Java Jungle Cafe

We stopped by here last Saturday after touring some open homes in the area. It was far from packed, though for some strange reason all the Browns Bay places we passed seemed on the empty side that day, maybe because it was so bitterly cold. I had the eggs bene with bacon; my friend had the steak sandwich. His meal looked better than mine, but mine turned out to be the better tasting. My hollandaise sauce was excellent: rich, thick, creamy. The portion size was a touch on the small side, I thought. His steak was a little iffy (we swapped plates midway through). It was cooked fine, but somehow the meat seemed like it wasn’t the best quality. The kumara chips were delightful though. After we’d swapped plates, I continued dipping what were now my kumara chips into what was now his hollandaise. Poor form for a lady, but it tasted so good! I also had an iced coffee, which was of the ‘frappuccino’ variety, which I love. Our waitress was super nice, really friendly and proactive. On the whole, a pretty nondescript little place, but pleasant.

So stopped past here today (Good Friday). Great little spot looking at Browns Bay beach. The place has a beach hut sort of vibe with lots of windows and a very inviting main entrance. Wasn’t a massive fan of the 15% surcharge, but hey always good to support local companies. Their menu is a very bog standard café menu. Their coffee is very nice and well prepared. Staff are friendly and service your table very well. Not a place I’m going to rage over but it was pleasant enough. Very casual atomosphere.

I used to be a regular here back in 2012 before their renovation which got rid of their cute (and handy) kids play area. Because of that, I wasn’t in a hurry to return since when ever I go to cafes, I always have at least one pre-​schooler in tow.
I decided to give them a go last week with an Entertainment voucher being part of my motivation. I’m a bit torn as whether to rate them 3 or 4 stars since I had two very different experiences with two different staff.
I was barely greeted by the first, whom informed me that yes, they still had highchairs. During my meal this staff member took a seat in the booth next to me to talk for ten minutes to their friend about smoking in cars and how their whole family smokes etc etc. Very unprofessional and off putting. Then when clearing my dishes I thanked them & felt like I shouldn’t have with the look I was given. Again, the same happened when paying for my meal & I wasn’t even asked how it was.
The second staff member when noticing my presence immediately welcomed me to grab a seat & they would bring the highchair over. This person took my order, served my coffee and food & obviously enjoyed their job.
I enjoyed a generous sized omelette which was light and fluffy and steaming hot when it arrived on the table. The coffee was very good too. The interior changes have given the café a fresh, contemporary face lift with quirky colored cardboard animal heads (think stag, rhinoceros, etc) adorning the walls and a striking rouge color theme throughout.
If one of the above mentioned staff members would have been sick that day it would have been a 5 star review.

I don’t know why they changed their ways. This place used to be so busy, swarming with people and families and most importantly happy little kiddies. The play area was the main attraction. The kids loved it because of the awesome toys and pictures on the walls and the parents loved it because they could have a coffee in peace without worrying about the little devils.
But obviously a change was in order. The place now looks calm and serene. I actually like the décor and think it looks really fresh. But when I wondered in today it was totally empty inside. A couple sat outside all alone. They did have some very good-​looking food so I thought I’d grab some lunch. I ordered the muesli, as I wasn’t particularly starving. It came out in a huge bowl and looked great. Unfortunately there was only a piddly amount of yogurt with it so it became quite dry half way through. Plus the rock melon (my favourite) wasn’t as ripe as I prefer so was a bit crunchy. The staff were very helpful though and when I asked for more yogurt it came to me pretty quickly. (Still only another piddly portion though).
Overall I think it’s a shame this café isn’t cranking as much as it used to. It used to fill a space in Browns Bay because of their kiddie facilities but now they are much like the rest of the places in the area and I take it by the emptiness of the space and the fullness of other cafes, they aren’t competing so well just yet.

I really like this café, I have only been during the week so I’m not sure if its busier during the weekend.
However the 2 times I have been here I have received great service. The first time I just had a muffin and coffee with my toddler, and the second time with my husband we had the $ 25 beer and pizza which is a great deal as you get to choose any beer.
What I enjoyed most about this particular café and the reason I choose it is that it has really nice views of the water, its one of the only ones that doesn’t have something in front ie the skateboard park or playground.
So for good service, good beer and pizza deals and unobstructed views this is the café in Browns Bay to come to.