The Real Food Kitchen

1/32 Hillary Square, Orewa 0931, New Zealand
+64 22 403 0492
$$$ Cafe
(55 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Nestled in the charming Hillary Square of Orewa, The Real Food Kitchen stands as a beacon of health-conscious dining and a warm café atmosphere. Perfectly blending style and comfort, this café invites patrons to indulge in a culinary experience that prioritizes wholesome ingredients without compromising on flavor.

The Real Food Kitchen excels in crafting **fresh and nutritious dishes**, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for a **“make your own salad,”** bursting with vibrant textures and flavors, or craving something sweet like their **gluten-free vegan carrot cake** that’s as decadent as it is guilt-free, you are bound to leave delighted. The dishes are thoughtfully seasoned, catering to a variety of dietary preferences which is a real treat for those with allergies and intolerances. Notably, reviewer Gill H highlighted the freshness of their salads and the welcoming atmosphere, affirming The Real Food Kitchen's commitment to inclusivity in dining.

The café's decor is a harmonious blend of style and comfort, creating an inviting space to unwind. Bright and airy, it’s easy to lose track of time here, whether you're catching up with friends over a cup of their expertly brewed coffee or simply enjoying a moment of solitude. One of the standout experiences also mentioned by Becca Makin includes the delicious pies, particularly the **ale, steak, and mozzarella flavor**, which add a savory touch to the café's offerings. Basking in the friendly service, which even features a lovable greeter named Louis, makes visiting this café feel like a home away from home.

Moreover, The Real Food Kitchen goes beyond just exceptional food; the café is dog-friendly, welcoming your furry friends to join in on the fun, making it a community hub. As Ka Ra noted, they even donate a portion of proceeds to an animal charity, showcasing their commitment to giving back. It's not just a café; it's a place brimming with heart and purpose.

While some reviewers, like Noila PQD, had mixed feelings about the **açai bowls**—expressing that they leaned more towards banana and cacao rather than the traditional açai experience—The Real Food Kitchen remains dedicated to offering a diverse menu that caters to different taste preferences, adjusting and evolving based on customer feedback. This responsiveness to customer experience only adds to the café's charm.

In conclusion, The Real Food Kitchen is not merely a dining establishment; it’s a haven for food lovers, health enthusiasts, and families looking to enjoy delicious, mindful food in a beautiful setting. Each visit promises a delightful experience, rich in flavor and community spirit. Make sure to stop by and discover your new favorite meal!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
No wheelchair-accessible toilet
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves coffee
Sells prepared foods
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
No toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed inside
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Tuesday

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Wednesday

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Thursday

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Friday

8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Saturday

8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

55 Reviews
B

07 Oct 2025

Such a cute & stylish little café! I ordered the “make your own salad” & gf vegan carrot cake. Both were absolutely amazing! Lots of flavour & seasoned beautifully. As someone who has food allergies/intolerances, it’s so nice to find a place that offers so many allergy friendly things while also being so tasty. Will definitely be back!

Noila PQD

02 Oct 2025

The açai bowls don’t taste like açai. If you are trying to get açai, forget about it. They taste more like banana and cacao. They are still tarty, but if you love açai like I do, you will be disappointed. Don’t trust the photo on the table menu; the fruits come mixed with the milk like a smoothie, not like in the bowl in the photo. :/

Gill H

30 Sep 2025

I loved that this pretty, bright and airy place catered to my dietary requirements - I could have an entree, main and dessert! Also, the salad was so fresh! We'll be back!

Becca Makin

12 Sep 2025

Nice relaxed cafe. Amazing pies and delicious pies. Especially the ale, steak and mozzarella flavour! There’s also a cute greeter named Louis! Friendly staff that made sure my allergies were catered to.

Ka Ra

22 Jun 2025

Amazing vegetarian and vegan food - multiple options to choose from. Also saw some glutenfree options. Great service. There was a cute dog inside as well, the person working there said they are really dog friendly, awesome! I saw on a screen inside that some of the proceeds to go an animal charity too.

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