We're spoilt for choice with great cafés and coffee bars in New Zealand. Neat Places has visited them all, and this is our pick of the best.

No stranger to a good cup of coffee, New Zealand plays host to a huge variety of coffee houses, tearooms, slick cafés and roasteries, all joint in their effort to bring you the finest cup of caffeine you’ll have that day.

Whether you’re city hopping from North to South, or driving through some of New Zealand’s smaller towns, you’re sure to find coffee at every stop. That’s because our small population has never been an excuse for a non-quality brew, and as more and more spots pop up around the country, Kiwis are simply spoilt for choice when it comes to soaking up a bit of café culture.

Leading the charge in the North is the super city Auckland, where most of New Zealand’s coffee drinkers reside. Slick, modern and confident in their ability to bring you the best, Auckland’s café scene is something not to be missed.

Further down the country Wellington is also known for its love of caffeine, and true to its hip and arty scene, coffee shops here are eclectic, quirky and full of colourful characters behind the counter.

Christchurch is no stranger to the party either, and a growing reputation as a city well worth its weight in coffee bean gold means visitors here will be impressed with both the number and quality of fun and creative coffee stops.

The further South you go, the more pleased you will be to hear a good hot cup of coffee is not hard to come by, and for people of Dunedin who face some of the coolest temperatures in the country, something to warm your hands on that also tastes bloody good is something worth celebrating. Proud of their city, fashion and food scene, Dunedin locals have let their passion for coffee infiltrate the streets, meaning within a stone’s throw of the Octagon are any number of cafés and eateries that are serving up quality cups of the good stuff.

Not to be missed too are the smaller towns dotted around the country, who may be less in population but certainly aren’t less in their love of hospitality. Cosy up at an old school tearoom with a lamington or custard square, or pop into an easy-going café that knows its locals by name – a New Zealand experience in itself, small town and rural sections of the country will perhaps make you feel more welcome than anywhere else.

10 Trails in the Hutt Valley and Where to Treat Yourself After

People biking on a trail in native bush.
Nestled within the lush, rolling landscapes that make up the lower North Island, Hutt Valley offers an expansive network of interesting walks appealing to both seasoned hikers and casual strollers alike. Whether you’re after a leisurely meander or a more challenging multi-hour ‘slog’, Hutt Valley trails offer a variety of native bush landscapes and panoramic vistas, meaning there really is something for everyone. Fortunately, the adventure doesn’t have to end with the last step of the walk; Hutt Valley also offers a yummy selection of culinary spots to reward the tired explorer. Our guide below unveils ten of the best walks in Hutt Valley and our suggestion of the perfect places to treat yourself afterwards.

Caffiend

Counter and cabinet at Caffiend.
Place Hutt Valley
Cafes key icon.

On a prominent brick-clad corner of historic Jackson Street lies Caffiend, a beloved neighbourhood coffee spot that’s been serving loyal Petone locals since 2003.

Janus Bakkerij

Customers waiting to order at the counter at Janus Bakkerij.
Place Hutt Valley
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A darling of the Lower Hutt cafe scene, Janus Bakkerij is a place where tradition meets innovation, where old-school Dutch baking is married with modern, artisanal flair.

Petals

Exterior shop view of Petals.
Place Hutt Valley
Cafes key icon.

Some places just have that effortless charm about them and Petals in Eastbourne, Lower Hutt is one of them.

Mayfair Cafe

Busy cafe dining space at Mayfair Cafe.
Place Hutt Valley
Cafes key icon.

A pair of unassuming red doors on Upper Hutt’s Main Street invites you into Mayfair Cafe, a charming little outfit where history and modern hospitality collide.

Miss Fortune's

Coffee machine and bags of coffee on a colourful counter in Miss Fortune's cafe
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
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The industrial precinct isn’t exactly where you’d think to head for a slice of quintessential Wellington hospitality, but at Miss Fortune’s, you’ll find one of the region’s most charismatic little brunch spots.

Trade School Kitchen

Barista pouring milk into freshly made coffee at cafe
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
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This not-for-profit cafe provides a space of belonging and offers training opportunities for people facing employment barriers.

House of Good Fortune

Barista making coffee behind cafe counter and cabinet
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
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Petone’s myriad side streets hold plenty of delightful surprises, and if you’re lucky enough, you might just stumble upon House of Good Fortune.

Tartines French Cafe

Outdoor area of Tartines in Lower Hutt with people dining underneath bunting of French flags
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
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A small slice of French culinary delight with handmade tarts, pastries, fresh bread and classic dishes that will have you mistaking Lower Hutt for Lyon.

How to Spend a Day in Petone, Lower Hutt

A row of old buildings with colourful facades along a street.

Nestled along the picturesque shores of Wellington Harbour, Pito-one, or Petone, is a suburb of Lower Hutt offering a well-blended happy mix of old-world charm and modern-day sophistication. Its seaside location adds to its natural allure and its historic main street exudes a charm that is often hard to come by in small towns — or, in this case, suburbs.

Tricky's Sandwich Co.

Sandwich and coffee takeaway order
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
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It’s hard to beat a good sandwich – Tricky’s Sandwich Co. is a family-run sandwich joint that has made it their business to be unbeatable.

Twenty Eight

Someone holding a plate of pancakes with strawberries at cafe
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
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Eager to explore new ideas, this cafe has thoughtfully crafted food and drink offerings that are both classic and slightly different, and always delicious.

Comes & Goes

Coffee brewing equipment on the counter at Comes & Goes café in Petone.
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
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This café offers a captivating fusion of Asian and Kiwi delights, an explosion of edible flowers and culinary masterpieces that Wellingtonians are welcoming with open arms.

Small Batch, Ripe Coffee Roasters

Waiter putting coffee and muffin down on cafe table
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
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This small but mighty Petone-based coffee roaster has well and truly established itself as a trusty local for many Hutt goers.

Jean's

Pastries on a board on top of a wooden counter.
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.

An artisan bakery and coffee shop that adds plenty of life and character to Fergusson Drive.

Hive Café

Tables and chairs inside a brightly cafe.
Place Hutt Valley Lower Hutt
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A friendly, fresh and big cafe in Eastbourne that prides itself on being genuine, baking everything, every day, and having particularly kind staff.

Fig Tree Café

A large cafe space with a green painted wall.
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
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Go for a cuppa and delicious food inside this converted church, and stay for the welcoming service and friendly chats.

Dough Upper Hutt

Bakery interior with royal blue tiles and a cabinet filled with delicious baked goods
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
Cafes key icon.

Come for the art, stay for the coffee and doughnuts at Dough Bakery in Upper Hutt – conveniently located in one of the town's most popular cultural haunts.

Cake & Kitchen

A busy cafe in Upper Hutt.
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
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A home away from home, this Upper Hutt cafe plays an important role in the community and leads by example when it comes to sustainability.

Seashore Cabaret

View from inside the first floor Seashore Cabaret cafe out to their deck area where people are dining with a view across the harbour to Wellington city beyond.
Place Hutt Valley
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This café definitely takes the title for best view of the city, and doesn't do anything by halves.

Cars Inc.

A black car in front of a large fluorescent 'Cars' sign.
Place Hutt Valley Upper Hutt
Cafes key icon. Galleries and museum key icon.

A family-owned passion project cafe and car museum, with over 60 cars of special interest.