The ultimate guide to the best hidden gem cafes in Wellington: 2023 edition

From a local, here’s the ultimate guide to the best hidden gem cafes in Wellington, 2023 edition. In honour of supporting New Zealand local brands, this guide will take you on a self-tour to the most unique and top coffee shops in Wellington.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Wellington’s hidden gem cafes, 2023 edition!

Wellington, New Zealand’s vibrant capital city, is known for its delicious coffee. With an ever-changing landscape of small businesses, I don’t want you to miss out on any unique coffee shops making waves right now.

From the trendy streets of the CBD to the picturesque coastal neighborhoods, I’ve scoured the city to bring you the 18 best hidden gem cafes in Wellington for 2023. In this guide, you’ll discover the most atmospheric cafes, the best coffee roasters, and the most delicious food options.

Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or just looking for a place to unwind, this guide curates every coffee shop by its vibe so you know where to go to suit your mood. Enjoy this exploration of the best of Wellington’s café scene, and don’t forget to let me know your favourite!

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The ultimate guide to the best hidden gem cafes in Wellington: 2023 Edition

The best hidden gem cafes in Wellington for a “Victorian” vibe

1. Goods manufactory and cafe

📍 342a Tinakori Road, Thorndon, Wellington 6011

Goods Manufactory and Cafe in Thorndon is a trendy café that combines a love for coffee and design. The café is housed in a beautiful historic building which has been renovated to reflect its history while adding a modern touch. The café serves delicious coffee from local roasters, and bakes everything fresh daily.

Tinakori Road carries an atmosphere of Victorian age, and this is evident in the café’s decor. Goods features a curated selection of furniture, lighting, ceramics, and homewares, all of which are available for purchase. This gives the café a gallery-like feel and creates an interesting and unique ambiance. It’s a cozy space to hide from the bustle of the city and enjoy a good cup of coffee.

2.  Leafee Cafe

📍 320 Tinakori Road, Thorndon, Wellington 6011

Also on Tinakori Road is Leafee cafe, a cozy café that serves delicious coffee, tea and food. Find this coffee shop at the back of an alleyway, with cozy indoor and outdoor seating that will make you feel like a local.

I love hanging out at Leafee Cafe. There is always a range of freshly baked vegan treats, and the atmosphere settles over me like an Edwardian blanket. It’s a lovely spot for a friend date, and of course the coffee is delicious.

The best hidden gem cafes in Wellington for a “Professionals” vibe

3. FRANK’S

📍 116 The Terrace, Wellington 6011

FRANK’S cafe on the Terrace is a popular café located on the bustling street of The Terrace in Wellington. The café serves delicious coffee blends from local roasters, and a menu that includes a variety of sandwiches, pastries, and light meals. The café has a minimalist industrial interior decor, with a spacious seating area that usually hosts the area’s working professionals. 

A few of my friends have worked at FRANK’S and they all vouch for the owner’s commitment to a perfect cup of coffee. The cabinet food is also fresh and delectable. I have been known to hold a few meetings there with clients, when I want to flaunt my cultural knowledge of the city.

4. Oranga Cafe 

📍 112 The Terrace, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011

Oranga café is a welcoming space with warm interior decor that features wooden furniture and an assortment of plants. The inviting atmosphere makes it different from other cafes in the area, given it’s on the clamor of The Terrace, making it a comfortable spot to enjoy quality food and coffee. The café’s use of plants in the decor gives it a natural and refreshing feel, discerning it from the more modern industrial vibe of the area.

5.  Green Land

📍 23 Kate Sheppard Place, Pipitea, Wellington 6011

Green Land is an unexpected gem in Pipitea, a café bouncing with professionals who need a coffee break and heart-warming food. Green Land is known for its commitment to sustainability, opting to use organic and locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible.

Pipitea has less cafes on average compared to the rest of the city, so the addition of Green Land was welcome to all the professionals working in the area, particularly to Wellington’s giant community of public sector workers. (The Beehive is just around the corner, along with many other Government entities).

Green Land feels like a little community, and their scones are mouth-watering. Definitely a hidden gem on the Wellington cafe trail.

6. cafe CLOUD

📍 86 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011

Cafe CLOUD on Lambton Quay is located in the heart of Wellington’s central business district. It’s a quiet little place in the main shopping area on Lambton Quay, perfect for a quick break from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

It’s also a good place to perch yourself and people-watch, especially since Lambton Quay is a hive of activity in the morning rush. The quality food and coffee also taste divine.

I recommend visiting cafe CLOUD during the work week when Lambton Quay is busiest. It’s a good choice while you amble the streets, experiencing a lively section of Wellington’s golden mile.

7.  Flows cafe

📍 40 Mercer Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011

Flows cafe is a quiet corner to hide under an office building, serving great coffee and tarts. The café offers a rotating selection of coffee blends from local and international roasters, so you have a diverse and high-quality selection to choose from.

What sets Flows apart from other cafes is their use of innovative brewing techniques, such as pour-over and French press, to extract the best flavor from the beans. The café’s baristas are also highly skilled and knowledgeable, able to make recommendations and provide information about the coffee they serve.

The best hidden gem cafes in Wellington to be among the artistic community

8. Pour and Twist

📍 13 Garrett Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Pour and Twist in Wellington is a unique café that offers a wide range of specialty coffee options. They offer an eclectic setting to trial a variety of coffee methods, from pour-over to cold brew, and espresso-based drinks. 

They also have a selection of coffee beans and instrumentation available for purchase, so you can brew you own perfect cup of coffee at home. The café has an industrial interior decor, with quirky seating that attracts Wellington’s arts community. Down a quiet road from Cuba Street, it’s a cozy place to hide.

The café also serves delicious pastries, perfect to pair with your choice of coffee. I recommend the kimchi toast.

Whether you’re a coffee aficionado or just looking for a comfortable spot to mingle with friends, Pour and Twist is definitely a café worth visiting.

9.  Black Coffee

📍 6021/133 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington 6021

Black Coffee is an atmospheric café in the eclectic township of Newtown. The cafe serves delicious coffee blends from local roasters, and has a rustic interior.

The ambiance of the café transports you back in time. The vintage decor and warm lighting creates a sense of nostalgia to allow you to relax and unwind. They also rotate monthly art exhibitions by local and international artists.

The vibes are on point at Black Coffee, and they are very involved with the Newtown community, making it a homey space where you can come and feel like you belong. And of course, drink great coffee.

10. Queen Sally’s Diamond Deli

📍 6022/200 Queens Drive, Lyall Bay, Wellington 6022

Queen Sally’s Diamond Deli in Lyall Bay is a great café in a scenic location if you like your cup of coffee on the beach. The café is situated in one of the most picturesque spots in Wellington, and the beach is just a few steps away. Line up next to Lyall Bay’s locals, choose a snack from an impressive cabinet selection, and walk down to the beach to watch surfers on the waves or go for a swim.

Diamond Deli has a special place in my heart. Friends and I drive there early on the weekends and always appreciate their range of vegan and gluten-free options. The food is outstanding and the coffee is impressive too.

And what better way to start the day than with a perfect cup of coffee with friends cozied up on the sand.

11. Evil Twins Coffee

📍 161B Willis Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Evil Twins cafe on Willis St is a popular café that quickly rose to fame due to its incredible coffee.

The focus at Evil Twins is the specialty coffee. The sisters are expertly trained baristas and the coffee tastes like it. It’s bold, rich and doesn’t taste burnt as is so often the case with the amateur cafes around Wellington. This dedication to quality and consistency in their coffee quickly made Evil Twins a popular spot among coffee enthusiasts.

Personally I was thrilled when this cafe made its debut. It’s right next door, and it’s been a pleasure to watch the two “evil sisters” integrate into the community and attract so many of us to their doors.

The best hidden gem cafes in Wellington for casual vibes

 12.  Swimsuit

📍 38 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Swimsuit cafe in the Wellington CBD is a popular spot for those looking for a casual vibe to be among Wellington’s coffee lovers. They brew great coffee and the outdoor seating is a great place to hang out and be among the city’s hustle and bustle.

The café’s central location makes it easy to pop in before or after work, or during a shopping trip around the city. Swimsuit is always busy, which makes it less of a hidden gem, but I find it’s easy to overlook given all the activity happening around it.

It’s gained popularity and is now well-known and loved by the Wellington community but I still wanted to include it as a unique place to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a delicious scone.

13. Squirrel NZ

📍 4 Blair Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Squirrel NZ is known for its delicious coffee, homemade pastries that include vegan donuts, and sandwiches served on fun colourful platters. The welcoming atmosphere makes it a great spot for a casual brunch. The café serves coffee from renowned local roasters, and all of the food is made from scratch, using fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. The café also uses biodegradable packaging to reduce its impact on the environment. 

Off the main channel of Courtenay Place, it’s linked to Small Acorns next door if you’re keen for a peruse of beautiful homewares with your cup of delicious coffee.

14.  Gemini Cafe & Eatery

📍 shop 3/100 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Gemini Cafe and Eatery is an experience. Asian-inspired with attention to detail, they serve a menu of refined platters unlike anything I’d experienced. Their famous Churros French Toast is an explosion of colour on a plate, and you can pair it with a range of unique cocktails or mocktails.

They also have a generous menu of coffee options and “crazy shakes” if you’re looking for a funky coffee experience. The cafe uses a special blend of coffee beans that are carefully selected from different regions around the world and roasted to perfection.

Gemini came to life in 2019 and has solidified its presence on the Wellington cafe trail as one of the most unique coffee shops in the city, a special treat in every visit.

15. Mystic Kitchen

📍 37 Jessie Street, 102/104 Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Mystic Kitchen on Tory Street is a great café located in the heart of Wellington’s central business district.

Mystic Kitchen is loved by the community with a steady flow of locals in the area. They offer a variety of adored dishes, most notably the breakfast burrito and mouth-watering scones. Mystic Kitchen is a humble space with a casual vibe, known for its friendly staff, cozy ambience, and quality food and coffee.

Honourable mentions: less hidden gems but still amazing coffee shops in Wellington

16. Customs

📍 39 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Customs cafe, located in the heart of Wellington, is a great destination for coffee lovers. The café is known for its use of Supreme coffee, which is considered one of the best coffee roasters in New Zealand. Supreme coffee is known for its unique blends, rich flavors, and smooth finish, making it a favorite among coffee connoisseurs. 

The café is also a great place to hang out and be among the locals. Its outdoor seating area is iconic, linked to Bowen Galleries next door. The staff are friendly and know their customers well, and the menu is small yet delicious. They also serve donuts and bread from local bakers, which explains the weekend rush. That, and their top-notch coffee.

17. Peoples Coffee

📍 40 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Peoples Coffee is a must-visit destination for coffee lovers in Wellington. Known for its high-quality, ethically-sourced beans, Peoples Coffee is a well-respected brand among coffee connoisseurs. 

The café is located on Lukes Lane, a picturesque cobblestone lane in the heart of Wellington. The coffee is brewed to perfection and, with its large glass walls, the cafe is a lovely place to hang out, enjoy a pastry, and people watch on Taranaki Street. The cafe isn’t far from Wellington’s waterfront so it’s a great pit stop on a day of exploration of the city.

18.  Raglan Roast Coffee

📍 40 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011 OR 12 Holland Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011

Raglan Roast has several locations around Wellington, each with its own unique atmosphere. Raglan Roast Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster based in Raglan, New Zealand. The company is known for its focus on ethically-sourced, high-quality beans and its commitment to sustainability. The company’s beans are sourced from farms around the world, and are carefully roasted to bring out the unique flavor characteristics of each bean. 

For these reasons, and the incredible flavour, Raglan Roast is a beloved brand among Wellington’s community. Raglan Roast’s beans are also available for purchase online and in grocery stores around Wellington, which is fantastic if I want to brew my own cup of elixir at home.

I hope this guide helps you discover new and unique coffee shops in Wellington for 2023. Wellington is a city that loves its coffee and is home to an abundance of hidden gem cafes. From the bustling streets of the CBD to the scenic coastal neighbourhoods, it’s the coffee capital of New Zealand for a reason.

Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or just looking for a great place to relax and unwind, you’ll find somewhere to belong here. Don’t forget to share this post and leave a comment telling me which cafe is your favourite. Thanks for reading, and happy café hopping!