Sabio Coffee — Restaurant in North Island

I hadn't been to Sabio before. Obviously a successful café, chocka full at 12.30 for lunch on a rainy day. Great if you want indoor-outdoor choice and prompt service. Friendly. Cleverly turned industrial site into relatively nice eatery. However, if you're looking for "different", or excellent value, or stand-out-from-the-crowd, this is not the right place. Standard over-expensive bland fare, I know it's what you have to charge to make a living. But. A "safe" money maker, very much the toast of Whangārei foodies who don't have much choice (other than Mackas, etc.). I had the chicken/mushroom/blue cheese filo, and it was nice-ish because I was starving, but if I hadn't been starving, I'd have to be honest and say it was greasy and bland, very much what the boring Kiwi palette likes, although it had real mushrooms unlike other cafes that simply wave a mushroom over the top! The chai latte was ho-hum, but I like spicy, and it was definitely very far from that. But if you're in a hurry, want nice service and want to be safe with your food, go for it. You won't be made to wait long if you order from the choices inside the glass cases. I don't know about blackboard menu serving times. The staff are under pressure but seem to cope. Probably a tad cheaper than the Bank Street cafes, but I didn't do a quantitative comparison. Overall, 3 stars. Meh because I can cook very well myself, and I like flavour having spent 6 years in...

This has been a go to place for sometime now..but have only lately tried the board menu meals. The two so far I've had, I rate pretty highly are: The mushrooms-they are yum..but because they are richly flavored, next time I'd ask for no melted cheese on the toasted baguette slices & I'd add bacon just to balance the richness..but others may love it just as is! The other is the French toast meal. First time I had the maple syrup separate in a jug which I'd prefer each time. I forgot to ask for side of bacon the 2nd time I ordered it..I personally missed it as it balances the sweetness for me..so end up ordering & hold on eating till it came..was worth it for friend & i who share. Nice softly cooked bacon too.

I've tasted the Homemade baked beans & will be ordering one visit soon..they were tasty. Again I'd add bacon..theirs is nice & not too salty.

Very nice pot of peppermint leaf tea for after meals..& the tin of Japanese Lime tea is an enjoyable one to buy & have at home.

This place has atmosphere in a nice simple & relaxed style with its quiet but up market modern appeal.

Three different sized tables from small to large.

Thank you Sabio for the extras you have to offer..coffee beans & teas & your...

Called in for brunch with our little family. Was super impressed by the lady taking our order - she was very attentive to allergies and happy to answer questions and find info as needed. The chef was super lovely too and whipped up a breakfast to suit our little guy then delivered it with a smile and made conversation with the kids - made them feel very special and welcome. Food is delicious and very well presented. Only thing missing is a kids menu, but I reckon next time (and there will absolutely be a next time) I'll just ask if we can do a half size meal for our little ones. With the outstanding service we received I'm sure this wouldn't...