Moreno cafe and bakery — Restaurant in Kaipātiki

From the minute you step foot at Moreno - the vibey atmosphere and “warming” charm of this cafe/bakery perfectly reflects the meaning behind it’s “golden” name. So does the top notch roasted coffee, and decadent baked goods that fill the stylish front cabinet display.

It’s hard to choose between dining on a freshly toasted and buttered ‘Pimento and chilli cheese scone’ or the sit down menu - offering a broad array of Kiwi classic brunches beautifully fused with a taste of the Phillipines… Yes, you don’t even need a plane ticket to experience the delightful flavours a country as such has to offer!

Feeling parched after a pilates class or haircut next door, or a lovely stroll around the local Northcote parks? Well yes, Moreno is the perfect spot to sit back, relax and rehydrate with a tantalising Calamansi iced tea or freshly pressed juice - whilst admiring the beautiful greenery that surrounds. And don’t worry, there are plenty of umbrellas to keep your skin bronzed without the sunburn…and replenished water bowls for your fur-babies too!

A few standout flavours to note reside in the mouth-watering dishes/menu items of:

‘Beef Mechado’ - with comforting flavours, a rich tomato stew, the best in-house baked sourdough and tender meat topped with grated Gouda - creating an elevation of your classic ‘mince on toast’. ‘Rice Porridge’ - great option for fellow celiacs, providing that perfect indulgence we dream of but can’t touch in the traditional hot oatmeal. The toppings of caramelised pineapple, cacao and hazelnut bring an edge of sweet, nutty richness that is what dreams are made of! ‘Ube Lamington’ - yes, something so purple, unique and “Instagram-able” can pack an unforgettable punch! Think of the familiar coconut, fluffy vanilla sponge flavours from our childhood favourite “lamingtons”. But perfectly fused with the Filipino Ube (purple yam similar to sweet potato). These culinary geniuses must be proud of themselves for having created such a scrumptious new experience for the tastebuds and a satisfying end-of-meal pick!

Oh and of course, no dish is truly complete without added drops of their own spicy, sweet and Smokey chilli oil—seriously, they should bottle and sell the stuff, it’s that addictive!

But the most important thing that differentiates this upcoming hotspot is their amazing team of staff, or rather “friends” as they truly feel like to the customers! Whether you are a walk-in, booking or regular, they will always tend to you with efficient service, bright smiles and a laugh or two. The whole atmosphere and experience feels more personal than most eateries, with that family-friendly comfort.

Though It’s easy to be selfish and keep this place all to oneself, the work behind and result of Moreno is truly too “golden” to be hidden. You will be planning your next visit before the...

Moreno has an interesting Filipino fusion menu. It was hard to choose from all of it! It even took us forever to decide which pastry to buy because everything seemed yummy. They only have a few options on their menu to my liking though.

I had their chicken arroz caldo. It was so filling and the ingredients used were of quality, however I found the arroz caldo a little bit lacking in seasoning. My partner had their mechado on focaccia and it was delicious! I had a bite and I wanted to swap with him lol. Our friend had their basmati sinangag and it was full of veggies too. Their serving size is big and justifies the price. Their price point is good for a cafe and considering the skills and creativity behind it, it is generous of them.

We had desserts too. The leche flan cake was just ok, it reminded me of cheesecake. It wasn’t the best for me. We also had the ube lamington and it impressed me. I don’t really like lamington but this one changed my mind! Would actually go back here just for it lol. We also had pianono which my friend absolutely loved. The sweetness and softness of the sponge was perfect. I didn’t really like their brownie donut, it sounded interesting but the taste wasn’t special in my opinion.

I had their calamansi iced tea. I wish it had a bit more of the calamansi flavour to be honest. It was still an ok drink. We loved the latte art on my partner’s coffee though!

Overall, I recommend this place. Excellent customer service, their staff is so lovely and are attentive. They do have a limited parking space though. The only complaint I have is how there were lots of flies around! While checking out the cabinet food, we did see a fly on one of their pastries. Even while eating, I had to swat away some flies. It also can be a bit humid inside the cafe, a fan would be nice during...

This is the first time in my life that I’ve ever edited a review. Unlike my first visit, my second visit was absolutely shocking.

During the entire service, I thanked them more than five times, and every single time, they completely ignored me. They just stared at me like I was some kind of enemy. At first, I tried to be understanding, thinking maybe they were just having a tough day. But then I saw them smiling and being friendly to white customers.

They claim to be pet friendly and LGBTQ+ friendly, but apparently, that friendliness doesn’t extend to Asians. I honestly don’t understand why they, as Filipinos themselves, would choose to discriminate against other Asians.

I’m leaving my original review below, completely untouched, in the hopes that they remember who they used to be. They were once kind, and I wrote a review that reflected that.

A new café is opening nearby soon. I don’t know how their food or coffee will be, but at the very least, I doubt they’ll make me feel like I’m being discriminated against. If this place doesn’t want to go under, they better wake up and fix themselves.

Not that it matters to me, because I will never set foot anywhere near this place again.

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Absolutely love this place. The food is perfect, and the owner and staff are all so friendly and welcoming. The steak was cooked evenly, and the seasoning on the salad was just right. I also tried black pudding made with pork blood for the first time, and it was incredibly satisfying. I’m so glad to have such a wonderful cafe in our local area. I’m 200% sure I’ll be back again.

P.S. I noticed the staff member had set up my cutlery for a left-handed person, as if she noticed I’m left-handed. It’s a small detail, but it left a big...