Pretty good food overall, in a fairly nice environment, but on the day we visited fairly poor service. They don't offer table ordering so you need to order and pay up front at the counter, and then there was a general lack of enthusiasm shown by wait staff through out the visit. By no means a terrible experience, but with a little more attention, and maybe on a different day, the overall experience would be tipping into excellent. Regardless, thanks!
Anthony Ratima
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May 29, 2026
We had the zesty big breakfast 9/10 scrambled eggs 9/10. Big breakfast would be a 10 if there was another sausage and piece of black pudding. We're Wellingtonians so we think we are coffee connoisseur's and the coffee wasn't upto our made up hoighty standards 7/10. Great service, food was quick and price was mid-high but worth it.
Karen Olsen
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February 14, 2026
I ordered the pancakes for breakfast with my sister 2 weeks ago, my birthday outing
The service was lovely from the young lady serving but the pancakes were a disappointment, they looked like the brought packets in the supermarket (uniformed not homemade), tasted like them too?
Soaked in syrup not served in a pottle or little jug
I ended up eating abit of my sisters to break the sweetness
Coffee was lovely My sister had recommended the pancakes and she was shocked as much as me 😐 I would have waited for the real ones 😔
Jase Houia
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April 03, 2026
Was quiet when we arrived but quickly filled up and had a steady stream of customers. Very friendly service. Great coffee. Breakfast service was prompt and very generous in size. Would definitely come back and highly recommend.
Don Paulin
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May 03, 2026
Zest is my favourite Gisborne cafe. I love my coffee and their Allpress coffee is superb. I had the pancakes with banana, bacon, berry and a very generous serving of maple syrup on the side. Delicious!!!
Pretty good food overall, in a fairly nice environment, but on the day we visited fairly poor service. They don't offer table ordering so you need to order and pay up front at the counter, and then there was a general lack of enthusiasm shown by wait staff through out the visit. By no means a terrible experience, but with a little more attention, and maybe on a different day, the overall experience would be tipping into excellent. Regardless, thanks!
We had the zesty big breakfast 9/10 scrambled eggs 9/10. Big breakfast would be a 10 if there was another sausage and piece of black pudding. We're Wellingtonians so we think we are coffee connoisseur's and the coffee wasn't upto our made up hoighty standards 7/10. Great service, food was quick and price was mid-high but worth it.
I ordered the pancakes for breakfast with my sister 2 weeks ago, my birthday outing The service was lovely from the young lady serving but the pancakes were a disappointment, they looked like the brought packets in the supermarket (uniformed not homemade), tasted like them too? Soaked in syrup not served in a pottle or little jug I ended up eating abit of my sisters to break the sweetness Coffee was lovely My sister had recommended the pancakes and she was shocked as much as me 😐 I would have waited for the real ones 😔
Was quiet when we arrived but quickly filled up and had a steady stream of customers. Very friendly service. Great coffee. Breakfast service was prompt and very generous in size. Would definitely come back and highly recommend.
Zest is my favourite Gisborne cafe. I love my coffee and their Allpress coffee is superb. I had the pancakes with banana, bacon, berry and a very generous serving of maple syrup on the side. Delicious!!!