Thanks to those that have left reviews on Google. Here are our most recent ones.
Amazing stop for dinner on a roady from Auckland to Tauranga.
Warm and welcoming, and the food was delicious. Nice sized portions, not too huge like a lot of places. Had the lamb and Moroccan shish plates, plus the baclava. And had a lovely chat with the chef owner who came around to see how everyone was doing. A nice revitalizing dinner for two tired travelers!
Wow! We made the right decision dinning here.
Outstanding quality food cooked by a very obvious food expert, Roland. Thank you for a delicious lunch, everything was superb.
The best restaurant in the area!
A perfect place for anyone who appreciates high-quality food prepared with real passion. Roland is an incredible chef! :)
We had the lamb and the beef cheeks - the meat was unbelievably tender, the sauce was rich and delicious, and the vegetables were cooked perfectly as well.
For dessert, we absolutely loved the baklava. It was crispy, beautifully balanced, and honestly one of the best baklavas we’ve ever tried (even in Turkey it’s hard to find one this good, haha)
An excellent place that I highly recommend. The prices are above average, but the food is far superior to many other restaurants, and it is definitely worth it.
Lovely service served by Roland and had a nice chat :) very sweet.
Food was amazingly delicious, special dish (curry) that was recommended to us by the chef himself. We ordered it and was not disappointed very wholesome and heart warming 🥰
Definitely delicious food.
We had pasta , fish cake and prawns. The chef is very passionate to cook and delivered wonderful food. Highly recommended to others.
Nicely presented, character restaurant with a menu offering something for everyone. And it’s for sale. Awesome buy for anyone involved in hospitality with some imagination.
Another great evening with Roland, who always goes out of his way to accommodate individual needs.
Every meal is prepared when ordered (not reheated from the freezer) so definitely not a venue for fast food people. But the wait is definitely worthwhile.
Best venue in the area for quality food in a very pleasant environment (also won’t break the bank).
Had an absolutely fantastic experience today at Down Thyme Restaurant.
I arrived a bit early before meeting a mate and had the pleasure of chatting with Roland, the owner — a genuine gentleman with an incredible life story and presence about him. You can tell immediately when someone truly cares about people, hospitality, and their craft.
Before arriving, I’d browsed the menu online and was intrigued by “Roland’s Delicious Omelette”. When I mentioned it to Roland, he shared that the recipe was taught to him by his chef mentor back in 1967 while he was an apprentice — and that he has never changed it since.
That alone cemented my decision.
When he brought the dish out, he smiled and said: “My mentor would be proud of this one.” And honestly… he absolutely would be.
The omelette was exceptional. Simple, authentic, perfectly executed, and full of character — the kind of meal that reminds you why experience, pride, and consistency matter.
You’re not just getting food at Down Thyme — you’re getting decades of passion, history, and genuine hospitality from a true craftsman of the industry.
Highly recommend. Thanks again Roland…see you soon!