Makana Confections
Makana Confections
4.5
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4.5
194 reviews
Excellent
97
Very good
71
Average
18
Poor
7
Terrible
1
Robert J
11 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Amazing quality chocolate. We arrived and were immediately offered 2x samples. We walked around for 5 mins and were then offered a 3rd sample. All were delicious. The displays are immaculate and you’re able to see the staff making chocolates. Very interesting. We purchased 2 boxes of truffles and brittle, for such fine chocolate the price was very reasonable.
Written 5 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
evets1232016
Sydney, Australia464 contributions
Feb 2023
We were here as part of a small group wine-tasting tour, taking a short break from the wines. We loved the maraschino cherry chocolate and the macadamia toffee chocolate. The chocolates were certainly very expensive to purchase, like everything else in NZ, but we were happy to give ourselves a treat. You can watch the workers in the manufacturing area through a glass screen.
Written 19 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kiwi_Stories
Wellington, New Zealand80 contributions
Feb 2020
We stopped by on our way to the ferry as we were way too early for the ferry and stumbled across this place after seeing their advertising on the road. We were extremely happy we fell into Makana's.
As other's have said, there are samples available when you cross the threshold. Not a lot of different samples, just enough to let you know the chocolate here is wonderful. One or two bites was enough to convince us we needed to purchase some, not only for ourselves but as a treat for our house sitter, too.
There is a huge glassed off area with the chocolate kitchen behind it, and there was a woman rolling chocolate centers on a marble counter when we first arrived. By the time we left, she was very precisely wrapping boxes of chocolates.
Do stop by if you have the time. We will be buying this chocolate again- it's just that good.
As other's have said, there are samples available when you cross the threshold. Not a lot of different samples, just enough to let you know the chocolate here is wonderful. One or two bites was enough to convince us we needed to purchase some, not only for ourselves but as a treat for our house sitter, too.
There is a huge glassed off area with the chocolate kitchen behind it, and there was a woman rolling chocolate centers on a marble counter when we first arrived. By the time we left, she was very precisely wrapping boxes of chocolates.
Do stop by if you have the time. We will be buying this chocolate again- it's just that good.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting Makana in Blenheim and for your very positive and lengthy review. Recently we have been receiving excellent reviews for our products and customer service in Blenheim, always good to know that what we do is appreciated. Hopefully you will get a chance to visit our North Island locations in Auckland (retail store) and Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands (full factory with viewing and a great cafe).
Very best wishes and thank you again.
Written 28 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Linda C
Moorpark, CA1,039 contributions
Feb 2020
OMG! This was some of the best candy we've EVER had. We're still drooling over the lemon truffles and wish we'd bought a case. The chocolates were also good, but try the lemon truffles - seriously folks! A little pricey but worth every penny. Can watch the confections being made from a glass window. Not too far off the main road in a pretty area of the valley. Omaka and Makana in the same day? Heaven!
Written 26 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bridget P
Pahiatua, New Zealand116 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
This is a must visit. The staff warmly greeted us as we entered the shop and we were offered three different tastings while we were there. It was interesting to watch the chocolatiers at work. Making chocolate really is a labour of love. Although the chocolate is on the expensive side, it is quality and very delicious. We took home a bag of brittle to enjoy.
Written 29 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiwi5
New Zealand196 contributions
Apr 2021
We must have struck a bad day, as we entered we were asked if we were with another person that came at the same time. Then we were told “here is your tasting” and then the staff member returned to putting stickers on boxes with the other staff member. No explanation on the chocolate tasting or information on anything else. Not really worth the visit. We had intended to buy gifts but only brought one thing and left feeling like we were not welcome. I hope that improve their welcoming, as a NZ citizen I would hate this to be the face of Makana in the South Island. (Had a better experience in the North Island). Having said that the macadamia crunch is to die for.
Written 12 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelove58
15,488 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Understand this factory makes very good chocolates but they are quite expensive. It is not a big shop though, limited range.
Staff are happy to give free sampling. We tried few & it was indeed very good.
Worth a drop by big on the way.
Staff are happy to give free sampling. We tried few & it was indeed very good.
Worth a drop by big on the way.
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
422iana
Dunedin, New Zealand3,602 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
Small but quaint. My daughters loved the bears, but not really a chocolate store for them. It was really cool to see the glass screen with them making the chocolate. The girls did not like the smell, but it was oranges/maybe a little alcohol. If you would like something upmarket this is your place.
Written 29 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LarriH_13
Christchurch, New Zealand132 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
A bit disappointed to be honest. Very expensive for a small box of truffles, that were no better than chocolate from the supermarket. And didn't really taste like the flavours they were meant to be. Not bad, just not amazing. Shop staff were nice. Not a huge selection of different things. Couldn't recommend unfortunately.
Written 25 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy W
Griffith, Australia15 contributions
Feb 2020
The chocolates were just great .... what's not to love about a good choc!
But Sara-Jane made our visit extra special .... such a lovely young person & a wonderful source of info about the chocs on offer, the orange tree outside (fascinating), and the region in general. A lovely warm & friendly greeting ... not found everywhere unfortunately.
Well done Makana & well done Sara-Jane - a delightful experience.
But Sara-Jane made our visit extra special .... such a lovely young person & a wonderful source of info about the chocs on offer, the orange tree outside (fascinating), and the region in general. A lovely warm & friendly greeting ... not found everywhere unfortunately.
Well done Makana & well done Sara-Jane - a delightful experience.
Written 21 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Wendy and thank you for visiting Makana in Blenheim. I agree totally - our staff in Blenheim are wonderful and Sara-Jayne in particular has deservedly received great compliments recently. As owners we are lucky to have a team that are proud of their work, so much so that we generally only visit twice a year, usually for the Christmas or mid-winter parties.
Very best wishes and thank you again.
Written 23 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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