Jafa, Grey Lynn

Address: 551 Richmond Rd
Phone: (09) 361 1100
Rating: 5/5

We came here because it had been two years since our last visit and we wanted to see what had changed.

We walked in and immediately thought it had the same bright, open decor we remembered, split over two levels and with lots of art and polished concrete.

The most unusual thing on the menu was the sticky black rice with coconut milk ($13) which was absolutely delicious and came with big chunks of fresh fruit on the side.

We ordered the sticky rice and a build-your-own breakfast of toast and scrambled eggs ($9.50) a feta and cumin potato cake ($3) and mushrooms ($5). The sticky rice was definitely the day's winner, but the tasty cooked mushrooms and potato cake brought the otherwise unexceptional eggs to a close second.

The service was fantastic. We received regular, friendly attention from the minute we stepped inside until we finished our meals and second cup of coffee. Jafa was busy, but the food arrived quickly and there was no pressure to vacate our table.

The coffee was perfect.

We recommend if you come here you sit on the tiny ledge out front, where you can watch people inside and outside the cafe.

Overall we thought that the owners had nudged the already good food and service up a notch since our last visit. We will be back soon.