When we ducked into Fat Dog Cafe in Rotorua, I have to admit that I didn’t expect a whole lot. It was just somewhere to get a quick breakfast and get on with the day, right? But as soon as I stepped inside I knew this wouldn’t be your typical cafe experience.
The place screamed out “boring is simply not an option”. It began as a brief breakfast detour but ended up becoming one of those meals when you sit a little longer then intended and just soak it all in. The food were good, the coffee was good, the vibe was nice, and I left there smiling.
A Bright and Fun Breakfast
Fat Dog Cafe & Bar
I had no idea what to expect when we walked up to Fat Dog but I knew for certain that it wouldn’t be a beige cafe experience. From the outside, the frontage practically shouted at you from the street and as soon as you stepped in you felt like you’d walked into someone’s very creative living room. There were handwritten menus scrawled across the walls and little figurines tucked into corners.
Every surface and wall seemed to have been decorated or painted with something. It honestly took me a minute to figure out where to look first, it was all just so unapologetically itself.
In line with the name, there were painted dog figurines lining the counter. Just about every inch of wall space was covered by one of these chalkboard menus. Sitting down at our table, we was joined by even more of these little painted dog companions.
It could of easily been overbearing, but you know what? It wasn’t. It was fun without feeling try-hard.
Deciding what to eat we ordered some drinks first. I opted for a cappuccino that turned out to be perfectly decent, albeit served in a bright cup which is rather appropriate, if nothing else. My partner had one of the iced drink, which was served in a tall glass and looked refreshingly good.
You sometimes know when a cafe know their stuff about coffee without even trying the drink, and Fat Dog certainly did. It didn’t disappoint when it turned up though.
A cooked breakfast, eggs, bacon, sausage, tomato, the works, was served on one of those bright plate that matched the rest of the place. Nothing were fancy, and everything was cooked properly. Just a good honest breakfast done well.
My partner had gone for eggs benedict and the hollandaise sauce looked pretty spot-on too. We ate and chatted, in no particular hurry, which is always a sign of a good breakfast spot.
I flipped through the menu, which was clipped to a board. I could see they covers pretty much everything, like burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast staples, as well as a decent range of drinks. They kept it straightforward which I liked.
The cafe food is solid, with enough variety that there would be something you’d want to order. Prices also seemed reasonable for what you got. One of those surprise find that you remember was Fat Dog Cafe.
It’s not trying to be the fanciest cafe in town, but instead knows exactly what it is and does it well. They has good coffee, good food, and an atmosphere that will put you in a better mood than when you came in. If you’re looking for breakfast in Rotorua and don’t want to go to someplace that takes itself too seriously, check this place out.
Have you had any cafes that surprised you with their personality? I’d love to know about your finds in the comments.