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 – 3:00 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

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

38 Dixon St, Te Aro, Wellington

Nearby Places

Enjoy Contemporary Art Space

A man browsing the works at Enjoy Art Gallery.
Place Wellington Wellington City
Galleries and museum key icon.

With a regularly rotating schedule of work on display in Enjoy's two separate exhibition spaces, you will always find something new and exciting to draw you in.

Mr Go's

Exterior Mr Go's sign.
Place Wellington Wellington City
Restaurants key icon.

A happy mix of West meets East, pink meets green, and beer meets bao, Mr Go’s is proof that an eatery needn’t stick to one concrete theme.

Stories Espresso Bar

Coffee cups on the machine.
Place Wellington Wellington City
Cafes key icon.

Stories Espresso Bar is unique in more ways than one.

The Oatery

Interior view of the pristine walls and minimalism interior at The Oatery.
Place Wellington Wellington City
Cafes key icon.

Having built a reputation for feeding Wellingtonians healthy breakfasts on the go, it was only a matter of time before food caravan The Oatery set up a permanent shop.

Similar Places

Cicio Cacio

Art on white brick.
Place Wellington Wellington City
Restaurants key icon.

You might try Cicio Cacio before a gig next door but the food in itself is worth a quick 10-minute bus trip or Uber from the city.

Highwater Eatery

Long narrow restaurant with people dining in rows.
Place Wellington Wellington City
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.

Meow

A piano and other musical instruments.
Place Wellington Wellington City
Bars key icon.

Live music, slam poetry readings, stand-up comedy and a thumping happy hour make Meow a versatile venue.

Next Door

Exterior of Next Door, Wellington.
Place Wellington Wellington City
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Positioned right next to neighbourhood favourite Margot, Next Door makes up one...