Good food, drink and conversation are the essential elements of the Chapel Café. For the Café’s owners, Simon Crawford and Anh Le it is all about creating a warm and welcoming environment for locals to get together to do business, have fun, and create community all over a good cup of tea or coffee and tasty food.

Simon and Anh Le took over the café in March 2017 and their business is fast becoming a well-known hub just across the causeway from the CBD for workers, retirees and friends to gather.

Both owners are very familiar with the food industry – Simon as a former food manufacturing engineer and Anh Le in the retail hospitality industry. Simon was born and bred in Taranaki before moving to Tauranga, while Anh Le hails from Viet Nam and has been living in New Zealand for four years. Both are passionate about creating good food and engaging with both their regular customers and newcomers.

According to Anh Le the venture has been hugely successful so far and if there have been any challenges they are those of success: working long hours and seven days a week to keep the café humming. But both Anh Le and Simon both believe that hard work is the key ingredient of success and the effort is well worth it to achieve their goals.

Check out the Chapel Café next time you are in town. Anh Le and Simon would love for you to become one of their regulars! For more information about the Chapel Café visit their Facebook page.