The Library Cafe

Really nice spot for lunch. Went to this café on a Grab One voucher which meant fantastic value. Th building is beautiful and well maintained. Option of indoor and outdoor seating and a kids play area in a sepRte area where it doesn’t disturb other diners. Could do with some more outdoor seating
The food was good and the French fries were REALLY good. Big, fat golden French fries.
The staff were very welcoming and our server did his absolute best to be courteous and helpful. However I can’t help feeling that they were understaffed or else, disorganised. No water, no glasses, no napkins, dirty cutlery. We didn’t complain because clearly they were busy. We managed to sort ourselves out and we’re happy to do so because we were on holiday but it might have been different if I was having a business lunch and there was a time frame.
Surprised to see there was no dessert offered, just some slices and cake on the counter. Still worth a visit. We enjoyed it despite the negatives.
I understand it is changing in the next few weeks to a gastro bar so that might make a difference.

A fantastic old building and a great family atmosphere. Plenty of street parking on the weekend, plenty of seating, and plenty of food options including cabinet food. Outside are facilities for children to play, and inside the same is available.
The café service was friendly from what looked to be the owner, but that was where it stopped. Lack lustre and uninterested serving staff, no attention to the customer to offer water, take an order or generally ask of our food was how all four of the various staff treated us.
The food was slightly above average, and the coffee the same. Given this, the overall feel of the café is good and the kid friendly nature certainly helps to raise it’s profile a touch, but it certainly doesn’t rank in the must attend places in the area.

We decided to give this place another go after a not so memorable experience over a year ago. We ordered prawn twisters and beer battered fish and chips. The prawn twisters were good, and not too greasy with a nice sauce.
The fish was AWFUL! I know its hard to complain about fish and chips being greasy, but the level of grease on this was out of control. It was dripping all over the chips and making them soggy. We tried to remove the batter and just eat the fish but it was too bad. The was a strange after taste from the fish, maybe from all the oil seeping into it. On the upside the owner was very friendly and the coffee is good. Maybe just go here for coffee and a chat, without the food

I really want to like the Library Café, but I’m afraid after going here a couple of times I won’t be rushing back.
It is a great old building, but some parts of it seem a bit unloved; I know it’s hard with the big number of children coming through every week, but maybe they need to close early one day a week and get a cleaning team in to give everything a thorough clean.
I’m also not sure what their «organically inspired» menu means — their menu isn’t that clear about what is organic and what isn’t, and the waiters don’t seem to be that clear on it either. Anyway, I don’t find their menu that inspiring — corn fritters as a vegetarian main is pretty 1994 — and there are plenty of other places to go to around here.
They apparently do try to cater for people with allergies, so that’s probably a useful tip if that applies to you. This is also a really popular place for people with young children, as they have both indoor and outdoor play areas, so again that is a good thing.

This café really is such a lovely place to come for a coffee, what makes it extra special is its garden out the back complete with trampoline for children and big outdoor tables. The building itself is so beautiful I especially love the way you have to walk up stone steps to get into the café, theres something about stone steps that make a place seem more majestic and important. If I am not that hungry but am after something small to eat I love their garlic bread! It’s cheesy and garlicky and comes with this balsamic olive oil, so good! Seeing as it is easter weekend I will also mention that this place never has a surcharge on public holidays which I always look for as it can add on so much money. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner! I have never tried dinner here but I definitely want to, I can imagine the café would translate quite well into the evening as the décor is already classy and romantic. I have always had incredible service here and have always enjoyed my food and coffee, The Library café has proven itself to me time after time and because of this it is one of my most favourite cafes in Auckland.

«Don’t look at the bird. Don’t make eye contact with it. And don’t tell our bird-​scared team captain there’s a bird in this café.» That’s my biggest memory of being at The Library café — trying to keep my sh*t together as a bird flew its way around our heads, freaking out as it tried to bust its way through a window. The poor critter eventually got out, which was just in time for our 14 ordered breakfasts to come out at the same time. Taking a team to a café is always a challenge, but The Library was definitely up for it, bringing the entire set of well-​presented and delicious meals out to the team in one coordinated effort. We really appreciated being served at once — while we understand how hard it is to get 14 plates ready at once, there’s nothing more torturous than being starving and having to say «Oh no, you start, don’t wait for me» as you wait for your own food. Thanks, Library — much appreciated!

This is one of Onehunga’s best cafes in one of its most beautiful buildings. It’s so great to finally see a long term successful business here as it’s really such an architectural treasure. The layout is in two rooms, one big, one small with a door leading to a few tables outside by the playground that definitely came in handy when my kids when smaller.
The food is fab with something for everyone and the coffee is pretty good too. They cater to all manner of dietary requirements and a lot of their products are organic and free range. And of course they don’t mind you swapping things out which gets a big giant tick from me, as does the way they make children feel special (as opposed to irritating which is a common situation).
They obviously work really hard here running quite a few public events and have diversified with set menu offerings like High Tea, as well as growing the private function side of their business. You’d never know though because no matter how busy they are (and yes there have been times I’ve had to queue) the staff are nothing less than charming. A winner all round.

After hearing amazing reviews about The Library café my mum and I decided to go check it out. Having won best café in Onehunga in 2008, 2009 and 2010 we went in with high expectations. After being seated almost instantly, we were slightly disappointed with how long we were waiting before someone came and took our order. Thankfully the coffee was yummy, so that made up for the disappointingly long wait. For lunch I ordered the special, this was grilled chicken wrapped in bacon, with seasonal veges, grilled tomatoes and jus. I felt it wasn’t as good as it could have been, especially as the jus was incredibly dominating within the meal. Mum had the corn fritters with bacon and OMG YUM! They were delicious.
I have very mixed opinions about this gorgeous looking café as half of my experience was great, the other half wasn’t as flash.
After having won three consecutive awards for being the best café in Onehunga, they’re obviously doing something right. Go check it out and see what you think.