Saint Heliers Bay Cafe & Bistro

Place looks inviting from the outside, my wife always wanted to come here. So upon entering the Cafe, we noticed a couple infront of us entering which got seated immediately. We stood waiting for about 10 mins whilst the Cafe was about 30% full. Each customer that entered after us were greeted and placed. We eventually were seated and were told where to sit rather than us choosing a spot. I hate to use the word, however it felt like a racist environment. People who got preference were "white". The lady that seated us looked like she came from a funeral. Other customers seemed to enjoy their experience as they were constantly checked on. We really felt out of place here. We left and No one really noticed. Until a waiter responded "sorry". Sorry usually means I made a mistake? I assumed we past such pettiness. Hopefully this will reach other people out there and mainly the owners of this store. Then again, maybe it's what they prefer.

We ordered the sweet corn and Rosti egg Benedict.

Portion is small but plating and atmosphere makes up for it.

We had a very nice waiter. Bacardi as a rum option is not great. We asked for coffee at 8.30. The coffee machine was closed! This restaurant used to be a definite go to and we chose this in memory of our dad who loved it.
Definitely needs a stronger commitment to the customer.

Thanks Kerry for the great service this definitely adds to the experience. Food nicely presented and great taste. Prime spot at the front window let's you enjoy the view. A bit pricey.but isn't everything today.

Oh yess, my new favourite St Heliers restaurant! In fact new favourite Tamaki Drive place to dine. Divine eye fillet, excellent specials, well priced alcohol and cocktails, fabulous wait-staff. Excited to dine here again and bring more friends and family A+

Great Cafe.
Food was very good.
Friendly helpful staff.
Will come again.

Took the grandkidies and the service to them was amazing, offering children's menu, portions were perfect, offering colouring in, quick service.just the way families need. In out.

Have been here many times before and loved it. Seems the service is not what it was in prior visits. We tried to get service or staff attention. We ordered a full meal and were told to move when we weren’t even seated or told where to move seats to. I understand being short staffed but I felt like a burden when the restaurant was not even full.

Delectable coffee, sumptuous delicacies in the cabinet and even more in the menu. Whether it's a catch up with friends, client meeting, or Sunday brunch this is the place for it.

This restaurant is really good for a family, the food here tastes really great, especially the potato chips which is homemade. The chips is cut well by the chef, better than the ones in supermarket. The steak is well cooked with good mushrooms. The lamb is pretty ok, jut needs more salt. I think a 4.5 is good for this restaurant.

They kicked us out at 8pm because my group was the only group left. Smh

Edit: we were told the kitchen will be closed early but was not mentioned the coffee machine was going to be closed too. But I’m unsure why it even matters as we were there for drinks and chats till 9pm as since the place closes at 9pm. We could’ve gone some where else if we knew this place would be closing sooner. Thanks for trying to make me sound like a ridiculous customer.i wont be visiting this place at night time again:)

Love everything about this place. Ambience, food, service. Ended up lingering around for a bit too long. The staff were so patient with us. The only downside is that I can't bring my dog here otherwise I'd be visiting almost every weekend for brunch and ice cream.

Had the most amazing food and service here. They catered to our needs with a smile, including dietary, fitting to medication times and fussy children. Plus food was delicious. Great experience, thank you to the team.

Went here for brunch this morning. I ordered Eggs Blini with smoked salmon. When I ate, I found a large fish bone in the salmon and other four small bones also. So I asked a lady who seems to be a manager and she told me that this is a fish so I may find some bones in it then asked me what I wanted. This sounds was ridiculous to myself beyond, this is a food safety after all. Then she took the bones in my serviette but there was no apologies. I visited here because of my previous experiences, but I will never go back again.

I had lunch here yesterday with friends. I ordered the eye fillet steak done medium and mushrooms. It was cooked perfectly and exactly as I asked.
It was one of the very best eye fillets I have ever eaten at a restaurant, and I complimented the chef. I will come back soon.

Good luck with your policy to leave 4 window tables empty on a quiet Tuesday morning and place people who dare to just order coffee and patisserie on the "cheap seats".

Will never come back again, the service is ridiculous. Came here on a quiet Thursday morning - ordered the chicken liver parfait and was told that the order will be put through at 1130am when the kitchen opens - after waiting 45 minutes with no food or update we chased a waiter down only to be informed that our order did not even make it to the kitchen and that they had apparently run out of the liver parfait today? 0/5 star if I can. Staff didn’t even bother to apologise for the inconvenience

Once upon a time, this was one of my favs but definitely not anymore. A distinct lack of care and nobody wants to be there, staff and customers alike

I've been here once before but can't seem to find the photographic evidence oops! Nice location so I like to make a day of it as a city dweller - have a meal (on this day, brekkie) and hang out on the beach or go for a long stroll. We weren't able to get the table we wanted for our group but we were accommodated in the end. I liked my meal but just wasn't a fan of the radicchio I think it was or was it purple cabbage. Either way not a fan of cabbage with my brekkie so would get it without the cabbage if I was to order it again. I've yet to try the pastries and cabinet food so will need to go back for another visit.

I have been here a few times previously. Had the Quinoa salad.

Short story sick for 3 days. Was it the Quinoa.who knows. I only ate that all day.

However the Fish n Chips are great