Ripe - Emerald

I've visited Ripe multiple times over the last few months, mostly just for coffee but occasionally for brunch/lunch too.Ripe has a very cosy ambiance, especially sweet during the winter where they have a gorgeous fireplace to keep you nice and warm.For the most part the coffee is good, however it's not super consistent. The options when it comes to cakes and baked goods is amazing though, and would definitely recommend giving them a go (delicious!).The last time I visited I tried the vegetarian sharing plate, which was absolutely delicious. For someone like me that can't ever decide what to eat, having a little bit of everything was awesome. So good; would recommend.Only other thing that probably needs to be improved is the customer service.. depending who you encounter it could be really good or really bad... no in between.

We ate here a couple of times on our weekend away. Great variety and interesting food. Friendly service and nice atmosphere.

This use to be my go to place in Sassafras. Lovely ambience, great food, cute and cozy, and always buzzing. Unfortunately the food that was once so great is now just bland and tasteless, as was the service. At least the surroundings haven't changed. I'm not sure if the chef here tastes his produce, because I'm guessing he would be as disappointed as I was. Stale bread, bland soups, undercooked vegetables, and ingredients that just don't gel together. It's sad to watch once good restaurants fade into obscurity when they can't get the basics right.

We visited Ripe twice while staying in Sassafras recently, and had been there on previous visits too. It is just lovely, warm, lots of tables for two and share tables if they are busy, inside and outside dining, magazines and papers to read, nice jazz playing, helpful staff, nice atmosphere with wooden floors, a fireplace. lots or scrumptious things to eat, we had a choice of beautiful biscuits, baklava, scones, shortbreads, slices, cheesecake served with local cream, Portuguese tarts, choc chip cookies, lovely baguettes, or more serious meals like chicken Parma, roast pork belly, Atlantic salmon or their special Ripe beef burger or lasagne. They have delicious tasting plates too.Definitely we will eat there again. Good to see such as good, busy cafe. There is a more famous tea shop close by but it is always full of bus tours. Give Ripe a try, it is great value. Oh and close by is the best fine wool clothing shops with alpaca and NZ merino and possum fur, have lunch and Ripe and then browse in the lovely shops nearby.

Needing a coffee and afternoon tea, we stopped at Ripe which was busy but we were greeted warmly and quickly seated. The place was abuzz with tables being re-filled as soon as a party left. Unfortunately, the young lady who attended our table was very indifferent and very unhelpful - she obviously didn't want to be there which made us uncomfortable. We quickly ordered, finished and got out of there.Young people don't seem to realise their behaviour on the job can have a big impact on customers' impressions of a place. I wouldn't go back even though the coffee was nice.