Review Cafe Medici - Martinborough

Nice cafe to have brunch. Friendly staff that was attentive. Coofe was really good and the waffles were even better. A bit loud but I guess always to be the case when busy.

We sat outside on a cool day, but the staff made sure we were given blankets. The food was great (club sandwich and Buddha bowl), and the corgis were welcomed (why we sat outside). Good value for money

We've been going here for a while. It's always busy, and the food is delicious. We were disappointed today to find our favourite dish has gone from the menu. Spanish Eggs is no more ☹️. The new menu is good, and there's a weekend special menu that apparently changes every week but that's more for lunch.. We were there for breakfast, and although the Scrambled Special was good, it wasn't the same...

We have come here several times as the food is great, the staff lovely, but we forget how noisy it is with the music pumping you have to yell at each other to be heard. When the music stops between tracks the noise drops considerably. We will try somewhere else next time

Wow! I can see why this place was packed out! Food was amazing, best brunch I have had in years, highly recommend Spanish eggs are highly recommended! Delightful staff with fast and friendly service.

Woah, I just had breakfast at #medicikitchen. What a lovely place. The atmosphere was perfect, Customer Service was perfect. Kai and kāwhe perfect as was the Iced chocolate drink. I was just a little confused by the sign at the entrance, 'Please Wait' as the café only had one set of customers but as I was eating my breakfast the cafe quickly filled and the lovely background music was combined with the hum of ka pai conversation. It's definitely a place to go to when in Martinborough ♥️.

This place is amazing. I had the steak sandwich and my wife had the chicken halumi salad. We were both thrilled with our selections. The steak was perfectly cooked, well seasoned, and a very large portion. I have been trying to eat better...but trust me... don't skip the fries. They are delicious. Not only was the food excellent, but the service was to notch as well. Lots of nice choices in Martinborough, but put this on the top of your list.

First time I've been to Cafe Medici, but will definitely be going back. My go to dish when trying a new cafe or restaurant is always the salt and pepper squid if it's on the menu, it was and I wasnt disappointed. The crispy salt and pepper squid was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The accompanying salad was delicious, and a great portion size as well. If this isn't the chefs signature dish it should be!! Great selection of indoor and outdoor seating with easy access. Waiting staff were friendly and attentive.

Really lovely vibes, the service was warm and hospitable. I felt genuinely welcomed. The avo toast was just ideal, and the choc banana muffin probably the best muffin I’ve ever had at a cafe.

I always try to go to this cafe when I visit Martinborough. Lovely arty interior decor and vibe, great coffee and tasty food. I had the Buddha Bowl which was so divine using fresh vegetables and beautful house-made beetroot hummus and tahini. Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of the dish. Also had the most amazing salted caramel slice from their counter. But what made this particular visit excellent was the lovely friendly customer service we received from the owner's daughter. She was so lovely, interesting and chatty. Highly recommended.

Yum! Food and service was great! Would recommend going when in town �

WOAP was amazing! The service here was impeccable and the food was equally beautifying for the soul. Highly reccomend!

What a find! Great friendly service and the most beautifully presented and delicious food. A must visit!

Absolutely love Cafe Medici! The atmosphere is beautiful and the service is the best in the wairarapa highly recommended

Would be great if you do your own home made smoothie especially summer is approaching. Perfect club sandwich! Not many places offer this, so appreciate you still do!

Not much to eat in this small town. This place was quaint, and cute, great hearty meals, generous servings. Tea was great too, i love a pot of tea.

Great food, wine and amazing service. Was out in Martinborough for a long weekend and we had to eat here three times to try more of the menu!

Had the Holy Burger, prawn chorizo pasta and kids had pancakes, kransky and fruit skewers. The food as great. The burger was the highlight for me. Thick juicy patty and fresh buns. The pasta was great too, freshest prawns over had in ages. The kids meals were good, unspectacular, but good. The service was quick and efficient. The waitresses also engaged with our kids, which was a bonus for us. I'd gladly return to this place.

We came in for lunch and both decided on the prawn and chorizo linguine. <br/>Wow! It was incredible!<br/>We often struggle when eating out as the food is often average. this was not average. it was delicious!<br/>Very rare to find a restaurant that can serve perfectly cooked pasta. So impressed, will definitely be back.

We love this place! Been patrons for 6 years and have always been greeted like old friends, attentively served and dined on lovely meals. This has much to do with the hands-on passionate approach of the owner. Thanks for another lovely meal last night.

Stopped by for a quick lunch during the Easter holiday. The place was reasonably busy and staff were very friendly. Food was good and quickly served but I did find the pasta was a bit overpowered by the lemon juice. However the prawns were big and plentiful.

Brunch on a Sunday. Arrived about 11:30am. Very busy. Several people told us that this is the best place for lunch. Given the amount of people there already that morning tends to lean towards this being correct.<br/><br/>We were lucky enough to snag a table as two other people left.<br/><br/>It's noisy there and a bit 'clangy'. Personally I'm not a fan of overly loud eateries but it was what it was; and not overly loud.<br/><br/>We ordered the Farmer's Breakfast but as the vegetarian option. We also ordered a green tea and a soy flat white.<br/><br/>The soy flat white was nice. Not the best I've had put pretty good.<br/><br/>Being busy our meal took 30 mins to arrive but that was expected and not an issue.<br/><br/>The breakfast was enough for us both to share at brunch. Mushroom, potato, tomato, polenta, avo, spinach, eggs, and bread. It was good. We destroyed it. Very tasty and filling.<br/><br/>I'd go back but when it was quieter.

Waited 50 minutes for an average coffee. Other customers were served promptly. Seems were were forgotten about. No apology given. Rather dissapointing. Won't bother going back

Had brunch here on a Monday, not a lot of other choices in martinborough but they do have people's coffee which I love so it was a natural pick. <br/><br/>Ordered the Spanish eggs with chorizo on potatoes and my partner got the bagel with avocado and tomato.<br/><br/>The avocado and tomato was cut in chunks and put on the bagel which was odd- I've never seen anywhere serve it like this before. <br/><br/>Eggs were good nice and spicy sauce and generous serve

A great place for brunch/breakfast. Got there at 10.30am so it wasn't that busy. I hear the wait time can be awful after 11am. <br/><br/>Got served by a new waitress who was only allowed to take our drink order. We had to wait for another waiter to take our food order. Strange... but both were lovely so no problem with the minor delay in service. <br/><br/>I had the minced beef on toast. It was devine. The mince had a gravy that made the dish. I was unfortunately not given the family recipe. <br/><br/>My friend had the smashed avocado with ricotta (I almost got good envy). Both dishes were just enough without being over filling. I enjoy quality over quantity. <br/><br/>We paired our meal with some mimosas... 🍾 They were a perfect start to the day. Though at $15 buck each they were slightly more expensive than expected. <br/><br/>Good service and nice simple food.

Waited 25 minutes for a takeaway coffee. There was no reason for the wait. Finally when I got my coffee, it was burnt. Incredibly disappointing. Please don't bother coming here, terrible wait staff.

Stopped in for a late lunch after a lovely walk and were very hungry. Got seats out the back and enjoyed a lovely cold beer while waiting for our meal. <br/><br/>Food was delicious and the staff friendly making sure we had what we needed without being all over us. <br/><br/>Place seems to get busy, but by arriving so late we missed all that. But even at the end of the day they still had time for a chat. <br/><br/>

Best cafe I have been to in a long time! The food and service here are first rate!!!<br/>Had the burger and the salmon. The burger tastes amazing and the polenta fries are a great addition! <br/>The cured salmon tastes great!<br/>Well done Cafe Medici!

Friendly and efficient waiting staff. Food very tasty. However, 50 min wait for pancakes and a salad. means only one thing GREED! The kitchen cannot support the number of tables. OK they were busy. A local we knew came in and said I hope your not hungry as it always a long wait. pity really.

The last time we went to Medici was a Sunday morning in July. We arrived at the cafe to be ushered in eagerly without anywhere to put us. The waiter told us there was a table free down the back. What he failed to mention was that this table was already occupied by 3 other people, 1 couple and 1 man by himself who he asked to move down and shoved us on. We were assured they were locals and wouldn't mind. Their expressions said otherwise. It was cramped and awkward. We were pushed to order coffee straight away when I didn't even have a chair yet (not enough at the already full table). The menu looked okay but after taking our food order we were told the wait was 35 minutes. As we were hungry and awkwardly crammed onto a small table with 3 other strangers we said we'd prefer not to wait that long, which was greeted with a sarcastic "Fantastic!" and the waiter storming off. <br/><br/> If we'd been asked if we'd mind waiting for a table, rather than being shoved onto a table with grumpy strangers; had been given a seat before asking for coffee orders and had more polite service, then maybe we would have stayed for the food. However, the hurriedness and rudeness we faced there left us feeling more like walking dollar signs than customers. Some staff training wouldn't go astray!

I have dined at Medici for dinner probably 4-5 times now. An amazing place for dinner! Marvin is an amazing host, going above and beyond always. Fantastic food. Best place for dinner in Martinborough for me so far.

We had lunch at Medici today - calamari salad - just superb food and great friendly service - totally recommend this cafe (our friend from Brisbane was very impressed too!)<br/><br/>Keep up the great work team Medici

Lovely venue, in particular the outdoor seating area on a beautiful warm Martinborough day. Absolutely tasty and delicious food....had the Mediterranean Lamb burger. Fast service, friendly staff. Staff were very accommodating us as we were short on time. :)

We ordered takeout coffees while passing through Martinborough this morning and although the board price was $4.00 we were charged $5.20 per coffee. When we queried the price, we were surprised to be told prices had been increased and they hadn't altered the black board yet and take away drinks also have an extra charge. That's a 25% increase! We'll be trying another cafe on our next trip.

We had a delicious Sunday brunch in the courtyard with excellent coffee (and I'm not generally a Mojo fan).<br/>Service was quick and friendly, really generous portions and excellent poached eggs.<br/>No problem at all using my entertainment book voucher, which just added to the already reasonable pricing.<br/>Only point of question: all the wait staff paused to pat a lovely looking labrador, tied up next to our table. We decided to believe that they all used a squirt of hand sanitiser on their way back to the kitchen but it's a perception thing.

We went to Medici over the long weekend. I have heard many wonderful things previously, and we were all eager to brunch there. As it was a long weekend, we understood it was likely to be busy. However, once seated it look 20 minutes for our order to be taken, or for water to be supplied (which we had to ask for). An hour and 10 minutes after ordering we received our meals. The rest of my party had ordered the standard bacon and eggs. I however, ordered an open steak sandwich. I had requested it be cooked medium rare but what was supplied was very overcooked and chewy. I would normally have sent this back, but after such a long wait I was far too hungry and was unwilling to wait any longer.<br/>Generally the rest of the table was pleased with their meals, just unhappy with the long wait. I normally do not leave ratings after such experiences, however I found it extremely rude that at no time during our meal were we apologised to for the long wait times. Common courtesy seemed to have dissipated completely during our visit.<br/>All in all, not the best experience and will not be in any rush to return.

Had a 50th birthday dinner at Café Medici last weekend with a group of 16. We had a great night. The food was excellent, the staff very helpful and accommodating. The shared starters were amazing, especially the duck spring rolls. I highly recommend the shared meals for two, more than enough to share and beautifully presented. While we had previously agreed on a set menu (choosing our own dishes) the staff were happy to accommodate a few of our party from the main menu. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming and the whole restaurant joined in the singing of Happy Birthday when the cake came out. We had come together from Wellington, Sydney and Cairns and our dinner at Café Medici definitely capped a great weekend.

They make breakfasts of champions! Hearty, large, fresh and tasty. <br/><br/>For something different try the breakfast burrito which is spicy but well balanced for first thing in the morning.<br/><br/>The sun streams in during the morning.<br/><br/>Good coffee and well worth making a planned visit.

Had another very good dinner at Cafe Medici this week. The roaring fire helps create a nice environment. Two of our guests sampled the Wellington on a Plate menu, and loved their seafood chowder, walnut salad, pork belly and salmon. I had a perfect steak with beans and their handcut chips. However for Medici go to the next level, they need to sort a couple of things. 1 their interpretation of when you can use the entertainment book. It seems no how many in your party, if one person has a special, then you can't use the book. So ask before you eat. That's what we did. They clearly don't enjoy people using the card. The previous time I was told to come back the next day and use it for brunch. <br/>2. Been here 3 times now, and there's always something not available on this smallish tightly focused menu. This time it was the Bernaise sauce for the steak. The previous visit, bread and butter pudding wasn't available. These are 6pm bookings. They hadn't run out.<br/>Great cafes don't do this unless its a seasonal thing. "didn't get time to make the sauce" ? The country experience excuse can only go so far. <br/>Pity because they could become the place of choice in Martinborough, if they sort it.

The wonderful floor manager has really made this place somewhere I enjoy returning to even when it is brimming full and the staff are stretched he makes chairs appear from nowhere and warmly welcomes us to sit down. Hardworking helpful staff deliver delicious, fresh and beautifully presented food. The place is noisy in a good way, warm and inviting.

We ate at Cafe Medici on Saturday night 15 June 2013 and had a great meal. We had our entertainment book voucher and when we went to pay was told we could not use it. We choose 2 meals at $65.00 and was told this could not be used with a voucher there was nowhere on the menu that stated this. After much discussion the floor Manager changed his mind and accepted it. I suggest if you are using your entertainment voucher you check before you sit down. This is extremely disappointing as we purchase the Entertainment Book in good faith. I have also written to the Entertainment Book suppliers expressing my concerns.

Pleasant service, meals and coffee come promptly, choice of indoor and outdoor tables (private courtyard out the back rather than out on the street) and several copies of today's newspaper. available to browse while you eat. Especially recommend the scones, but also pleased that when we asked for something not on the menu (toast for breakfast), they were not only happy to oblige, but it was the best toast we have had in a long time. We had breakfast or lunch here several times during our recent stay in the area. The one thing that disappoints us about Martinborough is the poor coffee almost everywhere, but today we got the nicest coffee we have had there at Medici. When we commented positively about it, we were told that they usually use Mojo beans, but had run out and so were using L'Affare. Other cafes in Martinborough please note! Will someone please start serving L'Affare regularly - or any other good coffee bean. Thank you!

My family has a house in Martinborough and this is always somewhere we go. We used to go to another cafe but have decided that Medici is the best in town. <br/><br/>Their menu changes all the time so there is always something new to try. The prices can seem a little steep but its worth every penny!<br/><br/>Had breakfast there on Sunday and the pancakes were amazing and my friend has the chili corn fritters which were just the right amount of chili for a breakfast dish! Coffees were great and considering how busy they were everything was timed perfectly!<br/><br/>Will defiantly be back!

After several nice coffees during the day at Medici, we thought we would go for a meal on Saturday night after a movie. We will not be going back. Although the staff were pleasant, the service was incredibly slow and we waited well over an hour for our meal. After getting one of the mains wrong, they said it would be another 10 minutes. So I sat while the other ate. The staff seemed to be 'discussing' the issue which made it quite uncomfortable. The main that was to be shared between two was well overpriced. And not really worth the $65. After our mains we really couldn't wait to get out... everyone seemed to we waiting a long time for food. I am disappointed and won't make the trip down there again for a meal.

Stopped in for a late Sunday lunch with Mum. We both had fantastic local wine and the smoked chicken and bacon sandwich with crispy shoestring fries underneath.<br/><br/>The food was delicious, filling, and well-priced and the service was friendly and efficient. A great experience all round.<br/><br/>Also home of the best soy mocha anywhere in New Zealand.

Can't speak highly enough about this place. Great wait staff, great food, great wine. It's the first place I book when I come across to Martinborough. The last time I was there was one of the great dining experiences I've had. Admittedly the company was fantastic with some old friends but the wine and the food were perfect. I had the grilled rib eye steak on the bone and it was one of the most succulent pieces of meat I have eaten, dripping with delicious Cafe de Paris butter. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Make sure you get a bottle of Vynfields Pinot Noir while you're there too...one of the best value choices on the list.

Had two different meals at this little lovely spot on a Girly trip in August. Wow - waiting staff were excellent, food at lunch was great. Next day brekky, all good, a little slower on the service, but on the whole a very nice little spot. Will be back on our next trip

On a bulstery cold day, Cafe Medici was a warm haven of great food and brilliant wine. I think everyone else in Martinborough had the same idea, so it was busy but the staff managed really well. Zingy flavours and great presentation with the food, interesting wine by the glass and a really nice, relaxed ambiance. No one seemed in a hurry to leave. My haloumi salad was the best I've ever tasted, packed with interesting, beautifully balanced flavours. We'll be back - this time for dinner.

We moved to Martinborough 6 months ago from England and after trying all of the cafes in the town have made this our regular. Great coffee and the excellent food is well worth the short wait when the cafe is busy.

I've been in the industry for over 20 years, here and over in the UK. I find it hard to find places to go where I don't "pick" at the quality of food or service.<br/>Love this place and always go here when in Martinborough. Enough said really!!

I have frequented Cafe Medici for several years while visiting Martinborough and last week nine of us had Sunday brunch. The kiwiana/country artwork adorning the walls provide great conversation starters and add to Medici's atmosphere. Several of our group had the Spanish breakfast while I ordered blueberry pancakes, a cute stack of six half-sized pancakes served with sliced banana. Apart from one person who had to wait an extra fifteen minutes for her bacon and eggs (on top of our thirty minute wait), our food and service was satisfactory.

medici has become my martinborough 'local' with its great Supreme coffee and fantastic salads. The staff are friendly and they now have a toy box!

Great service and fantastic coffee. We really enjoyed our trip to Martinborough because of the great food we enjoyed here. A must do!

Medici was warm and welcoming and coped with our big party like true professionals. The food was fresh and delicious. In fact the atmosphere and food was so good our party of 15 went back for breakfast the next day. I highly recommend this cafe.

Sad to see this place has changed hands. We used to often stop here for lunch and especially looked forward to an iced chocolate. We came in today and what a disappointment. A boring menu now and very dry, uninteresting food. The iced chocolate was the worst disappointment. We have been here countless times over the last 10 years and always looked forward to it, but we won't be back.