Reviews for The Bay Cafe

by sammie
29th April 2012

Was recommended this restaurant by a friend, it’s about a 20 minute drive or 25 minute from the city on the bus.
We booked a table, and were given a window seat which looked over the harbour and the city, was a beautiful view. The waitresses were very helpful, it was very busy, but they always had a smile and were pleasant to us. The food was lovely and very well presented. Even though it was busy there was a good buzz and atmosphere to the restaurant which meant we left happy with the service and the food, will defiantly be back again.

by Gail M.
19th April 2012

On a recent visit to New Zealand to visit our son in Mac Bay we decided to support our locals namely what used to be a great place to eat with impeccable service at the bottom of Greenacres Street, a short walk for the 3 of us. Anticipating good food and the fantastic service we have come to enjoy on our visits back to NZ, we were seated chairs moved to accomadate our son (in wheelchair) water and menus delivered to the table, 5 minutes later were informed this table was booked no reserved sign on the table we asked to be moved to the vacant table to the left of us only to be informed this was (surprize) reserved for friends of the management, so after some 20 minutes we had no option but to leave and find somewhere else to dine. Having dined in countries all over the world we will never and we repeat never dine here again. We have been in the resaurant and hospitality industry in NZ for some 40 years, more recently in Indonesia and we will never frequent your restaurant in the future. We own a home in Mac Bay and always support our locals but in future we will travel to the city to dine. SHAME beautiful setting which we very much enjoy. Inform your staff and produce reserved plaques for your tables!!!

by sarah g.
22nd February 2012

I dined in The Bay today and was pleased to see that they took part in the minutes silence for Christchurch. However, its a shame a dark haired staff member didn’t show any respect and carried on crashing about behind the counter.
Aside from this the food was great, a credit to the place. It was clean, the staff were very friendly and I’d return back there.

by Anya
24th October 2011

Reception: location beautiful and staff are friendly.

Coffee: Different barista each time that we have gone, I guess it’s drinkable, but nothing flash.

Counter food: Average – cutting costs evident in flavors and fillings.

A La Carte: Every time we have gone there has been issues with our food. Produce is not fresh and it is obvious that the chef is attempting to cut costs.

The Bay Cafe: Has the potential if a new head chef with skills and standards took over. In addition a fulltime trained, skilled barista would help.

Fish and Chips: Taste good, but takeway style does not blend well with A La Carte dining environment. Maybe they should focus on one or the other rather than doing both takeaway and fine dining at the same time.

by Susan M.
25th September 2011

We dined on a Friday night and found the service excellent – really friendly wait staff, although it would have been good if she’d let us sit down before rattling off the specials!

We both had blue cod which was really good – very fresh and a good crispy batter, although just pricey enough for one piece of fish, chips and salad.

Only complaints would have to be the temperature – it was a bit cold in the restaurant and the noise levels. When we arrived it was quite full and you could hear every word said by guests three tables away. As it emptied out a family with young children allowed them to sing loudly and play continual loud games (think “A sailor went to sea, sea, sea” – it loses its charm after the 22nd loud rendition), which drove us out the door before we could order desert or coffee.

Overall service and food were good, but the atmosphere was a letdown.

by Jemima P.
23rd June 2011

The good, the bad and the… well no, it’s not ugly, actually.

Great, picturesque location on Mac Bay, and I’m told by locals that the team behind this is trying hard to make it a success, but on today’s showing they’re not trying hard enough it would seem.

Husband and I went for an anniversary lunch today (Thursday), arrived and ordered promptly at 11.55am as only customers.

To cut a long story short, we left 40 minutes later without paying, after my food had been served (after a wait of 30 minutes in an empty restaurant), but not my husband’s. To add insult to injury, towards the end of our wait the kitchen magically managed to rustle up two plates of fish and chips for just-come-in customers in ten minutes flat!

Nothing particularly complicated about our order (venison burger and prawn pasta), and the staff were reasonably courteous (if slightly evasive about reasons behind the delay), just an inexplicably long wait and unacceptably staggered service. Shame too as my food at least looked good. The prawn pasta shall forever remain a mystery – perhaps they were catching them individually with a handline in the Harbour?

Double shame as we enjoyed a great coffee and cake there a couple of weeks ago.

If they want to develop good, regular out of town custom, they need to iron experiences like ours out, as reputation is all if you’re contemplating a 20-25 minute drive to get there, then back again.

D-minus: must do better!

by brenda
15th July 2010

Warm sunny location, looking out across the harbour. Good service and great food, especially the cheese scones which were made on the premises; light, fluffy and very tasty. Good coffee.

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