Spruce Goose
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Being a bit of an aeroplane fanatic, this is the perfect spot for a bite and a drink. While the weather was a bit stormy and the sea was choppy, this was a perfect spot to enjoy a hot drink and breakfast. As per usual, drink orders were taken first. Coffees and Teas all around! The coffee was very good, the flat white smooth and creamy, hot and steamy! Watching the surfers waiting for their next breaker, we all ordered our food. 3 of us ordered Eggs Benedict, and one ordered the Waffles. The eggs were cooked perfectly, exploding onto the toast when cut with the knife. The hollandaise was light, slightly acidic, and the perfect compliment to the plate. The bacon was nice and crispy, and I loved the ciabata toast, well toasted. The waffles were a treat, covered in syrup and a delicious cinnamon cream. The waffles had a nice crispy coating, and all went down a treat. To top it all off, the prices were incredible, at around $20 per person. So a delicious breakfast, lovely drinks, and the pleasure of watching the planes come and go all while the ocean churns away in the background. It doesn't get much better than that!
Phill UrquhartPhill Urquhart
00
Nestled along Moa Point Road, the Spruce Goose cafe offers a scenic retreat overlooking the waters of Lyall Bay in Wellington, New Zealand. The cafe's prime location allows patrons to relish in the breathtaking views of Lyall Beach and the Wellington airport, where the bustling activity of planes taking off and landing adds a unique touch to the dining experience. For those seeking a delightful morning or an afternoon escape, Spruce Goose is a prime destination. However, it's advisable to arrive early, especially on weekends, as the cabinet food tends to deplete rapidly by midday. The popularity of this cafe is evident in its constant hustle and bustle, creating a vibrant but occasionally noisy atmosphere due to the peculiar acoustics. The interior of Spruce Goose, while adequate, doesn't quite match the charm of its picturesque surroundings. The decor and overall ambiance seem to lack a distinctive character, giving off a sense that the cafe might be trying to emerge from the shadow cast by its more renowned neighbor, the Maranui Cafe. The food at Spruce Goose is described as acceptable but doesn't quite reach the level of being noteworthy. The menu offers a selection of fare that, while satisfying, doesn't stand out as exceptional. It might be considered as a reliable choice for a quick bite or casual meal. The cafe, in its self-description, promises a combination of top-class fare, a fine selection of beverages, and impeccable service to create a special experience. While the service is generally good, the overall impression suggests that the Spruce Goose might be working towards fully realizing this vision. In conclusion, Spruce Goose provides a decent dining option with a stunning view of Lyall Bay, making it a suitable stop for those looking to enjoy a meal while watching planes soar over the bay. However, it falls slightly short in terms of culinary excellence and distinctive ambiance when compared to its more renowned counterpart nearby. If you're in the area and seeking a casual dining experience with a captivating view, Spruce Goose is worth a visit, especially during the quieter hours of the day.
Peter KPeter K
10
Spruce Goose - the modern-day pharoaic dining cliche. A place where the genuinely friendly and concerned staff are subservient to a culinary tyrant whose primary concern is realising her power trip: the micro management of seating positions. My girlfriend was seated in the sun, ordered a coffee and got up to ask whether she could sit in the shade. The owner seated someone else in her place and refused to reseat us until we joined the end of a long queue. When I tried to explain that we had previously been seated, the owner accused my girlfriend of lying to me and told us that we “won’t get anything by shouting”, which we weren’t doing. She then directed us to the back of the queue. We said we’d rather go elsewhere and we were laughed at. At that point two concerned staff intervened and apologised on behalf of their employer, transplanted our coffees into takeaway cups and explained that these confrontations are so common place, that they had already handed in their resignations. Any cafe where the barista encourages you to shame the owner on Google reviews has major issues. The megalomaniac that owns this cafe deserves at the very least my honest review. This was the only negative interaction I had with any human during my time in New Zealand.
Daniel ShaniDaniel Shani
120
Great ratings and reviews are usually a reliable marker these days, and at 4.2 on Zomato and Google, Spruce Goose lives up to it’s rep. The decor is modern rustic, with coloured metal fittings and art pieces, mirrors etc. It’s a large space, with plenty of outside seating too, when the weather permits. Windows and glass doors offer full views of beach and sea frontage, and who doesn’t enjoy that, right? It’s a late lunch solo date for me, and I don’t want to spoil my appetite for dinner, but even so, I end up with a large chicken, Brie and cranberry panini, plus a berry smoothie. The heated panini is so tasty, complimented with a side of homemade tomato chutney. I relish every bite. The smoothie wasn’t the best I’ve had (spoilt by Boost smoothies), but it’s still pretty good, and at $7, good value for a smoothie these days. The service is warm and cheerful, and table service is the rule here, which feels a little formal at first, but I quickly grow to like it. Free wifi too - happy days!
Reece BensonReece Benson
00
It's very easy to love this place. It's affordable and it has great service. I first ordered an iced coffee milkshake ($7) that was nicely presented and tasted great, made with some house made ice cream. Then, a cheese cob loaf, which was incredibly cheesy and absolutely delicious ($8). The main was Veal with mushrooms and mashed potatoes ($27), once again, amazing and delicious. For desert, a chocolate pana cotta ($13) that sealed the fate of this business as one that I would definitely recommend. That was all shared between two people and we were not hungry when we left (we actually eat a lot). It was an amazing three course dinner for $55. The staff was very helpful and friendly at all times. The only mishap was not being able to connect to the wifi, although it claims to have it. They have an excellent view of the airport, if you're also an avid plane fan like me. Excellent restaurant.
Max WillMax Will
00
After being unable to secure a table at a small, cosy café in Miramar with a reputation for great food and service we ended up here. After a short wait we were shown to a table which must be where they put the groups, the din was unbelievable. For reasons that aren’t clear the menu in-store was different to that online - no Eggs Montreal (salmon) for her, so she had the beef burger and I had the Eggs Bennie. No shakes available, so had an average mocha instead. The food arrived and her burger was okay, did what it said on the box and no more, but my Eggs Bennie was a disappointment. My first thought when it arrived was pale and anaemic, and it lived up to the billing. The muffin was untoasted, cold and stodgy. The ham was incredibly budget, warmed up but dry, however the eggs themselves were perfectly poached. One out of three ain’t bad. Another dining experience let down by the kitchen.
Tim McTim Mc
10
Nearby Attractions Of Spruce Goose
Bunnings Warehouse Lyall Bay
Rydges Wellington Airport
The Warehouse Lyall Bay
Seaview Takeaways
Air New Zealand Lounge - Wellington
CityFitness Lyall Bay
Leo's Seafood & Burgers
Lyall Bay Surf Beach
Airport Stays
Bay City Tattoo & Barbershop
Bunnings Warehouse Lyall Bay
4.2
(753)Click for details
Rydges Wellington Airport
4.3
(443)Click for details
The Warehouse Lyall Bay
4.0
(390)Click for details
Seaview Takeaways
4.3
(307)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Spruce Goose
Maranui Cafe
The Botanist
Oikos Hellenic Cuisine
The Blue lady
Burger King Wellington Airport
Parrotdog Brewery
Parrotdog Bar
Mint Cafe
United Brew Works
Centennial Coffee House
Maranui Cafe
4.5
(962)Click for details
The Botanist
4.3
(901)Click for details
Oikos Hellenic Cuisine
4.8
(330)$$
Click for details
The Blue lady
4.2
(395)Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
30 Cochrane Street, Rongotai, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Map
Website
sprucegoose.net.nz
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Reviews
Overview
4.2
(1.2K reviews)
Ratings & Description
attractions: Bunnings Warehouse Lyall Bay, Rydges Wellington Airport, The Warehouse Lyall Bay, Seaview Takeaways, Air New Zealand Lounge - Wellington, CityFitness Lyall Bay, Leo's Seafood & Burgers, Lyall Bay Surf Beach, Airport Stays, Bay City Tattoo & Barbershop, restaurants: Maranui Cafe, The Botanist, Oikos Hellenic Cuisine, The Blue lady, Burger King Wellington Airport, Parrotdog Brewery, Parrotdog Bar, Mint Cafe, United Brew Works, Centennial Coffee House
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