Union Co Cafe — Restaurant in South Island

Great Food and Atmosphere, but Disappointing Coffee

Union Cafe is conveniently located near the cruise port and offers a lovely vibe with excellent food. The relaxing atmosphere really stood out, making it an enjoyable place to spend time.

I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious my eggs were, and my friend’s dishes, as seen in the photos, looked and tasted fantastic as well. The food was definitely a highlight.

However, the coffee was a letdown. In my experience, coffee in New Zealand tends to be hit or miss, and unfortunately, this time it was a miss. The coffee was bitter and watery, so much so that I couldn’t finish it.

On the bright side, the outdoor seating area is cute and would be a great option if it’s not too cold.

Overall, Union Cafe is worth a visit for the food and atmosphere, but not a huge fan...

Not much seating or table space, and I noticed there was no salt or serviettes available, but there was raw sugar. It’s an alright spot—probably better suited for takeaways. Prices are reasonable, and I’d give it a solid 3 out of 5, maybe a 4 at best.

The service was great, though, and the atmosphere had a kind of rustic seaside dock vibe, which was charming in its own way. It might be a good place for a solo visit or a small gathering of up to three people.

Perhaps I’m a bit overly critical after living in Auckland, or maybe it’s just that the small conveniences make all the difference. Either way, it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t outstanding either—a truly mid experience. Go in with modest expectations, and you won’t be...

The food was excellent! The photos do not do justice to the flavour of the meals. They use some of the best "raw" products that elevate it above standard cafe food (havoc farmed pork, holy cow milk ect) The staff were considerate and helpful in changing some of the sauces in the food to fit around my diet requirements. The only real criticism I have is that the building itself is a little akward and seating is limited- we sat outside in the sun but had to move when some other smoking customers lit up- this was no fault of the business or the staff but did impact my...