Trade Kitchen

Trade Kitchen has gone a long way down hill in recent months. With only one chef in the kitchen do not expect to be in and out in a lunch hour. Three people left without eating while we were there just owing to the wait. Bless the chef, they’re trying but not succeeding. Their treatment of meat is wretched. The pork belly was served like a roast, with a hard crackling that wouldn’t succumb to a knife and overcooked white meat that deterred you from your lunch. The steak sandwich relied on poor quality meat, served very well done, and as a result was too tough to chew. The pork’s side salad was uninspiring and the store bought bread of the sandwich was a let down. The risotto’s asparagus was token, though the dish was served piping hot. Coffee was fine, though the wait to order was off putting. Unfortunately the staff seemed under-committed, and you can’t help but feel they’re lying to your face when they say they’re really busy with only half occupancy. Overall, a dire descent for a traditionally reliable café. If they keep cutting costs and opting for the cheapest options, no doubt they’ll be out of business in the near future. Avoid.

Our three-course-dinner was perfect - from the delicious and innovative food to the prompt, attentive and friendly service.

Food was OK, stuff was kind, but super overpriced and portions are small.

Great Hallumi Hash, wouldn't let me change out the egg for toast or anything without paying full addional charge which most places are happy to do.

The food was good, my wife and friends enjoyed the wine they picked. I was a little disappointed that they had run out of cider as I don't drink much else. They had Brussels sprouts as a side as they had run out of Sweet Corn, but that wasn't a problem as the Brussels were very nice. The steak I had was good. The Sundae with peanut butter and jelly and chocolate and ice cream was really, really good. The setting was OK, not particularly intimate bit a good evening with family and friends. I'd go back again.

Only three stars. Eggs bennie with bacon was good, but the service lacked a bit of energy. Well located for the corporate breakfast market, but compared to all of the great cafes in the city it was just lacking something. Felt like a burger king inside rather than a cafe. Like I said the though, the food and coffee were good.

I like both the food and the atmosphere of this place. Have been for bkfast lunch and dinner and enjoyed all 3 menus. Good wine choices / pairing. So yeah : they do not serve the biggest plates in New Zealand. It has never bothered me but if you're the type who needs a bowl of fries with everything it is probably not your ideal restaurant.

I was very very impressed with Trade Kitchen. Every dish was well presented and tasted even better than it looked. But the thing that I'd highlight the most is the service we received. It was not just great service as you would hope for, it was so much more. The service was genuine and the waiter came across like he really enjoyed his job and genuinely wanted our experience to be a good one. So many times when using a grab one voucher I've been treated as a second rate customer.....not so with the service from Trade Kitchen. I really can't convey enough how simply great our experience was because of this. Great job!

I have been to Trade many times over the years and it used to be my regular coffee joint. The level of service has declined noticeably over the last year or so and after the lunch experience today I won't be returning. We had an issue with one of the dishes we ordered, the waitress was rude and we were made to feel like it was our fault. She offered to take the item off the bill which we accepted. I told the the maître d when we paid up but she didn't seem too concerned, even after I told her I had been to Trade many times and wouldn't be coming back. It's a shame to see a place I really liked let down so badly by poor service.

Absolutely fantastic food, cannot recommend highly enough. The presentation was amazing, wish I'd taken photos. Far from mediocre. Service was friendly in a really genuine way, not the canned politeness so many restaurants have their staff provide.