I had the delicious beetroot stack which was a risotto ball with all sorts of delicious cheeses inside and out! Good value and very filling.
My friend had the Chicken salad which wasn't as great as mine but was served beautifully :)
The chicken filo parcel is amaaaazing! So delicious. Cheesy rolls were a bit overpriced but taste good, wish you could buy separately instead of in a pack. Can’t wait to come back again.
Easily our favourite cafe in all of Wellington. Coffee is always great and we have never had a bad bite of food. Highly recommend the grilled halloumi or any sweet treat in the counter.
Love sweet vanilla. Their coffee is consistently great and their food too. True it is small but that's what makes it so cosy. They have a great selection of cabinet food and have a range of vegan, gluten free and non options so something to please everyone.
Great cafe - the coffee is well made and the food is delicious. The cabinet is always full of yummy treats and the service is lovely. The only down side is that it can get rather loud at peak times and the bathroom facilities are in an awkward area.
This is our local and we have never had a bad meal or cake. The caramal and rhubarb cake is a must try. It does get really busy so book if you want a table in peak periods.
This is a regular Friday lunch destination for my mother and I as it’s a cute and quaint cafe for Lower Hutt. I always get the Halloumi Stack and it is super yum each time, absolutely adore the vibe of this place!
So lovely! Went in this morning for breakfast with a friend, I got the Banana bread and they were very kind and accommodated when I said I just wanted the poached pears as the fruit. Super friendly staff and the food was very quick to come out! My portion was huge, the photo does not do it justice- the poached pear was a little hard and not very sweet and the flavours in the dish were a little unbalanced but the banana bread itself wasn’t that bad! Filled me up for over half the day.
I also got a banana smoothie- wasn’t the best smoothie I’ve ever had- no flavour and wasn’t sweet. I think they may have used green bananas instead of ripe ones so wouldn’t recommend getting a smoothie- however again, massive portion.
My friend got the eggs Benedict and it looked divine! She said it was amazing and once again, portions great.
It is a little pricey, but I figure that as it keeps you full throughout the day and has lovely staff, and fast cooking time, well worth the money and a visit.
Lunch here today. The food was really good. Fantastic cafe meals in relation to taste, portion size, gluten free options and value. The coffee was also of a high standard.
Very cramped but food is great. Typical NZ cafe fare so nothing too inventive but very well done, and cakes/coffee etc are also very good. Seems to get a lot of 'ladies who lunch' which put my partner off a bit but the food is excellent and service is friendly.
I find it hard to write a review on this place, the reason being that I am somewhat ambivalent about it. The location is weird being off the main drag in Lower Hutt and the parking situation is appalling, so oft times you may spend more time looking for a park and walking back to the cafe than actually being in the place.
Then there are the clientele, many are 'Ladies who lunch' or Yummy Mummies who clog up the place with kiddie strollers.
The staff are variable and not always welcoming. However, the food is more than acceptable and thus in many respects redeems the place.
Overall, I do not dislike Sweet Vanilla, but in reality it is not a location I feel at home in.
Lower Hutt' best kept brunch cafe. Small corner cafe not far from the city centre. Offers healthy twists on kiwi classics. Super fresh ingredients, great coffee, and welcoming staff make this a must try destination!
Huge portions, the staff were great friendly staff, who wouldn't love it. I will definitely be returning especially for the breakfastThanks so much :)
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Not a café that is easily comeacrossable, but it is worth a slight detour. An old, rather cute, solitary corner shop in a residential area south of Hutt hospital. There are windows on two sides, the counter of corrugated baby iron (like “the little teapot”). A reasonably sparse counter cabinet, blue-grey ceilings, white walls. Cosy.
As well as the main (small) dining area there is a darker, wallpapered (? early 50s feel) separate dining room. The toilets are very tired, accessed by venturing through the commercial bowels of the establishment, and unpleasant (smelly on the day we went).
“Most” organic juices in evidence – now common to a lot of cafes. Cabinet food a bit sparse but it was soon after opening in the morning.
The tea range was the standard English Breakfast, Earl Grey and a range of flavoured teas. We ordered EBT ($3.50) and a date scone.
I was not asked about milk.
Date scone had some nice density and richly dated. Dark brown, moist, very good.
The tea arrived in a small round tea pot – loose leaf (t-Leaf). After 5 minutes it had a good colour, was hot at first but cooled quite quickly. Flavour interesting, slight citrus, mild astringency.
A slightly above average café.
So for tea:
1. Specialist tea offerings (the variety of unflavoured teas): 1/5
2. Brew temperature (the likelihood that the tea was brewed with boiling water): 5/5
3. Cup temperature (how much of a heat sink was the cup – a thick, cold pottery cup scores 0, a warm thin china cup scores 5): 2/5
4. Milk requirements (was I asked about milk and what type of milk): 0/5
5. Strength (too weak or strong =0, just right = 5): 4/5
6. Taste (bad=0, excellent=5): 4/5
Sweet Vanilla’s Total 16/30
Scoreboard:
Soho Brown : 8/30 (Harney’s – sachet)
Sweet Bakery and Cakery : 9/30 (Harney’s – sachet)
Bon Gusto : 10/30 (Twinings – tea bag)
Bellagio : 11/30 (Twinings – tea bag)
K and S Cafe : 11/30 (Harney’s – Satchet)
Astoria : 11/30 (Enzo – loose leaf)
Rosina’s : 11/30 (Bell - tea bag)
Hangar : 11/30 (t-Leaf – loose leaf)
Lamason : 12/30 (Twinings – tea bag)
Ombra : 13/30 (Chai Ui – loose leaf)
Hey George 16/30 (Stash – tea bag)
Lido : 16/30 (t-Leaf - Loose leaf in sachet)
Sweet Vanilla : 16/30 (t-Leaf – Loose leaf)
Chocolate Frog : 17/30 (t-Leaf – loose leaf)
The Little Tea Shop : 18/30 (Tea-Total - loose leaf)
Louis Sargeant : 19/30 (?Harney’s – loose leaf in large sachet)
Clark’s : 19/30 (Tea-total – loose leaf)
Enjoyed a lovely breakfast, very beautifully presented. Quantities suitable. Taste lovely. The one drawback was fridge-cold salmon in the Eggs Benedict that made everything else around it cold as well.
When looking for a place to live, distance to the nearest coffee/ brunch place is a key factor for me. Imagine my delight then, while exploring the streets of Lower Hutt, I stumbled upon Sweet Vanilla Kitchen. So one Saturday morning we decided to venture there to try it out. After ordering food and coffee, we decided to take one of the tables in the back room. Little did we know this was where the kids toys were located and although good for keeping children occupied bad for those wanting a calm and quiet meal.
Great wee place for coffee and a sweet treat. Cabinet selection is gorgeous but there is more to choose from on a Saturday. Very friendly service from all staff and food and coffee arrived within good time. Will be back!
A small cosy cottage. After reading the reviews, I decided to have a try. Lunch time is really busy, not easy to find a parking in the street. Quite satisfied of the food, it's a little good place to hang on with friend (but not at lunch time) in Hutt Central.
Great location. Great food, Good service. Tricky if you're a big group - sad for others if you are - can be a bit noisy - but the food more than makes up for it!
Delicious food, friendly service and a homely atmosphere.
Had breakfast here on a Saturday morning at 9:15am, not too busy and plenty of tables available.
Were greeted by friendly welcoming staff who catered to my picky needs for my order when I asked to exchange certain foods.
The Works' breakfast was amazing!! Well worth what we paid :-)
Only one teeny tiny little thing, the coffee could have been hotter. Only because I like mine scorching hot so it takes longer to drink so really just a personal thing.
A must go cafe!!!! Thanks so much Sweet Vanilla Kitchen, we will be back :-)
I really respect a cafe that bakes their own cakes and slices. Vanilla's prices are very good and the portion sizes are more than enough. I would highly recommend a visit to this little cafe but get their early as seating is snapped up fast. Dont let this put you off as the food is worth waiting for or take it away to enjoy at home. I went halves in a coffee walnut slice with someone one day and now I buy a piece just for me as its that good!.
We went here today and it was busy (sunday lunch) but managed to get a table. The staff are very friendly and attenative, there where some very good kiddies toys to play with although you have to watch the door as it leads to the toilet and you little one might get a bump on the head! The food came out quite soon and was very good! The kiddies breakie (we ordered scrambled eggs) was cooked well and the toast wasn't too hard as some cafes make it. However the coffee was dissapointing, bitter which means the barista hadn't changed the grind or else the machine hadn't been cleaned properly. I hope they address this as having good coffee is paramount for a cafes success. This is why i only gave then 4 stars.
We love Sweet Vanilla. The staff, the food, the coffee. Great variety, nicely thought out and well presented. A choice of several rooms to suit your mood and the weather.
A very well run kitchen with a passion for their food.
Congratulations.
I had my baby shower here last weekend. There were 22 of us in total and the staff had put one room completely aside for us. We all came up and ordered at the same time and although it must have been full on for them, ALL of the staff were smiling, helpful and patient.
The food was of a fantastic quality and everyone was really happy with what they had ordered. Once again, the staff were cheerful as they made their way around us all delivering our meals. The food and drinks arrived in pretty good time even with so many of us.
I would absolutely recommend going to Sweet Vanilla for any kind of occasion as they really made my baby shower a pleasure for all of us.
Excellent coffee (they do Coffee Supreme!) and yummy Portobello meal and French Toast. Friendly staff with nice outdoor area for seating. Definitely worth a visit :)
After hearing great things about Sweet Vanilla Kitchen, I was keen to try it for myself and was not disappointed. Set in an old house, there is a lovely villa-type feel to this cafe with attractive art for sale on the walls and quaint decorations. It got extremely loud when full during the lunch hour and we found ourselves shouting at each other across the table. The counter selection looked very appealing, as did the blackboard menu. I settled on salmon potato cake for lunch, which I really enjoyed, and a delicious chocolate pear brioche as a treat. Yum! We will definitely be back.
We go every Sunday to this restaurant.... Staff and owner are fabulous, always ask where our 3 yr grandchild is if we don't take her. Food Devine and they cater for toddlers. See you next weekend ....Jennie T
Wow!!! Amazing food and fantastic service. The food in the cabinet always looks fresh and the girls always have a smile on their face even when they're busy. Everytime I have been there to eat the cafe has been spotless.....So impressed!!! :) A++++
I've taken the special lady in my life for breakfast and it has been the best breakfast we've had in NZ to date. After being here for 3 years i think its pretty good. In terms of waiting, its a cafe not a resturaunt so expect the odd delay but overall good experience and amazing food. Will be going there again for sure!
Had lunch at this cafe on Saturday. The food was some of the best I've had at a cafe. The coffee was nice and hot, not luke warm like a lot of cafes serve it these days. The girls were friendly and had a nice smile for everyone even though they very very busy. I would certainly return on my next visit to Lower Hutt.
The place looks great and the food is even better!
Will be going back! Had some caramel slice and my friend had the passionfruit cheesecake. We both thought it was yummy - and good coffee too.
I disagree with the previous review. I have been going to Sweet Vanilla Kitchen since they opened 4 weeks ago, as it is so good having something in the neighbourhood.I absolutely love the Housemade Muesli with poached fruit, and Honey roasted macadamias. To Die For. Have also had French Toast with Bacon, Banana and Maple syrup.Yum Yum Yum. The Coffee is always hot, and have always found the Barista smiling and friendly, as it is a new Cafe and so busy, its no wonder at times they are frantic. Give them a chance.I have found this Cafe spotlessly clean and will continue to patronize this local cafe.
My Parents and my children and I went there this week to check it out seen it had changed management.
The service was so friendly and the coffee was so good and exactly what I ordered!
The food was outstanding, so tasty, and very generous portions for the price. We had french toast, bacon butty and piklets and chessy mites for the kids. It was great to see the kids meals came out first to keep them happy, and my child loved the sparkles and sprinkles-very fun! Would love to add nice to see food on the counter covered unlike other cafes!
Overall we will be going back, was a truly great experience there!
We had the garlic mushrooms for breakfast. They were already busy at 7.30 am. Still prompt serving our breakfast. Coffee was even quicker.
Very tasty breakfast. The only problem was the cabinet food. It all looks so good and it would have been so easy to buy alot we did not need.
Staff were very helpful.
It was busy but service spirit was still great and patient! We had salmon bagel stack, pancakes, cheesecake and coffees. They have a nice keto and gf selection too. Dishes were delicious and nicely presented. As it was my first time heading there, I was not sure if we had to be wait to be seated.
SVK ... you are my favorite secret! I knew when I saw your loaded cabinet and heard the buzzing of happy people that I had struck gold! The only thing I struggled with was what to order because this girl wanted ALL. THE. THINGS.. So I got the avo smash - not a lot to hide behind with that, and OMG I was not disappointed. Generous amounts of avocado and feta The nut dukkah was insane and a perfectly poached egg to top it off. The balsamic glaze provided the right kind of sweet and sharp, and that little squeeze of lemon took it all to church. Yes, I'd do that again, and no, I'm not telling my friends. Wifey ordered the Irish Breakfast with some heavy persuading from me and was not disappointed. The sour apple was delish, and that onion marmalade? I'd have that on toast every day! All those delish things made the black pudding seem like caviar. The location of this wee gem might seem off the beaten track, but ya know, that's where all the best adventures begin! Tally-ho!
Reserved brunch for two as it's necessary when busy. Preorder meals, that way your not queued up in service. Ok, meal was absolutely delicious. Pancakes were light & fluffy & bacon was top notch. Egg Benedict were well presented & went down a treat. Corn Fritters were fantastic, thoroughly enjoyed the flavours in everything. Will definitely be planning another outing again. Well done, SVK.
Went to SVK for brunch today, catching up with friends & their 6month old. The staff had a high chair ready & were accommodating with heating his food while we had the tough job of deciding what to order. Coffee came out & was good, followed by our food which looked amazing, was very tasty & large portions. My friends also grabbed sweets to take away. It was constantly busy but the service was good, a great experience overall on the long weekend.
Usually long waiting time. Nice place with good food. Definitely good portion sizes! Only item I wouldn't recommend so far are the blue Berry pancakes which were insanely sweet - covered in sugar and for some reason with an orange flavour theme.
Always a pleasure to visit. I've never had a sub standard meal here and the service is always great. Love that the menu changes with the seasons and the cake cabinet is always full of fab goodies! Best to book as they're busy.
This place never fails to deliver great food with excellent service!
Lovely lunch here. Was very busy, but found a spot in the little courtyard outside. Staff were great and food was nice. My eggs bene were perfectly cooked. Coffees were great too. The kids meals were visually unappealing and not filling (for our kids 9 & 11), but also quite cheap. Possibly adding a $1 - $1.50 on and adding another element might be an idea to consider.
But overall, great experience and will definitely be going back.
What an amazing little place! The selection of food is impressive. Meals are great. Lunch time is busy so plan ahead
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