Review Nichols Garden Cafe - Cromwell

Great place. Great food and great staff. Food came quick and very tasty. Very busy which says it is very popular. Will definitely be back. Reasonable prices and really good sizes. Burgers were really big so recommend.

My Airbnb host suggested I stop here on my trip between Queenstown and Lake Tekapo. He was so right! The cafe was bustling with locals and the food was DIVINE. There were both breakfast and lunch offerings available to eat in or takeaway. The bakery case was also full of delicious goodies. I had eggs Benedict with bacon and spinach, a large chai latte (eat in) and a raspberry almond tarte (to go). Total was nz$38. The chai was one of the best I've ever had! The raspberry tarte was as good as I've eaten in Paris. I NEVER would have thought to stop here if it hadn't been recommended. The bathrooms were very clean and the garden center/cafe is located about an hour from Queenstown.

If you want to catch up with family or friends for a hot drink and a small bite to eat... this is the place! Such yummy food! They have an outdoor area too and is dog friendly! Meaning those hot summer days are worth enjoying outside!

Delicious pork belly burger (bigger than expected and full of flavour) and amazing chicken salad. The Cafe area was clean and lots of spaces inside and out to sit and eat

Mel from the pet centre is absolutely lovely! We bought our fish from the shop 2 years ago and he unfortunately got quite sick. I called all the huge pet shops even the vets and it was Mel who took the time to give me solutions and was compassionate and caring. It's rare to find staff who are really passionate like Mel. She's a treasure and we can't wait to go back and meet her in person!

Eating lunch in a garden and tool store? Yes. And the food was fantastic! Order included Asian salad, fries, burger, chai latte, almond orange cake and caramel slice. Not kidding when I say every item was excellent.

Great place for lunch and a cuppa. Separate menus make it easy to order for vegan, vegetarian, and GF dietary needs

Went to Nicols to buy a cherry blossom tree. Kelly assisted us . We didn't realise how many varieties of cherry blossom trees there were. His expertise, professional advice and help even to loading the tree into our car was awesome. A great nursery for availability and expert advice. Thanks Nicols and Kelly particularly

Lovely salads a pity coffee not hot even asking for extra hot. Staff very nice and cafe very clean, although not Kean on dogs in cafe.

Coffee was great although decaf was very bitter but that may have been the beans if not used that often, plenty of seating and fast service. Treats were good, not sure about the muffins but everything else seemed fine. Didn’t get to try their lunches but they looked amazing and would have like to try some wraps.

Consistent and minimal wait times from ordering to serving which is great even during their busy times. Bug servings with a lot of selection (Gardeners Breakfast) Hit chocolate is good too , served with a Choc Fish and Marshmallows. Always tables free with the large sized seating area. Staff attentive and friendly. Come here frequently and never disappointed. Handy parking right outside and nice outside area to sit in the nursery or out on the grass.

The food is great and the price very reasonable.The atmosphere is very relaxing and warm and the staff friendly. The gift shop is a little expensive, but we will definitely return for the yummy breakfast.

What a great find tucked in the back of the Garden Center. This little gem has amazing staff, delicious food and their presentation is a work of art!

Serene ambience with a quaint garden view. We had the egg salad wrap and the BEST fried chicken and potato waffles. Free flow of and sparkling water is available which is thoughtful.

Thought I'd go have a look while in town seeing as I'm a plantaholic. Good selection of all sorts for home gardens. Pity I couldn't buy anything (some really nice pots and decor) as would cost way too much to transport home across the Cook Straight. Worth a look if you're into gardening or just want a few punnets or a bit of garden decor. Didn't go to pet shop next door as was near closing time.

Great cafe, fab garden centre with good choice of plants & helpful knowledgeable staff

This cafe in a garden centre quickly became a favourite of mine after several visits. The pleasant surroundings is very well thought out. The site is dog friendly and supplies nice food and table delivery. The coffee was rather good to!

We enjoyed our first couple of visits to this new eatery, but no longer visit as we find the atmosphere not conducive to a quiet lunch. We have never heard a barista make so much noise when making a cup of coffee. The loud banging of crockery at the service counter echoed throughout the dining space, almost hurting one's ears. We have been served at the counter by someone with a tea towel over their shoulder as they took their time to stop drying dishes on the counter. And the staff, whilst pleasant, sometimes served others behind us in the queue and often seem rather off hand in their treatment of what should have been valued LOCAL customers.

Visited on a very busy Sunday. It was really noisy and crowded. The soup was great but the beef burger was bland and unappealing. I never ended up getting my coffee that I had paid for and decided not to even bother asking, I won't be back.

As visitors to Cromwell we there for brunch on a local's recommendation.<br/>Greeted by the owner - rude/funny remarks as to where we were from, but only came across as crass.<br/>Tried the special - Blue Cod - overpriced for the small portion provided, overcooked &amp; greasy.<br/>Coffee was OK.<br/>Very noisy, staff bumped my chair a number of times without apology - seemed we were interrupting their day.<br/>Will not return.

Great food, fresh, very tasty, good value for money. Great service the only negative was its a very noisy place.<br/><br/>Would recommend and would definitely return.

Far too noisy, mainly with the clatter of plates and cups at the counter. Unimpressed with the staff drying cutlery at the counter by the cash register and tea towel on the shoulder. Surely a case for a modern commercial dishwasher or more cutlery?

Great meals here and good variety. Service is quick and there is a friendly atmosphere. Only negative is the area seems a bit loud and echoe- could be the high roof line and floor materials. Can eat outside if you like. A lovely place to eat, plus you can shop at the gift shop and garden centre.