Cafe 4U sits at 93 The Strand in Whakatāne, the town's riverside main street, and holds a 4.6 rating on Google.
A good New Zealand cafe lives or dies by two things: the flat white, the drink regulars order without opening the menu, and the cabinet, that counter of sweet and savoury bites that should be fresh through the morning, not yesterday's stock. Cafes are at their best early — baking just out, machine warm, locals already in their usual seats. A cabinet that starts full and thins by late morning is usually a good sign. Counter service is the norm, so order at the till rather than waiting to be seated, and grab a table outside when the Bay of Plenty weather allows.
On a sunny riverside strip like The Strand, a well-rated cafe such as Cafe 4U makes a natural stop between the shops and the water.