Caroline's Boatshed Bar and Eatery — Restaurant in Manawatū-Whanganui

As we were travelling home from Te Matatini 2025, to Waimārama in a van of 10 well worn, kaumatua, I googled the best cafe on the Whanganui River and felt this one fitted our needs in every way. The directions advised us to leave the highway so whilst driving along we ended up on an isolated road then we came to shingle. WELL!!! you can imagine the comments " where are you taking us? Oh my goodness!! We're lost! Of course I started to shrink because I was relying on Aunty Google. Then we saw Caroline's Boatshed Cafe. Seated we were warned it may take up to an hour wait. The service was amazing, friendly, professional , and full of warmth, just like being welcomed into someone's home. We settled in, sharing stories and laughter, the tiredness from Te Matatini momentarily forgotten.

When the food arrived, it was well worth the wait—beautifully presented, fresh, and full of flavour. Some of us had the fish of the day, others went for hearty soups or homemade pies, and of course, there was a round of tea and coffee to keep us going.

By the time we left, bellies full and spirits lifted, the earlier grumbles about the road had turned into jokes about the adventure. "Next time, just trust Aunty Google!" someone chuckled.

Nancy’s Boatshed Cafe had given us more than just a meal—it had given...

Upon arrival. My partner and I grabbed the menu. And waited for someone to approach us. When they did we said table for 2. And as we headed off to our table with who we thought was a waitress, another lady said something about orders at the bar and something about drinks. So I thought she said that we can order drinks at the bar anytime. I thought nothing of it, as we have been here before. So we sat down outside. I grabbed a couple of lemon lime and bitter drinks. And we waited. As we have been coming here for years, we know how the food and service is like. We waited and waited and waited, for 25 minutes, and I was getting annoyed that not 1 person has not come over to take our order. So I got up and went to go see someone. I found the lady that said something about the bar and drinks, I told her that we have been sitting here for 25 minutes, and not one waiter or waitress approached us to take our orders. And she said with a loud voice, "I told you to order at the bar", as in your meals she was meaning. OMG REALLY, this was not clearly stated to me, and if this is only a temporary measure, or if this is how they roll now. I grabbed my partner and left. I still don't know if this was just a temporary thing, or if this is permanent. But I now don't know if I would...

Today we went into Caroline’s at around 11am to get some lunch, we’ve visited Caroline’s in the past and have really enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere there.

We were a group of three, no reservation just walk-in. We did not have a good time. The waiter that approached us was rude and curt, and quite frankly it felt like they didn’t even care about us as they told us we were a low-priority table as we were only walk-ins. We were told to sit at whatever table was free (as long as it wasn’t reserved). Our waiter dumps the cutlery and water on the table, and leaves us alone… for the next 45 minutes.

We were not served at all, so proceeded to order drinks from the bar where the other workers were surprised to hear we had not been served yet. This changed nothing as we continued to wait another 40 minutes with still no service. Once again, approached the bar to put our order in where the workers were once again, shocked that we still hadn’t been served.

By the time the food came out it was so late, the table next to us who had arrived after us had got their food before we ever did and had finished!

This is the worst service I’ve ever had from a restaurant, and disappointing to say the least. I will not be recommending anyone to...