Palmerston North: NZ's Underrated Coffee Capital

A man holding a red cup of coffee outside a coffee cart.
Move over, Wellington - Palmerston North is quietly but confidently building its case as an alternative coffee capital.

Mouthwater Coffee Company

A man in denim ordering at a red caravan.
Place Palmerston North
Cafes key icon.

A familiar and very welcome sight in Palmerston North, Mouthwater Coffee Company is out to prove that there’s more to food and drink carts than quick, grab-and-go...

Cyclista Espresso Bar and Roastery

An outdoor dining area by the street in Palmerston North.
Place Palmerston North
Cafes key icon.

Get on your bike - this Palmerston North café is not one to be missed, whether you’re a keen cyclist, a coffee aficionado, or a bit of both.

Tony’s Pizza

A blue illustration on a wall inside Tony's Pizza in Palmerston North.
Place Palmerston North
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Pizza and craft beer - is there a more iconic duo? If you’re in Palmerston North, you can find both at Tony’s, a craft beer and pizza bar that brings a slice of...

Munch

The large cafe interior of Munch in Palmerston North.
Place Palmerston North
Cafes key icon.

Born out of owner Veronica James’ personal story, Munch in Palmerston North is a truly inclusive café where everyone is welcome, with an extensive and...

Coffee on Ascot

The exterior view of Coffee on Ascot with two people sitting outside.
Place Palmerston North
Cafes key icon.

Coffee on Ascot is a warm and welcoming neighbourhood cafe offering organic, fair-trade coffee and home baked snacks, raw slices and healthy treats.

LOCAL Café and Eatery

An image of the front counter with two different blue tiles and a wooden bench.
Place Palmerston North
Cafes key icon.

LOCAL Café and Eatery truly lives up to its name. After several years of successful trading, the spot has earned a solid regular following who love the café’s colourful plates, locally sourced ingredients, homemade baked goods, coffees and tipples.

Little Savanna

The interior of Little Savanna.
Place Palmerston North
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Little Savanna’s expert fit-out gives this South African-inspired restaurant a unique visual identity on the Palmerston North dining scene. With strong food and drink offerings to match, it’s a complete lunch or dinner destination in the heart of the city.

BABCO - Brick Artisan Bread Company

Close up of pastries in a box.
Place Palmerston North Editor's Pick
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.

BABCO, which stands for Brick Artisan Bread Company, was started by husband and wife duo Alice and Jeremy. The Palmerston North pair created BABCO from scratch in every sense of the phrase - it all started with a bread baking experiment in their backyard pizza oven.

Nero

A cosy nook of the restaurant with blue tile.
Place Palmerston North
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Nero, a family-owned modern bistro, has made a name for themselves in Palmerston North over the last twenty years with consistently great food and service.

The Fat Farmer

The busy restaurant.
Place Palmerston North
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The Fat Farmer is a neighbourhood bistro that’s elegant and extremely well furnished but still manages to feel like your mate’s place.

Brew Union Brewing Co

Customers sitting on bench seats.
Place Palmerston North Editor's Pick
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Longtime mates Murray and Jules spent years planning and designing exactly what they thought epitomised the perfect concept, and this shines through at Brew Union, Palmerston North’s downtown brew pub and eatery.

Café Cuba

Behind the counter at Cafe Cuba.
Place Palmerston North
Cafes key icon.

Located on (you guessed it) Cuba Street, Café Cuba is one of Palmerston’s most popular and long standing cafés and eateries. There’s something for everyone here and the cabinet alone is enough to entice even the most conscientious eaters.

Best Walks in Palmerston North and Where to Treat Yourself Afterwards

The sun setting over Edward Pit Park on a clear day.
Six of the best walks in Palmerston North and places to visit for treats afterwards.

Libre

The restaurant.
Place Palmerston North
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On George Street you’ll find Libre, one of the best spots we’ve found for authentic and delicious Mexican food and drink in all of New Zealand.

The Herb Farm

The wooden exterior of the building.
Place Palmerston North

Head to Ashhurst to experience one of New Zealand’s most beloved natural skin care brands in more ways than one. When you arrive, you’ll immediately be greeted by the beautiful gardens which are home to many of the herbs that feature in The Herb Farm’s products.

HARU Japanese Restaurant

The wooden interior of Haru.
Place Palmerston North
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A calming central city spot for top quality Japanese fare. At Haru Japanese Restaurant you’ll be quickly greeted and seated by the friendly staff. Order some warm green or yuzu tea and explore the menu which is varied but not overwhelming.

Amayjen Restaurant

The restaurant interior.
Place Palmerston North
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Amayjen is one of the crown jewels of Feilding’s hospitality scene. Owned and operated by Andrew and Jenni May, this local restaurant earned a Cuisine Good Food Awards ‘hat’ in 2017 and continues to dish up inspired local flavours today.

Dine your Way Around Palmerston North

A chef making pizza next to a wood fire oven.
When it comes to New Zealand’s foodie destinations, Wellington is almost always top of mind. But just above Wellington, you’ll find Palmerston North situated in the heartland where many of our most prized ingredients originate.

Ginger Bird

Close up of a waitress holding a pie.
Place Palmerston North
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Ginger Bird is a countryside café with a big heart, excellent service, homemade treats and barista coffee. The café is housed within two shipping containers, but you’d never guess once inside as the wide windows, light timber and warm lighting give the space a cosy, homey feel.

Arrosta Coffee Roasting Co

Staff standing behind the counter.
Place Palmerston North
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At Arrosta Coffee you will find a welcoming espresso bar and functional roastery plus a cupping and training lab - it’s a complete coffee destination.

Ebony Coffee Roasters

People dining in the cafe.
Place Palmerston North
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Ebony Coffee has been roasting coffee in Palmerston North since 1996. Their Featherston Street roastery, espresso bar and barista school represent and celebrate every stage of the coffee brewing process - even growing.

Saigon Corner

The inside of the restaurant.
Place Palmerston North
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Head to Saigon Corner on Princess Street for a taste of Vietnam. This local spot’s modern Vietnamese cuisine has earned excellence on TripAdvisor for over three years straight, and it doesn’t take long to figure out why.

Feilding Farmers Market

Fruit for the kids.
Place Palmerston North
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Many of Manawatū's most talented, passionate and well-known growers, cheesemakers, artisans, bakers, herbalists, apiarists, florists and craftspeople have stalls at the Feilding Farmers Market making this market a celebration of all things fresh and local.

The Crafted & Co

Close up of a burger.
Place Palmerston North

One of Palmerston North’s most loved food trucks, The Crafted and Co., offers top notch burgers and serious treats from three roaming food trucks.