Review Powerhouse Cafe - Hanmer Springs

TLDR: One of the South Island's few good restaurants with vegan options. Food: 5 star for cafe food. After spending many days on the road eating pretty terrible vegan options, it was nice to find a restaurant that cared about quality and flavor. The ingredients were fresh and not all canned. The flavors were balanced with enough salt and sweetness. The soup and bread was delicious and actually flavored unlike so many NZ soups we tried. Both of our drinks and dishes were also amazing. All the other NZ cafes need to take notes. Service: staff were courteous, quick, and knowledgeable about vegan vs not. Even when I double checked about the "cream" on top of the soup they went into the kitchen to show me the ingredients and it was a vegan cream. Amazing! Atmosphere: down home, nothing fancy, but nice cafe style and most importantly... clean!

I would give this place 6 stars if I could. We tried it on the first day of our stay in Hanmer Springs and we kept coming back. They have a large outside area, and inside it’s a bit more cozy. They have delicious pastries and cakes (my favourite was the carrot cake). For breakfast they have a lot of options from healthy to “Why not? We are on holidays!” Plus great coffee. Like everywhere else they are short staffed and still they are so extremely calm and kind.

Just had an early lunch here today. The Cafe was packed, but we still received pleasant service, and the food was amazing and beautifully presented. I come here every time I visit Hanmer Springs. I love that there are so many vegan options, which makes it so easy for my non-vegan partner and myself to order off of the menu. Full stars, keep up the good work!

We popped in on a recommendation of a friend. Certainly worth a visit. Food was delicious. Generous serving. Service good. Although the cafe was busy we didn’t wait long for our food.

Wow, I was starting to think Hanmer was becoming a place of mediocre fried food joints and greasy cafes until we found Powerhouse. An exceptional place for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or just a coffee and cabinet food. This place isn't just a standout in Hanmer; I'd rank it in the top cafes I've ever visited. Love that the emphasis is on locally grown and in-season produce, with plenty of options for those with dietary requirements, not to mention fair trade coffee. My eggs benedict was incredible, the best I've had, and the gluten-free platter my wife ordered was a massive eye-opener. As was the French toast and pancakes for the kids, with plenty of fruit. A huge relief from the [insert battered food] and chips kids meals of everywhere else in Hanmer! Great value for money as well. On top of all that, the service was great. Lots of friendly help from the young lad and the staff all walked around with smiles on their faces, as you'd expect given the place they work for. We'll definitely be back.

Awesome little Cafe tucked away from the main street. Lots of vegetarian options. The Kumara Carrot soup and the seafood chowder were absolutely delicious. Made for some excellent lunch on a cold day. Also loved the foccacia bread with the home-made hummus.

Lovely cafe hidden away from high street. Very busy but for good reason! Food is very good!!!! Great for Gluten free/vegetarian! Coffee very good and great selection of cabinet food. Slightly on expensive side but it shows in quality of the food/drink.

Best breakfast ever! 😍 super nutritious and delicious food here with generous portion sizes 🤤

Fully caters to plant-based options. Absolutely amazing people and food. Highly recommended.

Could not fault the food, the flavours were great and everything was cooked to perfection. However, the three coffees ordered were burnt and undrinkable. Loved that cinnamon and chocolate powder were available on the tables, there was not much left after us as we tried to rescue our coffees (it did not work). Staff were friendly and good parking out front.

The cutest place for breakfast. Delicious fresh meal, with great outdoor seating and excellent service. Definitely get a treat for the road as well!

Amazing food, delicious coffees, and super friendly staff. This is a VERY popular cafe, so obviously very packed. It's a bit loud inside, so if you're looking for someplace quiet, you may want to come during off hours.

My partner and I went here twice over our short stay in Hanmer. Each time was a lovely experience with many different vegan dishes to choose from. Despite this, my partner had the plant based pancakes on both occasions, which she said she didn't regret in the slightest. I had the soup of the day and the kedgeree which were both packed with flavour and presented beautifully. Coffee was delicious, staff were friendly and helpful. It's hard to fault them on anything, except I wish they were open for dinner!

Delicious food, fast and friendly service 😋 my French toast crumpets were amazing! With pears, apples, oranges, blueberries, passion fruit, watermelon, and berry compote oh my it was just beautiful!

One of the best cafes I have been to. Will definitely go back. The food and coffee was amazing!👌

Really friendly staff! Great coffee- was a little cold for my taste. The savoury scone was nice, loved the onion but was a bit doughy.

Great cafe lovely variety of food. Very obliging with my food allergies adapted eggs Benny so I could eat it. Lovely plant based pancakes. Coffee was amazing. Staff very pleasant and chatty

Very happy with the morning after breakfast. Bacon and eggs for me and eggs bennie for the wife. Watched then make up a wow porridge there was some amazing things happening there. If you like porridge you have to order. Staff are friendly and efficient. 2nd time we went they were too busy and turning people away so get in early.

WONDERFUL. Delicious food and super friendly staff. Coffees come quickly so we didn’t mind the wait for the food at all. Food was worth the wait, with subtle attention to details but without the fine-dining pretentiousness. Not doing dinners at the moment but looking forward to when you bring it back!