Satun splendour
Far from the madding crowd
You don’t have to spend long in New Zealand to understand that coffee isn’t just a drink with breakfast or to have on a break at work – it’s a way of life. Even in the most remote parts of the country, you’re still likely to find a quirky little cafe or roadside coffee cart offering an espresso and flat white.
With the coffee culture boom in New Zealand over the past few decades, barista competitions and roasters popping up everywhere, some of these coffee centres have become great hubs for tourism, turning neighbourhoods into hot spots for visitors, or quiet towns into weekend getaways.
Here are some of the best coffee hotspots worth travelling to.
Wellington is the epicentre of cafe life and the quest for the perfect brew.
The country’s coffee capital, it’s almost impossible to pick a favourite cafe, but you can always count on a perfect cuppa at Customs on Ghuznee St or Flight Coffee, while Memphis Belle and Fidel’s are Wellington institutions.
Cafe culture is a huge part of what makes the capital so creative and thriving, and it’s definitely worth visiting some of the cafes that make the city sing.
Did you know that New Zealand has more roasters per capita than any other country in the world, and we consume more coffee than Australia?
And many cafes have been developed in classic buildings and creative spaces, encouraging visitors to sit and stay a while.
One of these has to be Lyttelton Coffee Company near Christchurch. A decade on from transforming a beautiful heritage building damaged in the earthquakes, it is a vibrant hub that has helped breathe life back into Lyttelton.
Surrounded by quirky bars and amazing eateries with great views, beaches and walks in the area, be sure to stop on your next trip down south.
Dunedin, is home to an incredible number of eccentric cafes and unconventional roasters, serving some of the best coffees around.
Among the speciality roasters and cafes are Common Ground and Wolf at the Door. Others such as Vanguard Specialty Coffee Co, Vogel St Kitchen, and Perc, offer fantastic coffee in spaces where you want to stay a while.
With a fantastic art scene, plenty of epic street art, and a growing foodie vibe, Dunedin is full of character.
Dare I say Raglan Roast sets the bar for classic laid-back coffee in New Zealand? It definitely offers exceptional coffee in a cool place, where shoes are optional and anxiety is left outside.
Raglan is the perfect weekend getaway, where you won’t be short of amazing coffee, fun vibes and beautiful waves in a relaxed atmosphere.