Swimsuit

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 – 4:00 pm.

Saturday9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Sunday9:30 am – 2:30 pm.

38 Dixon St, Te Aro, Wellington

04 260 0045

Renovated in just 19 days from its previous life as Memphis Belle, owner/operator Tait Burge had plenty of help from talented mates to turn Swimsuit into the soft, fresh, young hang-out café it is now, and describes it as a bit of a ‘community project’ at the time. Community is definitely the feel you get here too - expect to see people reading books, catching up on university goss, deep in newspapers in the outside area and all with impeccable coffee in hand. There’s a hint of retro about the place too, a polaroid camera sits on the front counter and customers are encouraged to add to the wall of snaps growing behind the baristas at work.

The name Swimsuit came from a poster the young entrepreneur saw on a poster near his South Coast home and works in with his ethos of moving away from any flashy stereotypes about premium coffee and instead making this café all about welcoming whoever walks through the door, whether they’re a coffee guru or not. But in saying that, if you are a guru, the Peoples Coffee that’s filling cups here is seriously good, and beans are also available to take home. For the hungry visitors there’s four types of scone, two versions of house-made baguettes and a meat or vegan toastie option to see you through the day.

Words by Rosie Morrison & Photography by Anna Briggs

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Location

38 Dixon St, Te Aro, Wellington

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