☕ The 6 Best Cafés In Wellington Serving The Finest Coffee

Mojo Coffee- six best coffee cafés Wellington — mojo coffee

Wellington is well known on the world map for its great coffee culture. With good cafes on almost every corner, it’s fair to say coffee is loved by all in Wellington. CNN recently named Wellington as one of the top 8 international coffee destinations. Here are the six best cafés in Wellington.

With well over a dozen roasteries in the city, you’ll often catch the warm aroma of roasting coffee in the wind. It also means you’re drinking the freshest, liveliest coffee around. So here are the top cafes in Wellington to have a good cup of coffee.

1. Mojo Coffee – 6 Best Cafés Wellington

Location: 13 Customhouse Quay, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand
Opening Hours Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

This coffee house was founded in 2003 as a boutique roastery café in Wellington by Steve and Julie Gianoutsos, Mojo Coffee is now one of New Zealand’s oldest independent coffee roasters and café operators.

Starting from humble beginnings on Wakefield Street, this coffee house has grown like a family. It is working with passionate individuals along the way.

Mojo Coffee has more than 20 different locations in the capital and is one of the best places to have a cup of coffee. The company’s headquarters offers barista training to its staff and the wider public, and it has become a popular tourist attraction in its own right.

To add to this, the Wellington-native boutique roastery has expanded its operations to include coffee shops in Auckland, Japan, India, and China.

2. The Flight Coffee Hangar

Location: 119 Dixon St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Opening Hours Mon Fri: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sat-Sun: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Phone: +64 4-830 0909

The Hangar stated the roasting and wholesale operations of Flight Coffee in the year 2012. As is the Flight way, setting up shop in a car park was step one. Some warm macrocarpa went into line the walls, an espresso bar down the one side, and the Wellington-based flagship was introduced.

The Hangar became a place to share how we roast with people who were drinking our coffee, somewhere we could geek out.

Flight Coffee has a coffee farm in Colombia – a product of their dedication to sourcing the best and most sustainable beans and ingredients. Their roasts have become so popular that they are widely used in many cafes in Wellington and Auckland.

Whether you are grabbing a quick coffee on the run, breakfast or lunch with friends, or celebrating a special event, the Hangar creates the perfect setting for you to eat, drink, and be merry.

3. Havana Coffee Works

Location: 63 Tory St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Phone: +64 4-384 7041
Opening Hours Mon – Fri: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm

This is a coffeehouse in the most traditional of terms and is a well-established Wellington favorite. Dating back to the 1990s, when they opened their doors this café relies on some of the world’s best origin blends for its in-house brews. The venue also wins the crowds with its reasonably priced selection of cafe staples and a bit of a rustic atmosphere.

You will also find a retail showroom upstairs and full-service training room and a cupping station, plus their live coffee trees extracting the natural light.

With tunes like The Beatles’ Blackbird resounding all over the premises, it all makes for something different from any other coffee experience—and a very pleasant one. Centrally located and with free off-street parking, visiting this place is easy.

4. Maranui Café

Location: 7 Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay, Wellington 6022, New Zealand
Phone: +64 4-387 4539
Opening Hours Mon-Sun: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

This iconic Wellington cafe is a must-visit for anyone passing through the capital city. The bustling establishment in Lyall Bay caters to the masses with a good cuppa and a plentiful menu.

You will feel impressed with the beachy decor and stunning views of the coastline. Besides coffee, they have hearty Kiwi meals, vegan fare, and kiddie kai, as well as a delicious selection of freshly prepared cabinet food.

On the top floor of this coffee house, Maranui Cafe is a great Wellington experience. You will find everyone from surfers and families to students and professionals, once a weekend, often winding their way down the sandy stairs, goodheartedly waiting for a table. Business professionals are very frequent on Tuesdays for the special Tuesday tradesmen’s breakfast deal.

It is owned by Bronwyn Kelly and Katie Richardson, who are also the chief cafe’s baker, and their friendly team serves up a mix of unforgettable fare – tasty and wholesome salads, melt-in-the-mouth baking, hot food from the kitchen, and the longest, thickest milkshakes you’ve probably ever seen.

You can also find the picture-postcard windows at curving Lyall Bay, staring at surfers riding the waves and surf lifesavers practicing their drills on the beach. You will also find an outdoor deck area which is prime real estate on a sunny day.

5. Caffe L’Affare

Location: 27 College St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Phone: +64 4-385 9748
Opening Hours Mon – Fri: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm, Sat – 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Sun 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Established in Wellington in 1990, L’affare is a pioneer of New Zealand’s celebrated café and coffee culture. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, they covered the globe to bring the best and freshest coffee to New Zealanders.

Their iconic café in College Street remains in its original location 26 years later. Last Year they opened the door to their flagship Auckland roastery, café, and HQ in Newmarket.

You can have an all-day breakfast, a delicious à la carte lunch menu, daily changing soup and pasta options, and a great assortment of café style counter food. There’s not only the famed espresso and coffee bar but also a license for beer and wine, as well as freshly squeezed juices and smoothies.

You will find it the perfect place to start the day off right or recharge at lunch during a big visit to Wellington, New Zealand. If you’re not going through Wellington, you cannot miss visiting this coffee house. Local cafes throughout the country serve their delicious coffee.

6. Midnight Espresso

Location: 178 Cuba St, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Phone: +64 4-384 7014
Opening Hours Mon – Sun : 7:30 am – 3:00 am

Wellington’s most established all-day and late-night cafe, Midnight Espresso is one of the best places in town for cheap eats any time of the day. Laidback and relaxing, they also offer a range of predominately vegetarian counter and menu food, with awesome flavor and presentation to match.

Midnight espressos are users and stockists of Havana coffee – NZ’s only Cuban coffee wholesalers. Also available are freshly cut and squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, and vegan, vegetarian, and wheat-free food.

Aiming for complete availability across the supply chain from crop to cup, it only buys and roasts 100% ethically sourced and sustainably produced beans.

This directly trades with some of the best coffee growers around the world and builds strong relationships, ensuring the growers receive a fair price that accurately reflects their hard work and ensures a superior quality product.

Whether you are a passionate home-brewer or a small businessman, you can have special coffee at your door weekly. You can enjoy these baristas and have the world’s best coffee all hand-made with love.

Conclusion

Wellington, renowned globally for its coffee culture, boasts an array of exceptional cafes that define the city’s love for this aromatic elixir. Mojo Coffee, originating as a boutique roastery in 2003, has grown into one of New Zealand’s oldest independent coffee roasters, with over 20 locations.

Flight Coffee’s Hangar stands as a testament to the art of roasting, emphasizing sustainability. Havana Coffee Works, a local favorite since the ’90s, combines origin blends with a rustic charm.

Maranui Café, with its beachy decor and diverse menu, offers not just coffee but a coastal experience. Caffe L’Affare, a pioneer since 1990, remains an iconic spot for meals and quality coffee.

Wellington’s Midnight Espresso, an all-day and late-night haven, prioritizes ethical sourcing, ensuring a superior coffee experience. Each cafe contributes to Wellington’s rich coffee legacy, inviting locals and visitors to savor the city’s unique and diverse coffee offerings.

FAQs

When was Mojo Coffee established, and what sets it apart?

Founded in 2003, Mojo Coffee has grown into one of New Zealand’s oldest independent coffee roasters, emphasizing barista training and expanding globally.

What characterizes Flight Coffee Hangar’s approach to coffee?

Flight Coffee focuses on roasting and wholesale operations, with a commitment to sustainability and a coffee farm in Colombia.

Why is Havana Coffee Works a local favorite?

Dating back to the ’90s, Havana Coffee Works relies on the world’s best origin blends, offering reasonably priced cafe staples in a rustic atmosphere.

What makes Maranui Café an iconic Wellington spot?

Maranui Café, located in Lyall Bay, impresses with beachy decor, stunning coastline views, and a menu featuring Kiwi meals, vegan fare, and freshly prepared food.

How has Caffe L’Affare contributed to Wellington’s coffee culture?

Established in 1990, Caffe L’Affare pioneers New Zealand’s cafe and coffee culture, offering an all-day breakfast, à la carte lunch menu, and quality coffee.

What defines Midnight Espresso’s role in Wellington’s coffee scene?

Wellington’s most established all-day and late-night cafe, Midnight Espresso, prioritizes ethical sourcing, providing predominantly vegetarian options and cheap eats.

Can visitors experience unique coffee-related activities in Wellington?

Yes, Wellington offers coffee-related experiences, including barista training at Mojo Coffee’s headquarters and exploring the diverse coffee roasteries across the city.

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