Not usually one to order eggs bene as they are pretty standard but Rads version was different and delicious. Great little cafe with friendly staff. Can’t wait to come back and try a few other meals off the menu.
Best breakfast I have had in ages - Keto Hubby enjoyed the Freedom Rangers- swapped the potato for bacon hock - my Super Duper Smoked Kahawai Hash was divine - definitely a come again
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📍 RAD Cafe
☕ Long black + Hot Chocolate
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Mt Eden has always been lit with well renowned cafes like Circus Circus and Frasers. But move aside, RAD is here! Gotta be one of the coolest little cafes around with exposed brick walls, plywood seating, and further at the back is an industrial concrete table, just because. And the feature wall dedicated to Stefan Le Du is pretty RAD.
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Oh yeah, and coffee here is amazing.
Good way to start the day. Although it is inside the a mall, it has a good vibe.
Very good food and amazing smoothies. I recommend the coconut waffle with the berry smoothie
Delish little spot in the village. (Key word - little, do don’t come at peek if you want a seat) yummy food and yum coffee
Food: 3.5/5
Service: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
I got savoury muffin and cheese scone for takeaway. They were just $4.5 each but they were yum! Didn’t expect that they put a little knife, butter and tissue in the paper bag also:) definitely will go back again!
It’s really a little of hidden gem, like every part of the cafe, the environment the food the staffs, i ordered a beef vermicelli and a flat white, was really good, definitely coming back again.
Went here today after seeing all the reviews.
The food was good and so were the coffees. I had the chocolate shake and the eggs benny with the shredded pork/bacon nothing to complain about.
The service was good, but it seems like we were being rushed to order and to leave after eating. Though they are a very busy place and there isn't much seating so it's understandable.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Came in after multiple raving reviews from my mates about the coffee, unlike their size or wealth this time they were not over exaggerating. This place is seriously good. Nice atmosphere, comfy tables and great music/vibe. As a barista in a specialty coffee roasters, coffees that really blow me away have become few and far between. Merely the aroma coming off the single origin long black was enough for me to know I was in for something pretty special. Both the short and long blacks were well extracted, and managed to bring out the fruity notes in what I assume was a guji. The almond croissant I had was exactly what I needed, light and crispy and a perfect addition to the coffee. The coffee and food alone would be enough to earn a 5 star review, but I would honestly give another 5 stars for the service. Shout out to the two girls working that told me I look like Troye Sivan. They somehow broke every by the book rule of hospitality but the experience was made like 100 times better, like this wasn't by no means a bad experience to start off with. Never before has a waitress talked to me across the cafe or come and sat and chatted to us because she's bored. I not only left the cafe satisfied by the food and coffee but I also felt like I gained two new friends. Pretty rad place if you ask me. 10 stars.
Great coffee, great food. Shout out to the waitress who brought the same energy as Zendaya in Euphoria. Very nice aesthetic and excellent service.
Went to RAD on Saturday for brunch and they were very accommodating and we were seated so quickly. The waitress is super nice and made our experience great, even though we had complicated orders.
We got the big breakfast, salmon eggs benny and pho. The almond milk flat white was made so pretty and tasted good too.
I enjoyed the brunch, however I thought my eggs Benedict was really small for the price. I guess it is in mount eden.
Brunch total was $90+ for 3 coffees and three meals.
Excellent food and service. Eggs benny the best I have had for a long time. Coffee was excellent I Will be back to try the lunch menu some time soon.
Excellent brunch food and friendly staff.
We tried the eggs benedict with pulled bacon and the salmon on waffles. We also ordered a freshly squeezed orange juice and a flat white, both very good.
The eggs benedict dish was excellent!The pulled bacon portion was very generous and the potato gratin was absolutely delicious. All around great dish!
Will definitely go back!
Best coffee in Mt Eden! A Vietnamese fusion cafe .
We do prefer their breakfast menu which finish around 12 pm so have to get there earlier then our usual lunch time 😆...
Friendly staff, food are nicely presented and tasty.
The food was really great! For me I think it was slightly overpriced but I would definitely still go again for the flavor. The red chicken burger is very nice. The combination of the chicken and the sourness of the pickles and watermelon really goes well together.
This is my absolute favourite cafe to go to. The staff a super cool and friendly. The food is exciting and delicious and has a bit of a Vietnamese flare to it. Every dish I’ve tried is delicious and I would come here everyday if I lived in the area. Love this place and would recommend to everyone!
Nice and friendly staffs with delicious food. Environment is nice and drinks taste delicious too.
Food quality 5/5
Quantity 5/5
Environment 5/5
Price 5/5
Service 5/5
Crab papa, salmon steak, chicken salad. Lovely brunch and light menu for summer! We love it! Also recommend Banh mi! Amazing Fusion dish! The coffee is very good! Cold brew is just what I need for summer time!
The decoration of this cafe is simple and inconspicuous. I wanna order an egg benny with salmon. However the time was past 12 pm and the breakfast menu suppose to be not available any more. The chef still accepted my order and make an egg benny with salmon for me. The food is tasty. The service is a bit slow and indifference.
Everything is good. Coffee. Food. Especially the bacon hock eggs benny. Next level bacon that was crispy and tender at the same time. How? No idea. Just eat it. You won’t regret it.
Food is absolutely amazing. Burger is very good.
I very love the coffee.
Parking is very good too.
Customer service was very good. Staff is very friendly.
Food: 9/10
Cost: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Rad has a really modern and aesthetic vibe to the place. I loved the furniture and the decorations they added. We were welcomed by friendly staff. One of the baristas was actively making conversation with us and made sure that our meal and our time here was a good one which really made the experience very memorable.
I ordered a Grandma's Pork Bahn Mi and my friend ordered the Black Stack Burger. Both dishes had generous portions and the pork in the Bahn Mi was so flavourful - flavour explosions in the mouth. Adding a bite of the chilli gave it extra zing to every mouthful and the bread was the perfect complement. The pork belly was tender with a crunchy skin to it, fries were great and tomato sauce was zing-y too. It was very busy around lunch time so noise level was high making it quite difficult to hear and talk to people you're out with. Other than that, I had a great experience here and would love to come back some time :))
Food - 4/5
Ambience - 4/5
Service - 5/5
Rad is brilliant! seriously hoping to go there again.
the toasted croissant was fresh and crunchy!! and not too sweet. the NZ butter was beyond my words!!! so smooth and natural and i even asked the girl where they usually get the butter and the answer was just Mainland brand from super lol. besides that short blonde girl was lovely, thank u.
the omelette was perfect. silky eggs, soft and flavorful beef, good gruyere and again, butter lol. quite generous portion indeed.
Rad is my new favourite 💓
Service: truly amazing. The staff here really go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and happy. really friendly and attentive.
Food: my go-to at this cafe is the Ora King Salmon with lemon and dill, served on potato gratin with apple cider hollandaise. Love the potato gratin, but not a big fan of the hollandaise, too overwhelming sour taste for me. I’ve also tried the Beef Pho here and it is really good, speaking as a Vietnamese. The broth is spot on, which is the most important when it comes to this dish. The banh mi, Vietnamese baguette, is average though, could use a bit more seasoning on the meat and less coriander.
Ambience: modern yet cozy. Rad is always buzzing and crowded, but in a good way, not in the I-can’t-even-hear-my-conversation way. Love the seating spot outside on a nice day.
Highly recommended 😊
Been here a two times and both visits were great!
The coffee is good and the food is on point.
I had the omelette which has slow cooked Beef Cheek that just falls apart and goes really well with the cheese and tomatoes. They give you heaps of meat so you be feeling underwhelmed.
My friend ordered the pho and she’s Vietnamese and said it’s one of the better pho’s she’s had in NZ which means the chefs know what they’re doing!
Also the staff are super friendly and chatty and make you feel welcome and you’ll leave happy:)
Will be back!!
Great little cafe. Always a good soy hot choc and the cabinet food is delish especially almond croissants and the banana loaf! The menu options also look divine so will be back to try those!
Came here this morning with a friend for breakfast. Ordered the salmon benny and green smoothie while my friend ordered a Chai and an almond crossaint. I really loved my green smoothie and the eggs were cooked to perfection. Service was attentive and overall I like the vibe in there. Will come again.
Pork hock and apple on eggs benedict with layered potatos? This is now my favourite rendition of the classic. At first glance at the menu I was a bit apprehensive but this works very well. Also tried the french toast, i could live off the custard alone on that thing.
Everything was superb. Great food, atmosphere, and service. Would have given it a 5 stars if it wasn’t for the water... the water had something floating in it, it also had a weird taste and colouration.
Almost 5 Stars.
The staff was friendly and helpful. The Benedict with pulled bacon was very delicious.
Unfortunately the smoked fish had one sharp bone inside that cut my mouth and also found a scale. (Can be seen in photo) So wasn’t properly prepped. I would stay away from this dish.
Apart from that was impressed. Just a little careless while prepping.
Service: 5/5
Food Quality: 4/5
Food Quantity: 4/5
Presentation: 4.5/5
Environment: 4.5/5
Price per person: $30
Only had a takeaway coffee which was very nice and came in a photogenic takeaway cup. However I thought for $5 it was slightly overpriced considering the size.
From the moment we walked through the doors and left, customer service was 5/5. All the staff were genuine, had a postive attitude, attentive and created such a good atmosphere.
Food: Amongst a group of 4, we ordered the big breaky, omlette, Pork eggs benny and the Tang Tang juice. Taste buds were all very happy! Good portion size.
Sausage was full of flavour, eggs cooked to perfection, hollandaise sauce = yum!
Tang Tang juice = perfect combo of sweet and citrus. Very refreshing.
Would deffs come back and can’t wait to try their lunch menu.
Came in for brunch.
Ordered French Toast and Eggs Benedict and pulled bacon hock.
The French Toast was topped off with vanilla ice cream and fresh peaches 🍑 Cinnamon pastry creme was an amazing touch to the toast.
The eggs benny arrived included an amazingly soft potato gratin, plated with the tender pulled hock, and topped generously with the in house hollandaise sauce and Granny Smith apple slices. The acidity and sharp sweetness of the apple strips played beautifully with the saltiness of the pork hock.
Food 4/5
Atmostphere 3.5/5
Service 4/5
My and my friend came here quite a while ago. We had the black burger and the beef noodle. The black burger was very tasty with super crunchy pork, the beef vermicelli on the other hand is quite normal. Tasted Vietnamese food for many years I think it’s easy to get this beef vermicelli elsewhere with cheaper price. Food decoration is moderate and simple. The place is quite busy at the weekend when we arrived but food came out quite fast. In general, this is a good place to have breakfast/ lunch in Mt Eden with options for both asian and western taste.
Amazing eggs Benedict (the pork one) and the smoothies are really good as well, it's hard to get a table sometimes but the service is great, attentive staff.
Very good place to have a meal and coffee. Coffee here is fabulous. Also the food that i had was well seasoned and the flavour was just perfect. would recommend people who wants perfect food and a cup of coffee.
Polite, friendly and attentive staff. Great breakfast and coffee at a great location.
Ordered an Eggs Benedict which came out in less than ten minutes. Nice atmosphere to top it all off!
Added some other photos from previous visits - photos 2 and 3. Highly recommended!
I took my Mum here for brunch this morning. I really liked the unique spin on the eggs bene and the french toast. My Mum's pretty particular/old school in her tastes and looked at the menu initially and was going to opt for a lunch item. She changed her mind after realising her fav (French toast) was on the menu, after all. I was really happy with the extra shot off coffee! (some cafes seem to struggle with my coffee order) and I love the apple slaw with the eggs bene. The service was really friendly and I had a lovely morning out with my Mum. Thanks to the friendly team at Return of RAD.
I recently gave Rad a try when looking for a breakfast location, as the majority of cafes in Mt Eden village seem to have closed down. I was not disappointed, although the menu is a bit different than most cafes, offering apple slaw and pulled pork with the eggs Benedict and with the big breakfast offering roast potatoes instead of bread. It was a nice breakfast, with quick service even though we visited on a bust Saturday morning.
I had previously tried a Pork Banh Mi which was excellent
Visited for brunch yesterday
Had a Green Smoothie with Kale (Green Machine)
And the Kahawai Hash with Peas and capers
Flavours to die for
Top-notch service
Hard to beat
You can tell this place is favoured by many when there's almost always a waiting list when you arrive. For a slightly higher price, you can always guarantee outstanding customer service, perfect coffee and a fantastic meal.
Creative bene paired with deliciousness ( our full breakdown on the IG post). Great coffee and their pork belly burger is also insanely good. Only downside is that it's too difficult to make a decision on what to order because everything looks so darn good!
The Return of Rad Cafe was really busy on a Sunday. There were customers on and off all the time, at least during the time of our visit. I had the popular black stack burger & my wife had the grandma's pork banh mi. The squid ink brioche bun was soft; pork belly was crispy; pickled fennel blended in nicely; fries were golden & crispy. "Grandma's" had a special Vietnamese flavour which my wife enjoyed. Another customer sitting close to us had a beef lemon grass vermicelli noodles which looked very appealing too.
(Food - 4/5; Service - 4/5; Ambience - 3/5)
Visited on 25 Feb 2018
The coffee was good (they have almond milk!) and the service was, too, but the food was to die for. Unusual little twists, fabulous flavours, that linger in the mind after the meal is over. Just so you know, the cafe is small and very busy, at least on the weekend, so you won't be able to linger once you finish eating.
Came here on a Wednesday morning for a quiet brunch. Ordered their Eggs Benedict, French Toast, juice and a chocolate shake.
The Eggs Benedict was pulled pork and topped off with green apple. A very different twist to a traditional Eggs Bene. Also, instead of bread, potato was used.
The French toast was a crunchy muesli covered toast decorated with marinated fruit and a dollop of ice cream. Altogether the flavours married very well and the different textures proved very interesting to experience.
The service was lovely and will be back here again for brunch.
You’re going to love this place if you enjoy busy cafes. I do not, so I couldn’t wait for me my friends to finish our meals and head home. We went there on a Sat morning - ordered a mushroom risotto which was oh so good! The iced latter was average and my friend’s chocolate shake was not a stunner either.
Always love the food when coming here! Consistently excellent! Service was great! We had to share a table with another group but that was fine, the cafe was really busy at peak lunch hour. The peanut butter shake was thick but extremely yummy. The French toast was definitely the best dish of all three but they were all amazing!
This is a very nice place on Mt Eden Road. You can sit at the window and just watch life pass by. We had the Black Stack Burder and the Beef Lemon Grass Vermicelli Noodles, both of which were very tasty. The coffee was also very good. The staff were very friendly and the service was quick.
So having come here with a friend and as we arrived they pointed us to a spot for the two of us to sit, I watched on after I ordered a flat white and say a small space but everyone happy, our waitress was friendly and did let us know our coffees were coming.
The coffee was good flavor, presented well and even though there was one guy in the machine it was amazing, I also watched the food go out and it looked amazing.
Overall I would definitely come back here again
This is the place that every city needs. You can pop in knowing you're going to get a fantastic coffee, talk a bit coffee craic with the barista and enjoy some fresh and tasty food. Muesli is a must for those wanting a light breaky.
Love love love this place!!!!
The service is awesome... friendly and with personality. The food is pretty good, slight asian flair but not too overpowering... could use more seasoning but that's okay- its available. Nice and cosy on a grey or rainy day. Coffee is good. Will be back....Thanks Rad!!!
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We got the Salmon Steak and their popular dish Black burger. At $19.50 each, I reckon it's really worth it.
The crispy pork in the black burger was really tender and full of flavour. The skin was crispy enough to make a little crunch when you eat it. The bun was sweet and had a cheesy taste with that squid ink food coloring. The best part of the burger was actually the sauce, the house made pesto sauce - it had a sweet and sour taste to it which really made the whole burger tasty and flavorful. To balance this, there's the cucumber and lettuce which lightens up the flavour.
The salmon steak was also really good with the cream cheese on top which added a tiny bit of sour taste to the salmon. The salmon was cooked and seasoned really well as the skin was crispy and the meat wasn't over cooked. The vinaigrette brought a sweet and sour taste to the vegetables. The sweetness of the beetroots helped balance the flavour of the salmon with the cheese. However, too many beetroots isn't good because it covers the salmon's flavour.
The service was on point as the waitress was really attentive and knowledgeable and the price wasn't bad for what we ordered.
Taste - 9/10
Size - 9/10
Service - 10/10
Price - 9/10
Ambience - 7.5/10
Best coffee I've had in Auckland. I've dined for lunch twice and had the salmon fillet both times. It was delish and probably fair price for the size of the salmon. My friends have had the Thai beef and commented that it was lovely.
Great service and friendly staff - just needs to be a bit bigger!
I enjoy my experience every time I come here and normally that's after a night shift so I cant really comment on how busy the place can be on other times but I have noticed that after I have finished and about to leave, the place is getting filled. Anyway, the ambience is pretty up beat with such friendly and lively staff who are so keen to talk to their customers which is a good thing. The food is great! I have ordered a smoothie and a big brekky and I'd say the smoothie was super delicious and the big brekky was good too! My eggs were evenly poached and the sausages were delicious. My mate ordered this mushroom madness and ohhh I wished I had ordered that too cause that was sooooo goddamn delicious and I'm such a mushroom fan! Now I know which one to get next. Price wise I'd say it's pretty pricey but not a surprise since mt Eden can get a bit pricey. Overall, I recommend this place and will definitely return. Oh always adored the storm troopers protest wall decal!
We have lunch at rad today, the beef noodle is amazing! We haven't order any coffees but the fresh juices is really nice. Definitely will come back again! Love this place!
The Return of Rad is a hip lil Vietnamese joint in Mount Eden. I am a HUGE fan of Vietnamese food, especially after my trip to Vietnam last year so I was excited to finally dine here.
We ordered the Banh Mi and the beef vermicelli noodles. The portions were good especially for the price. I looooved the fragrant beef noodles and would highly recommend them. The only thing is that I wish it had more bean sprouts or texture to the dish.
The Banh Mi (baguette) did not disappoint! The flavours were balanced perfectly and it really tasted like authentic Vietnamese food.
I guess the only downside is that, even well-prices Vietnamese food in Auckland seems like a whole heap more when you compare it to how cheap Vietnamese street food is!!!! But I'm not complaining. I'll be back to try the rest of The Return of Rad Cafe's menu.
I really love this little cafe, First of all, everyone should try their black buger, it is AMAZING!
The staffs are so friendly and make feel so relax when i sitting down!
Visited Rad cafe for brunch this morning. My partner and I both had the eggs benedict with pulled bacon hock. Different than anything I've ever had before, but we both agreed it was delicious and would definitely recommend it.
My partner really enjoyed his smoothie (the green machine), but was a bit disappointed there was no tea on the menu. I had a hot chocolate which was nice but more on the warm side than hot.
Service was quick and very friendly, couldn't fault them there. Overall highly enjoyed the experience and will return for sure.
Very cool vibe, which I put down to a fabulous mix of friendly welcoming staff, decor and great food that beautifully blends classic menu items with inspirational fresh twists and ideas.
This cafe has become one of my favorite places in Mt Eden, with an Eggs Benedict (w/ bacon) that is beyond comparison. Their omelette (version A) was also quite unique, with unexpected hints of pine nuts. The downside is that it may get pretty chaotic and noisy, and you may need to wait to get a seat, especially for Sunday brunches. Still, the staff seemed very friendly, checking to see if we needed anything.
We've tried to visit this place twice now, but they never had seats because the place is quite small and they are always so busy!
This time we ended up sitting by the bar. They have the most friendly (and also incredibly good looking) serving staffs ;)
I had the French toast, which was made from a chocolate brioche, served with free range bacon, fruit, and vanilla bean ice cream. The dish was beautifully presented. The brioche was yummy with a wonderful crunchy outside. The bacon was cooked well, and the ice cream was of very high quality. However, the caramel sauce/vanilla syrup was a bit tasteless.
Husband's pulled pork egg benedict was served served on potato which was quite different! The pork was cooked and flavoured perfectly.
Overall, the presentation was definitely 5/5, the food was decent enough, but I'm not too sure if it was amazing enough to be worth all the hype. We will be happy again to come back and try their lunch items, hopefully it will be less busy by then.
As soon as we came in it was already one step better than any other cafes Ive been too. The staffs were so friendly that I felt at ease at this place. I ordered the Berry Schmerry and it was delightful especially with the hot weather today.
Such cute vibes!
Not many seats so youll be seated straight away if youre lucky or come at non-peak times
So far tried their red burger, vermicilli, eggs bene and their french toast
I must say their food is def not your typical avg cafe food
They all have a unique twist and the staff are always lovely
Will def be back when Im around Mt Eden
Ps ask for normal water. I didnt really like their grape (?) infused water
Awesome cafe with great ambience. Just need to work on consistency between the baristas. Definitely the one to go if you are around this area. Keep up the good work guys!
We cannot complain besides the slow arrival of the food! However the service definitely compensated it. Coffee was great, but the food was even better! The banh mi was full of flavour and like the ones I had when I visited Vietnam! Loved the pickled carrot and radish! The grass noodles was great too, beef cooked to perfection but portion was a bit small, we definitely want more of that. The food was slow but the staff kept on coming back and let us know they are looking at the issue. I will definitely visit again but would pick a week day instead of Sunday!
We went here by chance after the cafe we wanted to go to was closed. Good Ol' Zomato suggested this place and we were actually quite glad the place we wanted to go to was closed. We started with coffee and it was amazing! I would make the 40min drive just for the coffee. But even better was the French toast! They have created their own taken on traditional French toast and it was delicious. The big brekkie however was slightly disappointing, especially as it was quite expensive. Some of the seats weren't too comfortable but that would be one of my only complaints. Would highly recommend!
Each time I've come past this place it's been way too busy and noisey to try it but today it worked. Sat down and was given menus and water but took ages to come back for our actual order. We ordered Green papaya salad & tasty chicken burger with fries. Except we couldn't get the papaya salad as they had no prawns... so we got the beef noodles. The beef noodle was ok... but the red burger was very tasty-yum. Chips were ok just not piping hot. Would come back to try something else.
5 for food but overall a 3.5 rating as the coffee was almost cold as it took ages once I had ordered for the coffee to come. This is a cool place but guess what guys you can still be cool and smile and welcome your customers. If you did a better coffee and were more engaged with your customers I would rate Rad 5!
Mt Eden Road has always been lit up by the café stars Frasers and Circus Circus — not so anymore with the 2014 establishment of RAD café A labour of love by Duke Tran (ex barista for Best Ugly), this hip venture features Wellington's Flight Coffee, plywood seating, exposed brick splashed with pastel tones and a large concrete communal table at the back. RAD is the reason your Facebook and Instagram is spammed with images of those lego table-numbers, and the infamous squid-ink burger, coloured the blackest of black. Sure, the weak Green Rose Tea (courtesy of T2) looked a bit like wee, but that paled (pun intended) in comparison to the energetic staff and quirky menu items — try the Peanut Butter and Banana smoothie and the banh mi's. Oh, we're hungry again already.
Check out our individual comments here: husk.co.nz/lunches/rad-cafe-may-2015
My friend and I joked as we headed for brunch that, with a name like Rad, the staff are likely to be high fiving each other in the restaurant. As we walked in 2 staff high fived each other behind the counter, brilliant. This set the tone for an overwhelming experience at, now, one of my favorite cafes in the 09.
The menu is full of really unique and interesting takes on your standard brunch affair. We had the eggs Benny and the French toast, visually they looked like no other brunch I've ordered before, very tasty food that's executed extremely well.
The service was amazing, warm, friendly, chatty and just an overall feeling that the FOH staff are loving what they're doing, it was so cool to receive service like this!
Rad is aptly named.
I love this place, I'm there way too much ;)
The staff are amazing and friendly and put so much care and effort into their work.
I'm a huge fan of their drinks and it's one of the only places where I'll actually drink a coffee.
Also, their food is great! Highly recommend this place, but plan when you go, as they also get very busy!
Fabulous. The service is excellent. Everyone is met at the door. That's cos there's sooo many people in this place. We had 2 coffees. Can't say much about that. Except the coffee was great. The atmosphere was electric. We'll come back. 👍🏻👍🏻
Great atmosphere, a perfectly made long black, friendly and efficient staff...and crikey...probably the best mushrooms on toast I've ever tasted (get bacon on the side if you're that way inclined).
This place lives up to the name. Its defo rad, hella rad, hella hella rad, rad. The french toast here is pretty darn scrumptious and i am a pretty hard judge on the french toast. The service is hella good too, very nice and friendly and they serve me the french toast and thats rad so this place is rad!!!!
Never disappointed!! Loveeeee this place to bits! It is our come to in the weekends. The service, food is always kept to its standards. We loveee it here!
Gnocchi nice and pillowy and great flavours. The mushroom risotto was also really rich and complemented well with the fried leeks. Great service too.
Very nice coffee with nice drinks and food. One thing that I liked is that they have options with awful (eg beef cheeks) for breakfast. I tried the mushroom with sourdough, and the sauce was amazing.
Coffee was also nice, but I couldn't understand why they do not serve V60 when the place is busy.
If you’ve never been to Rad cafe in Mt Eden before, you must. You’ll be in for a treat. The menu is deceivingly simple at first glance and contains your typical standard coffee chain brunch items like an omelettes and sandwich rolls. What you actually get however, is a completely different story- they have mastered the art of separating the association of the word standard with the word boring by adding in their own magical flair to elevate the food without the pretentiousness.
Been here a few times, consistently excellent coffee, loved the black ink burger as well as the banh mi. Great staff and awesome location. Would recommend to all :)
Benjamin Daisuke Hirata
+5
Very busy cafe weekend especially. Great people, Great Coffee, Great food, Great atomospher. Perfect cafe in Auckland. I would go back there again definitely.
Great to see this refreshed cafe doing so well. A few years ago the menu had been less than inspiring but looking at it now there are lots of innovative options.
Service is friendly & genuine without being OTT
Today I had a latte which was bordering on being a bit strong but was ok.
I also ordered the smoked Kahawai with poached egg & chunky potato hash - it was delicious with all the elements contributing toward a perfectly balanced dish. I'm a fish lover, but wouldn't normally eat smoked fish - with the pea & homemade tartare, every mouthful was yum. Presentation was beautiful too.
Lots of other great items to try on the menu so looking forward to my next visit.
Solid coffee, tasty food & friendly staff. It's worth a trip, hopefully there's space for you at this cool little joint, otherwise there's some other good options nearby.
Return of Rad Cafe was pretty good, went here for the first time today for breakfast. We got there about 11:15am and got seated straight away, although it was very busy when we arrived luckily there was a table for us. You order at the counter once your ready which I think is a bit strange seeming there are also so many staff working there. I got the eggs Benedict with salmon and a green machine smoothie which was pretty good. My partner got the big breakfast and a coffee. The big breakfast didn't come with any bread or toast which I thought was super weird considering most do, and it was strange to have poached eggs without toast, it was alright nothing to rave about. The service was pretty good and the cafe it's self was clean and tidy. Not sure if I would go back anytime soon but was good to try.
We went here for the first time today based on the reviews on Zomato😄
Loved it......Food and menu selection 5/5
Service -Friendly and attentive from the moment you step inside the door.
Ambience - Industrial modern feel and just nice and casual.
Great tasting latte and flat white served quickly even though it was busy.😊
Smoked Kahawai Hash with Pea purée was beautiful to look at and eat. My partner really enjoyed it and I had there version of Eggs Benny - bacon hock and potato gratin- awesome especially with the apple slaw👍🏽
We are looking forward to returning here again for sure. Make a special trip to this cafe you will enjoy the experience 😜🍽😎💟
How cool is Rad cafe?
Our first visit to Rad cafe - and we now have it top of our favourites list. There for breakfast we had the granola which was very yummy and light, and the eggs bene which was devine. Different from any eggs bene you have ever had before. The coffee and service is excellent. We will be back. Often!
I've been meaning to try this place for a while now and I'm so glad I finally did! We were greeted and seated straight away and shoutout to the waiter that served us he was super helpful and friendly! Decided to get the waiters recommendations and went for the red burger, black burger and the beef and lemongrass vermicelli noodles. Both burgers were really different to anything I've tasted before but super good, the black burger was my favourite out of the two, the pork belly in it was cooked so well! My favourite of the 3 would definitely be the beef vermicelli it was so good! Will be back to try some of the food from the brekkie menu in the future :-)
Am a fan of good latte. They make a pretty mean cup of coffee and have very friendly baristas. When I arrived at 3pm, kitchen was closed and most pastries were wiped out.
A very good friend of mine, highly recommended this place. Due to that, I dragged my sister and my bestie to check it out. I already liked the ambience. Such a funky looking cafe. It appears that they are also a fan of Star wars! Double tick! We were supposed to check this place out for their delicious breakfast menu but we were late so lunch it is. We had Grandma's pork bahn mi, Black stack burger, and This is a tasty tasty chicken burger (red edition). The bahn mi was pretty good, I was impressed with the meat. The black stack burger? Delicious pork belly! Also, I had the takeaway trim latte and it was good. I just wished there was more kicked to that coffee. The staff were amazing. Definitely have sense of humour, I do appreciate that. Will definitely come back again to check that breakfast menu when I go back to Auckland for a quick visit again. Highly recommended.
Popped in for a quick brunch and ordered the Welsh Rarebit and a flat white. OMG NOM NOM NOM this was soo good. I love Welsh Rarebit but with the addition of slow cooked beef this was 'off the chain'. My wife had the Salmon Bene on delicately sliced potatoes. All in all stunning food, perfect coffee. Great service with just the right amount of Hipster. Perched on the sidewalk in the sun in the middle of winter - AAA+ WILL TRADE AGAIN
Love the ambiance and feel of this cafe. Good food with good people. Excellent and fast service. It took around 15 minutes for the food to be served while the seats were fully taken. Will return next time for more stuffs.
Love this place! The staff were so friendly and helpful and had good conversation with us. I ordered the black stack burger which was so good and flavourful ☺ the pork belly was cooked perfectly. Highly recommend this place but go early otherwise you may have to wait a while for a seat!
Nice place to catch up with new friends. Staff are friendly and helpful. This is the first time visit, the waiter recommend the most popular dish for us. I decided to try the Vietnamese beef noodle and my friend order the black burger. We love the black burger with the juicy and crispy pork. We haven't tried the other recommend dish, will come back next time for it.
Such a nice place to have Asian fusion food.
Loved it, such a hipster cafe. Super friendly staff, amazing food, good coffees and cool vibes! Reminded me of chic cafes in Melbourne. About time Auckland!!! Will return.
Very busy little place which is always a good sign. Very friendly and helpful staff. Great presentation of food, and tasted so good. Everything on the menu sounded yum, it was hard to pick but i had the French toast while my Husband had eggs bene, both out plates were left clean! We will definitely go back, the coffee was perfect too
Great service and amazing breakfast. Had the eggs Benny and French toast. Nice twist on both meals. Bit of a queue for a table but food came out really quickly once we ordered.
Late review... But nice place, friendly staff and good coffee. Average service and food but stylish and modern ambience so that's more than average.
This is pretty much one of our local spots. Rad never fails to satisfy our hunger, whenever we can't think of anywhere else to eat for breakfast, or lunch, Rad is always our go-to. The staff are always friendly and it's nice that even the owner recognises people that frequently come in.
The salmon eggs benny is by far my favourite out of everything on their menu. It's like the most fanciest egg benny you'll come across, having the potato gratin in there takes it up a notch!
I always love how their staffs interacting with customers, even I'm just takeaway a cup of coffee, even I'm just the second visit, they still treat me like a regular customer with a refreshing tea water! Their coffee is definitely a reason to revisit, but the warm hospitality will maximise the satisfaction!!
Well designed place with some Lego themes going around and instax photos up on the wall. The staff were brilliant, always coming to offer us more water and giving us their opinions on what to order. The eggs benny was amazing. Loved their take on it which was very different to the ones you'll usually have around Auckland. This one included pulled bacon hock, potato gratin (sooo good) and a nice Apple slaw (which was surprisingly good) on top of their hollandaise sauce. Highly recommend place but make sure to come early as seating is limited (because it's a popular spot)
I've only been here once. The food and the juices were absolutely delicious. I didn't like the restaurant layout though. It gets really loud and since it's a long hallway, the waiters are always running up and down next to you, not very pleasant.
Visit Rad pretty regularly. Coffee is always good and get takeaway if no seats. Very busy especially on weekends. The service is friendly and fast.
Came here for a weekender lunch with a few friends.
This place is known for its fresh, organic dishes and its retro vibe, from Lego wall paper to Lego table holders 👌🏼
I ordered the quinoa and chicken citrus salad and an apology juice (love the name btw) 😁
The quinoa salad was great! The chicken was juicy and packed with flavour, with bits of or age throughout the dish, this added sweetness to the dish and mixed well with the other juices to make yummy!!!
The smoothie was packed full of goodness. The apology is beetroot, carrot, and a few other goodies. It was sweet beetrooty goodness, and made me feel much better after a weekend of being cruel to my body.
Highly recommend this place if you're looking for something light, fresh and simple 👌🏼
Eggs Bene! Loved every bit of this Neal and place. The waitress was lovely and she remembered me from a previous visit. Will be back......Back again!
I popped in for a banh me to go so I can't comment on the dine in experience other than to say that it was very busy. I ordered the classic and it was excellent. The baguette is delicious, crunchy and that's just the bread. The pork cucumber chili and herb filling was beautiful and fresh, and the liver pate buttered on the bread? it is a must try.
Big fan of the Rad Cafe. Great service, nice atmosphere, top notch coffee, amazing food. I like that they do their own style of food. I think a Vietnamese influence that makes this quite unique. My girlfriend loves the raw cake and I absolutely love their black burger which is a crispy pork belly with Viet style greens in the squid ink dyed soft bun... Served with fries this wins everytime. The mushrooms are also amazing and actually everything on the menu is worth a try. They serve water laced with some kind of elderflower or green tea which is a nice touch. I miss the Lego table numbers though!
There are few cafes I will go to in Auckland as I love a good almond milk coffee. These guys make the best almond milk flatwhites I have ever had. They are delicious!
Their chicken, quiona and kale salad, Grilled polenta cakes and Grandma's pork Banh are mouth watering. Cool atmosphere, really cozey place with friendly staff.
One of my top favourite cafes in Auckland, plus their barista does some fantastic artwork :)
Randomly chose this place for no particular reason and I'm blown away. Extremely friendly people and amazingly good food - got the Kiwi Catch roll. Yum!
Always busy, Rad has to be one of the most on trend cafes in Mt Eden. The menu has a lot of choices & there are baked goods from bluebells (yum!). The coffee is also fantastic and the service is friendly. It's a bit odd, considering how many staff they have, that you have to order at the counter - especially when you need to be seated & have the menus brought to you. The lunch menu is a bit limiting if dairy free (my +1) and I was disappointed by the beef noodles, not as much flavour or vibrancy as I was expecting, the bahn mi also could have done with more coriander. Overall, I will be back for brunch (which is delicious & indulgent) but probably won't bother with lunch.
The food was good, drinks are delicious and staff are friendly. Nice place to socialise on Sunday. I did find the cakes were a bit too sweet for me.
Yes! Life is too short tobe drinking bad coffee! Timely prep and flavour is spot on- will make a point of passing by daily. Have not had any food there-yet- but saw a few slices/cakes which look appealing.
We had to wait about 15 minutes for a table which didn't really bother me - just proved to me it was good. We were greeted by a very friendly member of staff who later seated us and, although we had just missed breakfast, told us we could order off the breakfast menu. We got the salmon eggs benny, the mushrooms on toast, a flat white and some chocolate fish milkshake which was surprisingly good. Food lacked a little flavour but we ate it in good speed and enjoyed it. Would definitely go back.
Still adjusting to the end of daylight savings, I decided to explore my new suburb for a mid week pick me up. Great coffee! The 'mircher buesli' with coconut, apple & macadamias was a fresh, fruity boost before work. Great window seats to see the sun rising above Mt Eden with some sweet beats. Will be back for future feasts & caffeine hits!
Smoothies amazing. Food amazing. Cabinet food is also amazing - all the sweet cakes and slices are always sooooooo good. The best thing about Rad is the bahn mi roll. Like seriously, I well up with tears just thinking about it and my mouth starts sweating.
I'd been wanted to try RAD for ages, but it always looked so busy from outside. My friend Sam and I walked here as she lives close by, and also went quite early to grab a good table. We didn't get a good one (well one close to the natural light) but managed to nab a spot for brunch on the shared table.
We ordered our drinks and food (at the counter) and waited eagerly. It's good to note that the breakfast menu finishes quite early.
I grabbed a big breakkie which was delicious and had heaps of food on it, while my friend got their french toast. I really enjoyed my breakfast, especially the sausage - I also got a bite of the french toast which was not very traditional, but very tasty. The coffees were great.
While the food was good and the service was great I probably wouldn't come back to RAD as it was incredibly busy and loud, which is quite distracting (this could've been due to where we were sitting but it looked worse if you were closer to the counter) but I'm glad I went!
Nice vibe, great service. Food was great, I enjoyed my pulled pork egg benedict with apple slaw. However the coffee was wee bitter and sour for me, just personal preference though, will try their juice next time.
Totally rad 😎😎😎. The not so hidden gem of Mt. Eden in my opinion. This place oozes 'Auckland food scene' and I have absolutely no issue with that. I loved the Lego decorations scattered around the place and the overall 'rad' feeling it had. The staff were busy but kept their cool. If you don't like eggs, you may struggle with their breakfast menu - so come after 11. As an avid egg lover I can tell you I was blown away with the breakfast menu! The drinks are delish and the food is well presented. Definitely make the time in your week to come to this cafe!!
Had breakfast here last week . The barista so creative, see what they did to my coffee !!!
Food was ok . My omelette just abit too creamy for me so I couldn't finish it , the rest was ok!
Soooo just popped in for a famous RAD coffee and met he SWEETEST baristas. One gentleman named Ken provided some seck entertainment while we waited and his equally attractive co-barista provided me with my own sample of the tasty ice tea they have.
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I live very close to RAD so I know how busy it gets. People often struggle to get a table and they spill onto the pavement and even the road sometimes to wait for something to come up. So go early. They also finish breakfast fairly early in my opinion (around 10 I think?) which was a bit of a shock. They do run out of menu items quickly so be prepared to order on the fly and have a few runners up to your main choice. I'd also say that table service would probably be the best option for RAD as it's small and people have to order and pay at the counter which means a lot of people milling around and queuing in the main path.
I ordered the French toast which was amazing. It has cooked banana, a dollop of ice cream, bacon and even some fresh watermelon. The toast is rolled in a mixture of oats and seeds and what I'm assuming is pure heaven. My coffee was also really tasty. I always order a single shot and the barista didn't even look at me funny so good going!
My friend had the big brekky and it looked amazing. There was a decent amount of avo on her plate to make the price tag worth it.
I'd probably come back to RAD and try their lunch menu but not if the queue was too long.
Their Bahnmi is amaaaaaaazing (hope that's how you spell it).
It is always so busy here it's hard to get a decent seat without a wait - but the wait is worthwhile. They have smooth coffee and friendly and cheerful service. It is always a delight to come and eat here! One if my favourite cafes which I definitely recommend you try!!
Was so hungry by the time my breakfast came out the photos ended up blurry. The eggs benny were delicious and I especially liked my 'green machine' juice. Next time will have to try their grilled polenta dish which is their specialty I reckon. The only thing is I wish they weren't that pricey but they are located in Mt Eden.
Went there for breakfast like a month ago. Service was excellent and efficient. Ordered So Frency Toast and the Salmon Eggs Benny, they were super yum and decently sized!!
The best Egg's Benedict I've ever had. Love! Eggs Benny's pulled bacon and apple slaw pulls all the right taste buds. Spot on. A must have!. The Return of Rad Cafe. 397 Mt Eden Road. Share This Story. Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. You Might Also Like. “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” - Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist -
Came here on a Sunday morning and it was packed, luckily the staff made a huge effort to seat our large group. Had the French toast which I loved but did think the portion size was a bit small for what i paid. Will be back though- overall the food was divine and the service was amazing
What a wonderful lunch! After wanting to come here for over a year, we finally were able to get a table (after a short wait). They're so popular at lunchtime! The 'Carrot Risotto' was beautiful, it was creamy but fresh and the candied walnuts gave a delicious crunchy element. The 'Kiwi Catch' roll was lovely as well, especially with the bread being so fresh and just the right amount of sauce. Also ordered was a 'Tang Tang' juice which was refreshing and yummy. The lemon infused rose tea water that was provided was nice too. Overall, fantastic food, super friendly service, well worth the wait and there are many other menu items we would like to try, so we'll be back again 😊
My favourite cafe in Auckland - a big call in our cafe culture here! Ive been to Rad on a number of occasions and just cant get away from that delicious brioche bun of the pork belly burger! The pork is succulent and the apple/coriander flavour is bursting through. As a huge milkshake fan, the chocolate fish milkshake is amongst the best Ive tasted, as are the special milkshakes. The Vietnamese influence in the noodle dishes and Banh Mi are evident and I love this about this unique little cafe. The service is impeccable each time, my only qualm would be when i can't get a seat because the cafe is so popular! Well done Rad, a great fusion cafe with excellent coffee and cakes to match!
Service is super good here, very friendly. I tried the eggs Benedict and it's probably my favourite I have tried so far, I just like how they didn't use a bread as the base like other places it different which makes me happy. Their coffee cups are cute and quirky
Went for lunch here a few days ago. Sat in the window, I had a Kiwi Catch sandwich and the Tang Tang Juice. Real good juice, bread was really nice and fresh and there was plenty of fish in the sandwich! Kinda what you want from a fish sandwich! Nice, laid back atmosphere as well.
After hearing all the great reviews of this place I decided that it was a need to go and try it out for lunch. I ordered the pork belly burger which was super yummy. There was definitely a good crackling on my pork belly. The burger had a strong vietnamese flavour which was delicious however it did get a little overpowering towards the end. The chips were decent and a great side with the burger.
I ordered the tang tang juice which was much too sweet for me. The others on my table tried the Beef Lemon Grass Vermicelli Noodles which was lovely! Super fresh and light but a decent portion of it! Also Grandma’s Pork Banh mì looked delicious too with a generous amount of meat inside the sandwich.
Overall a very enjoyable lunch and I will definitely return to try more of their menu and breakfast range!
Went here for a quick lunch with my mum and had been wanting to try Rad for awhile and she wouldn't stop raving about it. I had the pork belly burger and it was beyond amazing I've been looking for a place who could deliver a tender pork burger with the essential cracking. The brioche squid ink bun was a quirky touch which completed an amazing burger. Grey vibes in the place and all the staff are welcoming and bloody nice.
A local, desperate for a unique, alternative, venue. RAD has returned...from where I don't know. Great for the Village, with b/fast & lunch menus. Euro/Sth East Asian menu with inventive theme. Prices appropriate. Slices & nibbles better all-round compared to competition.
House blend, baristas & staff very good. So good you may have to wait 5mins for a table. IMO it's worth the wait. Ciao.
This is the loveliest little cafe in Mt Eden village. I would be here every weekend if there weren't so many other Aucklanders thinking the same thing!
I had the beef and vermicelli salad. Absolutely divine. Plus it was super fast. The flavours were balanced perfectly and I love that the dressing came on the side so I could dictate exactly how much I wanted.
I didn't try the coffee because I'd already had my fix for the day. My friend ordered a banana peanut butter milkshake which was nice but a little heavy on the peanut taste.
The staff were attentive and friendly however I find it unusual that they offer such great table service but force you to order at the counter. It really interrupts the experience but I think I can live with it
Exceptional! I have been wanting to try this place for awhile after reading all the awesome reviews and it did not disappoint. It's always busy and for good reason. Friendly, enthusiastic staff and a delicious menu with a funky twist on all the classics. The choc chip brioche was sensational! The nutty crumb and perfectly caramelised Banana paired with vanilla bean ice cream AND bacon. WOW! Loved the aprons worn by all the staff and the upbeat decor too! Highly recommended.
Food Adventures With AnnaJ
+4.5
Came to Rad for a late lunch to celebrate my friends finishing exams. I ordered the pork belly burger and a latte. The squid ink bun was different but super fresh and light. The pork belly was insanely delicious!! So crispy, and the salad and dressing was perfectly matched to make what could be a heavy meal feel nice and light. Also came with a generous serving of fries. My friends ordered the bahn mi, which looked amaze and I will be trying them next! Coffee was slightly burnt which was a bit of a let down.
The waiter knew we were celebrating and brought us a couple of slices of cake to share - for free!! So nice! All the staff were super friendly and chatty. Loved the funky feature wall and love the booths.
Will definitely be returning to Rad, had heard great things and it certainly lived up to expectations 😊
Came here over the weekend - we were seated quickly inside on a table near the main counter. It was quite warm inside as it was a nice day so some air con would have been great since there are no windows in the inner part of the cafe. We ordered the Big Breakfast and the Polenta cakes with avo and tomato. You have to order and pay at the counter at the same time which can sometimes be a hassle but in this case works well especially since it is so busy. The portions were good and I probably didn't need the extra poached eggs with my polenta dish as I was super full half way through. Coffee was good and all the food was cooked perfectly especially the eggs. A nice weekend brunch spot but I think it would be better in winter since there isn't a lot of outdoor seating for those summery Saturday mornings.
Wow... this place is amazing. Was recommended by a fellow foodie and she could not have been more spot on (thanks Goldilox).
Cosy, relaxed atmosphere with knowledgeable and friendly staff. I had the Black Stack Burger which I have to say was mouth watering good (pork belly melts in your mouth) and easily one of the best burgers I have had, wifey had the mushrooms on toast which was outstanding with a light fluffy and creamy texture.
I cant wait to go back and try more of the fantastic menu and I highly recommend making a special trip to visit this little Gem. Well done RAD!
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Rad cafe has to be one of the most original, innovative and considered places to eat in New Zealand. Period.
The chips they serve are quite seriously some of the best I've ever had. I was left wondering how one can make the humble ol' chip this damn good, when so many people make chips. Like everything food-wise at Rad, they achieve this by careful consideration and specificity. The angel is in the details.
The stack burger is in the top 5 burgers of all time for me. Considering I have eaten hundreds of burgers from all different places over the course of my life, this really is quite an achievement. The cohesion and balance of both textures and flavours is original and quite remarkable. Off-the-chain-good.
As a bonus they have flight coffee brought up from Wellington. Clever people. Welly dominates the coffee game.
The staff were very personable, friendly and took pride in their food. One of them had a good discussion with me about the burger, about things they had tweaked here and there over time based on feedback to make it better and better. It makes me wonder why more food places don't try this approach. Obviously rad cafe is bold enough to try new and exciting things and take constructive criticism. Over time this has lead to a fantastic product.
If I had to be picky about anything, I would suggest some of the wooden seating could be a little more comfortable, but I'm really reaching when it comes to anything negative to say about this joint. I will definitely be back. No question this place is straight up a 5/5 and my favourite food I've reviewed in Auckland. Believe it. Bravo rad cafe, bravo.
Neat theme.
Nice menu. (Although a little cheesy)
Friendly, but not over-bearing staff.
Food was fine. If anything it just needed a bit of seasoning
I got the Big Breakfast, and it wasn't as big as I expected.. Usually I'd struggle to finish but I definitely didn't this time. Probably a good thing though.
The sausage was delicious and everything else was cooked beautifully.
I also really enjoy places that let you alter with your order a little (I swapped the toast out for potato gratin.. Good decision)
We had late lunch today and ordered the green machine smoothie and the fish fresh Roll while my brother ordered the fresh orange juice and the quinoa salad. We rated the food as quality but was not anything original and outstanding and a little pricey. Smoothies were delicious though. The cafe definitely had a lot of character with the Star Wars theme and fun menu. I would recommend that the menu incorporate the Star War theme better. Service is exceptionally friendly, waiters engaging with customers and palate cleansing water was served!!
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My favorite cafe in Auckland. My parter and I have come here since they opened, and love the menu! He was pretty devastated when they took the pork ribs off the menu as he reckoned they were the best he'd ever have, but moved on to the pork belly burger which is beyond amazing. The French toast and eggs Benedict on the menu are like no other. The fresh juices are lovely. And the coffee is always amazing, their flat whites are my favorite in Auckland and the cold brew coffee great on a hot day. I miss the raw gluten free cakes they used to stock in cabinet but the selection is good. The buns and rolls are also delicious, shout out to the pork banh mi which never fails to impress. The fish on brioche is also amazing. And the staff - wow, what an amazing team. You guys rock. And are always so kind giving us complimentary cake on our birthdays and I'll never forget when Duke gave me two eclairs to take to uni as I had an exam the next day! That kindness and going out of their way to be friendly, welcoming and provide awesome service, and form friendships with their regulars sets them apart from other cafes. I would give them 6 stars if I could!
I went to Rad Cafe and tried out the Black Stack Burger with the fries and the Choc Fish milkshake. It was absolutely heavenly and divine. I thought the food was pricey but definitely good to eat. The service and the waitresses were amazing and I really loved the interior of the cafe. Very cosy and comfortable. Can't wait for another trip to Rad one day....
Loved this cafe!
I had read a raving review about this cafe when it first opened and was so glad to finally pop in for breakfast during the week one morning.
The decor is modern and inviting and I liked how the seating arrangement catered for groups big or small with the option of joining someone else's table.
The coffee arrived quickly and was nice and strong, I also liked how each table has a small jar of coconut sugar.
My partner ordered the eggs Benedict which was delicious, he really enjoyed the pulled bacon hock as an alternative to the usual bacon.
I went for the savoury waffle dish which was presented beautifully and the flavours were fresh and flavoursome.
Highly recommend this cafe!
This place has awesome reviews so I was expecting to be wowed. WOW! Yup that's in caps. It's that good. Ordered the pork belly slider with celeriac slaw on a squid ink brioche. It was served with a side of fries and sauce. It's like Mary Poppins...practically perfect in every way. The filling, bun, salad, and condiment ratio panders to any Sheldonesque tendencies. The complimentary flavoured water was refreshing. The juice was health giving. The cortado was another positive -ing adjective. Will definitely return!
Loved it, such a tight neat space. Staff super friendly, dam this place even has a cool name. From top to bottom these guys are mint, the fact they do flight coffee is a bonus.
Went in around midday for lunch, greeted by a happening vibe and fresh finishings. I ordered the Banh Mi which is apparently a speciality and a personal favourite of mine. I loved it, soo fresh soo tender I can't say I've had a better one. What an awesome local spot for Mount Eden locals, the cafe and cabinet food looked a treat too.
Coffee was up there, but I'm biased towards Welly's and they could strive for a smoother finish using flight. Overall though really really impressed and envious there's not a similar place in Wellington.
Cheers guys.
Very impressed with this place. We went for brunch as a group of four and the food was excellent. I had the beef with vermicelli and my partner had eggs benny, both meals were tasty and reasonably priced. It is small and pokey, that would be one draw back. We had to wait for a table and it isn't an ideal place for feeding baby. The staff were excellent, attentive and just the right amount of humour. The meals came out quickly and the coffee was 5 star. We would return.
Food: very good
Presentation: very good
Coffee: good
Service: very good
Ambiance: good but can be better
Price: reasonable
Will I go back? Definitely!
Popular brunch spot so be prepared to wait!
Had their brunch menu which has One of my favourite versions of eggs Benedict. Also do try their French toast because it blows me away too! Amazing.
For lunch, they do Vietnamese. Maybe it is slightly fusion, but It didn't blow me away and concluded that the brunch menu was way more unique.
They make a good coffee (flight coffee from Wellington and milk frothed well) and also cold drips.
Ambience is trendy with funky wallpaper and Lego table numbers. Definitely cheers you up. Service is excellent with friendly staff and they serve a very delicious version of water. Yes!! Their water is amazing :)
Un kiwi me llevó a este local para probar servicio local y comida local. Pay-first es lo usual. Luego te sientas y te atienden como un Restaurant a la mesa. Y la comida excelente. Originales sándwich con pan fresco e ingredientes sanos. Gran almuerzo.
Highly recommend the Black Stack Burger. No joke best burger I've ever had, it was absolutely perfect! Staff are very friendly too and it's a great atmosphere! Going to have a hard time trying out the rest of the menu because I always want this burger :)
I got a chance to get here by reading the reviews here! It's an amazing place for breakfast I got egg benny.love the crispy bacons, fast services.highly recommend
We have been on this place today afternoon for a brunch. We ordered mushrooms on toast and grilled polenta cake. Food was good and services was great as well. I think the only drawback of this place is that it's quite small and busy, so sometimes it take a while to find a place. Aside from that everything is good and I'll definitely get back.
Vietnamese cuisine + creative and unique cafe + fresh juices/smoothies = Rad Cafe.
Food was great; we had the beef lemon grass vermicelli salad and the pork banh roll. Both were very vietnamese and full of flavour.
Had two juices that were also good but bit pricey at $7 a drink.
Decently priced overall at ~45$ all up.
Would love to come back and try other things.
4 Yums
My all time favourite cafe, always there for the Grandma Banh Mi and the Black stack burger! Awesome service and food! Cant go wrong with this place. Also the Apple Pie smoothie is to die for!
Genie @ BunnyEatsDesign
+5
We grabbed a quick brunch on Saturday morning without a booking. This was my first visit to Rad even though we live in the area, we just hadn’t made it there yet. Rad was full but we spotted a couple of empty tables and were seated quickly as there were no others physically waiting around. I’m not sure if this is common as there appeared to be a waiting list which we managed to bypass simply because others had left to wait elsewhere.
The decor is fun, playful with a nod to hipster and Scandinavian design. The denim Flight Coffee aprons and casual uniform of the staff back up that vibe. I love their menu – both the design and writing. Loved the tableware, a touch nicer than your average cafe. There is a distinct attitude to the brand and that shows up in the tone of the menu. Allergen initials and special diets are clearly marked on the menu and there were many options that appealed, making it hard to pick one.
He ordered the big breakfast and I ordered the Eggs benedict with pulled bacon hock (though I also had my eye on the smoked salmon version). These were washed down with a flat white and “The Apology”. The meals were delicous, I loved the potato gratin that came with mine and the flavours were amazing. Pork and apple just play well together though I’ve never had that combo for breakfast. The lamb and rosemary sausage that came with the big breakfast was coarse ground and flavourful. Just how I like it (too bad it wasn’t in my breakfast!).
They have a lot of staff and this place runs like a well oiled machine. Our water (brewed with T2 Tea) was kept topped up. I can certainly see what the fuss is about. Happy to return to try more of their menu and at lunch time too. We didn’t order any of the Vietnamese influenced items but I’d love to on my next visit.
Came here for some lunch on saturday and it was really packed. We only had to wait 5 minutes for a seat so it wasnt too bad. My partner ordered the pork burger and i got the beef vermicelli. The burger was really flavorful but down side was the pork was a little dry. The beef vermicelli was perfect, no complaints and it came big portion.
Recommended to try RAD by a friend, know we know why!
Food: Fresh, wholesome, healthy, substantial, reasonably priced, TASTY. We tried a few classic dishes with exotic twists, will have to come back to try the breakfast menu.
Service: Attended to immediately, knowledgeable and friendly staff, food came within ten minutes!
Ambience: Tidy, warm natural lighting, clean, amazing attention to detail, modern yet homely vibe, staff were very well dressed and RIPPED
Great coffee and service, have been coming here for months as it is my local and I work in the area. The food is spectacular, especially the rolls which can be whipped up fairly quickly for takeaway if it is busy. Great work RAD!
The best coffee in Mt Eden! Always busy in the morning and on weekends, but that just proves how good it is. The staff are super friendly and keen to get your order to you ASAP. They also have the coolest aprons/staff uniform I've seen at a cafe. Food wise, I've only tried the muesli from there, and it was really good! It came in a huge jar and had heaps of different flavours going on, but tasted delicious altogether. Rad will always be a go-to for me! Definite must try if you somehow still haven't been :)
Sarah Reynolds #challenge
I've always wanted a "regular", a place where I go and I know my faves, I order them and it is the same wonderful quality each time.
I've found it at RAD where my sister and I have made this our regular breakfast spot. My absolute favourite is the salmon eggs benedict - gorgeous crunchy on the outside fluffy on the inside potato rosti served with greens and smoked salmon. Yes simple - but perfectly put together each time. Alongside my morning coffee it's delicious and consistently good - essential in the morning.
Also I want to mention their water! It's flavoured and delightful. Head along - you won't be disappointed.
I can't believe I haven't written a review for the return of rad already. This place has permanently been added to my brunch options list. I love coming here. The food is always good. The only downside is that they frequently run out of whatever smoothie/juice I choose.. I don't know if it's just a coincidence that the one I want always happens to have run out... Grandma's pork banh mi is one of my all time fav's, as is the eggs bene, they use potato instead of bread and to my mind that's a 5 right there. It's constantly busy during brunch time and getting a seat can be quite difficult which sucks but other than that, it's definitely worth trying!
The food here is phenomenal!
I tried the Black Stack Burger and some of the Beef Lemon Grass Vermicelli Noodles and they were both so delicious! The Tang Tang juice was refreshing and nice too. Relaxed environment with friendly staff. The T2 water is a really nice touch as well. I would definitely be a regular if I lived closer. Will be back for sure though!
Great food and service! We have been here twice. Both times they were busy but staff were still very friendly and accommodating. What we have tried so far was delicious and different from what you would find from conventional cafes
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Quaint, small, narrow, tight spaced, are all great adjectives to describe the floor space of this cafe. One thing for sure, this little packs a punch! Your taste buds get assaulted by the different flavours in this Asian fusion cuisine of theirs. We've been here twice and on both occasions, the infamous BLACK BURGER featured. The burger was juicy, fatty, had a tangy taste from what I can only discern as apple(?) (might be wrong). The pork belly was cooked to perfection. Imagine waking up and feeling perfect. Now multiply that feeling times two, and you still won't be as perfect as that pork belly.
The vermicelli noodles had a great flavour. The noodles were springy and did not stick to each other too much. It was a refreshing kind of dish, yet absolutely overjoyed my taste buds. Also pictured is the Chick n' Roll. The bread was soft and absorbed the juices of the chicken and sauce very well. Each bite was a trip to Asia and back. The service was awkwardly great. Mr barista and his team was very friendly, slightly awkward, but we like it that way. The staff really put out good vibes. Atmosphere of the place is very chilled. Good for small groups of people, couples, or just by yourself. The place is limited in space, and I don't think they take bookings. Conclusion, black burger is a must, the chips that come with it are to die for. The rad rolls are great, many different flavours to choose from. Do give it a visit if you're ever in the area, and say a hi to the staff. They'll take care of you =)
Loved it. Great food great coffee and friendly staff.
I was there on a Sunday afternoon it was so busy. And they still made a perfect flat white.
Great little place I'd never heard of it, glad I know of it now.
Had the grilled polenta clakes - MEAN DISH!
Girlfriend had so Frenchy, so toast - SO GOOD!
Liked the Lego made table numbers, coffee was grouse.
Happy that we decided to go in here for lunch! I was not disappointed. The staff are friendly and helped us decide which dish to get. Of course we had to try the best of the best.
I had the pork belly squid ink burger - the bun was so soft and those fries... I'm a fan of fries and those were the best I've tasted! 🙊 my partner ordered the beef vermicelli noodles and he enjoyed it. The fish sauce was really nice. Definitely would come back to try out the other dishes!
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After making an extra effort to get to this place well before the crowds I can tell you now from our experience it was well worth it!
Besotted with the menu description before devouring the beautifully crumbed soft brioche crowned with vanilla bean ice cream (which I will add is a clever touch and change to maple syrup drizzled out of control like other places I frequent), slices of sweetly cooked bananas and the generous serving of bacon, my taste buds danced the rumba with every mouthful. Washed down with 'This s*** is bananas. Literally' smoothie it was great to taste all the flavors complimented each other and one did not drown out the other. Normally a triple shot cappa kinda gal again I couldn't pass up trying this groovilicous smoothie.
Hubby: Freedom big brekkie. Not only was the avo and feta smashed but he smashed the entire brekkie offering pausing only to nod and grunt sounds of satisfaction. As the friendly staff member pointed out it is soul food as we know it but jazzed up with huge flavour.
Get here and treat your tastebuds and allow them to rumba through your meals - it's well worth getting up extra early to beat the crowds and be waited on by attentive hip staff in a really RAD environment. Thanks RAD Crew - you guys rock!
Oh and might I add, we loved the refreshing water flavored by Tea for Two (correct?)...a delightfully refreshing way yo drink water.
The Return of the Rad is a neat little cafe near the end of the line up of mount eden cafes. Out of all the cafes there this place stands out the most. It has interesting foods that are delicious. the water served is a cool tea style with nice aroma.
My Favorite and recommended dish would be the Black burger. The bun is made out of squid ink and is similar to an asian steam bun flavor but is black in color. It has pieced of crispy pork with a sweet sauce and a kind of pesto. Served with crispy shoes string fries.
My favorite refreshing drink there would be the Tang Tang.
They also serve nice coffee as well.
Service: 9/10
Food: 8/10*
Cleanliness: 6/10
Value for money: 9/10
Overall: 8/10
*The choices are quite lacking for the lunch menu however the taste made up for it.
Service was really good and we were easily seated even on on a busy Saturday morning! Had the lemon loaf which was moist and scrummy!! Found coffee to be a bit strong so next time will ask for single shot, liked that they have almond milk. Will definitely return at some stage to try one of the meals
Temptation Cakes Auckland
+5
Love this place if your looking for a really too cool for school vibe with food thats not normal brunch fair check them out! Will deffo be back.
Came here after hearing about one of the barista that works here. Came in on a busy Saturday morning, got probably the last seat in the cafe. Didn't realise how small the place was, but it made for a great and cosy atmosphere. Got coffee, perfect, as expected. Also chose the french toast. It was weird, filling and perfect. Was presented beautifully, full of flavour. Only fault was that there wasn't enough! Will be back! have to pick the right time in order to get a table!
Another trendy cafe Viet inspired that uses flight coffee from welly only one of the barista makes decent coffees here have yet to try the food here
I had the black stack burger. Thought it was really cool how the bun was black (dyed with quid ink). Was very delicious and flavoursome. Will definitely be going back. Staff were also very nice and coffee good too!
I love RAD Cafe. Here's why...
1. The mushrooms on toast are probably the best I've experienced in Auckland! Not only did the use different types of mushrooms, the truffle oil gave it a beautiful flavour which had me wanting more.
2. The decor is funky, fresh and contemporary. I loved the brick work and the retro touches worked a charm too (how could you not like Stars Wars figurines and Lego table numbers).
3. The coffee was hot and strong.
4. The waiter/owner made an effort to chat with us to get feedback on the meal. Not that's what I call service.
5. Who could resist a place called RAD? Ok, I confess... I am an 80s child!
Seriously good coffee and delicious food! Very few cafes use flight coffee an in my opinion it is up there with the best, a great surprise. The staff are super friendly and super cool. You should definitely check it out!!!
We came to eat at Rad after seeing all of the instagram photos.
The vermicelli noodle salad was so good!
I really liked how their water had a bit of a tea flavour!
The staff was really friendly and inviting.
The desserts looked really good but we were way too full to try any
Will try it next time!
I do wish they opened for dinner though :(
Went here for breakfast this morning . i was pleasantly surprised we got seated quite quickly even though it was busy. We ordered the eggs benedict with pork hock and french toast. Drinks we got the skech and a fluffy for my son.
The fluffy is perfect. Just the way it should. A lot of akl cafes put liquid into the cup which is not what it shouldbe. It should be foam !
The skech is a mystery smoothie. Today it was strawberry cheesecake and was nice
The food...wow its amazing. I havent had such good breakfast in a while. I had the eggs benny with pork. The pork was super tender and the eggs were perfectly poached. The sauce was thick and creamy followed by a delicious apple slaw. Must try !!! The french toast was amazing too.. Ill definitely come back for more. Service was superb too
Great friendly service! The food was delicious and the coffee such a treat. The seating and the layout wasn't very ideal but they were busy. I will be back!
The Return of Rad is rad. Now I'm a big Star Wars fan, so their wall features and website are awesome. Have had a couple of brunches here and a few coffee sessions and they've been pretty much packed out every visit. They get their cakes from Bluebells, awesome and their coffee supplier is Flight. Plenty of side street parking and the only neg thing I can say, is that elderflower water's not for everyone.
The look and menu may seem a bit 'too cool for school' for some tastes, but the food and service were first rate. Fantastic burgers and 'eggs Benny', good coffee. French/Indochine fusion in style, and extremely well executed - totally worth seeking out! I'll be back.
Went here for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. I haven't really noticed this place before but it was very on in trend with some great offerings on the menu. The staff were very pleasant. I ordered the big breakfast which was portioned just right for my liking, enjoyed every bit of it. My friend ordered the French toast which tasted as good as it looked. Rad seemed to be buzzing people consistently passing through. Would recommend for breakfast or lunch. Next time I'll be trying the lunch options and the chocolate fish milkshake!
Awesome place to go to! Upon arrival we were told that we had to wait for a couple minutes for a table which was ok, we were given refreshments while we waited.
Beef Lemon Grass Vermicelli was recommended by the wait staff so I chose this and it was absolutely amazing. For refreshments I had a "this sh*t is bananas" smoothie which had a great peanut butter taste! Overall the food and service were excellent and the place itself had a good atmosphere when I was there. Will definitely be coming back!
Hands down THE place to go! Without a doubt will you be dissatisfied.
Coffee A+
Breakfast A+
Lunch A+
The only problem I had was their selection of sweet goods. Sadly I'm allergic to coconut and cacao and literally everything in their sweet cabinet were made of those two ingredients. But that's not their fault!
First of all I love there take away cups "f$(&$ good coffee"
Plus it taste amaze every time I've been here the salty pan cakes are sold :-( my fault u need to come earlier :-) cool set up- honest staff I lost my stolen gfs ring there cause my daughter played with it staff where very helpful in me trying to find it. Left my number behind a few weeks later I get a txt saying they found it!!!! Had the pork roll and was yummy :-)
The return of Rad cafe is located in mount Eden village and offers great meals and coffee for a quick brunch with friends. The atmosphere is very rustic and "hipster". Regarding the menu, it's limited but every meal caught my eye.
There is a wide range of sandwiches such a banh mî. I ordered the salmon pasta which was delicious and smokey with gorgeous flaky salmon chunks and crunchy tossed almonds throughout. Really delicious and light. I also had a flat white which was full bodied and foamy (just how I like it).
Overall the meal was enjoyable and service was reasonably brisk. A great quick brekkie or brunch option.
Visited Rad last weekend, my first impression of the cafe was that it seemed to be flooded with people and quite busy. I recommend booking a table because I was put on the waiting list for a good 10-15 minute wait which was reasonable.
The waiters are very friendly which gives off a nice, happy vibe to the cafe. The menu in my opinion consisted of a wide variety of different meals which would be suited to all. A green tea and rose drink was given in place of water which is quite a delicate and calming beverage to set the mood.
I decided to go with the lemongrass beef vermicelli noodles, which I did not regret at all. The beef was tender, the nuoc mam sauce was definitely the best I've had and everything just paired really well together. The daikon and the nuoc mam really gave some acidity to the dish. Would definitely order again, this has become a favourite of mine. Overall, a cafe with a great atmosphere which did live up to the amazing reviews given. Belinda R
The best word to describe this cafe is trendy. A childlike feel to the cafe, purchased the chicken chut and the black burger with fries. The chicken chut was tasty, fresh and balanced with the sauce, mushroom and basil. The black burger was an experience fusing asian flavours into a western style burger. At first the process was confusing, however the flavour is amazing as u continue eating it. The staff were quirky and kind, a very good compliment to the cafe as a whole.
Came to this busy little café with some friends last weekend. I had a "chocolate fish smoothie" which was a delicious spin on the chocolate milkshake. I also tried the caramel slice, which was large enough to split with another person. Really attentive and lovely service from staff - they constantly filled up my glass with this delicious cucumber(?) water.
Amy @ My Dining Journey
+5
The last time my friends and I were here, we were too late to sample from their breakfast menu which at that time, finished at 10:30AM. So this time round, we went nice and early so we won’t miss out. Heading in at 10 in the morning, we managed to get one of their last two tables. Despite being a busy morning, we were served our breakfast around 15 minutes after ordering, it was rather impressive.
This place does the best mushrooms on toast in Auckland absolutely delicious, never a fail ... Prob had 20 or servings over a year. Coffee good and service reliably consistent. Very hipster vibe also..
Has to be the best eggs bene in Auckland! Apple slaw is the best combination! Can't bring myself to go anywhere else now.
Amazing coffee, amazing food, amazing service. Great plus is that it's very close to home. Very nice place and I love the fusion of food. My best friend who does not like brunches also agreed it was one of the best.
Came looking for the best coffee after a long flight and late night. Saw this place on Zomato so came to try it out. I've found it hard in the past to find coffee as good as in Melbourne, here in Auckland. Not only did I get an amazing tasting Aotearoa flat white but awesome recommendations from the waitresses. Great insight into their coffee origins too. Overall, good experience!
Rad has now become one of my fav cafes to go to in Auckland. Regardless whether it's just a takeaway coffee or a sit down meal to catch up with friends, it's never disappointed me!!
I really recommend their pho! Try it!
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Rad (adj); a term made popular by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, synonymous to cool and awesome. Rad (noun); a fantastically alty, Vietnamese-influenced cafe residing in Mt Eden. A fitting name. From the witty menu descriptions to the substitute lego table numbers and complimentary rose green tea (water is too mainstream these days); Rad Cafe has something for everyone's inner hipster. Even the most common of foods are different here. The eggs Benny is downright appley. I liked the apple cider hollandaise; it gave a sweet tang to the classic while the use of bacon hock added a more filling texture, though there was too much potato gratin. Overall a pleasant, unique experience but not the best eggs Benny I've had. My companion allowed me one bite of his black stack burger. There is only one word to describe it; rad. That one bite was an explosion of delicious flavour and crunch, all the while in a cool, pitch black bun. I definitely recommend the milkshakes too; real and heavenly. Prices are standard, decour cool and service ambiguous; one waiter was overwhelmed with the busyness and didn't know what to do with us while the owner was super friendly.
had an awesome breakkyy today here. we ordered eggs bene and it was divine! it was appley but the apple taste was just enough to be noticed and it was not overpowering at all. (considering that im not a big fan of apples) it was a classic yet it was presented and served in a very unique and different way. would love to come back and try out other stuff from zee menu.
Love this place. Food never dissapoints. The staff are generally friendly and happy to serve. Love their eccentric decor, with their expose brick walls on one side and their homage to stormtroopers on the other side. I'm a bit disappointed they don't do iced caffeinated beverages. But I do love how they serve you elderflower infused water. Their desserts are not the best. I had initially thought they made it themselves but, bluebells bakery actually supply's them. This I'd definitely my go to place if I want a quick healthy light meal.
My black stack burger was outstanding but I wish the service was better. A bit cold, no smiles and a feeling like they were doing me a favour??
Very busy cafe with a good vibe. Service was ever so slightly a bit cool for school ;) I had the prosciutto omelette which was ok but lacked moisture. My partners mushroom version was a little better. Coffee was good but nothing to write home about.
July 15 - return visit. The eggs benedict with bacon hook, Apple and potato gratin was the best eggs benefits I've ever had! Highly recommend.
A great place for people watching while drinking a freshly made coffee. My mushroom omelette was not a standout as it seemed to lack any real flavor. Maybe it was just a poor selection on my part so will be heading back soon.
We were recommended to have lunch at Rad. The Beef Lemon Grass Vermecilli and complimentary iced Green Tea and excellent coffee and service were a great lunch combo- recommended.
Very happy with my first experience at The Return of Rad. Staff were friendly and the decor was very trendy and well designed.
I had the Tang Tang juice and the Eggs Beny from the menu. The juice was fresh and had a lot of flavour. The Eggs Beny was impressive in comparison to other brunches I've had in Auckland, and was very tasty with a good mix of flavours.
Overall I'd definitely recommend checking it out, and I will definitely go back again.
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I've been back to this cafe a number of times since it opened and I can say that they've managed to maintain a great standard each time. My only gripe is that they need to be bigger, or I wish that other people didn't like it quite as much as I do. It's a sign of a good place when it's consistently busy.
The staff are friendly and attentive but they aren't shoving you out the door either as soon as you've finished eating.
The green tea and rose water is a big hit with me, the staff come around to fill your glass regularly. Nicer than just plain water but not sugary sweet.
I've enjoyed a lot of things off the menu but my favourites would have to be the banh mi and the black stack burger. The baguette of the banh mi is just right, nice and crunchy on the outside, yet light and fluffy in the middle. The pork is marinated well and the mixture of herbs, cucumber and chilli is as just the right combination of fresh with heat.
As for the black stack burger, it's the best burger I've ever had. The roast pork belly is divine with the perfect crispy skin and the pickled celeriac with mint and peanut sauce work so well together.
I had been to Rad when it first opened and was really impressed then but I think that this cafe just keeps getting better and better. Friendly service. Great attention to detail and great atmosphere. My partner had the big breakfast and I had the bacon hock eggs bene with a cider vinegar hollandaise and apple slaw. The food and coffee were outstanding. Best breakfast in auckland!
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Last Wednesday marked my last school exam of the year. Needing to catch up, a couple of friends and I headed to Mt Eden's very own Rad.
Rad is definitely the word. Before you even step through the front door, the simple black painted exterior has you thinking this place is 'cool'.
Stocking Flight Coffee; a coffee order always finds it's way onto my receipt. I would recommend an Americano. I was very impressed with the smoothness of the coffee's body.
To compliment my coffee I also purchased a slice of the salted caramel cake. At $7.50 I initially thought it was a bit pricey but after the first bite every cent was worth it.
My friends ordered the Rad Rolls and judging by the clean plates at the end, it looked as if they enjoyed them. The rolls are priced $12.50 - $13.50, which isn't bad considering they are basically a meal in themselves.
Rad is dropping a point in my books because everytime I had visited it has always been super busy and I seem to always miss out on that last table. Additionally some of the cabinet food is priced expensively.
Overall the staff are really friendly and helpful. The coffee and vibe of the place is great. Parking can sometimes be difficult depending on what time you go but there is residential parking a long the road if you don't mind a little walk.
It provides a great place for you and a few friends, but having a group over 4 and seating gets slim.
I love the idea of something different in the 'same old' (but great) outlets in the mount eden village - this provides a nice modern viet food.
Love their cold drip coffee, and the rolls are especially amazing!
I think maybe what they could do with, is some more room - now this might be wishful thinking - but some courtyard space maybe?
But It is great food, always lively, always helpful staff!
(And what is that amazing stuff they put in the water?!)
Huge thumbs up for the change in menu!! Was definitely a great move n the new menu looks way more interesting than the old. My first visit, I thought it was alright, just average. The bahn mi didnt live up to its expectations, but this time I tried their new black stack burger, made from squid ink. It is by far hands down the best burger I've tried (considering the burger joints r pretty competitive these days). Other things on the menu looked really rad too. Will definitely be back again soon to try other food. Also can't wait to try some of their coffee blends (morning and afternoon). They also have an amazing smoothie selection. Definitely something for everyone!
As seasoned brunchers with a string of disappointments this year, it is great to be able to find somewhere that is excellent. We came for brunch on the 24th of August and the café was busy. We only had a short wait though and the staff were excellent about it. they have a limited menu but all four of us could not fault the food, coffee or service. I would highly recommend RAD to anyone and we will definitely be back. THE FOOD SCRIBBLER
Courtney @ A Food Awakening
+4.5
RAD is a very chic, quirky and trendy cafe found in the midst of the Mt Eden shops (Mt Eden rd). The cafe is designed for casual lounging, a quick coffee, or a delicious place for breakfast and lunch.
This is the second time I've been and you can't be disappointed by their amazingly home made bread. They make brioche, ciabatta and Vietnamese baguette for their RAD Rolls and OMG -- all three of their breads are so unbelievably soft! The rolls are all served quickly and this is because the only thing they need to cook is the protein. This is really smart. They all have great flavour, I feel like they are just 1 dimensional. The meatballs roll could really maybe use some caramelised onions - just something to beef it up. We both agreed that although they taste great the price is a bit much being $12.5-13.5 each roll. I just think they either need more ingredients to make it more valuable or I would be much happier paying around $11-11.50 per roll.
I have to say though - the smoothies and juices are absolutely moorish and am very happy to pay $7 each. The service is friendly and the barista is inquisitive about your day. I only wish they did table service, that would be a great add. Overall, love the decor, service and food and would def recommend RAD any day.
Rating
Food: 8.5/10
Service: 9/10
Value for money: Good
I try to eat here as much as I can so I can try everything. So far absolutely everything I have tried is fantastic. The best thing about rad is the coffee- it is so good.
The lunch rolls they do are gorgeous - love the fish one. Everything is so fresh and tasty and perfectly presented.
Went there with a friend. I got the Beef noodles:
- This tasted very fresh and clean.
- The beef was tender and the combination of ingredients in the meal made it very tasty (quite surprised as it was such a minimal looking meal)
- The service was acceptable/good
- Only downside / slight annoyance was that the place was very noisy, but this is understandable based on how busy the place was at the time. And the tables were also very small (quite a small / cramped area). But I guess you cannot do much about it being in a small building.
Overall, I really enjoying the food and I'm looking forward to coming back - also my mates food looked really nice as well, he had the ribs and pork bun.
This place is fantastic. Completely happy to swap out the baguette for gluten free bread in my pork bahn mi (although this wasn't written anywhere on the menu which makes it harder). Best coffee I've had in Auckland. Being new to Auckland it was such a great find. I've been here six times in the last three months and LOVE it. The hot chips are amazing (not on the menu but they do them as a side for the ribs so when I asked they were completely happy to sell me some, sounded like others do this a lot too) but get an extra serve of aoli, there just isn't enough in one little dipping bowl. The ribs are amazing and the owner operators come a personally check you're enjoying everything. How good is that for service!! Definitely recommend it and have already taken friends who also love it.
This place is excellent. So nicely designed in every aspect, and such a cool buzz from the friendly and funny staff. I have only had numerous awesomely perfect coffees there, but intend to eat there soon!
Rad has the best customer service! The owners are so lovely. Get the mushrooms on toast!
What a fantastic cafe - Finally after years of totally less than average cafes in Mt Eden where you are simply forced there by default we have a great coffee / breakfast spot.
The lads run a great ship with excellent friendly service and coffee heaven. The muesli and fruits are devine and all and all loving it.
Great service and tasty food at reasonable prices.
Fantastic to have another lunch option in Mt Eden.
Love this lovely cafe..Have been here a several times now and never disappointed. Staff are friendly and welcoming..I just love the menu..came here yesterday and had the yummy grilled chicken, quinoa and kale salad..love their salads so refreshing. Also love their freshly made juices..I had the yummy The Apology drink..with Carrot, Celery, beetroot, apple and ginger. They have lego stands for their table numbers..so cute..oh and coffee is amazing! - highly recommend RAD cafe!!
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Rad cafe is a fantastic new addition to the Mt Eden village dining scene. It has a cute cheerful atmosphere and a menu that provides lots of interesting choices. We loved our Sunday lunch!
I was skeptical at first as it looks very 'hipster' and like alot of money had spent on the fit out. So I wondered if it would be all style and no substance. It was also very busy.
However we were quickly seated and served iced green tea with rose (lovely!) and pleasantly surprised by lots of tempting things on the menu (sorry I went a few weeks ago and cant recall dishes other than what we ordered!)
My Vietnamese Banh Mi baguette was authentic (pickles, herbs, chilli), delicious (tender pork) and filling. My friend's fish brioche was SO tasty. Unfortunately we had no room for sweet treats as the cakes in the cabinet looked good.
Though very busy with a constant flow of customers the place ran like a well oiled machine and service was very attentive and personal.
We both went caffeine free so I cant comment on the coffee but I loved the food and atmosphere and would definitely go back!
What a stellar place. The best coffee I've had in Auckland by quite a margin, and lots of coffee geekery if you're into that sort of thing... Food was excellent in all respects. Place has a really great look, feel and atmosphere, and the service is top notch. Absolutely stoked Mt Eden is the home of this new place.
Great coffee - so clean and flavourful, even the decaf was amazing. We had the fish roll, Vietnamese beef salad and the chicken roll - everyone was raving how delicious it all was. It will definitely become our regular weekend bunch location and weekday fix...
...I just wish they had more dairy/gluten-free options so I could enjoy more of the great food (they only had a low-gluten cake which is fine for those avoiding gluten as a diet thing rather than due to an intolerance, their menu's also didn't note any option for gf/df bread to sub. for other dishes but I've got my fingers-crossed for next time)!
I too was totally impressed with this fresh new addition to Mt Eden. Great service, divine food, easy relaxed atmosphere and smoothies/juices to die for! (coffee pretty fantastic too). Menu is not the 'usual fare' of Mt Eden cafes - I am already looking forward to coming back.
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I went to Rad for a midweek lunch with friends. After reading the menu online before going I had my heart set on the peanut butter buttermilk pancakes but we got there just after they stop serving breakfast, d'oh! Our server was very friendly and went out back to check if they had any pancake batter left but alas they did not. He recommended their specialty dishes the Vietnamese inspired beef lemon grass on vermicelli noodles and Grandma’s Pork Bánh mì. I went with Grandma’s Pork Bánh mì and I'm so glad I did, holy crap it was amazing. It was the kind of meal you think about days later and try and think of reasons to justify going back. The roll was soft on the inside and crunchy (but not too crunchy) on the outside. The pork was beautifully marinated and tasted amazing. I can't recommend enough. Get it, get it now.
My friend ordered the Vietnamese inspired beef lemon grass on vermicelli noodles which was also crazy delicious. The sauce was fresh and full of flavour (I mopped up the leftover sauce with my Bánh mì, yum!). A third friend ordered the Mushrooms on toast, four types of mushrooms in a creamy sauce with truffle oil. It was good but not on the same level awesome as the other two dishes.
Complimentary iced green tea was served with the meal which was lovely and refreshing and the coffee was great as well (they serve Flight Coffee).
I will definitely be going back to Rad, hopefully soon.
Had theee best breakfast here! Coffee is amazing too. Quite a small place so always busy and hard to get a table but worth the wait! Recommend eggs bene for sure!
Popped into Rad this morning for a quick coffee and now can't wait to go for a proper meal! I had the Green Machine smoothie which was really tasty, and left me feeling healthy. The coffee was amazing. Probably one of the best mochas I've ever had.
The staff at Rad were so friendly and helpful and the interior was awesome. I really loved the Lego idea for table number. Also great to see Raw Kitchen goods on display!
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This week I’ve returned from a two month stint in London and two weeks suitcase-toting around central Europe. What an experience! London is a brilliant city with so much to offer, a place for foodies to eat their hearts out (pun-intended). There’s plenty that I’ll miss about the place: everything’s open till late and people are milling around at 11pm on a Tuesday; the amazingly efficient public transport system (and the CityMappers app on my iPhone) and knowing that you’re just one of six million.
But New Zealand has plenty that London doesn’t, including generally excellent coffee. Most of the good ones (I personally frequented Dose on Long Lane near Smithfield) often had a Kiwi or Australian connection oddly enough. Our cafe culture is something to be envied and upon arriving home I was delighted to finally be visiting RAD.
On a fine Saturday lunch time the place was thronging with barely a spare seat in their slickly designed house, save for the one I found myself perched on at the window looking out onto Mt Eden Road. Thoughtfulness is something overlooked these days in the age of instant gratification and snap-to-it, but RAD bucks this trend in their aesthetically-pleasing geometric decor and natural wood interiors. They served a fruity, rose-based tea instead of water and their table numbers are made out of Lego. The menu is well thought out and humorous (visit to see what I mean), comprising of a small number of breakfast and lunch dishes. Small in number does not mean you aren’t spoilt for choice; peanut butter buttermilk pancakes? Truffle oil in your quartet of mushrooms? How to choose! On the lunch menu, the Vietnamese heritage of owner Duke Tran comes through in the pork banh mi and lemongrass beef vermicelli, of which I opted for the former.
I try to spare my several hundred Facebook friends with the details of my gastronomic life (read: no food pics please) but I couldn’t contain myself when I bit into Nana Tran’s pork banh mi. This is is the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten. Ever. The pork, marinated and sublimely tender, has a residual smoky sweetness to it. Who knew pork could be this good? The pickled turnip and carrot add the perfect level of crunch and act as a tangy foil to the fragrant cognac chicken pate layered within. The baguette, homemade, is ideal: light and soft in the middle, with crusty edges but not so crisp as to roughen the roof of your mouth with (yeah, you know what I’m talking about). Topped with sprightly sprigs of coriander and some slices of red chilli for a bit of kick, I feel certain this is the only hand-held meal you’ll ever want to eat again.
The coffee is excellent (although what do I know, I’ve been stuck in London for the past two months) and they have a Lewisham award to prove it. I only wish their breakfast menu was an all day one, although if this were to interfere with the magic coming out at lunch, then scratch that idea.
This little slice of bare-brick brilliance is already proving to be very popular with the locals, and so it should - with Flight coffee (my Wellington favourite!), deliciously healthy smoothies, and Vietnamese inspiration seeping into the breakfast/lunch goods thanks to the brothers behind Rad. There's also cake, muffins, and sandwiches for those wanting to pick from the counter. As much as I'd like to keep it my little secret, I think you should check it out soon - but prepare for a queue!
This seems to be the new place to go to in Mt Eden. Cool decor and friendly staff, along with some good food. Had the banh mi which was fresh and tasty - the house made baguette was great! Partner had the linguine but found the chorizo too mild and the prawns not very garlicky. A friend had the smashed meatballs which he said was "nice" (though it's not very big) and the 'this sh*t is bananas' smoothie which was very nice. Not a very pram friendly place (which is important to us at the moment) but the staff went out of their way to make us comfortable. Nice touches like the flavoured water and the lego numbers. A fun place to check out.
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Mt Eden village was my local for cafes growing up and there are some great long standing places which will never disappoint, but it is always good to see new places opening up and with a name like RAD, of course it was one I had to try!
It was a girls catch up brunch and when we arrived at 11 on a Sunday the place was rammed so I was a bit nervous we wouldn't get a table for 6, but the staff were friendly and accommodating. We waiting about 15 mins before were seated. Given how busy they were, it wasn't that surprising that they had run out of three of the things on the breakfast menu, but we had the rest of the breakfast menu, the lunch menu and the roll menu to choose from.
We had a selection of dishes, and from all reports everyone was satisfied with their choices. I had the mixed grill type dish with a chicken sausage, bacon, eggs, tomatoes and avocado/feta smash. It was perfect! I also had their Tang Tang juice which came in a cute mason jar and was refreshing, perfect for a Sunday morning.
We were sitting there for awhile and then one of the staff brought over two chocolate eclairs for us as they had see us give one of the girls a present, so they assumed it was a birthday brunch (it was in fact a belated birthday), these were also delicious and it was such a nice thoughtful touch.
I will definitely revisit RAD and recommend it, but just remember if you are visiting on a peak time (sat/sun am) you may have to wait for a bit for a table.
Amy @ My Dining Journey
+5
The Return of Rad, a much welcomed new addition to the assortment of eateries in Mt Eden, was bustling and lively when we stopped by late Saturday morning, wanting to fill our bellies up with some good food and coffee. Opened recently, The Return of Rad is owned and operate by a lovely Vietnamese family which happens to be friends with my dining companions.
As we came rather late, we missed their breakfast menu, but instead, we opted to try their Rad rolls. Baked fresh every morning, these are some of the best rolls in town. My Sweet Catch, made with flaky seared fish and teamed with wasabi mayo and watercress, was paired with a light home-made brioche bread. I love brioche and their toasted brioche bun was top-notch. The combination with the wasabi mayo gave it a slight fusion flare, and it was well paired with the fish.
Grandma’s pork bahn mi is a good demonstration of the Vietnamese influence. Light and crispy Vietnamese bread with marinated pork, carrot, cucumber, coriander, pickled turnip and combined with a chicken cognac paste was divine. I have a slight addiction when it comes to pickled turnip because of the sharp tang and this helped counter the light greasiness of the pork.
And of course, I can not refuse a cold drip coffee and this was served on a wooden block with information about the coffee blend. The coffee is light and poured in front of you over a glass of ice and it was smooth and delicious. My only complaint was that there wasn’t even to satisfy my coffee need!
In terms of what is on offer at Mt Eden for lunch, The Return of Rad could be my new favourite! They are serious about their coffee, their deco is quirky and fun and I love the overall vibe and attentive service. Plus, the interior has gorgeous exposed red brick walls and pictures of Stormtroopers, how stinking rad! With that being said, the cafe is rather small, so expect to wait for a table or opt for takeaways.
I'm willing to give 6 stars. Very dedicated, considerate service and the staff's smiles are warm and genuine. One day my wife's drinking bottle was forgotten in the store. When I went there on the third day, they immediately asked my wife. What surprised us the most was that the waitress asked us if we wanted hot water in the water bottle. People in most countries only drink cold or ice water, so we were very touched that she noticed my wife drinking hot water.
The food has Vietnamese characteristics and the portions are relatively large for us. My favorite is Wagyu Beef Vermicelli Noodles，Korean Fried Chicken Burger.
The tap water in the store uses Green Rose Tea. It has a light fragrance and a good taste. I am very grateful for such thoughtfulness.
Highly recommended! Quality breakfast and coffee 💯. Would be awesome to provide Wi-Fi for travelers use.
Stopper here on our way the the airport back th Aus, fantastic food menu and service
Such a cute little cafe, fabulous atmosphere! The staff are bright and friendly, and the coffee is incredible. Such a nice outdoor area for petting all the local dogs too!
Really lovely little cafe! Clean and modern inside, with fantastic friendly service. The food was great, and the coffee even better. I would have liked a little more feta on my avo on toast, but overall it was a yummy meal 😊
Good food, and large portion. Egg Benny has an interesting combination of pork hock and apple, and potato gratin was well executed👍🏻. 70% dark chocolate shake is super delicious😋, the best chocolate shake that we have had so far. Staffs are lovely.
Nice food, nice coffee, good presentation, delicious taste and friendly service. I love the French Toast which is not too sweet. The Rice noodle is quite special; I love the sauce and the wagyu beef. The overall quality of the food is high and the amount is adequate. We will definitely come back next time.
We have French Toast, Wagyu Beef Lemon Grass Vermicelli Noodles and Chicken Tortilla, flat white coffee and mocha. Both were extremely beautiful in presentation and tasted so delicious. We got our food and drinks very fast. The staff are really nice and seem to love their jobs. Definitely going there again 😁 I highly recommend this place.
I'm a coffee lover, and I'm sure they serve nice coffee.
I was thrilled to discover that their beans are sourced from the renowned Rocket Coffee Roastery. The staff was very friendly in answering questions about the beans and helped me make the decision.
My friend also recommended their dishes a few times, but the kitchen was closed when I got there, so next time for sure!
Another nice cafe at the center of the busy Mount Eden main street. Good quality and fresh ingredients, the sausage is one of the best we have had recently. Nice flat white.
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