Twenty Eight

Named for their address on Cornwall Street, Twenty Eight is a modern, well lit and welcoming Lower Hutt cafe serving up interesting cabinet food, a thoughtfully crafted brunch and lunch menu, and a sound coffee experience. It's a space to visit and experience community, consistency, quality and great service, all under the one roof.  

From day one, the ethos was to create delicious offerings that were both accessible yet slightly different. There are always classic dishes on the menu, alongside items designed to gently nudge people’s boundaries. This approach has evolved and expanded to also be focused on the community of Lower Hutt. Recognising the importance of loyal custom, these days Twenty Eight is constantly striving to achieve the best joint experience for both their devoted customers as well as their highly valued employees. 

Firm believers that a quality cheese scone is testament of a great cafe, it should be no surprise that Twenty Eight’s is a sell-out favourite. More playful dishes such as the masala hash potatoes and shakshuka are also popular, and it’s difficult to go past the smashed patty beef burger - perfectly executed with quality ingredients.

Two weeks after Twenty Eight opened, lockdown began, followed by a long run of restrictions. Though not an uncommon story, the challenges subsequently faced by the cafe were very real. Thankfully, the supportive community of Lower Hutt saw Twenty Eight’s potential as a neat place, and spread the word, enabling them to survive (and eventually thrive) in greater Wellington, a notoriously competitive and coffee-loving region. 

As their following continues to grow, so too does their eagerness to explore new ideas. While the classics will always remain, in the future we can expect Twenty Eight to continue introducing their customers to equally delicious but different offerings on their menu. And if what they’ve done so far is anything to go by, it’s a well-tuned recipe for success.