth. From the moment we walked in, there were no greetings, and the three staff members at the counter avoided eye contact entirely. The server was equally inattentive, blankly asking if an empty water bottle on our table was ours instead of simply offering us fresh water. To make matters worse, they were noticeably friendlier to other customers, which made us feel uncomfortable. The café’s layout was odd, with the kitchen and counter separated, no table decorations like flowers, and an overall tired, uninspiring atmosphere.

We initially planned to order a full meal but ended up settling for cabinet food due to the poor service. Even then, basic dining standards weren’t met—our muffin arrived without cutlery. The coffee was mediocre, lacking any distinctive flavors, and the presentation was unremarkable.

By comparison, many local cafés in the shore Area are known for their warm, thoughtful service, from the warm welcome to attentive care throughout the meal. This café was the opposite—its lack of good service is a fatal flaw. In an area with so many excellent options, a café with neither great service nor standout offerings has no chance of standing out. We definitely won’t...

The coffee I had over the weekend was probably the least enjoyable I’ve had in New Zealand.

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Thank you for your quick response.

Every day on my way to work, I notice that your cafe is always bustling with customers, which inspired me to bring my family for brunch this past weekend. I believe you have a loyal clientele, and it’s wonderful to see how well you support your local community. However, I wanted to kindly mention that the coffee we had over the weekend was a bit too bitter for our taste. The flat white, in particular, had a slightly bitter flavor with a light layer of coffee powder on top.

I believe this was just an occasional occurrence. I kindly hope that every customer is treated with care...

Everything you can ask for in a little neighbourhood cafe! We live just across the road and couldn’t be happier with Good Hood’s range of cabinet food and their full menu. There’s a bit of asian influence in the dishes which sets them apart from other cafes around the area. I’m big on zero sugar alternative barista milk but their milk will do for now as the Supreme coffee beans is our fav. Delish. We had the pumpkin and ginger soup of the day and the vegetarian filo - both just right in terms of seasoning and flavour. Thank you for blessing Castor Bay with a doggy-friendly cafe that has all the vibes of the trendiest cafe in Auckland. Wouldn’t mind if you turned the music...