Review Automat - Wellington

Craig and team were wonderful, dedicated hosts. I’m grateful to get a table for 6 at short notice. The place was packed so definitely potential here. I made the reservation by filling in a website form and calling later to confirm. Had I checked my email I would have seen the confirmation arrived quickly. Thanks for a super quick response. The menu has a great variety. The setting is unique. Quasi American diner, roadhouse type feel. I like it very much. Overall we had a wonderful time, but we’ll probably explore more of what the area has to offer before going back.

The food is well presented, always flavourful and the specials change a lot - which is great. The beer and wine list is always evolving and the service is second to none. It can be hard to get a table at times and sometimes, you need to share a table which I’m not a fan of personally. Overall, YES! You should go here!

Food was delicious, Staff were supper friendly and helpful. Amazing long black coffee.

Ok, stop drop and roll into this special place. I had never been before. I had driven by like a thousand times thinking this place looks cool I should so go in and check out. So when my mother in law said they have a great gluten free menu that includes fish and chips we made time to visit and I was super stoked we did. We rolled up on a chilly Wellington Friday night with the family including my celiac 10 year old daughter and inlaws. On entry we where greeted warmly in a way that it seemed like we had eaten their like a million times before. After some great banter we where shown to our tables. The layout is simple but very considered and comfortable. Also there is something very cool and hip about eating in a old converted service station. We got straight into ordering drinks with no mucking around as our host could see the need for a friday beer litually sensing my frothing, parched, hard week of works mouth. Oh. Boy. The craft beer list was awesome. Our host left us to get the beersies and the fermented grape juice while our very energetic and lovely waitress talked us through the menu. She was also celiac and was super cool to my daighter who was over the moon she could have battered fish and chips. Then boom kids meals orded grapes and a bloody good beer at our table for us to now consider ordering for oirselves. Menu was good and a bit surprising with good old stamdards along with hoity toity stuff. The table went straight for the hoity toity salmon. I went for the salt and pepper squid. ( a friday fav) and a burger. The food was delevered quickly tasted really good, burger was really really good. The pizzas on table next to is looked and smelled divine. Diffo next time The armosphere was warm freindly during our time eating and drinking and not over loud and i noticed the sound panels installed where doimg there job...maybe a muso as well to bond over with as well.. What I did take away from our evening was simply why the hell didnt I come here before now. Why have I been depriving my daughter the best gluten free fish and chips and more importantly why have I been missing out on getting to know the host with the most and the fantastic selection of craft beers to sample with a great bowl of fries See you again very very soon for that pizza and so jelously wanted.

Such fun! Great for groups, casual dinners and date nights. Friendly also for people in active wear after climbing up Mt Kaukau also - no judgey eyes (from staff anyway). Fast and friendly service, takes walk ins, very accommodating if you are happy to share long tables. Food comes out quickly and a there is a good selection of Vegetarian options. The brioche bun for the burgers is amazing - the inside is soft and heavenly. Portion sizes are generous and you leave feeling well fed. Parking is available on site and on the street - such a wonderful staple in this lovely neighbourhood.

Fabolous place! I just found the restaurant on Google maps but it worth it. All of my family member loved it! Delicious tastes, fresh foods. You can't make a wrong decision from the menu.

This place never fails. Great food, service, drinks, coffee, parking, public transport- everything! The menu is fab,. But people come for the daily specials. This is shown in a light board. You can check that out as you drive past,as well as check on how busy ( buzzy) it is. They do gluten free with no fuss, kids, no problem ( the 25 yo hipster next me ordered children's menu chicken!). Try it. Think diner/cafe/neighbourhood bistro and you'll get it. Really, have an open mind and enjoy it.

Absolutely wonderfully prepared food, very attentive and personal service and a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We felt appreciated and valued and were well taken care of. We will absolutely be returning!

We have now been twice on burger Tuesdays and love it... Will be back for more soon!

Awesome food and great service. We really enjoyed our meal here. Staff all masked up too, so that was appreciated as well.

Amazing meals, great service and a very popular spot. And found my new favourite stout...

Fantastic food and service. Had the eggs bene and the chilli beef burger was both delicious just need to save a bit of room to smash the good looking donuts next time. Got charged twice for the burger but the lady behind the counter was extremely honest and chased me down the street to tell me I had been overcharged and made things right straight away. Thanks guys will see you next time.

Great location and selection. Wonderful service and banter. ♥️

Automat is a casual, great value cafe. We had a very pleasant family meal. I asked for different sides with the crispy skinned salmon and they happily obliged. Wine was a good price. We had two littlies with us and felt very comfortable. Well done Automat!

Great food and can't wait to taste the rest of the menu. Amazing staff and service too. Thank you for accommodating us

Love this local place. Staff are always friendly and attentive, food is good and reasonably priced.

Smily, polite and human. Great service and coffee. Roast potatoes were awesome, burger was good, slightly overcooked patty but I'd definitely recommend to a friend and will revisit shortly

Automat is a nice little place to visit. I only visited for a snack and coffee as I found their menu to be quite overpriced. The service was great and parking was convenient. <br/><br/>Overall it was a nice visit and their garlic bread is really yum!!!

Really strong cooking with fantastic vegetarian options. Excellent atmosphere and aesthetic. Would highly recommend the grilled Halloumi burger.

Popped in here recently lunch and and coffee, and happy to report that the coffee was decently made and good tasting. The kids size fish and chips was well sized and seemingly enjoyed by 3 year-old! I had the Beef and Cheese Burger with tomato relish which was delicious!<br/>I also ordered a fluffy for my 3 year-old which was served in large cup which I found odd<br/><br/>Not so thrilled with the service, people serving did seem particularly enthusiastic to be working there!

Don't get me wrong I do really like this place and I have been several times mostly very good but picked up southern chicken tonight and the chicken was a bit watery and very little coleslaw. Hope it was just an off day.

Unfortunately we were completely underwhelmed by this place. The service was restrained but prompt and the restaurant very tidy, but that's where the excitement ended. My daughters kids burger was a couple of steps above McDonald's with a fresh bun and lots of lettuce, but her fries were so over salted that she couldn't eat them. The French toast we ordered was quite stodgy - the egg mixture hadn't soaked through properly, and didn't appear to have any vanilla or sugar added so it was very bland, and instead of Macerated strawberries and chunks of chocolate it was a few sliced berries and some over heated melted white chocolate. The accompanying coffee was quite good. My salmon cakes were over crumbed and again bland with no seasoning (they tasted like a box you'd buy at the local supermarket) and the accompanying salad appeared to have just been emptied out of a bag with a couple of thick slices of underripe tomato added. The poached egg on top was very nicely done which saved the dish. Overall everything is clean and adequate if you are hungry, but there is no flair - prices are similar to an inner city cafe with none of the trimmings. Won't be going back if we can help it.

Stop in one night and both myself and friend had burgers. Simply delicious loved the brioche bun. Service was attentive yet relaxed will definitely be back to try more from the menu, just a pity I'm not in Welli to take advantage of the daily specials

Popped in for brunch on a Saturday morning and so glad we did. Service was great, food was yummy and the menu was diverse enough that anyone will find something they like. The thing that impressed me the most was the portion size; we were both full at the end and got great value for money. They have a yummy looking dinner menu and everything can be made to takeaway which is a great idea! Looking forward to going back.

I've eaten at Automat several times. I've stopped for lunch, popped in for a drink and some wedges, or bread and dips. I've also dined out with my partner and friends for dinner. It's always been good. <br/><br/>Today we returned for brunch. <br/><br/>They've got a nice set up here; casual and relaxed. The decor is minimal. It feels unfinished, with the chip board panels, but not in a bad way. There's seating outside in the form of benches, but unfortunately it’s mostly in the shade. They have a few car parking spaces.<br/><br/>Inside they have three benches which could sit eight adults, six comfortably. There are four tables which can seat four.<br/><br/>Their fridge has bubbles, soft drinks, red and white wine. They also have a modest yet good selection of craft beer, including; Emerson's Crisp Pilsner, several from the Panhead range and Garage Project.<br/><br/>We ordered a Panhead Pilsner (330ml) and glass of bubbles.<br/><br/>The brunch menu had the usual fare; muesli, various bacon and eggs dishes. They also have burgers and specials on offer – today; Philly Steak Sammie.<br/><br/>I ordered the pulled pork burger, with slaw and fries. My partner ordered the chicken, brie and beetroot burger with fries. Order arrived within 10 minutes.<br/><br/>Both mains were good portions. We were both satisfied. The fries were hot and crisp. <br/><br/>The pulled pork was delicious. The pork was plentiful and moist. The slaw was crisp and fresh, the BBQ sauce was tasty, not overpowering and the brioche bun was soft. A very satisfying dish.<br/><br/>The chicken was moist and seasoned nicely, lots of brie and the beetroot puree was tasty. A nice dish.<br/><br/>* Pilsner: $8.50<br/>* Bubbles: $10.00<br/>* Pulled pork burger: $18.00<br/>* Chicken brie burger: $18.00<br/>Total: $54.50<br/><br/>Although we live in Johnsonville, this is our preferred cafe in the surrounding area. We have always enjoyed our meals and found the staff to be very helpful and friendly. We will definitely be returning again soon.

The service was very good. Although it was not very busy on the day we went. Our table had fish, burgers and eggs. Everyone felt the food was a little bit of a let down.largely because other reviews has raised expectations. Would I go again - I think I would try a lot of other places first<br/><br/>

An excellent option for a family Sunday Brunch! Great menu (food and wine), good sized meals, well priced and enthusiastic/professional service.

Just came back from a great brunch!<br/>I had a Ruben Sandwich (from the specials board), the wife went for the Vegetarian Burger.<br/>Both were great and very filling! We spotted a Salted Caramel Warm Choc Brownie, so we waited a wee bit then ordered that.<br/>Wow... It was fantastic, crispy on the outside gooey in the center, great textures.<br/>Service was very good, nice and friendly.<br/>Will defo be back!

The perfect place to take the kids for an early dinner. Food is excellent and the service friendly. A real asset to Khandallah.

Ordered a takeaway dinner meal, consisting of two different burgers, southern fried chicken and chunky chips. Food was very tasty, not at all greasy and good sized. Enjoyed by all, with no leftovers!

This is a great place for simple crowd-pleasing favourites very well prepared using the best and freshest ingredients. Portions are not for the diet-conscious and would suggest some smaller plates but overall excellent American-style food in the best possible sense.

Oh my, friends organised a dinner out and guess where? Clearly anything new in Wellington pulls a crowd. Could not believe it.. Automat twice in 3 weeks. <br/><br/>Kinks still need ironing out. Our party was 6, the wait....over an hour for food. Ordered the sliders, which were tasty and filling, wish the sides were still more up to date or served with a twist. Bonus was no sweets ordered..so no more waiting... Just coffees which were okay. <br/><br/>They are still finding their feet and hopefully the menu will also get a tweak along with front of house.