Wellington prides itself on its cafe culture—and we’ll be the first to say it’s justified. This city truly runs on great coffee, as well as great snacks. We’ve sipped and nibbled our way across the capital (it's a hard life, truly) to bring you the greatest local spots for a caffeine hit, and treats to go along.
Here are Urban List's picks for the best cafes in Wellington.
Customs
39 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Customs | Website
One of our favourite coffee spots in Wellington is Coffee Supreme’s small but bustling flagship joint on Ghuznee (check out their retail and tasting space at Midland Park too). With coffee roasted down the road at Hopper Street, and expert barista Toru and the team slinging the brews, there’s no wonder Customs spills with regulars out the street most mornings. Priding themselves as an “informal toast restaurant,” their signature chilli cheese melt needs no introduction. For the summer, we can’t wait for the heirloom tomato toast, and we’re also suckers for Wellington Sourdough’s almond croissant—with a naughty milk cold brew in hand (think: condensed milk).
Insider intel
- This spot is pooch-friendly, so bring your furry friend along for the ride.
The Hangar
119 Dixon Street, Te Aro
Image credit: The Hangar | Instagram
The Hangar started as a place for the folks at Flight Coffee to geek out on coffee roasting with friends, and eventually expanded to a fully-fledged eatery when coffee operations expanded to Garrett Street. Their dedicated coffee menu includes coffee tasting flights and daily specials like the Flight Fix & Fogg Mocha and Strawberry Matcha Iced Oat Latte.
Insider Intel
- They run periodic coffee sessions (both free and paid)—inviting locals and regulars to come down and learn about beans, coffee origins, or even take a latte art class. Keep an eye on instagram for updates.
Swimsuit Coffee
38 Dixon Street, Te Aro | 91B Park Road, Miramar | 5 Lombard Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Swimsuit | Instagram
Swimsuit are a staple for good weekend vibes. Now with three locations, we love that we can get our coffee and snack in the ‘burbs and inner-city Pōneke. Their scones are to die for when combo-ed with their custom Supreme coffee blend—or grab a baguette with charred capsicum, spinach, pesto, lemon and feta.
Insider Intel
- If you rate the playlist, keep an eye on their monthly music mixes to try and recreate the Swimsuit vibe.
Goods Manufactory And Cafe
342a Tinakori Road, Thorndon
Image credit: Goods Cafe | Instagram
The pastries at Goods are a hidden gem (literally off the main road and through a wee alleyway) that sell out with queues out the road. Our go-to pastry classics are the cinnamon morning buns and chocolate swirls. We’re also impartial to lemon ricotta-filled crispy pastries (so crispy that you will undoubtedly be covered in pastry)—and the black sesame kouign amann is a must (you can also get these at their inner-city cafe, Little Grump).
Insider Intel
- Beat the queues and pre-order the chocolate babka (by the loaf) for Fridays to treat yourself for the weekend.
Franks
116 The Terrace, Wellington | 5 Riddiford Street, Newtown
Image credit: Franks Coffee | Instagram
Home to a past NZ Barista Champion (and coming fourth place at the International Barista Championship) is barista Honoka Kawashima of Frank’s. Go for the vegan doughnuts (available Thursdays to Sundays) and an award-winning brew.
Insider Intel
- Their CBD location might be brews and baked goods only, but head to Newtown for a killer sando.
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The Beanery By Mojo
44 The Terrace, Wellington Central
Image credit: The Beanery | Instagram
Coffee geeks, head to the home of 2024 coffee champ Max Cui right here in Wellington. With light brekky options on offer, The Beanery is a top spot for coffee education while you start the day—attend tasting talks and learn about brewing methods such as nitro, cold brew and steampunk.
Insider intel
- They also have a hot-air coffee roaster in store where you can watch your takeaway bag of beans being roasted right before your eyes.
Super Deli
139 Featherston Street, Wellington Central
Image credit: Super Deli | Instagram
Super Deli are a takeaway-only window in the CBD, slinging delicious coffees and baked goods—including Welly cubes, a croissant in a cube form (filled to the brim with oozing salted caramel). You can thank us later. Also in their loaded bakery cabinet, you'll find pastel iced donuts, homemade pies and sausage rolls—and from the main menu, we can't pass up a gooey cheese toastie or vibrant smoothie.
Insider intel
- There's not much seating at this joint, so grab your coffee and chosen treat to-go—why not head out on one of Wellington's best walks?
Black Coffee
6021/133 Riddiford Street, Newtown
Image credit: Black Coffee | Instagram
This is one of Newtown’s hidden gems. The perfect place for a quick coffee and a snack, with lots of vegan and gluten-free treats to choose from. We love the creative vibes at Black Coffee, and can't pass up on a strawberry smash sourdough crumpet.
Insider intel
- They also have a beautiful space for local artists to showcase their work—you check out their current exhibitions online.
Shelly Bay Baker On Leeds St
Unit 6G/14 Leeds Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Shelly Bay Baker | Instagram
When Leeds St Bakery closed their doors, Wellington residents were heartbroken that the signature salted caramel cookie would be gone. Thank goodness the recipe was passed on to ex-chef and local bread wizard Sam, from Shelly Bay Baker and the team. Since taking over the premises, they’re slinging not only cookies, but their iconic loaves.
Insider intel
- The bread here is whipped up using fresh, stone-ground organic flour, with grains grown locally in Aotearoa.
Pour And Twist
13 Garrett Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Pour and Twist | Instagram
Home to the first fully manual coffee bar in New Zealand, Pour and Twist is the ultimate sun-soaked spot to sip and chill. Owners (photography creatives and coffee connoisseurs) Zuyi and Elaine have brought their love for all things analogue. Sit by the brew bar and watch the process of how your coffee is hand-poured low and slow, for a peaceful, relaxing start to the day. They also operate as a speciality matcha bar—we are obsessed with their purple-green ombré iced matcha taro (made with Thea matcha), their pretty pink matcha, and any of their every changing drinks of the month (lemon cola inspired cold brew with cola foam anyone?).
Insider intel
- They occasionally run events and cupping sessions, including a recent matcha tasting session which sold out rapidly. We recommend keeping an eye on their socials for any updates.
Raglan Roast
Various Locations
Image credit: Raglan Roast | Instagram
So good they’re around every corner in Pōneke. Wander down Abel Smith and stop in for a $3.50 flat white in a cute mug, and stay for a game of Scrabble and a snack. And when the caramel slice is in the cabinet, make sure to grab that sticky corner piece.
Insider intel
- If you are craving something sweet and cold, a few of their locations also sell gelato—it doesn't get much better than that.
Orange Coffee Shop
268 Cuba Street, Te Aro
Image credit: The Nosy Foodie | Instagram
This is the ultimate cozy, sunny reading nook and the perfect place to catch up with friends—or fur friends. Doggos are welcome while you pop in for your Supreme brew, and you may even spot Ai’s resident pup (and local pet celeb) Ringo, hanging out at the café. Don’t forget to nab a cheese scone or citrus loaf while you’re there, baked by local John from Jojo’s Pastries (they’ve got the softest gluten-free salted caramel choc brownies too).
Insider intel
- As the name suggests, the theme here truly is orange—so get ready to snap some seriously story-worthy pics.
Aurora Argentinian Bakery
44 Manners Street, Te Aro | 43C The Terrace, Wellington Central
Image credit: Aurora Argentinian Bakery | Instagram
Empanadas with our coffee? Yes please. Mariana and Facundo are from Argentina and met here while in Wellington (how sweet) and decided to bring a taste of their culture to our coolest little capital, in the form of Aurora. Stand-out empanadas include a Wagyu brisket with provolone (like a steak and cheese pie, but better). We’re also eyeing up the dulce de leche Valentina cake—and don't forget the chocolate-dipped, dulce de leche-filled alfajores.
Insider intel
- Have an upcoming occasion? Their full size cakes are available to order online—and they'll knock your socks off.
Evil Twins Coffee
161B Willis Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Evil Twins | Instagram
Nat and Steph (a.k.a. Evil Twins) make a mean iced matcha latte, and their coffee shop has the coolest fit-out in town. With custom graffiti walls and cute decor, make sure you pop in and check out their in-store merch (snack for the eyes). They’ve recently come back from Japan, and have the cutest onigiri snacks to go along with your brew.
Insider intel
- Don't miss out on their iced hojicha—a roasted green tea that’s smooth, warm and calming, with a lower caffeine content than matcha.
Half Baked Catering Co.
75 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Half Baked Catering Co. | Instagram
Zara and Shinee have recently moved to their new digs on Abel Smith, offering raw (and half-baked) treats to nibble on with your iced coffee. Look out for the cute white house, and pop in for baked goodies like their strawberry-matcha cookie sammies.
Insider intel
- Their whole online menu is vegan, gluten and refined sugar free—and also insanely delicious.
Glou Glou
17a Allen Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Glou Glou | Instagram
Brought to you by award-winning hospitality group Food Envy, is their latest venue Glou Glou. An espresso and wine bar (hosting some pretty epic events, might we add), this central city getaway is famous for its loaded housemade crumpets thanks to chef-owner Taz. Pop in for a bright purple ube latte and banoffee crumpet, or try their french croast—yep, that's a brûléed croissant loaf.
Insider intel
- The pastries here are stocked until sold-out daily—however you can grab a bite from their brunch menu all day long.
People’s Coffee
12 Constable Street, Newtown | 40 Taranaki Street, Te Aro | 275 Mansfield Street, Newtown
Image credit: People's Coffee | Instagram
Founded by Matt Lamason back in 2004 (a.k.a coffee royalty), People’s Coffee is such a vibe. Whether it’s in town or Newtown, we love the cherry-cola vibes of Honduras, with the vegan hazelnut choc bars from She Universe (dunk it in your coffee).
Insider intel
- At People's Coffee, they advocate for sustainable systems to protect the fragility of our climate and ensure sustainable growth for coffee farmers through the fair trade system. So you can pop in for a cuppa knowing that it’s sourced ethically and mindful of the environment, as well as being tasty.
Pravda Cafe And Grill
107 Customhouse Quay, Wellington Central
Image credit: Pravda | Instagram
It’s no secret that Pravda has one of the best cheese scones in Wellington (there’s a running competition in Wellington), and what better way to start the day than a coffee and a scone from Pravda’s ray-of-sunshine smiley head barista Isla Harrison.
Insider intel
- Pro tip? Order extra lashings of butter for your freshly baked scone.
Cafe Polo
84 Rotherham Terrace, Miramar
Image credit: Cafe Polo | Instagram
Saturdays = doughnut day at Cafe Polo. We are drooling over their changing doughnut flavours, stuffed to the brim with cream and drool-worthy toppings like strawberry shortcake, Vietnamese coffee and milk chocolate custard cream. This spot is consistently good with their food offerings and we only wished they were closer to the city centre (but we’ll be driving there every weekend anyway).
Insider intel
- These are announced on their socials every weekend so make sure you get in quick before they’re snatched up.
Belén Plant Bakery
104 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central | 105 Courtenay Place, Te Aro | Wellington Airport, Stewart Duff Drive, Rongotai
Image credit: Belen Plant Bakery | Instagram
What began at a farmers market is now at three brick and mortar shops in Pōneke. Staples include cinnamon scrolls lathered in frosting (Mondays only) and vegan mince and cheese pies.
Insider intel
- They also have up to ten (yes, ten) donut flavours that change monthly—and all vegan. Mind-blown.
Wellington Sourdough
Left Bank Lane, 175 Victoria Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Wellington Sourdough | Instagram
We are so glad the pastries cabinet is back open at Wellington Sourdough, because if you haven’t tried Catherine’s iconic baking, then you are in for a treat. Pop into their bakery and retail space on Left Bank, and stay for a coffee and a treat (we suggest the chicken sandwich, and any pastry of custardy-filled brioche goodness).
Insider intel
- Sourdough here is all hand-crafted, and slow-fermented. You can't pass it up.
Coolsville Cartel
3A Moxham Avenue, Hataitai
Image credit: Coolsville Cafe | Instagram
Hataitai locals know what’s up. This is the go-to spot and made of gluten-free dreams (all their cabinet offerings are gf friendly). Owner Lindsay makes a delicious gluten-free banoffee slice. Don’t forget to ask for a drizzle of pure Canadian maple syrup in your iced coffee—a.k.a. her Canadian touch to coffee. You can grab a puppacino for your pup too.
Insider intel
- Don't skip the cabinet of home-style freezer meals in their chiller. Dinner, sorted.
Nicoletta’s
12 Park Road, Miramar
Image credit: Nicoletta's | Instagram
Initially a cake shop, Nicoletta’s is now an artisan Italian-style bakery offering pastries and baked goods with vegan and gluten-free options. Pre-order a box of the tiramisu doughnuts, or pop in for a slice of cream pie and espresso. With different flavours in the cabinet each day, you’ll be building a stopover into your morning routine.
Insider intel
- Don't skip the pizza here if you turn up around lunch—it's to die for.
Volco
92 Upland Road, Kelburn | 1 The Terrace, Wellington Central | 242 Thorndon Quay, Pipitea
Image credit: Volco | Instagram
Worth the hike up the hill, Volco are slinging all types of dough, and we never say no to a piping hot pizza with our coffee. Smash back some Black Magic with your long black—confit potato, black garlic, onion and taleggio cheese.
Insider intel
- Volco is named after the volcanic heat of their imported Italian oven, which is the life behind all of their fired treats.
Tomboy
21 Majoribanks Street, Mount Victoria
Image credit: Tomboy | Instagram
Kate’s Tomboy cakes are iconic in Wellington, and you can pre-order a beautiful floral cake (with a platter of cinnamon-sugar rolled doughnuts) for your next celebration. Pick it up from the shop and make it an excuse to pop in for a treat and check out the cabinet (psst, coffee custard-filled cinnamon brioche please).
Insider intel
- Kate also offers party packages, for a beautifully catered and decorated sit-down meal.
La Cloche
134 Hutt Road, Kaiwharawhara | Corner of Featherston and Ballance Street, Wellington Central | 26 The Terrace, Wellington Central
Image credit: La Cloche | Instagram
If you want classic French-inspired patisserie, this is the place. La Cloche offers the best in French cuisine—from eclairs to opera cake, to a thousand shatteringly crispy layers of Mille feuille and their unique coffee blend, plated up in a relaxing, authentic atmosphere. Bon appétit.
Insider intel
- This spot, like many others on this list, is brewing up Coffee Supreme at all four locations.
The Clareville Bakery
3340 State Highway 2, Clareville
Image credit: Clareville Bakery | Instagram
Image credit: Clareville Bakery | Instagram
No trip over the hill is complete without a trip to Clareville Bakery. This is Wairarapa’s best kept secret, and we’re even tempted to drive over just for the strawberries and cream doughnut.
Insider intel
- Don't skip their viral cinnamon rolls, or award-winning fresh baked croissants.
Main Image credit: Swimsuit | Instagram
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