Trail Kitchen — Restaurant in North Island

A very disappointing experience.Visited the cafe two days in a row during the school holidays, cafe very busy and no one clearing or wiping tables, customers moving piles of dirty dishes to sit down. The staff were wandering around in a daze with no idea what was going on. Asked for the water bottles to be restocked in the fridge and was told to go and find one from an uncleared table! First day we were told very rudely that the wait for food would be 50 minutes so we didn’t bother ordering anything (if you wanted customers, surely you would offer cabinet food or something while we wait? Poor hospitality practice) second day we ordered 1 bowl of fries and were told the wait would be 25 mins. An hour later we had to ask where they were. The tables all around us were all waiting excessively long times for food and having to go and ask where it was. The one person preparing food was VERY slow. Overall, dirty cafe, slow service, rude and clueless staff....

Fist time today at the recently opened Trail Kitchen at the Waipa Mill Car Park at the Redwoods. Initially, I was a bit concerned when arriving after a ride to the cabinets completely devoid of food. But ordered from the menu, and not only did the food arrive quickly, but I was blown away by the quality. The smashed avo was amazing, covered in seasonal flowers and a to die for sauce around the plate. Daughter had the four cheese pizza, which even appealed to my adult palette. Prices aren't cheap, but well worth it. Overall amazing, and...

SPECTACULAR in every way. Started with an offer to fill up our water bottles from the young guy on the till. Before we had ordered any food. Kept kitchen open for our late lunch. Food was fantastic. Humour from the lady serving the food was also on point. I'd stop in there even if I was not mountain biking in the area just for all those reasons. Very hard to find such great service these days but this operation...