Licorice Cafe — Restaurant in Waikato

Sadly it looks like the cost of living has hit the Licorice Cafe.

They no longer have their loyalty card for coffees which is a shame, also they no longer add that little touch of a licorice lolly with your coffee.

So I guess the prices of everything has caught up with them as well, so they have been forced to cut down on these treats.

Once again this is a great place to stop, almost half way from north of Auckland to Wellington.

Food is always good, the coffee is consistent and hot, nothing worse than a cold or warm long black, so full marks.

The outside area is great especially with the dreaded covid still hanging around.

They provide plenty of seating for their guests, and the toilets are always clean.

Can't give them more than 5 stars. Although they ask to see your covid pass, but they don't scan it though, maybe they need to train the front desk staff on this aspect!!!

But then I might be getting a bit picky

Stopped here again on my way back to North Auckland and the service was excellent, had to wait for a table as it was full to capacity.

The food and service is still excellent, as before, now rate it 5 star.

Earlier review:- Clean and tidy, staff always friendly, good coffee. Convenient place to stop,...

Okay, here’s the good: The girl serving us was really sweet.

And here's the bad: An older lady working there kicked us out for eating inside the premise as we had 'ordered' from the takeaway menu. We didn't even voluntarily order from that menu! Nor did we see any signs indicating we weren't allowed to eat inside if we ordered takeaway (which, by the way, we didn't even know there was a different menu if we had stayed to eat inside). Her reasoning behind kicking us out was that the takeaway menu was much ‘cheaper’. Girl, if it was, we must be eating in different countries because your takeaway menu is not ‘cheap’. The three of us ordered coffees and food, totalling to about $30-40, yet we aren't allowed to stay and eat it? There was one other couple sitting inside at the time we were there - so it wasn't as if the place was packed.

You've lost business from us, and all the people we know. I would never recommend this place, go to the town over and you'll get better service and better food. You’ve got a terrible business model if this is how you treat...

Dropped in here because the bypass route doesn't take you into Taupo and I was holding off buying a coffee until I found somewhere that I thought would be halfway decent having wasted $5.00 on a coffee at Okere Falls Store earlier in the day.

The cafe wasn't that busy as it was late afternoon and my coffee was made by the trainee under the watchful eye of the senior barista. They took their time to make me a proper coffee, relief!

I liked the dedication the staff showed when I was there, they were busy keeping the place clean and were attentive.

I think the decor and especially the outdoor area could be improved as it is a bit gloomy with the dark umbrellas and fenced in area. It would look better if it had light umbrellas or pots of flowers on the tables to brighten up the space, the inside of the cafe was...