Jean's

Upper Hutt’s Fergusson Drive may often feel like a long, monotonous road, but thanks to its little boutique shops like Jean's, you can find plenty of life and character if you know where to look. 

The artisan bakery and coffee shop, named after owner Lyndon’s beloved nana, embodies the art of creatively maximising the use of space and stamping your own mark on it. A royal-blue frontage, highlighted by a peachy-orange trim, oozes class and ensures you won’t miss it. Step inside, and you’re greeted with softer pastel hues accentuated by spotless wooden surfaces. It’s definitely cosy inside, and limited seating means it’s more of a grab-and-go kind of place — but that only furthers putting the delightful baked goods here front and centre.

Jean loved to bake, as Lyndon recalls, and the bakery does more than pay homage to this purveyor of good bread. Ardent fans make the journey from all over Wellington to nab the almond croissants and pain au chocolat here, which often disappear within an hour of opening. The cookies at Jean's are also renowned, and frequently changing specials keep things fresh and interesting. Underlining its commitment to keeping things authentic, the bakery prides itself on making as many products in-house as possible, including its jams, pickles, kimchi and sauerkraut. 

All of this culminates in a small but confident bakery that knows what it’s doing and keeps things breezy — just the way its loyal following likes it. The team at Jean's loves to spin a few records when it’s a bit quieter and is always up for a yarn with customers. Stop by Jean’s next time you’re in the Hutt, and don’t be afraid to join in the conversation.