Maranui Café

Cafes key icon.
Cafes key icon.

Monday7:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Tuesday7:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Wednesday7:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Thursday7:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Friday7:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Saturday8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Sunday8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Lvl1, 7A Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay, Wellington

04 387 4539

There’s nothing like a close brush with a fiery death to make a café really come to life, and for Maranui that has led to a soaring popularity which means you’ll often find a patient line of eager people snaking halfway down the stairs. (Regulars here will tell you it’s well worth the wait).

Built in 1911 and considered a heritage building by Wellington Council, it’s not surprising the place feels comfortably retro on the inside. Red leather booth seats, milkshakes served in the shaker and clever retro inspired menus give Maranui a welcoming, cosy feel. After the 2009 fire gutted the building, the Lyall Bay community rallied to have it rebuilt, and now they are well and truly reaping the rewards – a bustling café with a million-dollar view where the happy staff ensure the café runs like a well-oiled machine. Just as proud of its current position as it is of its history, Maranui still displays plenty of memorabilia to remind you you’re in the company of surf lifesaving legends here.

Sit on the colourful bench seats out on the deck, tuck into a booth, or cross your fingers and hope you get the table for two right in front of the sweeping windows looking out to Lyall Bay. Fresh, good looking cabinet food is supplied by Queen Sally’s Diamond Deli just down the road, while the ‘beach breakfast’ section on the menu is perfect for those folks who have just finished a salty swim, surf or walk along the beach. Get into the house-made sourdough crumpets or the ‘after swim super snack’ with avocado, tomato and basil on toasted loaf.

Not people to do things by halves, it pays to remember meals are loaded here, so make sure you come hungry.

Words by Rosie Morrison & Photography by Anna Briggs

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

Lvl1, 7A Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay, Wellington

Nearby Places

Parrotdog Bar

The outside of Parrotdog Bar.
Place Wellington Editor's Pick
Bars key icon.

A brilliant retro-fit bar that welcomes tradies, business folk, families, children and even dogs.

Niche Textile Studio

Chair next to a loom.
Place Wellington
Stay and explore key icon.

Niche Textile Studio was set up by Christine Brimer to help share her passion with Wellingtonians - creating beautiful woven homeware with a focus on sustainability.

ParrotDog Brewery & Nice. Takeaway

Woman filling rigger with beer and takeaway bar section of Parrotdog in Wellington
Place Wellington
Goods key icon.

Exuding 70’s retro vibes, ParrotDog’s cellar door (‘Nice.

Queen Sally's Diamond Deli

The entrance to Queen Sally's Diamond Deli and cafe Wellington.
Place Wellington
Cafes key icon.

A Lyall Bay mainstay, Queen Sally's is the amazingly kitsch and eclectic café which services the residents of, and visitors to, this rather lovely Wellington suburb.

Similar Places

Best Ugly Bagels Wellington

Best Ugly Bagel front sign.
Place Wellington
Cafes key icon.

Located in the lively neighbourhood of Te Aro, they serve what they do best, delicious bagels accompanied with classic Havana coffee.

Highwater Eatery

Long narrow restaurant with people dining in rows.
Place Wellington
Restaurants key icon.

This new eatery combines its efforts of sustainability with celebrating the good times - meaning you can eat and drink and have a great time with the knowledge that you're supporting the good guys.

Commonsense Wellington City

Crates of fresh produce.
Place Wellington
Goods key icon. Wellbeing key icon.

For all things organic, Commonsense Organics is the place to visit – and luckily for Wellingtonians there are four stores to choose from.

Beach Road Deli

The brightly lit interior of Beach Road Deli on a sunny day.
Place Kāpiti Coast Paekākāriki Editor's Pick
Cafes key icon.

A bright and beachy café offering great coffee and quality kai in the cute seaside town of Paekākāriki.