Te Puna café — Restaurant in Waitematā

For goodness sake just do not get the smoothies!!!

For 2 smoothies the put 80 % water (yes, tap water!!!) and 20% fruit and blended it for 10 something seconds! (Despite my specific request to blend well)

So you pay 22$ for a scoop of frozen fruit quite poorly blended with some tap water, leaving chunks big enough to get stuck in the straw (despite a request to blend well)

Just avoid

Overpriced fruit flavored water made on the spot

(I don’t mind water based smoothie as long the ratio of fruit/water is 6/4, this was 2/8)

I told them smoothies were not good at all, and they didn’t care a bit.

No gluten free options (excluding deep fried of course) but fruit cups and a poke bowl, but then again you are paying $14 for glorified rice&tofu

And even the pizzas- they all looked quite burned — but proudly displayed

There was some dry looking meat marked as chef’s special - and we had to ask what kind of meat was it (the attendant literally had to take it out of display and show to the chef to find out 🤯)

Some transparency and clarity in labeling???

Years ago smoothies used to be yogurt based and quite filling - and pizzas looked fresh and unburned - this was a solid 4 stars place we enjoyed

Now I would avoid it — “smoothies” are just tap water with too little fruit to be called a smoothie, but rather a fruit water, burned pizzas on display, mystery chef’s specials that require thorough investigation to find out the main ingredient…

I feel like quoting a famous song … “what’s going on???”

These guys used to be amazing !!! (As far as zoo cafes go) — and...

As an oversees visitor visiting with grandchildren, my first impression was that the cafe looked attractive and inviting and had a fairly wide menu selection. Unfortunately within minutes of finding a table, both children had bird excrement on their hands from droppings on both chairs and table-not good! We spent the whole duration of our meal shooing away sparrows and pigeons, INSIDE the café! Having placed an order for pizza and being told it would be 5 minutes, we waited 15 minutes before asking about the order, to be told it wouldn’t be long-it was obvious that our order had been given to someone else. We waited further 10 minutes before asking again; at this point the chef puts a pizza into the oven and we were told it would be a FURTHER 5 minutes! Clearly poor communication! Then when cutting up the uneaten half of the pizza to take home, I discovered a 3cm long nylon bristle-maybe from a basting/pastry brush? I passed this to a member of staff as I left. A second nylon bristle was found when eating the left-over pizza this evening. My granddaughter also believes she found a third piece earlier, believing it to be hard cheese. This is very poor in an establishment like this-or indeed, any food outlet! I left very disappointed and...

I was surprise the reviews are not great but for us was amazing! Group of 6 of us, second time visiting this cafe 6 months ago, they refresh their food. Pastry selection was amazing but have to be quick as it sells out quick.

My favorite was the pizza! Almost the same I had in Italy. Highly recommended! The healthy options are great too (not easy to make) and polentas are yummy!!

Too bad the birds are a nuisance but I guess it’s at every cafe we go to.

The staff are very friendly. Shawn was very knowledgeable and with a warm smile. Makes this visit even better.

Great coffees but we couldn't carry a coffee around zoo as they no longer have takeaway cups.

Pricing is reasonable. I think some people share views expensive but they don’t realise cost has gone up a lot hence many eateries trying to stay afloat and doing their best not to increase too high. Tbh I find it cheaper than museum, airport and tourist areas.

Well done zoo! Keep up the...