Review Cafe Express - Palmerston North

Awesome cute local cafe. It was open earlier than others which suited us well to catch up before heading to the airport. We had eggs Benedict and it was superb. I would definitely eat here in the future again

A fantastic cafe we discovered in Palmy. Good coffee and the best eggs Benedict I have had in a while. Very cool decor with some interesting art. The staff were friendly and efficient. Right by the square in the city centre which is full of interesting sculpture. Recommended.

Their waffle was great! The fried chicken was crispy and yum.. Hmm the curly fries was pretty good too. But the waffle was the outstanding one here. I order Cookies and Cream thickshake and I got Vanilla instead. I wasn't paying attention that it had no crumbs and I already had a sip, so might as well just drank them to the half of the glass (I didn't finish it because I just didn't like the plain Vanilla flavour in general I guess). However, it was great overall. Could have been better if they made sure they got the order right. ^_^ I tried my bf's iced chocolate and that was definitely better than my drink. :( definitely get the iced chocolate next time!

Place might be a bit rundown for a cafe but it gives old town vibes which makes sense in Palmy. Other than that, they have the best coffee and some pretty good food. A bit expensive for me but it's reasonable considering how pricey groceries are.

Went for breakky with 5 adults and a 3yo this morning. Great friendly service. They get to know their regulars and treat them well (warm muffin straight from the oven when they know their coming in), which is a really nice touch. I had the mince on toast. Great tasting mince, could see the veggies in it. Came with 2 perfectly poached eggs and a piece of toast. Large portion of mince, couldn’t finish it all. We also got the avo on toast with bacon, and scrambled eggs for the 3yo, which all was very nice too. Great coffee too! It’s a no wonder why my family go for coffee every Wednesday morning here. They get treated with respect and kindness.

Went here last night and the staff was very accommodating even though I was there very late. Had the Fillet Mignon which was exquisite. I will recommend it.

Great food and atmosphere, with lovely, cheerful service. The coffee was so good I had to get a second one!

Great service and amazing food!! Went around brunch time (11am) on a Sunday. It was busy but the staff did a great job of getting our food out within a good time frame. Would highly recommend 😊

This is an awesome little Cafe. Really good location and amazing food. Struggled to finish the grand. Really great coffee and cabinet food to and always friendly service.

Regular stop for me. Looks to have new owners and a new menu. Even though I see the Grand is still available as a breakfast item. Avo bacon and a poached egg on chibatta wasnt too shabby. Coffee was on point. Along with the fast friendly service.

OVERALL: 7 / 10. VALUE: fair portions, average price range. SERVICE: slow, waiter first took the order of 2 tables that arrived after me. FOOD: good, fresh ingredients, bread nothing special. AMBIENCE: ok for conversation, good views.

Went a few months back for the first time, just grabbed some cabinet food but oh my was it delicious - a chorizo, spinach, sundried tomato panini with aioli and cheese, it was such a great combination of flavours and good ingredients! Will return!

So yum loved the eggs bene and the chicken waffles were off the chain according to my partner 😂 he wants you guys to just do a bucket of the chicken lol the sliders weren't to bad either

Friendly staff, both the Caesar salad and Calamari weren't what we were expecting but were fine. Table was very very wobbly outside, food took quite a while to come out too. Good coffee.

Staff were uninterested, food took 45 minutes, really disappointing.

Ultimately we picked Cafe Express as it’s in the entertainment book and had some decent reviews on zomato. <br/><br/>Friendly service upon arrival, coffee order taken promptly but food order was so not quick. Coffee took some time to arrive but was great coffee (they use Havana beans, a nice strong coffee and the milk was steamed well) but the food was a rather long wait - not sure if they were busier than usual for a Sunday morning or if they suffer from not being able to handle a half full cafe. Cafe Express is the wrong name for this establishment. Waited over half an hour for our food to come out - it got to the point where we had to check after twenty minutes if they had lost our order. <br/><br/>There was no mention of a long wait on arrival. No mention or explanation as to why there was a long wait when the food arrived - although we did get a apology when I remarked that we had waited for too long for the food to come.<br/><br/>We got the big breakfast (it’s called The Grand) and the baked beans. The big breakfast was over salted, one of the poached eggs was over cooked and the sausages were over cooked to a dismal shrivel. <br/><br/>I wouldn’t recommend for anything other than coffee and based on my experience, I would rather wait out the two hour journey back to Wellington and save my appetite than return to Cafe Express. I didn’t bother to get any photos of the meal in it’s entirety and am unable to upload some to my review for some reason right now but I will just say that I am full of cafe food and regret. A decidedly average meal with a side of an underwhelming experience left for a bad taste.

$23.50 for the smallest bowl of chicken salad you’re ever likely to see. Tasted ok. Absolutely terrible value for money. Good service. Nice people.

Came for breakfast and it was great...cafe was busy with everyone out for Sunday brunch but our orders were taken and food brought out super quick!!! Great prices and even better food...we ordered The Grand breakfast and that it was!!! We will definately be back next time we are in town!!!

We went in on a busy day and were able to be seated promptly which was good. Food service was good, and the meal was decent. Had finished our food before we got the coffee we ordered before we ordered our food which is why the rating got knocked down. Good staff, great coffee when it finally arrived and ok food

Flew down for day buzzing cafe,was great atmosphere ..decor old school retro with big arch shaped mirrors. Food was Devine, quick service and super friendly.

Coffee was great, strong and hot.  Service was great,genuinely friendly and helpful.  Food was great, well cooked and presented.  Would definitely go there again if I lived closer.

Yum yummy buttermilk pancakes,warm and fluffy! It was a stack of three,so if you have a small stomach like me,its' best to share it with a friend. The affogato was amazing,loved the combination of coffee and ice cream - a perfect match. The girls were very accomodating and efficient. Would definitely come back to try something else - lunch perhaps?

Great coffee, great service, great food. If I lived here this would be my go to cafe! The home made baked beans are to die for, my hubby loved his mince on toast, my daughter had the buttermilk pancakes and rated them highly and my son had the half grand breakfast which he only just finished!! The servings are big and we came away feeling very satisfied

Great coffee - always very consistent.  Service is friendly and attentive.  Food is excellent with a great menu range and counter food, as well as, interesting specials.  <br/>Good place to meet friends.

I have split my rating 50:50 between service and food.<br/><br/>Food: Mince on toast is a great food/kitchen barometer. Simple, yet done well is a tasty meal. I give this full marks - 100%  2.5/2.5<br/><br/>Service: I have been told I sometimes scowl, and look unwelcoming. That day I must of had my scowl face on, as all wait staff took a very wide berth, despite being seated at the closest table to the counter area.<br/>I waited for 15 minutes for service. No approach, no water, no greeting. <br/>Fortunately, the person I was having lunch with turned up, and obviously, they were deemed appropriate for service, as it was instant once they sat down.<br/>0.5/2.5 for service that was well below expected standard. <br/><br/>I will go back for the food. I'll just make sure I am not early next time.

both the food and coffee were average in taste. portions sizes for our meals were big and the price paid was appropriate. we went on a pub hol so it was quite busy but the service was prompt. in terms of good service, as with anywhere, it all really depends on each individual worker, ranging from one being great and moving the umbrella to ensure we weren't getting wet to another slamming the saucers on the table. we received table service which is nice. i ordered the eggs florentine, the eggs were very runny (barely poached) it came on a croissant (odd) and the spinach was very watery (hadn't been drained well). my fellow two diners meals looked nice, and they said they were. all in all i will be returning.

Went here with my partner and ordered the pork belly... best pork belly in town hands down!! Been back twice since then.. love it!!

What takes this place to the next level is the staff take the time to remember your name and your coffee. It is very impressive when as soon as they see me coming in they will begin my coffee. I will continue to come here for excellent coffee and excellent service.

I went here twice for coffee - black. Both times it was burnt tasting and sour, like it had been over extracted - almost undrinkable. Very disappointing.

Always had positive experiences here -- the staff are really onto-it, never have to wait too long even when it's busy, and I've never been disappointed with the food. I think the superior quality ingredients shine through. Really good drinks menu too.

Everytime I eat at cafe express is a good time. I always order the Grand breakfast, and I am never dissapointed! Those sausages are amazing, and the holandaise sauce they use is to die for! The meals are always worth every penny, the service is great, and the coffee is good too! I cannot recommend this cafe highly enough!

Great food, good value for money, excellent staff. <br/><br/>I visited for breakfast with my husband and our two children. They prepared two special, children-sized meals for our girls. My two-year old cleared her plate, what better endorsement do you need than that?

Dined here for brekkie before working at the Home show, ordered the pancakes with berries, fruit and yogurt. Disappointed when it arrived, pancakes were big and thick and looked extremely dry, only a dribble of yoghurt and small scoop of berries, cut top pancake and it was burnt on the bottom, and they were all quite tough and doughy, asked for some maple syrup and they happily provided this, it was the only good thing out of the whole plate, wouldnt recommend this meal. Yes ate it all as was hungry but didnt enjoy at all.

The staff at Cafe Express are very special. They take time out to learn your name and learn your coffee request so that when they see you pull up your coffee is ready and waiting. Custom service to the max. Well done.

This has to be the most user friendly Cafe in Palmy. Having had bariatric surgery, they accommodate any food request I make, tweaking existing dishes or serving smaller portions. The coffee is great The staff AMAZING. The menu is excellent. You can even buy pkts of fresh salmon to take away! I actually go there every week with 'The Girls" We number anywhere between 3 - 7 on a Saturday morning. The staff have got to know us pretty well. They even let us do individual 'running tabs" so we just pay what each owes as we leave. Where Else but Cafe' Express! You guys ROCK<br/>(see you Saturday)

This is one of the leading cafes in Palmerston north. The staff are awesome and make a point of getting to know you. One of the quickest kitchens in town and the food is always amazing, they hand make everything in there deli and the Havana coffee is always great. If you haven't been there you are missing out.

Love this little cafe, hiding on the side of the square.. Coming up to see family here, i love knowing i can find a great coffee(They serve Havana Coffee Too Great Welly Brand)and brunch. Love the service friendly and fast ,its a busy little place, was impressed with my meal too, great 'lambs fry' reminds me of what i had as a child.I will make sure my friends know about this place if they head up to Palmerston North..

Service was great and prompt, however dinner meal prices were ridiculous. For that price I expected something much more upscale than what we received. Mediocre at best. Disappointing for what I had in mind. Wouldn't go back for dinner at least.

Best breakfast I have found in Palmerston North, tastes amazing! Although I'm not impressed about their price rises. Coffee could be improved. And they cannot spell food and drink on their board..what a shame!

Nice coffee and good food. The only negative was that 1 person at our table of 3 received their food at least 10 minutes prior to the other 2- would have been a lot better if they all arrived at once.

Express have been for me very consistent over the past 6 years in providing me with the best "Big Breakfast" in Palmerston North. Also, the coffee is always good and my dates are always trying something new, and they never complain. Very friendly and professional staff is a bonus<br/><br/>Highly reccommended

Really nice environment, the service is very professional and the staff are friendly, the coffee is great and the food is delicious!!