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Hydro Cafe
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Cafe, New Zealand
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Free Wifi
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Seating
Takeout
Wheelchair Accessible
Is this primarily a coffee shop?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 3:30 PM
Sunday
7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Monday
7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Tuesday
7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Wednesday
7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Thursday
7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Friday
7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Saturday
7:00 am - 3:30 pm
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4.2
190 reviews
Excellent
105
Very good
54
Average
13
Poor
7
Terrible
11
listi7
McKinney163 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
The sign outside says AJ’s, inside decor says Hydro. Excellent yogurt bowl with fresh fruit, berry compote, house made granola, and chia. Hubby’s gf toast with eggs and streaky bacon was just what he was looking for. It’s in a small shopping center with several interesting shops too
Written 6 March 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.
Jo H
501 contributions
Jan 2022 • none
Obviously a local favourite and extra points for the adjacent bookstore. Good hot chocolate on a cold morning, appealing cabinet food although the staff looked a little under pressure - it can't be easy operating city-style fare in a village like Twizel. Good refuelling stop.
Written 4 February 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.
juliegnz
97 contributions
Apr 2023 • couples
We had a date scone and a GF orange cake. The date scone I am reliably informed was excellent. Lots of dates. The orange cake was okay but a bit of syrup, icing or yoghurt would have elevated it to very good. Coffee was strong and the locally made mugs are wonderful. Friendly service.
Written 10 April 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.
Broadbeach49
Christchurch8 contributions
Jul 2023 • solo
I went for breakfast and a Long Black coffee but the coffee was very bitter and was over extracted so I returned it and asked for a replacement please and explained that it was over extracted. I was met with a very chilled response with no apology. The scrambled eggs were delicious but when the replacement coffee arrived from a stoney faced silent “Barista” it was no better. Sad that she couldn’t manage any conversation or apology, just a sour face. Never mind there’s other dining options in Twizel.
Written 15 July 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.
GlobeTrotters4001
Brisbane865 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
Came for our morning coffee. My flat white had a nice golden crema and first sip had a slight bitterness but nice mouthful overall. the larger coffee was not as good. The almond croissant was a bit disappointing. Crispy but not flakey or buttery as a good croissant should be.
Written 13 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.
Sally A
Wanaka551 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
If you're driving the main highway through the centre of the South Island I recommend visiting Twizel for a coffee, breakfast or lunch. It is well worth the short detour off the main highway and, in my experience, better than the cafes in nearby Tekapo. The Hydro cafe is right in the centre of the small town. It has a fun atmosphere with very good coffee and a good selection of cabinet food plus a blackboard menu.
Written 2 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.
L E
9 contributions
Dec 2021 • friends
We were recommended this cafe by a tourism provider to have breakfast at before leaving on our A2O. They proudly display a “we do not discriminate “ poster, and when I asked if she could scan my vaccine pass she said “ well you can if you want to”
I mentioned that they were required to if we wanted to be seated indoors and she said “ no you don’t , I know my rights and we won’t discriminate “
This is incredibly disappointing and I had a takeaway coffee and sat outside as I am unwilling to be seated inside with potentially unvaccinated people.
The food looked good , what a shame they can’t care for their customers.
Written 6 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.
notesfromoutside
Waimate3 contributions
Dec 2021 • family
Pretty disappointed with the food. I ordered a chicken panini and the chicken was about the size of a .50 piece. The milkshake with ice cream was runny with no hints of ice cream. The upside was the sausage rolls were divine! Thankfully the kids didn’t like them so I managed to get some food!
Written 31 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.
Nyco75017
Paris14 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Terrible service! Nothing is really what it is. So check before ordering. Milkshake is just a milk with added flavour. Hot dog is in fact a fried sausage with no bread. We have asked for a dessert and actually the waitress didn’t order it and there was nothing left and this was our fault. There are numbers but when comes the plate they are asking each table to who it belongs... maybe good for a coffee but nothing more.
Written 10 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.
IainR
Whangarei797 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Came here for a coffee and a bite to eat on our way out of Twizel. For some reason the kitchen was closed so there was only cabinet food which was fine if not great. The coffee was very nice, the service very friendly and we sat outside in the sunshine which was very pleasant.
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.
Oldnslow46
Brisbane95 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
Perhaps I just caught the cafe on a bad day when the staff were under the pump. Maybe.
But to be charged $11 for two small coffees in our own keep cups was, to put it mildly, a bit steep. The most we'd paid across the South Island over the past week was $8.00. To top it off I couldn't drink mine, it tasted like a mouth full of burnt wood, and I poured it in the gutter.
Guys, you need to lift your game. Maybe start with some structured barrista training for your staff. If the coffee had been drinkable I wouldn't be writing this review.
Written 2 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.
Angela T
Ingleburn24 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
We had an unplanned stop in Twyzel which called for a coffee break, wow what an incredible cafe. My husband had his mandatory cheese rolls which were up there with the best he’s had during our two weeks in South Island. I tried pea and leek stacks, with a little extra bacon. Really enjoyed it and the coffee was delicious. Highly recommend a coffee break here
Written 6 July 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.
Stef B
London59 contributions
Feb 2020 • friends
Nice selection of hot drinks and breakfast dishes. All of the items in the chiller looked really good too. Food was tasty and served quickly too. Cute little bookshop attached to the cafe too!
Written 14 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.
DavidRRyan
Mairangi Bay260 contributions
Nov 2022 • family
Very good hot coffee and real date scones. Nice vibe, friendly staff. Excellent starting point for lakes and mountains on way to Tekapo and Mt Cook Aoraki.
Written 6 November 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.
Rebecca B
Auckland50 contributions
Feb 2021 • couples
We came here twice on our trip to Twizel. The coffee was great but the scones were what won it for us. Best scones I think I’ve ever had. I should also mention that the staff were warm and friendly, great customer service.
Written 15 February 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.
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