Piha Store — Restaurant in Waitākere Ranges

Today was my last day of 21 days to explore the beautiful New Zealand before going back home. My brother and his wife who lives in NZ thought to take me to Piha beach although it was cold and rainy as this is a must see beach in this part of NZ. After we got soaking wet on the beach we wanted to grab a coffee for the road back from the only store in Piha. We asked for a coffee and a cappuccino while deciding what we can get his wife when the old man behind the barista asked which size (while we were still busy ordering) and immediately threw the cup he was holding on the coffee machine and then screamed at us: “Here in NZ we say please and thank you!” I was so shocked and completely speechless. Whoever you are, I have got a message for you. We were raised with manners and we do have respect! The way you treated us today is how NOT to treat other people. It has been 2 hours later since we were there and I still can’t believe how rude you were. You don’t belong or deserve to be in beautiful Piha! P.s Please wear gloves while preparing coffee or clean your filthy nails and no need to reply with your sarcasm of hearts and kisses on TRUE...

Burnt Coffee - not just a bit but really badly. Given a refund but the coffee maker didn't even know the correct water temperature for coffee (95 degrees) and was using boiling water..(the coffee brand represented has been informed of the lack of knowledge on how to make coffee - so expect a visit and some re-education -however I suspect the arrogant attitude I received will make it pointless exercise, a bit like throwing Pearls to Swine)

On the food front only one gluten free savoury item, a manky looking piece of pizza, yeah nah pass on that. Other Gluten options looked okay and fresh but as a Coeliac they are not an option.

I felt like the customers were being treated as an inconvenience or just a number to be pumped through - I guess they depend on the tourist traffic who don't return and I certainly won't. The arrogant ignorant attitude by the server was dumbfounding (check the many other reviews for poor service this place has form). It's a shame as it was great 10 years ago when I last visited Piha, now its run down and the lack of customer service and poor attitude ensures I will not be...

Food and coffee are ok, edible and fills the tummy when one is starving, and the prices may justify the distance to this tiny village from Auckland and the long winding road the items need to come from. I have read the reviews and couldn’t agree more with most of them as I have experienced on my own visits to this store. The rude services customers get after paying their own, hard-earned money is quite sad to be frank. No one deserves distressing words from anyone, let alone from a store owner! Owners think they are running a charity store ' we are giving free food, so customer focused service part is not needed' kind of attitude. The problem in Piha is, no one else dares to open another shop/cafe due to lack of entrepreneurial skills which is typical in tiny little villages in rural NZ so the owner of this store keeps thriving living with his own rules in his own little world. That is exactly what you get here, nothing else! Good for him that there is no other store in Piha AND 99% people who want to holiday do not pack club sandwiches and sausage rolls along with coffee in flasks before they leave...