Welcome to your essential, ultimate guide to the best cafes in Wellington. As New Zealand’s capital, Wellington remains celebrated as one of the birthplaces of global specialty coffee culture. Here, I’ve curated a list of the top 15 coffee shops in Wellington. I classified them into five categories: industrial vibe, modern minimalist vibe, Victorian vibe, CBD cafes, and hidden gem cafes. The criteria for selecting these coffee shops are thanks to local people’s recommendations and our strict screening of coffee quality, barista craft, and the different Wellington vibes. Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur, seeking a productive workspace, or looking for a cozy spot for casual chats, this guide offers a good option. Within this guide, you’re sure to discover the best coffee in Wellington. Would you be ready to explore? Let’s begin!
Best Cafes in Wellington for an Industrial Vibe
For those who enjoy the combination of coffee culture and city characteristics, Cafe in Wellington for an Industrial Vibe offers an elevated experience, like their espresso. In this space, the aroma of cafe beans interweaves with the beauty of exposed brick and steel-the three coffees below are the best of them.
1. L’affare
- Located at 27 College Street Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand
Founded in 1990, L’affare is the best cafe in Wellington and a pioneer of Wellington’s coffee culture. L’affare coffee is famous for its rich, powerful, and classic taste. Their Italian Blend beans, especially the classic “Monteith’s Blend”, are the “standard” coffee flavor in the hearts of many Wellington people. It has chocolate and nut flavors and can produce excellent Flat Whites or Long Blacks. If it’s your first time in Wellington, a cup of Flat White—coffee of national treasure status — must be a good choice. Located on a street corner, the huge windows let you enjoy bright, warm sunshine. Exposed brick walls, metal structures, and shared tables embody its industrial vibe.
2. Flight Coffee Hangar
- Located at 119 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington.
Flight Coffee Hangar is not only one of the top cafes in Wellington but also an open baking factory. You can enjoy coffee while seeing and smelling the green bean being roasted into specialty coffee. Its coffee also has a unique flavor. The Italian blend-The Captain is a sign. A cup of Flight White made from it, with a taste of the sweet aroma of toffee and stone fruits, is the perfect choice for cafe lovers. Its decoration is a refined industrial style with some unique flight elements. With warm wood, high ceilings, well lighting, it feels comfortable and modern.
3. Lash & Love
- Located at Garrett Street, Te Aro, Wellington.
Known as a good cafe in Wellington, Lash & Love embodies an un-groomed, street-industrial style. The space is defined by rough concrete walls and simple wooden chairs, creating a casual and direct style. It selects local high-quality coffee beans and focuses on a classic Italian cafe. Whether smooth Flight White or rich Flight White, the level is quite reliable. For someone new to Wellington, it is a quiet place to go.
Best Coffee in Wellington for a Modern Minimalist Vibe
If the raw, industrial vibe isn’t your first choice, the Wellington coffee scene also excels at creating serene and simple spaces. There are some modern minimalist cafes in Wellington City. These spaces replace naked brick with clean lines and harmony with the noisy, proving that minimalist style can be the perfect canvas for the most delicious coffee experience.
4. Pour and Twist
- Located at 13 Garrett Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
For the ultimate exploration of filter coffee and the best cafe in Wellington, Pour and Twist is your best choice. It’s a standout destination in Wellington, famous for its high-quality hand-brewed coffee. In a minimalist, exquisite scene, tasting original coffee beans and experiencing various hand-brewing methods must be an unforgettable experience. Whether you are a professional coffee lover or want to talk with friends in a quiet environment, Pour and Twist is a good choice.
5. Customs by Coffee Supreme
- Located at 39 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington.
Nestled in the super-vibrant Te Aro, Customs by Coffee Supreme is more than a lovely coffee shop in Wellington. It’s a pilgrimage site for coffee lovers. You can buy the freshest coffee beans baked by Coffee Supreme directly. Observing the huge Probat in operation and immersed in the atmosphere full of coffee smell are also its characteristics. There is also the best place to experience local life. People get together to chat, work, and enjoy a good coffee. The menu is simple yet high-quality and delicious, making it the best option to pair with coffee.
6. Raglan Roast
- Located at 40 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011 or 12 Holland Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011.
Apart from good cafes in Wellington, Raglan Roast Coffee is also a specialty coffee shop and coffee roaster based in Raglan, New Zealand, a famous surfing town. It has several locations in New Zealand, each with a good reputation. Unlike the sophisticated urban cafés commonly found in Wellington, its atmosphere is more relaxed and casual, infused with bohemian and surf culture vibes. A type of classic Italian blend called “Number 8 Wire”, a typical New Zealand name, is a nice everyday coffee for families.
Good Coffee Shops in Wellington for a Victorian Vibe
If minimalist modernity focuses on the future, then the Victorian cafes in Wellington are the beautiful gateway to the past. Open the door to the old world: the classic furniture, intricate carvings, and velvet seats will offer a coffee time filled with classical elegance.
7. The White House
- Located at 232 Original Parade, Oriental Bay, Wellington 6011
More than just the best coffee in Wellington, The White House stands as a beloved civic landmark. It recreates the classic Victorian style of complexity, luxury, and comfort with dark-wood wall paneling and ornate carvings. It’s a nice place for a leisurely brunch or a perfectly crafted coffee. A cup of rich Flat White or a cup of Long Black, accompanied by the sea breeze, every sip is ultimate enjoyment. Come here, immerse yourself in new cafes in Wellington—your perfect moment is waiting to be claimed.
8. Goods Manufactory and Cafe
- Located at 342a Tinakori Road, Thorndon, Wellington 6011
The Goods isn’t just another good cafes in Wellington, it’s a vibrant hub where a top-tier bakery seamlessly meets a creative eatery. Its dark-wood wall panels, ornate carvings, and vintage-printed wallpaper all show its Victorian style. A cup of hand-brewed filter coffee, espresso, or a Long Black can be taken into account, which you can clearly capture a progressive flavors from floral, fruity acidity to cocoa sweetness. It’s a place where Wellingtonians gather for events, proving that the best cafes are measured not just by quality but by the sense of community they foster.
9. Leafee Cafe
- Located at 320 Tinakori Road, Thorndon, Wellington 6011
On the corner of Tina Kuri Road, Leafee Leafee offers more than just nice cafes in Wellington—it offers a step back in time. Housed in a charming Victorian-era building, it feels like a cozy neighborhood living room, where the aroma of coffee greets you at the door, and you’ll always spot regulars chatting by the window. Its daily-baked vegan pastries paired with a latte make for a perfect afternoon. No hustle, just leisurely moments steeped in this old building’s charm – these are the simple pleasures that define Wellington’s daily life.
Top Cafes in Wellington CBD
If you want to experience the soul of Wellington coffee, cafes in Wellington CBD are your top choice. This space can be regarded as the condensed essence of coffee culture, with countless top coffee shops just a few steps apart.
10. Memphis Belle
- Located at Cable Car Lane, 280 Lambton Quay, Wellington
Memphis, conveniently located near the cable car starting station, is one of the best cafes in Wellington CBD. It’s famous for its consistent quality and best-tasting espresso, like Flat White, which is regarded as a model of Wellington’s Italian coffee. The shop is filled with retro aviation elements, including aircraft models, old photos, and aviation souvenirs, creating a unique, emotionally charged atmosphere. It blends vintage style with the city’s fashion and relaxed cafe culture, providing a pleasant space for a brief “take-off” for busy city dwellers.
11. Mojo
- Located at 33 Customhouse Quay, Wellington
Mojo is a cafe in central Wellington and a place to feel the heart and soul of a busy, professional, fast-paced atmosphere. Here you immerse yourself in Wellington’s most authentic, everyday coffee culture. As one of the most renowned and influential local bakers in this city, Mojo has been shaping people’s tastes for decades. Its classic blends—like Mojo Blend deliver balanced, rich flavors with chocolate and nutty undertones. If you want to have a cup of Mojo coffee in the morning or take a break to meet friends, you can definitely stay near this cafe directly. For example, the UniLodge Stafford House is just a five-minute walk away from Mojo. This student accommodation in Wellington, with its lively social activities and excellent location, is a great choice for students who have just arrived in Wellington and want to make friends quickly.
12. Espresso Workshop
- Located at 14 Bond Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011
Espresso Workshop, is not just cafes in Wellington CBD, but also the best local coffee roaster known for its ultimate pursuit of coffee quality, craftsmanship, and modern aesthetics. The shop buys high-quality green Arabica coffee beans from around the globe. It’s more like a showroom and experience space for their coffee products. You can drink the freshest coffee that represents their spirit, providing people in the CBD with a complete coffee experience from beans to cups.
Hidden Gem Cafes in Wellington City
Apart from those renowned cafe in central Wellington, the place’s charm lies even more in those casual corners. Are you ready? Let’s leave the main street together and uncover the hidden corners locals keep to themselves —quiet yet full of surprises.
13. Red Rabbit Coffee Co.
- Located at 28a Allen Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Red Rabbit Coffee Co. is a highly respected roaster and cafe in Wellington, known for its exceptional standards. The barista here is not just a worker, but more likely a coffee missionary. Although the space is not ample, it creates an intimate, focused environment that facilitates communication between baristas and customers. The barista deeply understands their coffee and would like to introduce you, turning every visit into a personalized tasting journey.
14. Peoples Coffee cafe
- Located at 12 Constable Street, Newtown, Wellington.
If you want to find a local, lovely cafe in Wellington that feels like a community, People Coffee Cafe is a good choice. As its name suggests, it’s a daily gathering spot for residents, students, and hospital staff in the area. This creates a unique, genuine, and laid-back atmosphere, brimming with neighborhood charm—making it a true hidden gem for those in the know.
15. Costumes Cafe & Beer Garden
- Located at 39 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Costumes Cafe & Beer Garden also deserves to be one of the best cafes in Wellington. It is located in Wellington’s iconic Queen’s Wharf, adjacent to one of the oldest buildings–the Customs House. The shop enjoys brilliant harbour views: you can see the wharf, the sea, and the mountain. The interior keeps historical designs and charm, while the exterior is a broad beer garden and lots of outdoor sites. As a qualified coffee shop, it offers high-quality, mellow coffee. If you are looking for a place to stay for a long time, eat some food, drink a cup of coffee, and see beautiful sea views, it’s your first choice.
Conclusion about Best Cafes in Wellington
Therefore, the best cafes in Wellington are far more than just a perfect Flat White. From pioneering roasters like Mojo to cozy corner cafes like The Hangar, each coffee shop tells a story about passion, craftsmanship, and community. They are not only a caffeine supply station, but also an inspiration for our work. So, whether you are a new arrival or a permanent resident, why not push open a strange shop to explore the city? Your next favorite cup of coffee might be hidden around the next corner.
FAQs about Best Coffee in Wellington
What's unique about Wellington's cafe culture?
The uniqueness of Wellington’s coffee culture is that coffee is a mainstream part of everyone’s daily life. The function of cafes in Wellington is beyond serving drinks; they have evolved into a necessary part of life, a third place between home and office, becoming the heart of the community. Whether a cup of pour-over coffee in the morning or a casual chat in the afternoon near a coffee shop, both create a genuine bond that reflects city emotions.
Is Wellington the coffee capital?
Wellington can undoubtedly be called the coffee capital not only because of its famous pure white coffee, but also because it has become an indispensable part of daily life. Widely regarded as the birthplace of the iconic flat white, its coffee culture and pursuit of high quality have profoundly influenced all of New Zealand and the world at large. Here, coffee is not merely a drink, it’s brief and a lifestyle.
Does Wellington have good coffee?
Wellington certainly has good coffee, whether it’s Flight Coffee or the local brand Mojo; they all reflect the city’s dedication to coffee quality. Wellington is globally famous for its excellent coffee. It’s considered the craft coffee capital of New Zealand, a country known for its high-quality flat white. The city is filled with independent roasteries and cafes, each dedicated to the art of the perfect brew. Even if you walk into any shop at random, you can enjoy a cup of rich and mellow coffee.
