Olympia

Olympia Espresso on Christchurch’s Papanui Road is the definition of ‘good things come in small packages’. This laneway-style cafe is tucked between a corner gift store and Merivale Mall and was quite literally a tiny piece of empty land and dirt. Now a bustling hive of activity, with those living and working in the area stopping by for their morning (and afternoon!) caffeine hit and you’re almost always guaranteed to run into a friend or acquaintance.    

When owners Frosini and Tristram opened Olympia at the end of 2023 it was their first foray into cafe ownership, although you’d never guess it. Drawing on Frosini’s Melbourne upbringing and the fact her family have run cafes for years, combined with Tristram’s discerning taste in coffee and all things hospitality, they have created a winner with Olympia. 

Working with a close friend on the design, the space itself is a converted container and had to be craned into the site. Terrazzo flooring and countertops pair beautifully with the dark walls and pops of pale pink from the front of the counter to the coffee machine and the Arnold Circus stools. Olympia’s aesthetic certainly wouldn’t be out of place in Frosini’s hometown of Melbourne (and some would say the world’s coffee capital).

Speaking of coffee, it just so happens to be some of the best in town with a great barista on the tools and Supreme beans in the hopper. Olympia also uses the very best milks available such as Canterbury’s Choice A2 unhomogenised milk that is delivered in glass bottles, Boring oat milk and MILKLAB almond milk. And if matcha is more your vibe, you’re in luck, Matcha Matcha is the brand of choice at Olympia. They have some epic sourdough toasties available each day with fillings like kimchi and gouda or ham and maasdam - with the cheese coming from Karikaas in North Canterbury. There’s certainly a local theme with the suppliers Olympia likes to work with, their treats cabinet is filled with delicious pastries and sweets from Bellbird Bakery and Pebbles Atelier. They have also collaborated with neighbours J'aime les Macarons, whose mocha macaron is exclusively available at Olympia. 

Like all the best cafes, Olympia is a place for the community to come together; the oat flat white, cappuccino or piccolo might be the first drawcard, but bringing you back time and time again is the feeling and familiarity you have with every visit.