The Cafe At Morris & James
Restaurant Cafe, Coffee & Tea House Cafe Tongue Farm Road, Matakana, Auckland, 0985, New Zealand
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About The Cafe At Morris & James
The Morris and James family have brought the Cafe back into the family as of December 2nd 2019. We are a family owned local cafe whose mission it is to support local produce with our simple mission statement " Beautifully simply, Simply beautiful "
Amenities
- Highchairs Available: Yes
Features
- Hidden Gems: Yes
- Quick Bite: Yes
- Seating: Yes
- Table Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Contact & Hours
Tongue Farm Road Morris & James Courtyard, Matakana, Auckland 0985 New Zealand
https://www.morrisandjames.co.nz/pages/the-pottery-cafe
Opening Hours
- Sunday: 09:00-16:00
- Monday: 09:30-15:00
- Tuesday: 09:30-15:00
- Wednesday: 09:30-15:00
- Thursday: 09:30-15:00
- Friday: 09:30-15:00
- Saturday: 09:00-16:00
Nearby Attractions
Reviews (37)
Worst lunch experience ever
It is very unusual for me to feel motivated to write a bad review but our experience at this cafe was the worst I have ever had based on facilities, choice of food, shocking service and the attitude of the owner when approached regarding resolution. The outdoor tables while in a nice location were dilapidated - ours had a large piece of plank missing. The food choice was very limited (1:10pm) both in the cabinet and menu. Our table of 6 placed our orders with 4 having to go for second options. The orders for 4 arrived after 25 minutes and the other two were advised that their choice was not available (after 25min!). One of our party received their substitute order 10 minutes later and then the last member was advised their choice was not available. Then their 3rd option was not correct and in total it took an hour and multiple mistakes for food which was poor to arrive. The owner when approached was at best begrudgingly apologetic and flatly refused any offer of recompense. I will never eat there again and suggest to Morris & James that this cafe is not good for their business reputation.
Worth a visit
These new owners are amazing beautiful people who are so nice. They make most of the food themselves and looks amazing in the counters. Beautiful food and gluten free and vegan options as well as beautiful fresh bread and sausages. Eggs were divine.
Yummy place for breakfast!
We came for the Morris & James pottery, and loaded up with breaky before the retail therapy! The breakfast was delicious! Dad had the mushrooms while I had bacon and eggs - we were both very happy with our meals! Service was fast and friendly and the setting beautiful!
Great range of allergy friendly treats
Wonderful family run cafe in Matakana. Wife is a coeliac, daughter is dairy free. This cafe catered for both with a wide range of food. And none of it felt like a compromise! Must visit just out of the main hustle and bustle if Matakana!! Service was brilliant and the right level if attentiveness for a lazy Sunday morning.
Butter
No staff in site so went to see the pots next door, still no staff on our return so looked out the back and a man on the phone appeared and continued to speak on the phone while we waited. We were the only customers in the whole cafe! At this point I decided not to order food but just coffee - this has to be the worst coffee I've ever had. It was bitter, burnt and we walked out without drinking it. This area is a real foodie paradise so my advise is to eat elsewhere.
Not Open
We arrived at about 2.30pm on a Saturday afternoon On the road there was a sign saying " cafe " But the cafe was not open. Not impressed at all
Breakfast on long weekend when all the matakana cafes were shut!
Very enjoyable, friendly service from young but capable staff member The food was delicious too! Coffee was good as well
Terrible service
I used to love this cafe but the service today was awful. We waited an hour and a half for food and were only served after I complained. They seemed to have lost our order multiple times and kept asking what we ordered. They also initially told me that they " didn't know " when I would be served and that they were prioritizing another group that came in before us and that everyone who did not belong to that group had been " pushed to the back. " The manager refused to speak to me initially and eventually a waitress took me into a kitchen to speak to the manager / owner; who initially was very rude and told me off for being in the kitchen (although the waitress took me in). Awful, awful people and experience; made worse by the fact that we turned down a reservation at a better restaurant (Rothko) because their staff had told us there would be a wait time for food. This whole thing could have been avoided if staff had just told us there would be over an hour wait time when we ordered. Won't be going back and won't be recommending to anyone.
Great coffees and cakes in a delightful setting
We stopped here for a coffee on the way to Tawharanui beach. My first time here. The other 3 in our group had been some years previously. The setting was great. Sitting under the trees enjoying the breeze. One young man took our order for 4 Flat white coffees. Plus a muffin and a scone. Total $32. The scone and muffin came and were pretty much devoured by the time our coffees arrived somewhat later than we would have preferred. But that was really the only complaint we had. A staff matter affected by Covid I imagine. The nearby pottery was worth a look even tho our budget did not stretch to the prices sought.
Worst service
Waited over an hour for our food, queried the wait time only to be told it wouldn't be coming as they had forgotten the order. Worst service I've experienced in NZ. So can't comment on the actual food but also wouldn't recommend if you are celiac / gluten intolerant as the menu is mislabeled as to what is actually gluten free. Matakana Market Kitchen ended up being a much better option.
The worst
The worst we've ever experienced. We waited 50 minutes for the most inedible pizzas I have ever had. We hardly ate anything and had to buy mints afterwards to take away the rancid taste of the food. We spent nearly $100 dollars and felt completely ripped off. Never again.
Appalling
Heard such good things about this place and after a 3 hour drive as we headed north was looking forward to some well needed lunch. We ordered our food and waited, after around 30 minutes the waitress came over and said they'd run out of what we'd ordered and we would need to go and get a refund. No sorry we've ran out but we can offer you this, this or this instead it was go get your refund. We asked about our coffees and were told they would be 5 minutes, after 10-15 minutes of no coffee showing and other tables who arrived after us receiving there's we decided we'd had enough and asked for our coffees to be cancelled as well. Went into Matakana and ended up at the Matakana Market Kitchen and had amzing service, coffee and food. I have absolutely no issue with the fact that they'd run out of something as realise this happens, what staggers me was for a hospitality business to not even offer you the opportunity to change your order to something they could provide. Worst service I've ever experienced in NZ. Our 2 children did receive their food which they enjoyed, but no hot drinks. After complaining to the manager we received a full refund. Will never be back.
Horrible experience
We came here for coffee at 9.30am on a Friday morning. Girl behind the counter was texting on her phone and didn't acknowledge us at all. We couldn't see what food was in the cabinet because it was dripping with condensation. We were the only customers in the cafe at the time and after ordering our 3 coffees, they took so long to arrive and the order was wrong. Our coffees were also luke warm. The girl who made and delivered our coffees did not want to be there, wore absolutely filthy clothing, and was so unfriendly. Waste of time and so disappointing. Avoid.
Unimpressed by unfriendly staff
Customer service zero. My food was fine. Husbands did not arrive despite enquiring after I had finished and coffee drink. Still no arrival of food. Coffee slipped over saucer and surly staff. Avoid.
A beautiful place to visit
A group visited for a smorgasbord lunch last week. It was very enjoyable but quite noisy in the restaurant part. However it was a very sunny day so lots of us sat outside under the umbrellas in a gorgeous setting. The food was lovely except there was no green salad. I didn't have the desert so before getting on the bus I went to buy a cheese scone. The owner gave it to me as it was nearly closing time and he said they would get fed to the pigs. It was the best cheese scone I have ever had. They are a favourite of mine and I will definitely go back if ever in Matakana to get another one.
Poor service
Lady who made our coffees there has no idea what customer service is. She messed up our coffee order and when bringing it to our table my partner said thank you and she says " algood g " and walks off. My friends then go up to buy some fizzy drinks and she can see that they are waiting to be served but goes and does something else. As we were leaving we heard and saw another man telling the same exact lady on how she messed up his food and coffee order as well. I dont know if she was the owner or manager but she should practice how to serve customers properly. And admit to her mistakes instead of trying to argue about it.
Attention to detail
We had a wonderful visit to see the amazing pottery collection and it's history for our anniversary. Sadly after visiting the cafe and having brunch this part was a disappointment. We loved the young lady on the counter and her coffee was great, but the corn fritters were bathed in oil and disgusting The older lady in the kitchen was grumpy and we noticed very rude to some elderly customers that were just arriving and had rung the service bell. This Cafe has such potential and with better food and a good clean to freshen everything up would be awesome. Even the flower baskets were dead 😔🌻
Very good and lovely location
Took out of down friends there for lunch with their 4 year old grandson. Food was excellent, staff very accommodating, even bringing out chalk for the 4 year old to draw on the tiles outside. The outside eating area is beautiful and shady in the hot sun.
Staff need training
My husband and I visited on a weekend day. I wanted to have a scone / muffin, but as I hate onion in them I asked the young cafe worker behind the counter what was the ingredients in them to be told " dont know ", no offer to go and find out so we bought a cake and coffee, drank and eat them and left, wasn't very happy, Should of told her to go and ask, so poor customer service in my book, sorry won't be back. Shame as the actual pottery part is excellent even though they are a separate business
Could have been much worse - improved since last visit but not greatly improved
New signage read The Coffee Pot-tery Cafe or at least that is what I recall. Blackboard mentioned coffee and cabinet promotion with signage also seeking staff. This visit was between Christmas and New Year so understandable to lack staff but Matakana is also booming in this time year... Due to issues with lease holders I suspect M & J have decided to 'self manage' this cafe as it is a good many years since it thrived as a dining experience... you could hold special occassion dining here in the evening but those days have long gone. The cafe setting did appear revamped with garden cleared and new paint but sadly it was let down by the fly in the glass cabinet and lack of focus from the young female at the counter. Cabinet food looked inviting but having a fly inside wasn't going to encourage a sale of any of it. We were greeted by the girl but as we didn't immediately reply with an order she decided to chat to another staff member rather than suggest products or offer conversation about where we had travelled from or how our day was going. Can only assume she filling in a holiday with time paid rather than actually interested in customers and offering a service. We decided on the coffee blackboard promotion... we actually ordered three drinks, two scones, a muffin and hot chips. Some of those items came under the promotion on the blackboard and instead of reminding us we were getting that pricing the girl asked us if we wanted that promotion (why wouldn't we want it??). The overall experience was certainly much improved to our last visit... that occasion the cafe was called Ringawera Cafe and we waited and waited for our order as well as having rude staff. This time drinks & food came to our table promptly.... young male staff was friendly and checked we were happy. Food (scones, muffin and hot chips) was delicious - drinks perfectly fine. Sadly it was our initial spotting of the fly in the cabinet and poor interaction with the female staff member at the counter that meant this isn't a overall rating of very good - instead a rating of average seems more fitting. Work on getting your front staff engaged in checking presentation of food and holding engaging conversation with customers and your rating could improve greatly :-) Didn't recall hand santiser on counter either - luckily we had our own.
Really disappointed
Haven't visited this cafe for at least 2 years, but on past experience of, excellent menu, food and service and finding ourselves back in th area, it was our first choice to bring friends to such a beautful place. for lunch. What a terrible disappointment. The setting was as always beautiful, but the menu, (a choice of breakfast only). Some counter food was available, paninis scones etc. which looked OK. A choice of 2 salads that appeared tired and certainly didn't look fresh today. I wanted to leave and go elsewhere but the other 3 decided to stay and give it a go. Frankly the meal was not what we expected.. I opted for the mushrooms which were absolutely taseless until I added plenty of salt and pepper. The pancakes were very small and looked like pikelets, some mushy looking fruit, but no berries or maple syrup, also the bacon was udercooked, Plus, the meals were all but cold It was really so sad, after my prior glowing build up to our friends, from our past experiences which have always been excellent. Apart from the delightful young Brazilian, who took our orders the staff looked and were totally disinterested. We certainly wouldn't recommend the cafe and will not be returning in a hurry. Aileen and Roger
Poor customer service
Came on a lovely Sunday for some lunch, asked what was in the savoury muffin to be told " don't know " and complete disinterest in finding out. So because of this ordered just coffee and cake. The Latte was only 3 / 4 full and had too much froth on top. Coffee tasted good though from what little I drank.. They really need to pick up their game staff wise and get someone who knows what it is to serve a customer. Won't be back again, shame as the pottery p, ace is lovely
A fantastic cafe at pottery shop
Such a lovely environment to stop for a coffee / cake or brunch - while you shop at the famous Morris & James pottery.
Lovely light lubch
We had a very nice light lunch at M & J. The cauliflower and fenal soup was delicious and the corn fritters were beautiful. The device was warm and friendly and even though it was busy our food came out in good time. A nice place to sit, relax, have good food, read a local paper and chat with friends
Great service
We had a lovely lunch here on the weekend, being labour weekend the queue was huge when we arrived and they were super busy. Staff were all smiling and happy. Great service. The vibe was great. Beautiful display of food and it was delicious. Will definitely be back
Fantastic Pottery
Amazing pottery! A pleasant little cafe. We were there later in the day so the selection of things to go with a coffee was limited but the service, coffee and scones were good.
Delicious soup
It was a cold windy day and we ordered the mushroom blue cheese soup and the tomato soup. It was absolutely delicious. The service was second to none. The staff brought out paper and crayons for the kids and went out of the way to get the warm milk just right.
Sunny spot on winter day
Yes there may be many similar eateries around and this place might not be exceptional but we had a good experience and would happily return. The hot smoked salmon was excellent and a chicken with lime dish was nicely flavoured. These and an excellent local Ransome Rose wine (shame the vineyard has closed) and a moist carrot cake were presented in reasonable time by a helpful and friendly waitress. Although it was a winter's day we lunched out of doors in the warm and sheltered courtyard. There is of course the adjacent pottery to browse in.
cruffins ?
my hubby enjoyed a cruffin a mix of a croissant and a muffin but my brioche was soggy so I did not eat it.
Beautiful venue for lunch
Highly recommend the food and service at this cafe. Chips were so fresh and came with homemade tomato sauce which was full of flavour. Also had pizza and it was beautiful. With definitely come back
No longer Brick and Vines
The restaurant is located in the Morris & James courtyard. It's now changed owners and name and is called Rangawera Cafe. The al fresco seating is lovely in summer and in winter there are plenty of seats inside with a huge open fire. They serve fresh baking and cabinet food. A brunch and lunch menu is also available, hot beverages and selection of local beers and wines. Plenty of parking and good access for those with mobility problems. It's not really a place to take the kids as there is no where for them to play or be entertained and your heart would be in your mouth watching kids going into the pottery shed. Great to take a friend or older relative and definitely worth a visit.
Lovely light lunch
Had a lovely light lunch yesterday, bacon quiche and almond croissant were very tasty and the coffee was spot on. Service was friendly and with a smile. Lovely relaxed atmosphere under the trees with the sun shining. Thanks.