Founders Café — Restaurant in Nelson

I won't be back. I stopped in for morning tea with my mum. There were no prices displayed, but we were pretty surprised that my small bottle of juice (~$3 at the supermarket) mum's chai, and a sweet slice each, came to $24. But ok. The food and drinks were pleasant enough, nothing amazing. But the reason I won't be returning is that a staff member used a cloth to wipe the floor then wiped the top of another table with it. We pointed out to her that it wasn't best practice, to which she replied that she wasn't wiping the floor, she was wiping the base of the table. Then she said that the table top was going to be sanitised anyway so it didn't matter. We also mentioned that the gluten-free food was on a chiller rack beneath the non-gf food, so crumbs could fall and contaminate it. The staff member said she'd noticed that too and asked someone else to fix it earlier but they hadn't. I'm afraid the lax attitude to food safety means this place won't see my...

I stopped by Founders Café twice during my visit to Nelson, once around 10 AM and again at midday. Both times, the food that came out looked tastalicious, and when I finally ordered at lunchtime, it delivered. I had the single-serve pulled pork nachos, and they were flavoursome, perfectly balanced, and topped with jalapeños (always a win in my book!).

It was extremely busy at lunchtime, and while I noticed some diners getting a bit frustrated at the wait, the staff were doing their absolute best to stay polite, cheerful, and keep things moving. A little kindness goes a long way in moments like that, without these hardworking servers, none of us would be enjoying such great food or coffee.

I also saw the team handle a mix-up in someone’s order with genuine care and professionalism, which really stood out.

All in all, Founders Café is well worth the visit, tasty food, friendly staff, and a kitchen that clearly cares about...

Grossly overpriced and snarky service, for a can of sprite and coke it came to $12 nzd, when I went to pay I double checked if heard the lady at the counter correctly, infront of my daughter the lady with the short blonde spikey hair replied in a very rude sharp annoyed tone that "the price is the price" either she was having a bad day or should not be in hospitality as thats not a way to treat a customer no matter how big or small the order. To top it off when when we sat down at our table it was covered in chocolate/ tomatoe sauce and crumbs. Shame over all as its a lovely spot especially for kids right next to the playground. We actually came to eat but after that rude interaction I refused to spend more at this establishment and instead took my buisness elsewhere. To the short haired lady at the counter I suggest sort out your attitude as you are hurting the buisness with that sort...