Hapi Organic Cafe & Maara | Clean Kai Eatery — Restaurant in Napier

I would have given 5 stars, but I had a bizarre experience at the cafe today. I’ve visited this cafe every time I’ve passed through Napier, and I love it!! The drinks are amazing (especially the turmeric chai and the chocolate), and the cakes and sandwiches are great (the tempeh sandwich is one of the best sandwiches I’ve had).

I was passing through Napier today, and felt excited to head back to this cafe. I ordered the tempeh sandwich, but once I opened it I saw that it was missing the kimchi. As a staff member walked past (I assume this was the owner), I asked her if I could have a little bit of kimchi to add to it as it’s one of my favourite parts of the sandwich (I’ve had about 6 of these sandwiches in the past). She was really blunt and just explained that portions vary between sandwiches and it just comes how it comes. I asked if it was possible to have a bit of kimchi to add to it anyway, and she snapped ‘we’re struggling to make ends meet’ and walked off.

I appreciate that people have off days, which is why I’ll still give the cafe a great rating. I’ve always struggled to get a table at the cafe because of the amount of customers, so I was surprised about the owner’s comment concerning the cafe’s financial struggles. Regardless, I feel like it was inappropriate to pass this guilt onto a customer. It meant that I felt really uncomfortable after this interaction, and it honestly upset me a bit, as I also work in a cafe and I hate the thought of offending another hospitality worker. The owner continued to clear tables around me after the interaction, which left me feeling pretty awkward and keen to leave.

I’ve recommended this cafe to lots of people I’ve met (I still would, as the food is really great, and I love the principle that it’s mostly organic and homemade). I’m sure that I just caught this lady on a bad day, and I genuinely hope that she finds more...

I’m a regular to Hapi and love their products particularly the chipotle chicken sandwich and açai bowl. I also often pop by for a delicious coffee. Unfortunately the coffee is always hit or miss and every single time I go for a coffee there’s an issue. Today I went to get a takeaway flat white and when I got back to my desk and removed the lid, only half the cup was filled. Very disappointing. They also charge random prices which I assume they can get away with because their menu is confusing. But I order the same exact thing every time - a regular flat white with normal milk - some times they charge me $5 and some times they charge me $6. Once when I was charged $6 I asked about it as the day before I had only paid $5, and the cashier told me the prices had changed. Then I went back for a coffee a few days later and was only charged $5. Maybe the $1 is a “tourist tax” as I don’t have a kiwi accent so perhaps they get away with charging more to people who don’t seem to be from here and don’t know better. And then the baristas that recognise me charge me the local rate of $5??? I have no idea. I tend to pay in cash so perhaps someone is creaming the buck off the top!? Who knows. I just wish it was more consistent because the coffee tastes good and I know they’re using high...

Great food but terrible experience.

I popped in to buy some food & left injured. It was on closing and they unexpectedly closed the full height sliding door then washed the floor - with no warning or caution signs. I slipped on their wet floor & slammed into the glass sliding door. If there was a painted graphic - it was well below eye level. No-one came over to help or see how I was and I left dazed and annoyed at the carelessness. It wasn’t until I got home and discovered blood on my face and a broken tooth. I called the manager/owner to let her know how dangerous this was & to put out warning signs for customers so it didn’t happen to anyone else but she blamed me and didn’t see the need - despite my accident. Her combative behaviour & blame made it 10 times worse.

Disappointing given the caring wellness kaupapa of this cafe. The rating is not about the amazing rangitahi staff or the food. It’s about the owner’s terrible attitude to her customers & refusal to accept any responsibility. Won’t be returning.

The review by the owner - of my review - to rewrite the incident in her favour literally adds...