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.
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Caffiend

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

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

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

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.
Bellbird Eatery

Bringing its own flair to a famed building with its relaxed glam feel, Bellbird Eatery is a fine example of a museum cafe in the Hutt.
Miss Fortune's

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

This not-for-profit cafe provides a space of belonging and offers training opportunities for people facing employment barriers.
House of Good Fortune

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

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.
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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.

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

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

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

This small but mighty Petone-based coffee roaster has well and truly established itself as a trusty local for many Hutt goers.
Jean's

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

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

Go for a cuppa and delicious food inside this converted church, and stay for the welcoming service and friendly chats.
Dough Upper Hutt

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 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

This café definitely takes the title for best view of the city, and doesn't do anything by halves.
Cars Inc.

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