The best of
Wellington. Ranked.

1. #1

   Editor's Pick
   

   Customs by Coffee Supreme

   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.

   39 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro· Mon–Fri 7:30am–3pm, Sat–Sun 9am–3pm

   SpecialtyRoasteryEditor's pick
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
2. #2
   

   Hangar by Flight Coffee

   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.

   119 Dixon Street, Te Aro· Open every day 7am–2pm, including public holidays

   SpecialtyBrunchFilter
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
3. #3
   

   Loretta

   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.

   181 Cuba Street, Te Aro· From 8am Tue–Sat

   BrunchWineCuba St
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
4. #4
   

   Fidel's Cafe

   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.

   32a Wigan Street, Te Aro (inside Havana Bar)· Tue–Sun from 9am

   IconicAll-day breakfastRelocated
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
5. #5
   

   Cuba Street Tavern

   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.

   170–172 Cuba Street, Te Aro· Brunch Sat–Sun 11am–2pm

   CourtyardBrunchCuba St
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
6. #6
   

   Prefab Eatery

   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.

   14 Jessie Street, Te Aro· Mon–Fri 7am–4pm, Sat 8am–4pm

   RoasteryBrunchDesign
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
7. #7
   

   Astoria Espresso & Wine Bar

   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.

   159 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central· Coffee window Mon–Fri 8am–3pm

   CBDWine barPasta
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
8. #8
   

   Midnight Espresso

   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.

   178 Cuba Street, Te Aro· Daily until 3am

   Late nightVegetarianCuba St
   Maps Reviews
9. #9
   

   Caffe L'affare

   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.

   27 College Street, Te Aro· Mon–Fri from 7am

   RoasteryItalianHeritage
   Maps ReviewsWebsite
10. #10
    

    Maranui Cafe

    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.

    7 Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay· Breakfast & lunch to 2:30pm weekdays, 3pm weekends

    BeachfrontBrunchIconic
    Maps ReviewsWebsite
11. #11
    

    Havana Coffee Works

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

    163 Tory Street, Te Aro· Mon–Fri 7:30am–4pm

    RoasteryHeritageSpecialty
    Maps ReviewsWebsite
12. #12
    

    Good Grief

    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.

    90 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro· See socials for hours

    SmallPastriesTe Aro
    Maps Reviews
13. #13
    

    Mojo Coffee

    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.

    Shed 13, 37 Customhouse Quay, Wellington Waterfront· Weekday business hours

    RoasteryWaterfrontLocal chain
    Maps ReviewsWebsite
14. #14
    

    Sixes & Sevens

    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.

    1 Market Lane, Te Aro· Daily 7am–4pm

    DeliBakesBrunch
    Maps ReviewsWebsite

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