Every Wellingtonian knows the capital has some of the best coffee in the world, but now the rest of the world is learning this too.
Wellington’s coffee culture has deep roots. European immigrants helped establish the city’s first coffee houses during the 1940s and 1950s, creating social spaces where artists, writers, musicians and academics gathered. By the end of the 1960s, central Wellington had more than 60 coffee shops, bars and lounges.
A new generation of independent cafés and local roasting companies revived this culture during the 1980s and 1990s. Today, established roasteries, specialist brew bars and neighbourhood cafés remain closely connected to Wellington’s creative and social life. Many are concentrated around Te Aro, Cuba Street and the compact central city, making it easy to walk between working roasteries, espresso bars and cafés serving single-origin filter coffee.
Founded in 1990, Caffe L’affare(opens in new window) is a Wellington institution. This iconic coffee roastery and café has the look and feel of an industrial coffee packaging plant and equipment showroom, but with the bustling café atmosphere.
The flagship café of Flight Coffee(opens in new window), and it showcases what they at Flight Coffee are all about. The friendly and loveable crew at “The Hangar” do an incredible job of showcasing their coffee, while creating a relaxed environment to enjoy your favourite cup.
Follow the aroma of roasting coffee to Havana Coffee Works(opens in new window) on Tory Street. Founded in Wellington in 1989, its colourful headquarters brings together a working roastery, the Havana Lounge café, coffee beans and brewing equipment. Visitors can enjoy a coffee while experiencing the energy of one of the city’s best-known local roasters.
