St Kilda Café & Bistro — Restaurant in Waikato

St Kilda Shocker…Table of 7 on a Tuesday night with only one other table eating. We arrived to no atmosphere and no music playing which we had to suggest to waitress needed attention. We were given menus and only told the snapper and risotto was not available when we ordered so we had to start again. Bottle of wine we ordered also not available and we needed to change selection. Wine arrived and dropped on the table we served ourselves no checking of the bottle or normal wine protocols. Starters came and waitress asked if we wanted side plates for starters we said yes… but alas they never arrived. Mains arrived roughly an hour after we sat down (again noting only one other table of 4 eating). We ordered 3 $45 eye fillets with the medium rare coming out well done and a pizza which was so obviously undercooked it was almost embarrassing. We raised the issue of the eye fillet but heard no more about what they wanted to do with it. Then the cabinet fridge starting rattling so loudly around the echoey restaurant that it drowned out the music. Waitress asked if we wanted to take pizza home we said yes she said I will bring you a box… we suggested normal protocol is you take the pizza and put it in the box. We paid and no sense of concern or apology from staff (we never heard or saw the Chef despite him being very slow on meal provision and then majorly messing up two meals). As we said to the waitress as we left people are reasonable and can accept issues but they need to be owned and communicated with so the customer feels like they are valuable. With some leadership in the restaurant the experience could have been saved and there would be no need for this review… we are all locals to Cambridge and St Kilda and don’t enjoy slamming local business but at $45 a main and $65 a bottle of wine this is not a business charging local country cafe prices they are charging high street numbers and customers should expect and be entitled to appropriate meal quality and service. Really...

With all of the “well-known” Cambridge eateries nestled in town, we thought we’d take a punt and venture out to St Kilda for this low-key heavy-hitter of an eatery. The fit out is beautiful as you enter in, with high ceilings and good flow.

We started off with a couple smoothies, which didn’t disappoint and ordered 3 dishes between the two of us. The fish and chips were outstanding - clean, crunchy batter with light, perfectly cooked fish in the middle. I would’ve like a bit more sea salt on top but that’s just personal preference (and a few more chips - too light on the chips guys!). The optional side salad actually enhanced the dish nicely, instead of just being added on the side for “greenery”.

The American waffles with fried chicken were also a stand-out dish, perfectly balanced with sweet, savoury, creamy, sour elements - as well as probably the best bacon I’ve ever had which was a surprise! Everyone does a fried chicken waffle now but this was definitely one of the best I’ve had.

The separate dish of fried chicken was just a little bit of luxury on our part, but stood out as it’s own dish instead of just being “more of the same chicken that’s already on the waffles”. They were crispy, juicy, tangy and just about all you’d want in fried chicken. They did Korean fried chicken proud and kewpie Mayo on the side is always a treat.

Overall, presentation was top notch, food was delicious and a cut above your typical eatery - done with finesse and technically executed very well. My only regret is that we didn’t have enough time to come back for dinner - which we’re eagerly looking forward to for our next trip back to Cambridge!

Thanks for having us St Kilda Cafe & Bistro! Just like Arnold - we...

We cannot express enough gratitude to St Kilda for transforming their cafe restaurant into a wedding reception venue for us. From the moment we approached them with the idea, they were incredibly accommodating and supportive.

All of the staff were amazing on the evening. A special mention must go to Vik and Ayla for their outstanding communication throughout the entire process. Their attention to detail ensured that every aspect of our special day was perfect.

The venue itself is already stunning, but with a few added flowers and candles, it became an incredibly romantic setting. St Kilda allowed us to bring in everything that we needed, making the planning process seamless and stress-free.

One of the highlights of our wedding was undoubtedly the food prepared by Vik and his team. Not only was it delicious, but the fact that they offered alternative vegan and gluten-free options impressed all of our guests. We've received endless compliments about the quality, quantity, and variety of the meals.

Additionally, we were also impressed by the extra touches, like the beautiful presentation of our cake and the menus that were created for each guest. St Kilda went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our day was executed flawlessly.

From the initial planning stages to the setup and packing down, St Kilda's level of service was unparalleled. We will forever be grateful for the magical day they helped us create.

To anyone considering St Kilda as their wedding venue, we can assure you that you will not be disappointed. Thank you, St Kilda, for making our dreams a reality.

With heartfelt...