☕Best Cafes in Te Aro 2026
11 of Wellington's best cafes, all in Te Aro — hand-picked and ranked by locals, led by Customs by Coffee Supreme. Part of our independent Wellington cafes guide.
- #1Editor's Pick
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–3pmSpecialtyRoasteryEditor's pick - #2
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 holidaysSpecialtyBrunchFilter - #3
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–SatBrunchWineCuba St - #4
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 9amIconicAll-day breakfastRelocated - #5
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–2pmCourtyardBrunchCuba St - #6
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–4pmRoasteryBrunchDesign - #7
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 3amLate nightVegetarianCuba St - #8
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 7amRoasteryItalianHeritage - #9
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–4pmRoasteryHeritageSpecialty - #10
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 hoursSmallPastriesTe Aro - #11
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–4pmDeliBakesBrunch
Frequently asked
What is the best cafes in Te Aro?
Customs by Coffee Supreme is our top-ranked pick for cafes in Te Aro. Coffee Supreme's flagship cafe since 2010 — minimalist, exacting, and the espresso benchmark the rest of the city gets measured against.
How many cafes are there in Te Aro?
We list 11 cafes in Te Aro, ranked independently by locals using real Google reviews.
