Planet Espresso — Restaurant in Waitematā

I went to see a doctor at Auckland Hospital. I noticed that many people were waiting in line for coffee at Planet Espresso, so I thought it must be a great café and decided to try a cup.

However, while I was ordering, I saw two cockroaches running on the counter behind. This made me question the café’s hygiene standards. If you’re okay with the possibility of extra “ingredients” in your coffee, then Planet Espresso might be the place for you.

On top of that, my experience with the staff was disappointing. One of the baristas, who had a beard, made fun of my English accent, and other staff members laughed along. I can't believe that someone who, just by looking at his appearance and his English accent when taking orders, you can already tell he's from a third-world country, would dare to be racist toward others. It was quite an unpleasant experience.

If you’re looking for bad coffee, bad hygiene, and bad service all in one place, this is the perfect coffee...

For the past few years I've used the Greenlane Hospital Planet Espresso site and it has been held together, I realise, by their now former barista, Michael, who left last week. He was awesome, such an asset - great personality, great camaraderie and he drew in the business. He also made the best coffee of them all. Such a loss - but best wishes to him in his new job.

Michael's replacement has a lot to learn. The one coffee they have made for me was bitter, and lukewarm when I asked for xtra hot. A few of my colleagues have found the same. But all is not lost! Across the road newly opened Joe's Garage makes great coffee and provides even better muffins and scones (made in-house). Better still, the coffee, muffins & scones are cheaper! The staff are extremely personable. So, you...

On 10/6/24 at around lunchtime, I waited in line for 10minutes with my baby who is 9 months. The barista in the middle made eye-contact with me to serve me next. 3 older pakeha women pushed in front of me and then he chose to serve them first. He literally gestured to me that he would serve me after. I asked him why he did that, and he played dumb as if he did not know why I was angry. H2G I was about to throw hands.

I know this coffee place is a bit hectic and heaps of busy doctors and nurses rely on this place for their coffee fix... I also know, that there is no line and you just have crowd up but it was the fact that I had waited just like everyone else and with my 9month baby in the pram that pissed me all...