Cafe 77

About Cafe 77

Situated in the quiet rural village of Manawaru, about halfway between Te Aroha and Matamata, Cafe 77 occupies the social north end of the historic Manawaru Dairy Factory (Factory No. 77). Reimagined as a warm community gathering hub where everyone is welcome, the cafe pairs the heritage character of the original dairy factory with modern comforts.

Visitors can enjoy all-day breakfast, hearty lunch fare, kids' meals, and a dedicated drink selection featuring Havana-style L'affare coffee and Noble & Sunday craft teas. The setting offers picturesque views of Mount Te Aroha and the Kaimai Range, with comfortable indoor dining and outdoor seating equipped with heaters for cooler mornings and sunshades on warmer days.

Beyond dining, Cafe 77 is purpose-built to foster connection across generations and travellers. It features a contained children's play area with balance bikes in an adjoining event arena, free Wi-Fi, and extensive pit-stop facilities for cyclists, including bike racks, an air compressor, and a bike tool kit.

Cafe 77: Bringing Heart, History, and Hospitality Back to Manawaru

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Te Aroha and the Kaimai Range, Cafe 77 sits quietly along Manawaru Road in the Waikato countryside. Occupying the northern end of the historic Manawaru Dairy Factory—originally designated as factory number 77—this rural destination cafe breathes new life into a site once central to the daily rhythms of local farming life.

Decades ago, dairy farmers gathered at the factory gates on horse-drawn wagons, clattering milk cans across concrete floors while trading news, weather reports, and neighbourly banter. After standing dormant for forty years, the building was revived as part of Community View to restore that very same spirit of community connection, warm conversation, and open-door hospitality.

Wholesome Menus and Country Comfort

The kitchen at Cafe 77 delivers an honest, well-crafted lineup spanning all-day breakfast dishes and hearty lunches. Mornings revolve around generous plates like the signature Café 77 Big Breakfast, loaded breakfast stacks topped with pesto hollandaise, classic eggs benedict, and golden Belgium waffles dressed with banana, bacon, or house berry compote. Multiple gluten-free adaptations and bread alternatives ensure broad appeal for all dietary preferences.

At midday, diners can settle in for slow-cooked beef brisket burgers served on artisan buns, tender open sirloin steak sandwiches crowned with a fried egg, crispy-noodle Thai beef salads, or polenta-chip vegan bowls with beetroot relish. For families dining with younger children, a dedicated kids' menu offers sized-down favourites such as the Small Fry breakfast, mini bene, and battered fish bites.

Coffee Craft and Craft Teas

Quality beverages are an integral part of the Cafe 77 experience. Baristas pour freshly extracted L'affare coffees alongside specialty syrups and four non-dairy milk choices, including oat, almond, soy, and coconut. Cold refreshment is equally diverse, spanning fruit-packed smoothies in flavours like feijoa and apple to indulgent chilled frappes blended with espresso, cookies, or spiced chai.

Tea lovers will appreciate the curated selection from boutique blender Noble & Sunday, served in individual pots across herbal, green, and classic black infusions like Ginger Limoncello and Cool Summer Spice.

Built for Cyclists, Families, and Travellers

Whether stopping midway on a cycle tour between Matamata and Te Aroha or heading out for a weekend family drive, visitors find thoughtful facilities throughout the property. The dining area offers both warm interior seating and outdoor tables fitted with seasonal heaters and generous sunshades.

Cyclists are well supported with dedicated bike racks, an onsite air compressor, and an emergency toolkit for quick tune-ups. Parents can unwind over coffee while kids explore a contained play space or ride balance bikes around the adjacent covered arena, cementing Cafe 77's reputation as a welcoming haven for locals and road-trippers alike.

Signature items

• Cafe 77 Beef Brisket Burger
• Breakfast Stack
• Open Steak Sandwich and Fries
• Vegan Salad with Polenta Chips
• Belgium Waffles With Maple Syrup
• Loaded Curly Fries

Menu

Lunch

• Open Steak Sandwich and Fries — Sirloin steak served on toasted ciabatta with salad, onion relish, and a fried egg
• Cafe 77 Beef Brisket Burger — Slow cooked beef brisket, streaky bacon, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, caramelised onion relish, and house burger sauce on an artisan bun with fries
• Southern Style Chicken Burger — Southern-style chicken patty, streaky bacon, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, caramelised onion relish, and house burger sauce on an artisan bun with fries
• Thai Beef Salad with Crispy Noodles — Steak cooked with crispy noodles in house Thai sauce, served on fresh salad
• Vegan Salad with Polenta Chips — Polenta chips, seasonal salads, and beetroot relish served on salad greens
• Beef Nachos — Crispy corn chips served with nacho mince, grated cheese, salsa, and sour cream
• Toasted Sandwich — Toasted sandwich with choice of fillings including cheese, tomato, ham, pineapple, onion, bacon, mushroom, corn, and egg
• Bowl of Fries — Hot potato fries, with gluten-free option available
• Loaded Curly Fries — Curly fries topped with sour cream, grated cheese, and sweet chilli sauce

Drinks

• L'affare Espresso Coffee — Latte, cappuccino, flat white, mocha, spicy or sweet chai latte, long black, short black, and americano
• Hot Chocolate — Hot chocolate available in regular, large, and kids sizes
• Kids Fluffy — Frothy frothed milk treat for children
• Noble and Sunday Tea Range — Tea for one featuring Ginger Limoncello, Peppermint Breeze, Lemon Grey, Strawberry Plum, English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Green Sencha Jade, Chamomile Blossom, or Cool Summer Spice
• Smoothies — Blended fruit smoothies in Tropical Fruits, Juicy Mango, Summer Berry, or Feijoa & Apple Ripe Peach
• Frappes — Blended frappes available in Espresso, Mocha, Cookie Espresso, Choc Cookie, Caramel Espresso, Chocolate, and Chai Vanilla Caramel

Kids Menu

• Small Fry Breaky — Bacon, egg, and a hash brown served on toast
• Mini Bene — One poached egg with bacon and hollandaise sauce served on ciabatta
• Kids Waffle With Maple Syrup — Served sweet with banana, berry sauce, and whipped cream, or sweet and savoury with bacon and banana
• Kids Burger and Fries — Beef patty, cheese, lettuce, and tomato sauce, served with fries
• Chicken Nuggets and Fries — Gluten-free chicken nuggets served with fries and tomato sauce
• Fish Bites and Fries — Battered fish bites served with fries and tomato sauce

All-Day Breakfast

• Café 77 Big Breakfast — Free range eggs, streaky bacon, mushrooms, hash brown, gourmet free range breakfast sausage, grilled tomato, and choice of toast
• Breakfast Stack — Streaky bacon, spinach, hash browns, grilled tomato, poached egg, and pesto hollandaise; vegetarian option available
• Eggs Bene — Free range poached eggs and hollandaise on toasted ciabatta with choice of streaky bacon, mushrooms, or smoked salmon
• Free Range Eggs — Poached, fried, or scrambled eggs served on toasted ciabatta, multigrain, or white bread
• Belgium Waffles With Maple Syrup — Available sweet with grilled banana, berry sauce, and whipped cream, or sweet and savoury with grilled banana and bacon

Frequently asked questions

Where is Cafe 77 located?

Cafe 77 is situated at 420B Manawaru Road in Manawaru village, roughly halfway between Te Aroha and Matamata.

What are the opening hours and kitchen times?

The cafe is open Monday through Sunday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Note that the kitchen closes at 1:30 PM on weekdays.

Are gluten-free or plant-based meals available?

Yes, many dishes feature gluten-free options upon request, and the menu includes dedicated plant-based items like the Vegan Salad with Polenta Chips.

Is Cafe 77 suitable for cyclists?

Yes, Cafe 77 provides bike racks, an on-site air compressor, and a bike tool kit for cyclists making a pit stop.

Are there activities or facilities for children?

Yes, the cafe features a dedicated kids' menu, a contained play area, and balance bikes that children can ride in the connecting event arena.

Does the cafe offer free Wi-Fi?

Yes, complimentary Wi-Fi is available for all guests throughout the venue.

What coffee and tea brands are served?

Cafe 77 brews L'affare coffee and serves loose-leaf tea from Noble & Sunday, alongside a variety of alternative milks, smoothies, and frappes.

Tips

• {"body":"The cafe is open until 3:00 PM daily, but the kitchen stops taking orders at 1:30 PM on weekdays.","title":"Mind the weekday kitchen closing time"}
• {"body":"Bring your bike along—the cafe is equipped with bike racks, a tool kit, and an air compressor for tyre top-ups.","title":"Make it a cycling rest stop"}
• {"body":"Grab an outdoor table under the sunshades or near the heaters to enjoy panoramic views of Mount Te Aroha and the Kaimai Range.","title":"Take in the mountain scenery"}
• {"body":"Head over to the connecting event arena where younger children can safely ride provided balance bikes before or after lunch.","title":"Great stop for energetic kids"}

Good to know

• {"wifi":"Free Wi-Fi available for guests","family":"Kids menu, contained play area, and balance bikes in adjoining arena","dietary":"Gluten-free options, vegan salad, and non-dairy milks available"}