Interior View of Friends Cafe

Friends Cafe

Cafe Tourist information center

👍 The best cafe in town, excellent service and food. The staff are really nice and friendly. I came here many times because I really liked it! The only thing I didn't like was the wifi. There is no free wifi and for me it was a huge trouble. Please give wifi to your customers :) People often mention good, staff, breakfast, time, great, cafe, Tonga, service, fish, friendly,


Address

Salote Rd, Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Website

www.friendstonga.com

Contact

+676 22-390

Rating on Google Maps

4.20
(603121 reviews)


Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 7 AM to 10 PM
  • Thursday: 7 AM to 10 PM
  • Friday: 7 AM to 10 PM
  • Saturday: 7 AM to 10 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 7 AM to 10 PM
  • Tuesday: 7 AM to 10 PM

Visitor Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (15) staff (13) breakfast (12) time (11) great (10) cafe (9) Tonga (9) service (8) fish (8) friendly (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Martin C. 9 months ago on Google • 51 reviews
    The best cafe in town, excellent service and food. The staff are really nice and friendly. I came here many times because I really liked it! The only thing I didn't like was the wifi. There is no free wifi and for me it was a huge trouble. Please give wifi to your customers :)
    12 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David M. 2 months ago on Google • 1409 reviews New
    I just had such a lovely and pleasant brunch. Friendly service, taste and wholesome food as well as a cool building which was constructed in 1860. I really enjoyed the amount of history and photos around the cafe to give you additional context of Tonga’s and restaurants background

  • 4/5 Jason C. 2 months ago on Google • 1295 reviews New
    Local cafe and restaurant, located in the centre of Nuku’afola. Housed within a historic building, the Isabella Building.

  • 5/5 Максим �. 1 month ago on Google • 1281 reviews New
    Главный спот для экспатов и модных местных. Десерты в целом ок Напитки тоже Хороший интерьер Красивое здание снаружи Работают до 22:00

  • 5/5 Sebastian R. 1 year ago on Google • 76 reviews
    Great food, affordable and great service. The coffee drinks are delicious! Last night i got a burger which wasn’t a big serving but it was full of flavor! This morning i went back to get breakfast and a mocha it didn’t disappoint. I’m sure i’ll be back to get more food before leaving the island but i would highly recommend this cafe!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Agus B. 1 year ago on Google • 42 reviews
    Lovely place with good food. People nice. Lasagna and moussaka tasty, but a bit burnt and not big portions. They don’t share WiFi. You can pay with card.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Bjørn 8 months ago on Google • 300 reviews
    Lovely old wooden house in the middle of downtown serving all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner. I hadde the Eggs Benedict which were quite good - and the coffee was as well! They're aiming to be friendly, but wouldn't share their wifi with guests... Luckily the bar across the street do, so it was able to connect with them.

  • 3/5 Esler G. 1 year ago on Google • 64 reviews
    We've been here a couple of times. Nice place, full of tourists and local people. You can wait a long time for food, if you check up around you pay cheaper and the plates are much bigger. No wifi available.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kabu G. 1 year ago on Google • 38 reviews
    Luckily they open in the afternoon while every other restaurants/cafes are closed. Very friendly staff and delicious pork ribs. The dining room is wide open so you can enjoy the breeze. Very comfortable to stay. The owner also helped us call a taxi back to the hotel. 🥳🥳 Ofa Atu 🍻🍻
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vea M. 1 year ago on Google • 31 reviews
    I’ve dine around a couple of places in Tonga but none of them offers the kind of service this cafe have. Their food are amazing especially their fish and chips 😍 the portions I’d say very good 👌🏼 the presentation is on point especially the way they made the salad 😍 curly idk the right term for it but it really made my day 🥰 the fish wasn’t dry it was fresh and moist. The flour wasn’t too much but fluffy and the right amount. I’d totally go back when I visit and I totally recommend. Not forgetting how friendly the staffs are and very helpful, made a new friend too name Ilaisaane 🥰 i and my family had really good time there.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 D T. 5 months ago on Google • 253 reviews
    Good place sells westernised food such as steak and ribs. Lamb shanks. Got the ota ika which was very flavourful and full of fish. $24 TOP Pan fish was great also. Highly recommended

  • 1/5 Aideen F. 3 months ago on Google • 3 reviews New
    I waited at least 45 minutes for a fruit salad (they brought it after I went up to the counter to ask if it was coming). Also highly overpriced and there was no WiFi advertised. Outside of the food and service, the space itself is historic and has a nice spacious feeling and interior.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brad P. 1 year ago on Google
    Pleasant atmosphere and a good big breakfast!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alexander S. 1 year ago on Google
    Great food, breakfast all day.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 KENFC 1 month ago on Google • 185 reviews New
    Smoothie 🥤🥤 很好喝!😋

  • 5/5 Sarah P. 1 month ago on Google • 166 reviews New
    We had a lovely dinner here following the recommendation of our taxi driver. We both had the grilled fish, and it was amazing. I felt the serving of fish (Tuna) was huge! My partner also had the seafood chowder, and he loved it. I had tje banana split for dessert, and it was a huge serving. I couldn't finish it all. It's very tasty. Staff were really helpful. The food didn't take long to come out. The only issue for me was the loud music from the bar across the road. The menu was extensive, but there were serval things out of stock. It didn't affect us though. Would absolutely recommend

  • 5/5 Zorko S. 4 months ago on Google • 110 reviews
    Really big place with a lot of seating inside and outside as well. The atmosphere is nice and it is always busy but I did find a place to sit every time. Food is good and servings aren't too big. There was just one occasion in two weeks I had to wait longer for my food.

  • 3/5 Mercedez A. 1 year ago on Google • 88 reviews
    This is clearly one of the most popular places in Nuku’alofa. They have coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, a bar, ice cream, and a selection of deserts and baked goods. Quite expensive compared to other places. Food is basic American restaurant food, with some traditional Tongan options. Lots of seats inside and some outdoor seating. It can get quite busy though. No wifi, and not really a “tourist centre”

  • 5/5 Laura Caton G. 1 year ago on Google • 81 reviews
    Great atmosphere, friendly staff, amazing food. The breakfast all day, French toast, and bakery items were delicious and a favorite of our party. Traditional dishes were available and flavorful. Friends was a favorite hangout of locals and visitors alike.

  • 5/5 Sarah B. 4 months ago on Google • 78 reviews
    Finally good coffee! Fish soup is excellent.

  • 5/5 Mikhail I. 2 months ago on Google • 67 reviews New
    Хороший кофе. Большой выбор десертов

  • 5/5 Lady L. 4 months ago on Google • 65 reviews
    Our family of 5 dined here for lunch today and it was very good. I had the 'ota 'ika, Tonga's national dish, which is their version of raw fish marinated in citrus juice and coconut cream, which you will find across the Pacific. It was served with kumara fries - a unique and tasty twist. This was one of the dishes listed under "small meals" on the menu, along with the chicken skewers and egg sandwich, all of which were plenty big enough for lunch. My partner had the battered fish'n'chips - a main meal - which he said was very good. Our iced coffees were also very good, as was the service. Prices were reasonable. We would happily go here again.

  • 2/5 Sean T. 1 year ago on Google • 46 reviews
    Friendly staff, nice spot to view historical photos and tick off your list. However if you plan on having lunch or breakfast, plan a buffer time and expect to have two drinks, by the time your food arrives its cold and sides requested forgotten.

  • 5/5 Michaela V. 5 months ago on Google • 34 reviews
    Seafood chowder and home craft coconut beer were really good. It's possible to pay by card. There is no more the information centre here.

  • 5/5 Caucau T. 7 months ago on Google • 33 reviews
    As the saying goes,"It's the people, not the place." Tongans are famous, in the Pacific, for their kind personalities. The staff and management at this cafe are no different. They are lovely people. I highly recommend this cafe.

  • 5/5 Ben B. 2 months ago on Google • 28 reviews New
    Great place. Flat white is priced in line with other shops. The scones are great here.

  • 3/5 s/v G. 2 months ago on Google • 28 reviews New
    Perhaps it was because the big Pasifika forum was underway, but most everything we wanted from the menu was unavailable. It's a beautiful location, with lots of historical information. The prices didn't fit, however, with the lack of service staff.

  • 5/5 Siouxsannah 3 months ago on Google • 25 reviews New
    This appears to be one of the most popular cafes in Nuku'alofa, especially for tourists and non-natives, although locals eat there too. The menu is Western-oriented, with a lot of affordable meals and drinks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The building is historic, being around 100 years old I believe. The staff are friendly, and there is the option to sit inside or outdoors most days in the light and airy dining space.

  • 4/5 Mark 1 year ago on Google • 15 reviews
    A go to place for brunch. I had two meals there during my Tonga visit. The food they serve is top quality and I enjoyed both my meals there even though the burger was abit small I enjoyed it otherwise. My second meal I had fish and chips great as well. The reason I gave this place a four star is the time it takes to order food until I could start eating. We would spend at least 1 and a half hour there from start to finish which I found annoying, so if you want to go there, go early if you have places to be. But I do admire their truthfulness though. I ordered food at 12:32 and the staff said it would take 45 minutes. I was surprised when it came exactly on the dot 45 minutes later. So yes that's all. Another place worth going to in Tonga with great food selection and great seating atmosphere.

  • 4/5 Ingo J. 1 year ago on Google • 14 reviews
    Nice place to have a coffee. Clean and well presented, staff is very friendly and the prices are okay. The ice cream portions are giant, and the cakes are freshly made. Very delicious, by the way... I will come back when I'm visiting Tonga next time.

  • 5/5 Christer D. 4 months ago on Google • 10 reviews
    Beautiful place with good food!

  • 5/5 Mohammed M. 3 months ago on Google • 9 reviews New
    Great island style atmosphere with great staff. Always humble in their approach. Nice ambience!

  • 5/5 Genessis G. 3 months ago on Google • 7 reviews New
    I was visiting Tonga back in February for 2.5 weeks and this was one of the restaurants I would frequent the most because of the great food and lovely staff! The staff truly made me feel like we were lifelong friends and the food was always great. The French toast plate was probably one of my favorites and their coffee was really good! The fresh coconut water always hit the spot after walking around and adventuring in the city center. Recommend checking out!

  • 5/5 Mariona G. 3 months ago on Google • 5 reviews New
    Very good food and big dishes. There were 15 of us and the waitress (Litia Vavau Makaafi kava) was AMAZING, she took all our orders quick and efficiently. The menu is very varied and the quality SUPREME, specially the chicken carbonara, the cordon bleu and the lasagna. Definitely come here for breakfast, lunch or dinner for a fantastic meal🥰

  • 4/5 Jo-Anne W. 4 weeks ago on Google • 4 reviews New
    Lovely place

  • 5/5 Larry 1 year ago on Google
    Great food. Great staff and crew. Decent prices. You should definitely stop in at least once during your visit to Tonga

  • 5/5 Mopes L. 1 year ago on Google
    I highly recommend Friends Cafe for their exceptional customer service and delicious 'ota ika + mei chips. Every time I visit Tonga, I make sure to stop by Friends Cafe for a memorable dining experience. They never disappoint and I will always be a loyal customer.

  • 1/5 Ruby K. 1 year ago on Google
    Every time we go back to Tonga our kids love to go here for a meal. This time we decided to take their cousins with us for a lovely breakfast. We arrived just before 8 am. We order drinks and then our breakfast. We waited 2 hours the kids were starting to become impatient and one felt asleep. shortly after 11 we got our order. Out of 7 orders we only got two right and my husband didn't even get his food. We were hungry at this time so the kids ate the wrong order that was made because when we told them that wasn't our order they said they can fixes it but it will take another 30 mins. Meanwhile the people that arrives 30 mins ago had their breakfast and it look like ours. It was a really bad experience and they were not owning up to it so I would never go back there again. It use to be lovely and fun to go with our kids their but now we need to find another favourite cafe place. Actually we did. Tupu'anga is a cafe in ma'ufanga that I would recommend to anyone that's visiting the Kingdom.

  • 4/5 Serena Y. 1 year ago on Google
    food is decent with good portion sizes! great for tourists in tonga

  • 5/5 Danielle Y. 3 months ago on Google • 2 reviews New
    nice views

  • 1/5 Sefo W. 4 months ago on Google • 1 review
    Service is terrible waited 1 and half hour for food, white customers getting their food before us.


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