Industry Lane Eatery — Restaurant in Vincent Community

I went to this place with 11 others for my birthday. I ordered 4 drinks at the start and then food from a young staff member. I was very clear about ordering Ice Coffee and checking that they did not put syrup or sugar in it. I also put in an order for lunch on the same table and checked that no sugar was in what we ordered. I also cleared with the staff that it would be okay to share a non sugar, gluten free birthday cake after lunch. The staff arrived with the other drinks and an Iced Chocolate (laden with syrup, and whipped cream), which my daughter took, as she had ordered this just after me. I then checked with the young waiter to let him know that I was still waiting on my Iced Coffee, not an Iced Chocolate and pointed to my sister and her husbands drinks - their Iced coffees. About 10 minutes later an older staff member arrived with the original till docket and another syrupy creamy Iced Chocolate to insist I had ordered it and should have it. I let her know I did not want it and was waiting on my sugar free Iced Coffee - again pointing to the Iced Coffees. She showed me the docket and insisted she was right and that I had paid for it and had to have it. One of our group was confused at the ladies insistence we drink it and thought it was an 'extra' drink (she was at the other end of the table said she would take it). The waitress said I could not have my Iced Coffee unless I ordered it again - the worst service I have had for a long time and such a lack of regard for...

My first visit here was good - they made a great takeaway flat white. My second visit a week later was not good. I walked out after waiting in a queue, unsure of how the service works. The other customers in the queue that I spoke to were just as confused. The staff are rushed, avoid eye contact, and aren’t able to be engaged to answer questions about how service works. Finally I decided to assume that it’s an order-at-the-counter operation so I stayed in the queue. When I got to the front, I expressed my confusion to the cashier, asking where the menus are. Most cafes keep some at the counter. Or have blackboards on the wall. Not this place - their menus are by the door, obscured by people queuing up. So I was sent to the back of the queue and lost my place. The other customers behind me didn’t know this either and hadn’t grabbed menus. Uh-uh. No no no. This won’t do, Industry Lane Eatery, it breaches my don’t-disappoint-hungry-customers rule! You won’t get my tourist dollars today, not when you do that to a hungry (now hangry) customer. Please put some menus by the register, and consider putting up a sign saying that it’s counter service, or maybe even train your staff to greet customers. I’m off to Tin...

2 stars - mocka alert!!

Industry Lane is a popular spot in Alexandra, especially with its great location by the rail trail. As someone who travels often across both islands and spends a lot on food and coffee, I know the difference between a good cup and an average one.

Unfortunately, my experiences here have been inconsistent—especially with coffee quality. On several visits, I’ve been served lukewarm, flat drinks that just don’t match the price point. In today’s climate, where everything is getting more expensive, value for money really matters. When customers pay $6–$7 for a coffee, it should meet a basic standard of temperature, balance, and taste.

I’m not asking for a freebie—I just expect what I paid for. Dismissing feedback with “you’re the only one who complains” isn’t helpful. Most people won’t speak up; they’ll just stop coming back.

There’s a lot of potential here, and I hope the team takes this as encouragement to lift consistency. I’d love to be able to recommend Industry Lane for great...