Rotorua cafe named the best

Relish Cafe has been named the best in Rotorua in New Zealand's Best Cafe awards.

The Rotorua cafe was among 24 regional winners throughout the country in the awards which are run by Cafe magazine with Taupo's Cafe Replete named the best cafe in the Central North Island.

The owners of Relish Cafe, Ross and Liz Fowler, are delighted.

"We are elated. We have worked very had to maintain our level of service," Mr Fowler said.

He said the credit for the win must go to their 20 full-time and part-time staff, including his wife who manages the cafe, floor manager Rob Scowen and head chef Wade Fewster.

"They do a great job on ensuring the standard of service is maintained."

The Fowlers took over the cafe less than two years ago.

"We are new in this industry. We are really proud that someone has seen fit to vote for us. It means we are obviously doing something right."

So what does it take to be the best cafe in Rotorua?

"We are constantly looking to do something different. Our wine list is top of the range."

Mr Fowler said the cafe's five chefs worked hard to make the menu "interesting and varied" with changes to the menu made three times a year.

Why did the judges think Relish stood out from the rest of the city's cafes?

"It has quality food, quality coffee, a very friendly atmosphere and the overall experience is very satisfying," said chief judge Michael Guy.

However, it was Relish's concise wine list and the friendliness of its staff which made it stand out from the rest of the city's cafes.

"They actually smiled at us and talked to us."

Meanwhile, Robert Harris Cafe in Rotorua was named the city's second best cafe while Zest in Taupo was the runner-up best cafe in the Central North Island.

The overall winning cafe in New Zealand's was Zarbo in Auckland.