The best of
Wellington. Ranked.

Coffee Supreme's flagship cafe since 2010 — minimalist, exacting, and the espresso benchmark the rest of the city gets measured against.

Local tip: It is a coffee bar, not a brunch kitchen — the food is toast, sandwiches and pastries, so come for the cup.

Flight Coffee's long-running Dixon Street cafe — batch brew on tap and a brunch menu with its own dedicated avo-toast section.

Local tip: One of the few Wellington cafes that opens on public holidays — worth knowing on a long weekend.

Cuba Street favourite for daytime eating — house-baked goods, a serious wine list, and a room that has aged very well.

Local tip: Order the Loretta waffles or the brown sugar porridge.

The Cuba Street counter-culture legend, now running as a pop-up inside Havana Bar on Wigan Street — same Cuban memorabilia, same all-day breakfast.

Local tip: Order the signature hash browns. Note it has left 234 Cuba Street — directions in older guides send you to the wrong address.

The Cuba Street corner that was Olive Cafe for two decades, taken over by Richard Walshe and Scott Benton and reopened as a tavern — the courtyard is still there.

Local tip: Order the cultured custard with cornbread. Weekend brunch runs 11am–2pm only.

Roastery, brunch room and design landmark in a converted Jessie Street warehouse — the kind of big, bright space Wellington does not otherwise have much of.

Local tip: The potato gratin is the thing regulars order.

The Lambton Quay heavyweight, now running as an espresso and wine bar — house-extruded pasta and 48-hour sourdough pizzetta alongside the coffee window.

Local tip: It is no longer just the corporate brunch canteen it used to be — the evening wine-bar side is the reason to go now.

The original late-night cafe on Cuba Street, trading since 1988 — vegetarian counter food and strong espresso until 3am, every day.

Local tip: The only real answer to wanting coffee and food at 1am in this city.

The College Street original — one of New Zealand's first specialty roasters, still drawing a queue for the Italian-leaning espresso and the lunch counter.

Local tip: Order eggs any way you like them with the house-roasted coffee.

The Lyall Bay surf-club legend — upstairs above the beach, with crashing waves through the windows and the best ocean view of any cafe in the city.

Local tip: No reservations are taken. Go on a weekday before 2:30pm unless you want the full weekend queue.

Tory Street roastery and coffee lounge, roasting on site since 1989 — one of the founding names in Wellington coffee.

Small Abel Smith Street cafe that has quietly become one of the better morning stops in Te Aro.

Local tip: Order the cardamom buns or a fresh egg sandwich.

The home-grown Wellington roaster's waterfront site in Shed 13 — reliable espresso and fast service on the harbour edge.

Local tip: Mojo's own site lists only the Customhouse Quay site for Wellington now — the old Willis Street directions are out of date.

All-day cafe and deli on Market Lane — house-made bakes, a strong a la carte menu and a busy fit-out. Sister to Skunkworks Coffee and the Manufactory.

Local tip: Open seven days 7am–4pm, which makes it one of the more reliable weekend options in this part of town.