Strange Bandit by Lucianos
Strange Bandit by Lucianos
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Strange Bandit by Lucianos
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Cafe, New Zealand
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Highchairs Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
Are the prices at this restaurant mid-range / moderate?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 7:00 AM
Sunday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Monday
7:00 am - 4:30 pm
Tuesday
7:00 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday
7:00 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday
7:00 am - 4:30 pm
Friday
7:00 am - 4:30 pm
Saturday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
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4.3
101 reviews
Excellent
56
Good
26
Average
11
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Mumma&Co
Timaru7327 contributions
Sept 2024 • solo
Wow they're busy!! The pork belly tacos were amazing, very expensive at $26 though. Cabinet food looked delicious. Banana milkshake was very sweet & fake tasting. Kumera wedges almost black but luckily they didn't taste burnt. Appreciated the voucher in the entertainment book.
Written 26 September 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.
Helen D
Christchurch95 contributions
Dec 2019 • family
My husband and I have been here at least 5 times this year with our 3 sons ( 2 of which are in their early 20s and a 15yr old) for Sunday Brunch. They have big appetites and are used to dining out. The popular choices for them is the toss up between the Strange Bandit Big Breaky or one of the Egg Benedict variations which they are very happy with and leaves them replete afterwards. My husband and I have tried different things off the menu and have always enjoyed whatever we have eaten.
The barista has won many awards over the years and so you know you are going to get an excellent coffee! My husband can testify to this, he will order a piccolo first and then a flat white or two afterwards.
The cafe is buzzy and is always busy when we have been, so it is a good idea to book beforehand to secure a table. If you book you will have your order taken at the table. If you turn up without a booking you have to place your order at the till. We learnt that when my husband started queuing up at the till (he booked a table that same morning ) and the wait staff approached our table to ask me what we wanted.... we called him back and we were enlightened.
The staff have always been friendly and welcoming every visit. They are a busy eatery and they seem a happy bunch and efficient. There has never been any issues.
Car parking is available here or you can park on the road. Either or! Not sure about midweek ease of parking as we only visit on Sundays.
Written 4 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.
Ekta
Dunedin695 contributions
Jun 2020 • none
Yum yum yum!! This place has a really good menu which isn’t over whelming. It seems to be Japanese inspired. Gosh it was so busy when we went in! Luckily we booked a table so maybe do that if you’re planning on going. We were lucky enough to get a table! The place was packed! Being a stat day they charged 15% surcharge. I got the vege breakfast and it was sensational!! Oh I loved it all! My partner got eggs bene with Japanese fried chicken and he loved it! The other two friends got waffles with Japanese fried chicken and the other got eggs bene with champagne ham. Everyone was happy with what they ordered and we all walked out with a full tum!
I’d recommend it 👍🏾
Written 1 June 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.
anneS4123UG
Christchurch91 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
This little restaurant was very busy which is always a good sign. Despite being busy the service was good and the food did not take long. We had the waffles with bacon,banana and maple syrup which were well presented and delicious..
Written 7 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.
Des H
Christchurch140 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We were attracted by the rather unusual name; as other reviewers have stated the food was good, the service was excellent, there was plenty of parking, it was very busy, and the actual cafe itself is different in its layout and appeal. Just one issue noted by all of us: the meals are somewhat expensive. You can breakfast for far less around the city and still get quality and service to match this place. But it was worth a visit.
Written 20 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.
Avocadonut
Christchurch14 contributions
Jul 2020 • couples
My husband said the coffee lived up to the Luciano name...the tea was good too. However the eggs on toast was more of a diy job with a packet of butter on the side and slabs of dry bread not quite toasted. Eggs appeared to be older than recently cooked and the bacon cool. It was a very busy Sunday morning and the staff were welcoming....and that coffee was fabulous. Hopefully just a blip for them...but notable enough to mention.
Written 18 July 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.
sandy G
20 contributions
Jan 2023 • couples
Strange Bandit is a fav - but today it fell short.
The music was loud and not easy on the ear. Coheed and Cambria ( I used Shazam) is best at a party maybe. I didn't like it at all 🙁
Also the bircher muesli was really dense. Won't order that again.
Strange Bandit - you're a great café - but today...
Written 12 January 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.
Trudi W
Auckland Central140 contributions
Jan 2020 • business
Beautifully presented, tasty, appealing plates of food served in generous portions.
Perfect fuel to get our busy week of meetings started well!
I had an iced americano and the waffles with bacon and banana. Very happy!
Written 22 January 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.
ShirishParanjape
Christchurch1379 contributions
Dec 2021 • couples
Always enjoyable - glad we booked ahead!
We visited for brunch during the Christmas / New Year holiday period. Glad that we booked ahead for the 4 of us….we got the last table. The place was buzzing with families.
The service was good. The best dish in the 3 we ordered was waffles- big and colourful. The hot chocolate and mocha were excellent too - with real chocolate as always.
This place is always enjoyable, and this time was no different.
Written 30 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.
KirstyD24
Rolleston107 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
We had seen this in the Entertainment Book and thought we'd call in and try it. It was lunchtime and it was busy but still space free. The slices tasted like they were homemade and oh so delicious! Drinks were perfect and overall we loved it. Looking forward to coming back to try something else!
Written 24 January 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.
Beenhair
Hamilton76 contributions
Dec 2020 • business
Used to love the large array of vegetarian options now there are just the old frittata type standbys. Coffee was like filter coffee when we ordered flat whites. Service unimpressive and slow. Not worth a return visit. Sadly.
Written 11 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.
SD2606
Christchurch2434 contributions
Jun 2022 • solo
What a great cafe this.
I made the effort to travel out here as had heard good things about it and it was worth the trip.
The sign on the door got me haha. Have so many people struggled with the door handle that they had to put a label on it?
The cabinet food on offer looked amazing. All beautiful, fresh and enticing. However no date scones sadly, which is what I was after.
I settled for a banana and rhubarb muffin. It wasnt really to my liking, a bit doughy. It looked nice though.
The flat white was wonderful thank you.
The counter staff were friendly and the delivery of my order was really prompt.
Great lighting in there.
Small art show/gallery on display.
If you are ever in the area, it is worth a visit as was a nice surprise to find in a semi industrial spot.
Written 2 June 2022
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.
Mike Rennie
103 contributions
Dec 2021 • friends
Called in to meet a mate for lunch. Plenty of space, busy but quite workable. Had the avo on toast and was a full on meal. Poached egg slightly under (didn’t worry me but probably should get it right?). Dish was well presented and flavours worked nicely. Coffee was ok. Would go back.
Written 18 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.
OutOnaLym
Christchurch22 contributions
Sept 2020 • friends
Personal and friendly service the first time I came has seen me back here every week. The coffee is exceptional, the food stunning but the professionalism of Tash and Hannah keeps me coming back. Q makes best coffee and they all are amazing. The whole team deserves a mention.
Written 16 September 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.
GlobeTrotters4001
Brisbane865 contributions
May 2024 • couples
A modern cafe well-patronised with an eclectic Asian fusion menu.
Coffees were good, but having spent almost 3 weeks in NZ, it was a tiny bit weak, but that said, the crema colour was medium caramel colour, the first sip was nice on the palate and I enjoyed the coffee.
Eggs on nice sourdough with a tasty relish was a basic dish, but the sourdough quite nice. My soba salad with sesame soy sauce dressing was too much sesame oil. The soba noodles were okay, but hardto pour some dressings without getting a flood of oil - oil floats. Sesame oil is a very subtle flavour - too much ruins a dish. I think preferable to have soy and a couple of drops of sesame oil. A small bit goes a long way. Even the small amount I put on my noodles made them too oily on the lips and too much sesame.
Other than my sesame oil issue, fried chicken like a karaage style was quite tasty - not too salty. The relish from the eggs went well with it.
I'd probably come again to try something else.
Written 15 May 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.
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