Lime is an always-popular cafe on the corner of Fenton St and Whakaue St, opposite QE Health, open from 7.30am to 4.30pm seven days a week.
On the weekday we popped in for lunch it was busy, with a mix of business people, tourists and friends catching up. It's also licensed, so whether you're after brunch, a quick coffee and cake or a long, leisurely lunch with a wine or beer - it's a great daytime option.
The food is plentiful and varied. There's a full menu for both brunch (all day) and lunch (11am to 3pm). There's also a cabinet with lighter options as well as a huge selection of mouth-watering looking cakes, slices and biscuits.
I ordered the Mediterranean Chicken Salad ($22), which was a bowl jam-packed with yumminess - including chicken, chorizo, beetroot and kumara, and feta which my friend happily snapped off my plate. It was spicy without being overpowering and I was more than satisfied with the size.
My friend had her favourite, the Chicken Sandwich ($24), served on toasted ciabatta with generous serving of avocado (the waitress' tips on ripening avocados were thrown in free - put them next to bananas apparently).
The service is friendly and snappy without being intrusive. We were brought menus and a bottle of chilled water as soon as we sat down, always a good sign. Being a slightly chilly day, we were asked if we'd like the outdoor heaters on - which immediately warmed us up.
The drinks are what you'd expect. Not being coffee drinkers, we can't comment on how good it was, but they did have a small but good range of wine and beers as well as a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks.
The prices are more than reasonable for what you get. Meals off the menu range from $13.50 for muesli to $25 for salmon. But if you want something lighter, cabinet food starts around the $4.50 mark and those cakes are definitely big enough to share if, like us, your mains filled you up!
Overall Lime is a great option away from the main drag. The overall vibe is modern, fresh and light. The outdoor tables look across to the Village Green - a perfect spot for summertime people-watching over brunch, lunch or coffee. I'll be back.