New Zealand Herald

Reviews for Nova Cafe

by Victoria
19th June 2013

Nova is our go to cafe!
Excellent food, a variety of fresh and delicious local produce is always a key element of the dish.
Frequently eat here for dinner with my mother, or for date night with my partner, we are especially fond of the pulled pork and the delicious risotto. The chocolate brownie is TO DIE FOR!

Service is always outstanding! Friendly, attentive staff are always willing to have a chat even when the place is full to the door with customers. Taking the time to treat customers with a certain personal interest sets Nova’s staff apart from many other restaurants in the CBD and keeps us coming back. Particularly notable of the wonderful consideration we receive if we arrive at 7pm and need to be out quickly in time for a movie or the theatre at 7.45pm.

Give Nova a go, you will not be disappointed!

by Margot L.
16th February 2013

Nova Cafe has long been a favourite of mine and so after my experience round the corner at another place came to Nova seeking the familiar good food and service. We were not disappointed. Great welcome as always, water as you sit down tasty food presented well. Fantastically presented and tasting drinks. I recommend Otago summer fruits ice tea as a great alternative to fizz for a non alcoholic drink. Then G&T made with Hendricks and added cucumber slices is so refreshing. Another great meal. Thank you

by Matt
7th February 2013

Yummy hollandaise, I imagine is made daily. Cakes, seem small and dried up a lot of the time (unless bought on a fresh batch day, which then are quite good). Went for coffee/dessert at ~7.30/8pm one Monday night. Was greeted by one friendly girl, seated in the far side of the restaurant. However our waitress was unimaginably rude, we asked the girl behind the bar where the newspapers were, apparently they’d been thrown away for the night. We ordered dessert and a coffee. We asked the young barista if he had any sweetener, rather than sugar, he asked us to come with him rather than getting it for us (yes I have legs, please do your job), coffee seemed a bit funky, the flavour of the coffee seemed (for lack of a better phrase) watery, as if it was a splash of water through the coffee. Pretty please smile staff members, it makes for a much better atmosphere even if the product is mediocre.

by Sue W.
28th January 2013

Great place great service. We were there on a Thursday night and didn’t arrive until 9pm and the place was still buzzing.

by Helen B.
3rd December 2012

Fantastic place. We went to Nova for lunch. From the minute we walked in the door we were looked after and attended to. Our meal was on the table within 15 minutes and we thoroughly enjoyed the Gumbo and the Angus beef pie.

by Leanne D.
27th November 2012

Apart from the location (which is excellent), I don’t understand why this place is so popular, especially among the “ladies who lunch” set.

The drinks are uninspired. The cakes and sweets menu is small and, quite frankly, needs updating. The menu is unappealing.

The whole place needs a fresh eye and an overhaul. It’s outdated and overly conservative and uninteresting, much like it’s clientele.

Nothing about this place is original or inspires me to go back in any way. It’s basically the place you’d go if you can’t think of anywhere better to go.

Comment from Olive T. of Nova Cafe 30/11/2012    Hide »

Hi Leanne. I’m sorry to read how you feel about Nova Cafe. Seeming…    More »

Hi Leanne. I’m sorry to read how you feel about Nova Cafe. Seeming as your review is an opinion piece, rather than based on a particular visit I am going to respond by correcting a number of the points you made.

Part of our clientele is ladies, we also host families, business people, students and tourists to name a few groups. I feel our customers represent the Dunedin populations diversity.

Our drinks menu spans the spectrum from Allpress coffee to Emersons beer on tap to international wines or central Otago Pinot. This menu is reviewed and rewritten seasonally.

We have a full time in-house baker who makes all our desserts/cakes/slices and bread. On a standard day we have 20-30 sweet options in our cake cabinet. There is also an extensive dessert menu to choose from.

Finally our menu encompasses modern New Zealand/European cuisine with Asian influences. The menu is reviewed and changed seasonally so that we can add new dishes or revamp old ones.

I hope that upon reflection you might take the opportunity to come to Nova Cafe as I’m sure you will not be disappointed.

by Ore
4th April 2012

I had dinner there with two friends. I know the place very well as I often go there for desserts that are always excellent. However our entrees and mains were catastrophic. I had the petite salade, the lettuce was so dry and had a weird taste. I asked for dressing and I am still waiting for it The soup was more a puree (not liquid enough) and the lamb dish was only lamb on bread so it definitely lacks of vegetables. I paid 60$ for 2 with one drink and I think that the quality of food was terrible given this price. I will never go back to Nova for other food than desserts.

by Em
8th March 2012

OK food but not a lot of choice for vegetarians. The risooto can be gorgous or not so!
Cakes are yummy.
There’s a new change in serving staff and though they are pleasant some are very inexperienced and forgettful
I note they only rate a B which surprises me when compared to some other places with an A

by Natasha S.
4th December 2011

Was so nice. We were going to order two lots of fries but the waitress informed of the large amount of chips on offer so only one was ordered. She was right, and the plate received was enough to full two and feed more. Its nice to have staff trying to help you have a lovely experience rather than sell, sell, sell. Gumbo was also ordered and well liked. Wish I could give 4 1/2 stars rather than 4. Only reason to mark down was the inability to order fatter fries, and the amount of orange in the water. Good work otherwise Nova!

by Rosie
10th November 2011

I have dined here twice. On the first trip I ordered the fettuccine which was amazing and good value for money. Unfortunately my friend ordered the pork belly which had no meat on it and was all fat. When this was brought to the lovely waitresses attention she was very apologetic and offered him another meal free of charge. The pork belly dish was also struck off the bill. The second time I dined here I ordered the chicken and leek pie which was also delicious. Despite this there were a couple of pieces of chicken that were pink which I chose not too eat. All and all the decor and service was 5 star but due to the food issues I had on both trips I will rate it a bit lower overall.

by Issie F.
15th November 2010

I dined here on Friday night, as I have many times. On the advice of my daughter I ordered The Nova Burger. It arrived – a overcooked bun, slice of tomato, lettuce, dry chicken, chunky dip and a smattering of sauce. Chips around the burger. I would not recommend this. It wasn’t worth $5 let alone $17. Sorry Nova.

by brenda
15th July 2010

Extensive menu, something for everyone. good food and service, caters well for all ages, children included. friendly efficient staff and pleasant surroundings. Entry for Chocolate competition for Dunedin Chocolate festival (Cheesecake) was bland but poached pear and Pernod sauce delicious.

by Kate L.
7th June 2010

Great service. We were originally seated behind a horrible group of loud teenage girls but the head waiter made it his mission to move us to a move private table as far away from them as possible, and did so within 15 minutes. The desert of cheese cake was very delicious and my partner’s pork fillets were excellent, however my risotto was boring and in dire need of salt. Overall it was a lovely evening though.

by Sianee A.
8th June 2009

I LOVE NOVA!!

by Matthew Smith
28th November 2008

We ate there for the first time last night. The restaurant has pleasant surroundings and the staff were great.
The food was well presented but we think that there were too many flavors in each dish. For example the broccoli side was served with cheese and salted nuts. The mains were OK but also were over seasoned with too many ingredients. We think that they could simplify the food and in doing so would make it even more palatable.
Overall an OK dining experience but need to SIMPLIFY the food.

by Nic
28th September 2008

Best Eggs Benny around!! Great place for brunc, super friendly staff make such a difference!! Amazing coffee also!

by damo
24th July 2008

Went there for dinner the other night with some friends. The place has just been done up and looks fantastic. It has a fresh, welcoming and stylish atmosphere and look. The service was the best we have had in Dunedin, the staff were fast, knowledgeable and very friendly. I had the calamari for an entree’ it was well presented and amazing. Then the venison special which was amazing! Mouth watering and left me wanting more, but must note it was a good size for the price. Then I tried the white chocolate cone for dessert which was to die for! Over all an excellent place to dine and would recommend it to everyone.

by Grant Maitland
19th November 2007

Expensive, but good food and service. Very noisy venue though, due to it’s very popular nature. Great for meeting people from out of town though, so easy to find.

Write Review