Review Smoko - Waitakaruru

A lovely stop for my day of driving in a gloomy day. I would not rave about the coffee and food, but there is a home feel and freshness about the sourdough the egg and bason. It's hard to do simple things right. The service is warm, I would have pick an outdoor spot but the waitress gently reminded me of the rain. It sells some fresh produce and general items, truly lovely.

Smoko is a little gem of a place for travellers on State Highway 2. Just before the roundabout to either Thames/Tauranga /Auckland on the Auckland side. Plenty of parking. Great cabinet and cooked food, awesome coffee and even a selection of fresh produce to buy. Comfy seats too. We always stop there. Super friendly owner and staff. Highly recommend... We ate our food before I could photograph it 😅

Stopped here on Friday for a break on our way to Waihi from North Auckland. The best blueberry muffins, and coffee is very good, asked for it hot, and it was perfect. Felt like one of their steak pies which looked awesome, however it was little too early. Lovely setting out the back in the meadow. After speaking with the new owner they are certainly making a major effort on customer service, which showed, as the service was welcoming and really friendly.

Lovely down country cafe on road to Matamata from Auckland. I hadn't felt like stopping at the service centres out of Auckland but I was hungry and sleepy. This was a perfect wee cafe, serving delicious food...thr home made pies looked delicious and appealed to.my taste buds, but as a vegan I was disappointed the home made pies were not vegan, they looked great! 😋 I settled on a toasting which was lovely and some vegan hot chips..the service was great too, chatty lovely you g mum on til and older mum in the kitchen both lovely caring women... the grounds are lively too and I could imagine a host of families with children breaking their journeys here out of Auckland and being glad their holidays have begun...thanks for the respite!

Great place to stop for a rest, coffee, and a bite to eat. Food was great, fresh and tasty and heated perfectly. Wide selection of food in the cabinet and they can make larger meals on request. Lots of parking and comfy seating.

We usually stop in & grab a delicious homemade pie but this time ordered 2x BLATs & they were superb. Crunchy fresh lettuce, smokey bacon & no probs to do gluten free for me. Topped off with a side of their addictive fries & a choccy milkshake & we rolled out of their full & satisfied. Oh & very well priced!

Recommended to me by a local as the better place to stop in for coffee…I may have stopped in there more then once 🤣 Good strong coffee and really friendly service. Super clean, pies were awesome, grass out back for the kids to play and the ladies I spoke to are really putting their heart into the place. Will be back next time we are in the country!

Lovely people my grandson dropped sausage roll onto floor they replaced happily and dud not charge for dropped one. Very good homestyle cooking especially the pies!

What a lovely surprise after many years not stopping there to find this renovated, bright, beautiful cafe. It will be my new stop on trips from Auckland to Waihi. Congratulations on your lovely cafe

Cute and unexpected to find this cafe. Casual relaxed in door and outdoor eating. Morning tea, had a home made steak pie YUM and the loaded wedges... No lunch needed ;-)

Must stop for a coffee and food. Good selection hot and cold, savoury and sweet. Always a smile and great coffee to go...there's a garden out back for in the warmer months, so it's good if you kids who need to stretch their legs on a journey.

Great stop for 2 weary travellers. Hot chips and coffee hit the spot perfectly!! So friendly and helpful, old fashioned kindness

Good old fashioned kiwi big breakfast! Loved it but couldn't finish it all. Coffee was great as well thanks ladies

Great place to stop can grab a bite to eat. Good food great people. Great Cheese scones and great Coffee.

Everything you want from a roadside cafe. Chips. Pies. Shakes. Cakes. Wraps. Sarnies or a big brekkie. Coffee and bright friendly service all great. We’ll stop again.

I absolutely love this place! Hands down best coffee between Auckland and Coromandel. It's a mandatory stop for my family and I heading to Coromandel. The pies are to die for! Very rich in flavor and made with real ingredients. The staff are very friendly and always welcoming.

Lovely coffee, good food and super friendly staff. Will make this a regular spot when going to and from Auckland!