Taste Nature — Restaurant in South Island

Not mum and toddler friendly.

I am quite sad to post a negative review of a place I used to love, but I’ve had a wee pile up of negative experiences at taste nature and, well, I don’t think I’ll go back unless they have a product I can’t get anywhere else in town.

Most of the disappointments have been minor, like staff just watching as I struggled to get the pram through the double doors (has happened twice now... every time I’ve brought the pram). Or one meal from the cafe that MUST have been from the day before because it was stale. Being asked to put a sturdy item back on the shelf that my toddler was playing with (loudly) while I was looking at something else to buy (unless I was going to buy the item she was playing with)... this one I could have understood if the item was fragile but I think it was the noise and then we had to leave without buying anything. The prices have risen by at least a quarter or even doubled since it changed ownership a couple of years ago, that does seem to have happened in most the cafes in town but many of the grocery items have as well.

We weren’t regular customers but we were frequent and we loved this cafe that helped introduce us to organic eating. And don’t get me wrong some of the staff are still great and friendly and remember us. Taste Nature is now a place that is ‘just so’ but that’s not how regular people live and it is certainly beyond the capability of most mums just trying to get some food, groceries and toiletries and get out before their kid throws a fit.

Although the ford is good my husband misses the pizzas that used to be on the menu and still talks about them whenever we mention the cafe. I miss the shared pots of tea we used to get because sharing a pot is a kind of ritual and the little metal individual pots change the flavour of the tea. I do like the new layout of the place and the greater selection of goods for organic living. I miss the down to earth feel of how...

Love coming back to this place again and again. If there is a business with a heart then this is surely the one. Organic offerings at its best. Super helpful staff, chefs pouring not just ingredients but also pure love and compassion in the meals. Every meal offered has several small organic components tastefully matched with condiments and garnishes. Coffee with multiple options of milk, still super yum. Fresh organic seasonal produce, spices, ready to eat food products and everything you need for your kitchen and household. All top notch, all fresh. Pride of our town. Another visit today to buy some produce for Xmas cooking. Fresh high quality organic produce impeccably set store and helpful staff. Ended up picking this vegetable roulade as a take away. These guys know how to use fresh organic produce to make delicious treats. The roulade had 7 vegetables tamari roasted seeds and a yummy dressing. Loved...

Nice food. However, we order 5 meals and the worker on the till made a mistake so we were charged and served only 4 meals. We thought we had ordered and paid for 5 meals and when the wait staff asked if there was anything else we said we were still waiting on one meal. Everyone else had finished their meals by the time the missed meal made it to the table but we were happy to have the meal and thought no more of it. Still unaware that we have only paid for 4 meals we stood up and left. We made it to the car as the till worker came running out saying we hadn't paid which was extremely embarrassing to say the least. He took us back inside to pay for the missed meal and explained that he hasn't heard us correctly which we thought was a bit rude after one of our party had to sit there with no meal then eat alone. Was a sour end to an otherwise...