Brunch: Jafa Cafe, Grey Lynn

Jafa Cafe in Richmond Road, Grey Lynn. Photograph / Greg Bowker

Herald Rating: 3/5
Address: 551 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn

We came here because the decor looked alluring and it is always heaving with hungry patrons.

Parking was a bit tricky - but that could partly be blamed on the blustery conditions forcing everyone to choose cars over walking.

We walked in and immediately thought it was noisy and hectic. We were competing with regular Sunday morning brunchers and forced to squash on to a tiny table.

The most unusual thing on the menu was the vegan sticky black rice with coconut cream and fresh fruit ($16).

We ordered the french toast with poached banana, bacon and maple syrup ($16.50), which was a bit heavy on the bread and sweet stuff, but light on the bacon and banana. My friend opted for Jafa's eggs benedict with home-cured salmon ($18), which he thought was okay, but not memorable.

The coffee was generous and good.

The service was fine but nothing to write home about.

We recommend if you come here you should be a fan of hollandaise sauce (there were five eggs bene options on the menu).

Overall we thought it was noisy and the menu felt a bit limited. But they're obviously doing something to please the brunch crowd.