Review Prefab - Wellington

Very busy but staff were still speedy with service which is always a plus. Food is amazing, but prefab never disappoints. Fresh produce, amazing flavour balance, quality ingredients, large portions, value for money. Not usually a coffee fan but I appreciate theirs every time.

Two of us arrived here at 12:15pm today on Monday. It’s a big restaurant but all the tables were taken except some chairs at a high table. They have 3 big sharing tables. About 1pm some people were waiting at the door as the place was pretty full. Yes, it is Monday but the amount of people wanting to dine here is quite overwhelming. A very popular place. No wonder they don’t need to open during the weekends. As we expected, the food and service were superb. I had Today’s fish, that was blue cod with a creamy mustard sauce. $30. Delicious. My friend had their salad. $21. It is quite substantial, and she was very happy. To finish our lunch, we shared an almost croissant. Mmm that was so good. She had bottomless filter coffee and I had a café latte. Such a great lunch experience! We totally recommend this place.

We were looking for a place to have breakfast this morning. We got here and we were really surprised by the elegance of the place. We ordered eggs + avocado + bacon / Hallumi + cappuccino + detox drinks ( green and read). Everything was really appreciated - except red detox. Free wifi and parking place not far.. additional good reasons to give it a try 😅! 🇳🇿🥝🙏

Wonderful. Very attentive staff. Very popular.strong own roasted coffee. Also a bakery. Highly recommended

This is a masterclass on how to run a cafe! The interior is super cool with expansive seating available. We didn’t have any issues getting a table & felt instantly welcome when we were greeted. The staff exude professionalism and absolutely carve up their role in the machine. It was really impressive. Coffee was 10/10, perfectly balanced and made with care. I had the mushrooms which was a generous serving, succulent & a taste sensation. They sat on a piece of grainy bread with a poached egg on top. As a big cafe head, I was stoked to visit Prefab & highly recommend it to those looking for a great meal out.

Architecturally a beautiful designed space. Large open plan with plenty of seating. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Washrooms too. Great homemade sourdough breads and they can slice them for you. Service is friendly and helpful. Coffee good and breakfast 😋 yum

Delicious food, I love that the waitress suggested I could get a half serve.

The best coffee in Wellington! Salad was delicious too and service was quick efficient and friendly. A must visit spot.

Great vibes, lots of seating but very busy! It’s easy to see why, the coffee was well made, their food are not too adventurous but that’s not a bad thing, because they just focused on making everything delicious. Their sausage was one of the best I’ve had at a cafe.

A bit loud with music. Avocado was not ripe. Food was decent.

Came here for a little brunch date. Surprised to see good portion on the plate. Price is a little above average but considering its quality and taste, it is great for its price. <br/>I loved their Waffles and their coffee. <br/><br/>Interior is very minimalistic and warm. The niche/cut-out between the kitchen and dining space brings the kitchen to the customers, creating coherence. <br/><br/>This place is busy everyday to say the least. On the weekends, it does get a little crowded in the mornings so you will need to be patient with the staff and the slight noise you get. Other than that, a great experience overall. Would definitely come back for brunch. <br/>8/10

My first time and honestly won’t be my last time. I think I finally found my calling. It was super busy when I arrived but was greeted with a smile and was told the table won’t be too long of a wait and as I was waiting for my friend I didn’t mind it at all. 5-10 mins later I was shown to my table, while I waited for my friend I soaked in the busy vibe and the ambience. This place is so funky and neat and I absolutely loved their menu, it’s simple food made amazingly delicious. Service was lovely, expected delays as they were super busy but once you get your delicious food in front of you , you are in heaven !! The most delicious hot chocolate ever !!! Highly Recommend!!!

I really enjoyed the Acme salad 🥗 with roasted chicken 🐓 and Zany Zeus Haloumi. The flavours were well balanced and I especially loved the avocado 🥑 purée. Goes nicely with the sour-dough bread 🍞 . Also wanted to share my pics of my last visit, where I had a delicious sea-salt caramel filled doughnut and of course, another version of Acme salad.<br/><br/>If you are a local or are visiting Wellington and are looking for a reputable + modern cafe vibe, would definitely check out Prefab🙃<br/><br/>Check out my Instagram account @veeralpatel41 for weekly foodie snaps and other exotic things.

Very busy, with 5 groups in front of us, waiting. These were moved to tables reasonably quickly. Coffee excellent! Food very worth the wait. A totally repeatable experience. Walking out and saw more dishes being served that could have had me turn round, return and eat more. The pastries by the cashier were also incredibly inviting. Highly recommended.

The staff can be rude if you are going with a group of younger people. There also can be a large wait. The food is very nice though and is a good place to bring groups as there is something for everyone

This cafe has such a nice eye catching exterior and interior. The coffee & kitchen area was massive going across the whole store, so good to see everything going on. Took around 5 -7 mins to get us seated, not sure what was going on, there was empty seats ,but lots of staff wondering around?? The staff greeted us and just went on talking to other people and seating some other people ?? Anyways .. Menu had lots of good options and staff tell you about their specials as well. I got the egg Benedict and filter coffee. Egg bene was amazing as it sits under a bed of potatoes, salmon was delicious with a beautiful sweet juicy sauce (probably cured in that) I haven’t had something similar in Auckland so this made a big impression to me. Will definitely return next time I’m down in welly :)

So glad my friend and I decided to try out Prefab a few weeks ago!<br/>We ordered the Poached Egg on Acme Sourdough with Bacon and Halloumi ❤️<br/>We did order something else, but I don't remember what it was called 🤔. Nonetheless it was very good! 😁 (in pictures).<br/>Loved the Mocha!<br/>My friend who isn't a coffee lover, loved the Cappuccino!<br/>The home made bread is to die for!<br/>So yesterday we decided to head back there with a group of 11, each of whom were very impressed!<br/>A little on the pricier side for me, however visiting once in a while would be worth it.<br/>Great ambience, good music and friendly staff 😊

You'd be a fool if you didn't try the cabinet pastries. Vanilla bean custard in those danishes got me feeling some type of way. Caprese panini as it should be. Cleanest porridge I've ever tasted. You'll see what I mean.

Had the avo toast with dukkah, Halloumi and this beautiful beetroot sauce + bacon. <br/>Two things that stood out was the bacon that I came for. I believe it’s maple glazed so it’s sweet, salty and it’s a thick slice!! So so good!! I’d say it’s the best slice of bacon I’ve had ever! It’s that good! <br/>Then the beetroot sauce. I wish they’d sell this cause it’s just sweet but not too much and it compliments everything on the dish. It’s the perfect consistency too. <br/>My waiter said that it’s her favourite and so glad she recommenced me this! <br/>I’d love to come her again so so good!! <br/>

Prefab always has very friendly attentive staff. I find it hard to choose something from the menu or cabinet because it all looks so delicous- and then it is. Love the open flowing feel and ambiance, fresh flowers and current, relevant decor. My partner wanted to knock off a star because their chairs have strange metal backs and are super uncomfortable, choosing design over function. This didn't bother me at all so 5 stars it is.

Beautiful place which is super busy. Service was still top notch.<br/><br/>Didn't love the food, salmon/spinach was not the best but potato gratin was good.<br/><br/>Grilled haloumi on baguette was slightly better but not memorable.<br/><br/>The price is more for the vibes than food I think.

Delicious brunch here this morning! Had the halloumi and avo on danish rye bread and it was so yum! The fresh orange juice was also soo good! My friends had the avo on toast and the salted caramel waffles which looked divine - def wanna go back and try the waffles. Such a busy and bright atmosphere, definitely one of the coolest cafes in Wellington!

The food is tasty but really not value for money. The meals are overpriced for the amount you get, they need to be a bit more generous on portions. The coffee was great though, I’d go back for coffee but not food.

Very popular place, expect a waiting time of at least 15 minutes to get a table on saturdays. Coffee is always reliable and strong and cabinet food has game. Their baguettes with fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil are so yum toasted. The people who come here are always so well dressed it's like when I brunch, I get a free fashion show as well. <br/><br/>The real winner on their menu is their Seafood chowder. It's been a mission and a half but the verdict is this chowder's easily the best I've tried in Wellington. <br/>Most seafood chowders I've ordered at other places turn out to be cream corn chowder with a few floating mussels and a fingertip of fish. <br/>This one is very hearty, not stingy with the seafood at all. I see you, salmon. <br/>I consider it more on the savoury side than creamy though, with the addition of a baked layer of cheese on top. <br/>Can get pricey eating here, <br/>but if you want to feel important <br/>then this is definitely the place to go.

Great brunch spot although can get quite loud and busy, especially on a Saturday morning. The food is always delicious - I’d recommend the grilled halloumi.

Excellent. Dropped in for a quick Lunch, was very busy but we were seated quickly at a plum table out the front. Service was Excellent, quick and friendly. I ordered the Salmon which was fresh and tasty and my companion ordered the vague Oli roll - fresh and great ingredients. Coffee was to a high standard. Will absolutely be returning 😁😁

Coffee is pretty good, salted caramel flavor of donut is decent but the amount of cream was a little much by the end. Service was really average and it was super crowded for lunch with groups at the entrance lining up for tables 😮 quite pricey (esp donut!) and noisy. Definitely a group place rather than single person reading the morning paper kinda place 😂

Came here with a big (17 people) group on a Saturday afternoon. We were not expecting to get a table as there were so many of us on one of the busiest days. <br/>Got a table straight away. Service was wonderful. Food came out really fast and was delicious. <br/>Fantastic place!

Love this place! Always busy busy but the owner handles it well and the service is excellent. The food is delicious and if you can please stop in for the breakfast menu because its a flavour hit. On this occassion I had one of the oli rolls and added salad as a side. No worries. Also enjoyed a brilliant beetroot juice. The open kitchen, roastery and amazing acme collection on offer is brilliant. These guys are masterminds. Hats off

Tried prefab for the very first time and I have to say I love this place! <br/><br/>Went there on Thursday before lunch time (11:00 am) and it was a bit packed but not too packed.<br/>Coffee was decent, but the foods were so good! <br/>I got bratwurst w/ potato gratin, and had a wee bit waffle from friend. Waffle was soooo good I couldnt stop eating it <br/><br/>I'm a heavy donut eater, so when I saw they have donut I ordered one. They only had one at that time, and it was a good one! <br/><br/>I'm all about the vibe tbh

All I can say is Prefab is one of the most average places you could go to in Wellington. <br/><br/>The team is fortunate to have such loyal customers, the food is very expensive for what it is and just not worth it. Up the anti please.

Saturday breakfast at 8:00am. Gets busy earlier. Modern decor, good ambience yet loud. Attentive staff. <br/><br/>Breakfast menu wasn't huge but a good mix. Lots of the usual with a couple alternatives.<br/><br/>I ordered a soy flat white, turned up quick, was nice but small. I ordered another at large size. <br/><br/>For breakfast I ordered the waffles with yogurt, nuts and fruit. I was expecting something quite different. Waffles were nice, the fruit was dried fruit but it was fine. The 'yogurt' was very sweet with cinnamon, not really yoghurt. That would have been fine but it all came swimming in a caramel sauce. It was too much, too sweet. The balance was out for me.<br/><br/>Shame, it could have been an epic dish but it was average. <br/><br/>All up $27.00.

I love prefab, the vibe, staff, everything, but why have you changed the chowder ?????!!! It was perfect before....so disappointed and won't order it again till you change it back.

I was told the owner of this place used to own cafe L'affare. Hence many ex staff from L'affare are there. Coffee is nice and menus are good. They roast coffee beans in house, bake bread and even make jam and sell. High ceiling so you feel spacious. I enjoy coffee & food but my only complain is they do not have a good system for waiting clients. Whenever I go there I ask one of staff to write down my name and wait. Pretty bad system. They could issue out no and use led display outside to call their clients in. Or even text them. I don't know but don't like waiting so stopped going there. Can be too busy so can't expect good service from staff because they are too busy. Hence 3 stars & I never been there months!

Some people find Prefab busy, noisy and very disorganised. The space they have is quite large, there can be quite a lot of people, and a lot of noise, and a popular venue is a better sign than an empty café. There is no signage to inform new customers to wait to be seated, or grab a seat, but wait and you will be rewarded. Sometimes other people come in later and seat themselves, other times people queue up. The food has invariably been top notch and is a great place to go for breakfast or brunch.  Can be very over-crowded and waiting for a table can be irksome.

Amazing food and coffee. I really liked the interior design and lay out of the café. The only thing I don't like about this place is that it gets too crowded and loud and it always takes ages to get a table but that's not really a bad thing. A lot of people obviously like this place thats why it gets so busy.

Somewhat chaotic and noisy - but I still really rate the place. Be prepared to stand and wait for a table, but the triage is organised and once you're seated the service generally professional. A short menu but a good one. Food comes quickly. It does attract a particular type of Wellingtonian but I don't find the staff snobby.

Prefab was very busy when I popped in at 7:30 on a Friday morning. I ordered a cappuccino to go and was told to wait on the counter stools. Well, I waited and waited before discovering that my coffee was placed further down without anyone letting me know! They could benefit from taking the customer's name to then notify them. Coffee was average after all that.

Very mixed feelings about this place. <br/>On one hand the food is very good, including the baking on the counter top, and so is the coffee.<br/>On the other hand, I always find it very disorganised. Because the space is quite large, there can be quite a lot of people, and a lot of noise. When entering, I have consistently found no wait staff available to greet you. There are no signs to say wait to be seated, or grab a seat, so it's usually an awkward and long standing wait. Sometimes other people come in later and seat themselves, other times people queue up. Personally, it takes away a lot from my dining out experience.<br/>So while the food is fantastic, the atmosphere is not something I would prefer.

The last time I was here the staff were rude and the food average. The staff now were excellent and very attentive, making sure everyone was always served ASAP. I did not eat this time but the ACME coffee was still bomb. Will definitly come back for food next time!

Consistently great experience. Prefab is packed consistently and yet the service is consistently prompt and friendly with the food of a high standard. Definitely a great brunch spot but it can get a bit crammed. Also the donuts are top notch.

Very happy with service and food <br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>

I really wanted to like you Prefab however I found my experience underwhelming !!!<br/>My husband and I arrived on Saturday at 10 am .. So of course it was crazy busy .. What suprises me the most with a place this large is that no one greets you .. We wandered around like a couple of lost sheep .. We spotted a table .. Sat down .. Waited and waited .. Finally got the attention of one of the young waitresses .. Ordered water twice .. Ordered coffees and meals .. Coffees great .. Unctuous and perfectly crafted .. My mushrooms tasted really cheesy with a cloying aftertaste which I found distasteful so my husband ate them .. He had the gratin which was cold however he declared the sausage with it delicious ... <br/>Overall I think they need to sort their service .. The young wait staff were over whelmed and one look into the kitchen .. Crikey they are so pushed so of course the food is going to suffer .. Also meals were tiny .. And pricey ... I'm not quite sure what all the hype is about <br/><br/><br/>

The food was absolutely delicious. Service was great and were very kind. However we had to wait quite a while to be seated as the place was so busy and had no tables left, but besides that it was a wonderful lunch and will definitely be back again. <br/><br/>And also I ordered the Potato Gratin with pork sausage, a poached egg, bacon and lastly topped off with hollandaise sauce 👌🏼

The winter soup -- beef and vegetable -- has an unassuming name but is quite delicious. Hearty and rich in depth. The addition of swede (?) and lentils really makes it. But the surprise was the accompanying hunk of baguette . Made in-house, I think, it's crunchy and gorgeously textured. I'm going to buy bread next time I visit.

Great service! I would recommend ordering the specials, the are certainly worth it. The Salted caramel waffles are delicious!!! Good coffee.

Great place for lunch! I had the burger which came with chips. Was so nice! Atmosphere is good, can tell the place is popular as we waited 15 minutes to be able to get a table but was worth it. Decent beer and wine selection. 👌🏻

Had a lovely breakfast today with workmates and highly recommend the food, it is delicious and the staff are really lovely. A couple of suggestions, the music is a bit too loud and for a table of 5 people we couldn't hear each other speak. The menu I thought was a wee bit limited and predictable but again really yummy. I had the special of French toast and I absolutely loved the sauce but I couldn't cut the bread, the crust was really chewy. A bit embarrassed trying to discreetly rip it with my hands so recommend serrated knife for this one. (I should have asked but didn't want to look picky)  I also had a orange juice but it was so full of ice cubes the taste was really watered down.

Never disappointed when I come here! Had the sweet waffles, with nectarine, blueberries, white chocolate, Greek yoghurt and pistachios and it was outrageously good. What a winning flavour combo

Food is great and reasonably priced for the size and flavours. <br/>Good service, the front of house looked a bit confused when we got there but we were quickly given a table and everything went well from there. <br/>Will definitely be coming back here.

We came here with a table of about 8 and although they were packed out we were seated at a table within about 15 minutes, the wait staff were very accommodating and dealt well with a few special requirements. <br/><br/>I ordered the Mushroom and poached egg on ciabatta and I didn't regret my decision, I ordered an english breakfast tea as well and I let feeling fulfilled and satisfied. <br/><br/>Nice interior too, large space - light and bright with 3 window walls. Nice place for a catch up with friends or a quick breakfast.

Always busy.  Always tasty.  Always satisfying.<br/><br/>Prefab is insanely popular with inevitable queues and waits at peak times.  Once seated (which is often not the most efficient process with the front of house) service is brisk and business like.<br/><br/>Wide range of food, counter food and sweet items.  Excellent coffee as you would expect.<br/><br/>Go and you won't be disappointed.

YUM! So delicious! Everything came quickly I had chia Bircher and Adam had potato gratin. For vegan it was sensational, so fresh and colourful really amazing. Adam loved his food as well! Only criticism would be the coffees are small and the menu doesn't have v for vegan or vegetarian or gf for gluten free so it's hard to tell what's what. Adam J Middleton

Not for the unmedicated agoraphobic introvert with an anxiety disorder. But otherwise excellent.<br/><br/>There are aspects of prefab that are truly great. I've never had a bad coffee there, the acme gluten overdose bread is brilliant, I adore it; the food is excellent and pretty much everything with acme written on it is for sale. Service is fast and efficient. Food-wise I would heartily recommend it. Clearly also its popularity speaks volumes. <br/><br/>There are only two problem that deter me from making it a regular haunt - one is the availability of zomato that has lead me into the brilliant, diverse cafe culture in the capital. Secondly I hate prefabs fit out.<br/><br/>Walking into prefab is like walking into the centre of a gymnasium full of diners. What you are supposed to do when you go in is neither obvious or intuitive. You feel like a possum in the headlights. Should I find a table, should I wait at the door, should I go to a counter, or should I just turn round and go elsewhere. Hopefully, with luck the lady who runs prefab (very efficiently) will grab you and point to a table. If on the other hand there is a queue - if it's short this is a blessing because it's easy to simply stand in line and do what everyone else does. The architect seems to have lacked human empathy.<br/><br/>When it's pay time you need to pay at the till - this also is not intuitive - many people I know have had this problem - finding the pay station may cause you some embarrassment as you lamely are redirected to the right place. <br/><br/>The food and service is great - the space was designed for some other purpose.<br/><br/><br/>

We needed a girls brunch. That was the reason for the outing. It had been more than two weeks since our final exam and we still hadn't debriefed. And one friend was going stir crazy from being stuck inside her flat for days without company. So we decided upon Prefab simply because the last time we visited, the kitchen had closed and we hadn't been able to sample the offerings available. <br/><br/>It was surprisingly busy given that it was a weekday, but we were able to be seated within minutes. We perused at the menu for a moment, but I already had my sights set on the waffles - the special today being butterscotch sauce, coconut yoghurt, toasted almonds and blueberries. My more health conscious friends decided upon the (more boring) poached eggs on toast with avocado.<br/><br/>Coffees were ordered first and I was pleased with my trim flat white. It was a little milky tasting, but hey, that's what happens when you order a flat white when you're used to drinking macchiatos. <br/><br/>Food arrived ten minutes later and I was happy with the size of my dish. On my crisp waffle, there was a generous serving of coconut yoghurt, a drizzling of golden butterscotch sauce with a sprinkling of almonds and blueberries. As I tucked in however, I regretted not scrapping some of the yoghurt to the side because it ended up being very rich and overpoweringly creamy. <br/><br/>I actually debated with myself whether or not I was going to rate Prefab a 4 or a 3.5/5, but I figure the yoghurt thing was more my own problem and not the chef's fault. Also, I can never fault a good waffle.

Busy ! That's the first word that comes to mind when talking about prefab. Busy because the food is good, wouldn't push it to amazing but definitely tasty ! Service was good especially when you take into account the rush the waiters are in, she forgot the bacon in my order but well nevermind that was tasty enough to forget about it. Be patient though because it's busy and even once you're seated you will have to wait a bit. Being french I tried some of their pastries on top of my brekkie, please don't. They were just not good, cannelés were burnt.

Such a cool place! Menu looked amazing but unfortunately nothing vegan for me :( had to alter another meal. The menu looked so so so yummy for non vegans however - I think I would have had trouble choosing something! Super busy so can encounter a wait but definately worth it, cabinet food and coffee also looked 10/10, would reccomend for a solid and delectable meal in Welly!

Everything is just so awesome about this place (except for the people who also think this place is awesome) it's always busy!! Loved my hot chocolate and had salmon with poached eggs with hollandaise. As everyone in Wellington seemed to be having brunch here it took a lot longer than expected to get my food luckily I was able to snack on a chocolate eclair......phew!

Prefab is a great eatery in Wellington. I got the buckwheat waffles which were amazing and really delicious. My friend got the muesli which she thought was average but I'd love to return to try some other items on the menu. <br/><br/>It was super busy and service was a bit slow. Also the pricing was slightly on the expensive side but all in all a good experience. I will definitely be returning

Prefab is a funky place in Wellington central! The winter salad is a must try it also comes with there house made sourdough! Their sweet treats are also delish! The large space is perfect on a sunny afternoon and the surrounding large windows is great to get out of the welly wind but still experience the outdoors. This cafe is definitely a must try in the heart of Wellington! Check out the website as they often have collaborations with other foodie businesses like little bird!

Been here a few times for breakfast now.. Never seems to disappoint. Service is generally quick and friendly. Food is awesome. Great range available. I have had the potato gratin with poached eggs and bratwurst, also just avocado and poached eggs on toast. Perfect eggs and fresh bread go down well. Coffee on point too!

I got the muesli from prefab which was pretty nice but I wouldn't rate it amazing! Presentation was kind of messy, we came on a super busy day though so I think they were trying to get customers in and out.<br/><br/>Really nice space! Very modern and stylish. Pricing was pretty reasonable, the coffee was really good too! <br/><br/>Would come again but probably during a week day when it's not as busy.<br/>

Food is very nice. Flavours are well balanced and I never leave feeling sick. The service is great. Wait staff are attentive but dont annoy you. The location and space is awesome. This is a lovely meeting spot with plenty of parking space outside and nearby. This is a busy cafe, with a more mature vibe but at least you're not squashed like a lot of the cafes on cuba.

Always busy and often have to wait for a table but it is delicious and efficient once you are seated. Recommend going before 10 on a Saturday. Waffles are amazing!!

Firstly, the decor and atmosphere of this place is beyond amazing. I could literally sit in this cafe all day. The place is huge but is always super busy, which really says something. I love how bustling it all is though, and just people watching while I waited for a table/my food to arrive. The food itself is well priced and come in decent sized portions, plus it tastes amazing as well. And can't forget about their fabulous coffees. Will be making a return trip soon!<br/><br/>Sarah Reynolds  #challenge

Considering it's size and slightly industrial location, there were 6 people inside on arrival at 7am and at 8 is now packed! This is where locals eat, those in the know. Food is good with everything from super healthy to a fry up. Service is prompt and friendly. I shall return for porridge, or waffles or something!

One of my favourite cafe in Wellington. No matter how busy they are, we always been served and got food very quick. I like their coffee very much. Nice to have their coffee while watching them making fresh coffee bean. <br/>Their menu is great, both breakfast and brunch menu, very unique. Every dish has good balance and alway turns up very fresh. Good place, good coffee, good food. Highly recommended

My favourite place for a casual lunch. Neat and clean Scandinavian atmosphere, and well presented food to match. I have been impressed with the service and friendly staff each time I have been here.

Prefab is one of my favourite places to come for breakfast or coffee on a weekday. The service is impeccable and the space is gorgeous. I go with a friend, or take my laptop and headphones and work. If you want peace and quiet, sit outside. The people watching is fantastic and the wifi is provided :) Couldn't recommend higher.

The best cafe for breakfast in NZ from the fantastic decor, best paper napkins, friendly long serving and cheery staff, on premise made sourdough, to the best in NZ ingredients. Consistently top notch.

So delicious. Awesome atmosphere. Great music. I got the salad and it did not disappoint. The staff are lovely. Good location too. Very cool place.

Good cafe. My friend recommended this one when she knows I like cafe L'affare. Coffee is good , as well as the cheeseburger. Quite a big burger though. I can't finish all. The only thing is waitress forgot to put our order so we have to wait for almost 50 mins.

Big open space. I love sitting in a corner and just watch all the hustle and bustle go by. There's always so much happening and so much to see. The espresso bar in one side of the room, the baked goods on another side and all the people in between.<br/><br/>The do good coffee and are known to have great food. I didn't frequent this place but whenever I did go by it was always a good time.

Prefab is one of our Wellington favourites. The food is reliably good and staff are always really nice. Love the serviettes (if you've been you'll know what I mean) and that there is enough newspapers to go round. There are queues out the door on a Saturday morning and for good reason.

Fairly busy, but only moderate wait for table. People coming and leaving constantly, giving us unpleasant draft. I expect this will get worse in winter. Coffee good, food average with small helpings. Food arrived very quickly. Barely have time to put fork or cup down, before it was whisked away. View of kitchen staff working hard. Wait staff stressed. <br/>Fairly loud music, and a buzzing atmosphere. Overall felt that we were rushed. I will not be coming back. When I go out for lunch and dinner I want a good experience with regards to food, drinks and general atmosphere and I don't think Prefab delivers.

Food alway tasty and well presented with wonderful smells from the kitchen.  Staff welcoming and efficient.  A bit noisy at times but layout and decor pleasing for socialising.  Been numerous times, would definitely recommend.

Awesome place to brunch! So awesome that you usually have to wait for a table. But it's worth it. The iced coffees are not too sickly, just right. Salmon eggs = perfection! Will try a cronut next time!

I had such a great catch up here with friends. Fantastic quick service and the waitress was very helpful and helped me pick something of the menu. Loved the waffles and great coffee. Can't wait to go again soon.

Fresh happenin' place! Nice invigorating environment. I am surprised to read the other reviews saying for them service took a while because the wait staff I got were super attentive and very aware of everyone when it was jam-packed. Ordered the seafood pizza and handcut fries for two which was super satisfying in proportion and taste. Will return.

Prefab is right around the corner from where I live, so my flatmates and I are fairly frequent customers. Best bread in town (they sell the Oli rolls and the baguettes hot from the oven at Moore Wilson's down the road, too) and great coffee. I love that you can buy prefab oils and stuff like that, and their cinnamon rolls are second to none. Also the donuts, oh lord delicious. The porridge is solid for breakfast, but my favourite thing on the menu is the salad, which changes daily. Always has an amazing dressing, nuts and cheese, and comes with some fresh bread. So good! The one gripe I have is if you have a later start to the day, you'll have to wait a wee while for a table/seat on the weakend. Same goes for L'affare further down the street, its just a wee bit frustrating when you're worse for wear and needing quick food. The staff are great, my friend calls them "pretty young things", but they are lovely and careful to get your order right, which is refreshing. Amazing interior too. Everyone should try Prefab!

Grat value, great quality. Excellent ambience, superb staff. On maybe 15 visits. And of course, Bridget without compare.

Staff here are great, I don't care what anybody says, service is king!

Consistency every visit is something I look for and Prefab does well. While upfront it isn't the most amazing or creative food, what I love at Prefab is a solid, honest, tasty and filling brunch. The cheese burger is a real treat! The coffee is good too. Prefab has a great, open, lively atmosphere, different from the usual crampness I'm accustomed to in Wellington (not that that's a bad thing). <br/><br/>What lets Prefab down is the inefficient way customers are welcomed and seated. I'm happy to wait - but it's frustrating that there's only one maître d for such a huge place, and it looks like she is the only person authorised to decide where people sit. There's always a bottleneck of people waiting around while the maître d is trying to do a million things (serving coffee, taking away plates, setting menus and water to tables, while a good two dozen guests are waiting). In short, service and systems could be managed better. <br/><br/>But all in all, this is a place I'm loyal to and it can't be beaten on a sunny day.

LOVED the Cheeseburger and Chips!<br/>Now, that is a burger made with love: tasty with surprising flavours from the salad, a great bun to home this delectable creation.<br/>If you're feeling famished, you will not be disappointed! And the chips were a hit too.

By far my favorite cafe/brunch spot in Wellington! The food is always fab and the service is also fantastic even during busy times. I've dined with a group and as a solo and somehow the atmosphere works for both situations. The bread they bake on site is the best bread I've had in NZ. The baguettes are delicious - the kind of bread you eat without anything else. I frequent as often as I can, even if just to grab a baguette on the run. The only downside is that they are closed on Sundays. I highly recommend!

The only place in Wellington who knows how to make an iced coffee

Been to Prefab a number of times, its around the corner from the office. Found it a bit of a mixed bag. Perhaps its because it lacks intimacy or warmth but the service is very efficient sometimes missing friendliness or genuinity. Food is pretty good and coffee great, but feels a little pricey for what you get. Definitely not one of those places that you know its going to be great each time, bit hit &amp; miss.

What a joy to return and find Jeff and Brigit back into the café business with Prefab ...... Sensational food, coffee and most of all happy friendly waiting staff always smiling with just the right amount of interaction with customers.<br/><br/>If your tired and boring this is not your place, if however you're a glass half full type, like to mix with a good social crowd and enjoy great food and coffee, and appreciate dealing with masters of there craft .... Prefab's for you.

Lunch was lovely. Type of place to grab a great lunch and a glass of wine. Had a lovely vibe but if you are hard of hearing or wanting a quiet conversation.... Be sure to sit on the outer edge or outside as it us quite noisy. <br/><br/>Food was fresh, service quick and coffee just right.

Everything here was "good" about the Prefab........which is a shame really, as our whole dining experience there recently was let down by their shockingly bad service. My wife and I came here for lunch a few days ago and we found the place so unfriendly and so uninviting that for all we know we could had been dining at the South Pole!!! No-one bothered to greet us when we came in or to serve us for a good 15 to 20 minutes after we have arrived. And when they did, it was so business-like......not even a smile or a "how are you?" It was more like "what do you want!!" Not even the owner Bridget who knew us as past customers would come over to say "hullo". Instead she just stood there by the entrance-way chatting constantly to a couple of friends.<br/>So we ate, paid for our meals and then left immediately. We couldn't get out of the place fast enough!! <br/>Given our cold experience there, we certainly won't be back again in a hurry.

Shame they don't cover the counter food and people can sit right in front of the plate of doughnuts and sneeze icing sugar everywhere. I pointed this out to the owner but she said most things were covered so if I wasn't going to order a doughnut then what was the issue?<br/>I have been back twice since and several counter food items still uncovered.<br/>Is this allowed by the health inspectors?

I was there for a quick (late) lunch so fair enough that the full menu wasn't available so I settled for a BLAT - $14. Even for homemade bread the look of the sandwich was nowhere near that amount; way too much aioli and under seasoned. Real lemonade was quite nice although it was a shame how the ice watered it down to, well, just lemon-flavoured water.<br/>The waitress who took my order was rather pleasant just a shame about the other 1 who was slightly older (and maybe in a managing role) who was putting chairs up and made a big deal of making noise like she wanted me to move. <br/>Prefab certainly has potential and usually quite nice but this time's a no and would any of my friends or myself be back? Not likely.

Had lunch at Prefab the other day, ordered some coffees and food. The coffees were quite nice. Service was okay though we were seated right infront of the main door which blew a gale each time the door was opened. I had the tomato, basil and mozzerella sandwich, not the biggest of sandwiches for $12 and was pretty much tasteless. No seasoning what so ever. The fries were average at best and the tomato sauce was unsalted and watery. <br/><br/>Definitely not worth the $55 all up.

Came the other day and had my flat white coffee and my toast, the service was fast and knowledgeable beautiful flavours overall everything was perfect..

Prefab had been recommended to me and I have always enjoyed Cafe L'Affare, so thought I would give it a try with my two daughters for a quick lunch. We arrived just before midday to try to beat the lunchtime rush and got a nice table by the window. The setting is great - very light and spacious. However, the service was terrible. After being seated we were completely ignored by the waiting staff. The waitress seemed more interested in chatting to her friend who had just arrived and who I noticed received a very nice looking espresso within minutes. At that point I gave up and went up to the counter to ask for someone to come and take our order. I ordered a few panninis, chips, some juices for the girls and a coffee. One juice arrived but the other went missing and I had to head back to the counter. The food eventually arrived (which was very nice) but no cutlery for some reason, so another trip to the counter to get it myself. And my coffee never arrived at all. By this time it was nearly 1pm so we cut our losses rather than asking for the coffee. I never complain about restaurants but it was just so bad I thought I would share this experience on this website. I won't be going back in a hurry...

I have been here twice. The first time was fantastic - attentive, knowledgeable and friendly waitress, good coffee and a delicious florentine. Having had a successful first visit, three of us decided to go back for lunch. It is no exaggeration to say it is the worst dining experience I've had in Wellington.<br/><br/>It was reasonably busy when we went in, there were a few people milling around the door but that is to be expected for a new place with a lot of hype around it. We were seated very quickly and left with menus. Instantly it became clear the food was nowhere near what we had previously expected. We were sitting at one end of a large table, at the other end were two people and as we waited to order we overheard the man discussing with the waitress his surprise and disappointment that the caesar salad came with neither chicken nor anchovies, though this was not mentioned on the menu. So that was off the list for us.<br/>When the waitress came back, we asked for clarification on the menu as it is pretty sparse on details. It was quite bizarre - the burger came only as a bun and pattie, we would have to order salad separately. The pizza was a plain margherita, with no other options. Two of us eventually ordered the quinoa salad, the other the bacon buttie.<br/><br/>Before our food even got to us, a waitress sat a complete stranger next to us. I mean right next to us, she was closer to me than either of the people I was eating with and even tried to push my bag off the table because she didn't have space for her own. They obviously knew each other as the waitress hung around to chat about their weekends, and made a point of coming over to greet the woman's partner when he arrived. Absolutely unprofessional to shove your friends onto a table regardless of other patrons. It completely wrecked our ability to chat and enjoy our lunch. <br/><br/>Once the food arrived, there was no improvement. The quinoa salad came with feta, which was not mentioned on the menu. Both of us who ordered the salad are lactose intolerant and ordered it because it seemed the only thing free from dairy. Given that most of the menu items don't come with things you would normally expect (i.e lettuce in a burger), it is bizarre that feta would not be mentioned, especially given it is a common allergen. We had both ordered chicken to add to the salad; this was inedible. It was cold, the skin was shrivelled and it had obviously been cooked and left in the fridge for several days. There was also gristle in mine. Our friend's bacon buttie was stone cold. <br/><br/>The waitresses seemed utterly disinterested, we tried to catch the attention of one to send the salad back as neither of us could eat it but she ignored us. When we went to pay, the girl at the counter didn't ask how we had found the food. <br/><br/>Appalling service, average food which doesn't do the basics well, and a total inability to deal with any sort of lunchtime rush. I won't be going back, and have been telling everyone I know to avoid this place

A fantastic, if not unique space and style (despite the hype). Plenty of room and light. Basic menu, done well (although having only eaten once I can't pronounce on everything). Good coffee and reasonably attentive staff, but...too much attitude among some of the more "senior" members. Lose the chip and try smiling! Otherwise, thumbs up.

Have been here 2-3 times and everytime the service has been quite slow and staff were not very attentive to the customers ie me. Can get quite busy at times. <br/><br/>The menu and prices have increased since opening...<br/><br/>It is a shame that they are not open on Sundays..<br/><br/>Coffee has gradually gotten better since opening.<br/><br/>Ordered a hot sandwich - mozzarella, basil and tomato. could have done with some salt during the toasting... bread was over toasted so it made it difficult to cut. Other time I ordered the burger which was literally meat patty in a bun - awefully boring... and the other time I ordered this salad Quinoa, wild rice, kumara salad which came with a LOT of white rice which I was not expecting....

First time visitor on Saturday and the place was very busy. People were queueing out the door. Good atmosphere although a little noisy with the amount of people there. Great to see the kitchen in action.<br/>I ordered the toast with scrambled eggs and bacon and it was OK, I could have done just as well myself at home. My friends ordered the burger and fries and the tomato mozzarella and basil toastie and a side of fries. I should have had either one of those instead, they looked delicious. I managed to grab a few of the fries which are amazing, particularly with the homemade tomato sauce. I'll be back, but will be slightly more adventurous than bacon and eggs on toast next time.<br/>Also liked the look of the baked goods on the counter however did not like that people were sitting right next to them and the food was not covered.

My husband and I went to lunch there on Friday. It was buzzing, a real mixture of people. I got the toasted panino with REAL prosciutto and REAL mozzarella. It was amazing! The freshly made bread (which you can buy!) is to die for! My husband ordered the burger and chips. The burger didn’t have any greens but it didn’t need it, the homemade patty was juicy and good! the chips were hand cut and divine :-). I didn’t get to try the ice cream but I have it on good authority that it is also amazing! My only regret is that I don’t work closer to it!

Wow called into Prefab today and it was buzzing. Talk about an opening day going off to a great start. We were greeted at the door by Bridgette one of the owners with a huge smile and immediately guided to a seat at the Coffee Bean roasting bar where we sat and chatted to Geoff as he roasted some beans. Our Long Blacks arrived within minutes and even better the price was only$2.50. Talk about value for money and to my way of thinking, Prefab will be a place to meet what ever the occasion. Another great eatery for Wellington.

I went to Prefab with my family after my friend raved about to me, and it was the best quality brunch I have had in a long time. My family and I have always been fans of Cafe Lafare, so we were excited to try Prefab as the owner is the original owner of Cafe Lafare. I had the poached eggs and bacon and the only way I could critique it would be perhaps to say that the portion could have been bigger! The eggs were perfect, probably the best poached eggs I have ever had. The bacon they use is Manuka Honey cured, which adds a sweet aspect to the already salty and smokey flavour. Delicious! There was only one piece of bread on the plate and I probably could have done with another to mop up my eggs. But overall a near perfect breakfast!

Despite occupying a space similar to a small warehouse (130-seater), we waited 10-15 minutes before getting a table on a Saturday morning. This joint, popular amongst the trendy and the hip of all ages, is a prime location for people like me who loves to people-watch while catching up over a cup of coffee. We sat at a wooden high table next to glass walls which brings in warm natural light and were left to decide on what to eat while our lovely waitress brought over our Acme coffee (bottomless filter coffee for me, flat white for my sister).<br/><br/>Prefab has a breakfast and lunch menu throughout the week and on Saturdays they offer an all day menu. My choice of Mexican pork jumping beans on toast with chunks of juicy pork and diced red onion and celery is a fancy take on baked beans on toast and had lovely Mexican flavours. My sister's Berlin brekkie which resembled more like a Spanish cold cuts platter rather than a typical big breakfast was an unexpected but welcoming surprise. The different variation of preserved meats, served with pungent hard cheese, bread and a soft boiled egg was quite a bargain ($16) as you would expect to pay upwards of $25 for something similar at Bellota or other Spanish restaurants.<br/><br/>The place was getting more and more busy as our meals progressed so we decided to leave when we finished our food and coffee rather than hold up the table. Overall, I'm very impressed with Prefab and understand why it has achieved 'cult status' even though it is less than one year old. The food is different and delectable, the service is attentive and friendly (despite being extremely busy) and they serve a great cup of joe.<br/><br/>If you like this review, please check out my dining blog -http://mydiningjourney.wordpress.com for more reviews

I have been coming to Prefab since it opened and it just keeps going from strength to strength. Popped in Saturday morning for breakfast and the kai was on my table in a nanosecond along with the BEST coffee. The service is an obvious strength but it is grounded in the owners' long experience in the hospitality industry. everything about this café has been deeply thought about and with much love. And how it shows. I love the lightness and the space also, the myriad seating options to accommodate pretty much every permutation and combination of diners, and the bakery is fantastic. Paying the bill is always a danger here as I debate whether to add a ciabatta, perhaps some of their amazing sweet chili jam, a banana bran muffin ... <br/><br/>Service: 5/5<br/>Ambience: 4/5<br/>Food: 4/5<br/>Value for Money: 4/5

I have been a regular at Prefab since it opened earlier this year. I love their counter food; doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, tasty baguettes. They also have a simple, fresh, straight-forward menu with a bit of difference from what you usually might find at a cafe. My top pick is the bacon butty; a soft roll filled with tasty bacon,a fried egg & the most delicious mayonnaise. So simple but so perfect! The pizza is also a winner, a simple margherita with a delicious crispy base & gorgeous homemade tomato sauce. Plus they roast their own coffee, make their own bread & have even started making their own lemonades. The service is super fast & friendly & the girls working there always wear lipstick (I'm starting to wonder if it’s stipulated in their contracts?)