Pipi pizza café and pizza truck, bistro style restaurant — Restaurant in Hawke's Bay

Very disappointed having read the great reviews below. I note one mentioned new ownership which perhaps explains the alteration in quality.

We were told we could sit anywhere we wanted. Upon being served we asked for some water and were told there were jugs in the fridge we could take. I wasn't expecting silver service but giving us water ams glasses seems a basic courtesy.

The service from there didn't improve, A sulky server simply asking us what we wanted, no attempt at a welcome or many explanation. We decided to order two medium pizzas and calamari. I wish I had taken a photo of the calamari to give context to my shock at the pitiful plate of food that turned up for a steep $24. More than a dollar a piece I would think.

The pizzas were minimal on the toppings on soggy bases. The Salsiccia had no spice to it, just sickly sweetness from the over eager helping of brown sugar to the caramelized onions.

Should I mention that by this point th3 food from the table who had left before we entered still hadn't been cleared and flies were trying to share in our already small portions. I guess 4 staff to two tables is a tough ask.

Total spend $80 for four people with no drinks. Will have to go for a second dinner but I won't add...

Sadly not as good as it used to be. We ordered three takeaway pizzas last night and were charged $79.70 when the cafe menu price showed we should have been charged $75.70 (that includes the extra $3 for a GF base).

As well as being charged more to take the pizzas away than to sit in the restaurant, the pizzas had the least amount of topping we'd ever seen. All were Funghi flavour, and had a scant scattering of mushrooms, a few dobs of blue cheese and I only saw one tiny sprig of thyme on my pizza. My mum's pizza had no thyme and she commented how disappointed she was because the thyme really makes this flavor.

Maybe they were busy on a Friday night but I don't see why I as the customer should have to wear that. And I'm out $4. Sorry Pipi, I can see why people are frequenting other, new pizza places now :(

Update: 24 September 2021

We went back to Pipi and dined in this time. There were seven of us and all our meals were excellent. Happily my Mushroom and blue cheese pizza had a plethora of topping. The atmosphere is always great and the Pipi house red delicious. Thank you Pipi for restoring my faith as I love...

2024: Editing my review from 2019, because I really wanted to add an update. We dined at this really lovely establishment in Havelock North last night, and it honestly feels like you are eating at home, with family. We brought our one year old baby, Poppy, with us and she was welcomed with open arms. They didn’t care that we had our own booster seat on the table (she eats really well in it) and enjoyed some lovely pizza, macaroni cheese, and some olives too. Thank you, team. We enjoy a meal out every now and then, and when we can enjoy it with our daughter, we are extremely grateful. We will be back next time we are in the region! Love, from Wellington.

2019: Excellent meal this evening! Both enjoyed the pizza and the meatball penne! Love the atmosphere in your little pink restaurant. Second to none! Keep up...