16 December
Get to know... Aotearoa’s hot spots
Kia Ora, welcome to our 2021 Summer Holiday series!
The classic kiwi road trip was the inspiration behind this series. Since international travel is off the cards, let's make the most of what our beautiful country has to offer! We are so lucky to have so many amazing cafes in Aotearoa we would highly recommend making the most of your destination and exploring the local hospitality joints.
Starting from the bottom of the South Island, we've included cafe's from our small towns to our big cities. We hope this list gives you some inspiration of places to stop in and support. Support doesn’t always mean spending money. Please feel free to click each image which will take you to each cafes social media page. Feel free to give them a cheeky follow!
We hope you all have a lovely summer!
From the decent Team.
Waihōpai | Invercargill
Good coffee is the foundation on which Black Shag is built. Co-owner Dion Milanesi worked in the coffee industry for over a decade, developing a deep passion and respect for coffee. At Black Shag their La Marzoco Strada is the star of the show, with their Barista station on full show.
During peak periods the station provides a feast for the eyes, and at quiet times of the day, you can order a hand-pressed filter or syphon brew, accompanied by a coffee education if you want to know more about what you are drinking. Dion has recently taken his passion for coffee a step further, with the introduction of their new brand; Mint Roastery. Mint coffee is roasted by Dion, on a micro-batch roaster. He sources his coffees through trade aid, ensuring that it is high quality, organically grown, and purchased from farmers who are paid fairly for their work. The Black Shag sells the Mint Roastery range in store.
Location:
136 Dee St, Invercargill
Tāhuna | Queenstown
Bean Around The World roasts their coffee in Queenstown, for customers in the Wakatipu Basin and Central Otago. They supply and deliver freshly roasted coffee beans both to the trade and individuals. They also sell coffee from their espresso bar in front of the roasting room in Athol Street, central Queenstown. BYO food is welcome. They’re a small business with a big commitment, supplying roasted coffee to people who value quality as highly as we do.
Location:
11 Athol Street, PO Box 1229, Queenstown
Ōtepoti | Dunedin
Side-on is a Cafe and Bakery Located in central Dunedin. They offer a range of fresh bread, pastries and a delicious breakfast/ lunch menu. I can't write this without mentioning their iconic scrambled eggs with house-made chilli oil that you need to try. If you're in Ōtepoti for the day, we would recommend having breakfast/lunch at Side-On and then enjoying dinner at their new Pizza Bar located around the corner!
Location:
326 Moray Place, Dunedin, 9016.
Waitati
Fancy enjoying a coffee surrounded by a unique garden setting? Blueskin Nurseries & Cafe offers a delicious menu to suit all dietary needs in the setting of a Garden Nursery. They strive to run their café as sustainably as possible. This includes celebrating locally grown and seasonal produce. They harvest our very own vegetables, herbs, microgreens, and edible flowers fresh from the garden.
Location:
2 Harvey Street, Waitati, Otago
Piwakawaka | Methven
The Alpine Grind is located in the beautiful Methven by hand picking suppliers, they offer ethically and organically sourced ingredients to create a menu you will love. They are a whole-foods eatery that focuses on bringing a healthier option to a local community and catering to all dietary requirements.
Location:
121 Main Street, Methven
Ōtautahi | Christchurch
Located in Christchurch's Boxed Quarter, the newly opened Day Good cafe is a must-visit. They offer coffee, fresh baked goods + a damn good place to hang. With a beautifully designed interior, we know you will enjoy your next cup of coffee here.
Location:
Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington
Being by the beach is a classic way to enjoy your Kiwi Summer but being on the beach and enjoying a great breakfast/lunch? That’s even better! Situated above the Maranui surf life saving club, Maranui cafe is a must visit while exploring Wellington. The interior brings a fun, colourful eclectic style that is true to the cafe’s aesthetic. They’ve got hearty Kiwi meals, vegan fare and kiddie kai, as well as a delicious selection of freshly prepared cabinet food.
Location:
Lvl1, 7A Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay, Wellington
Ngāmotu | New Plymouth
Proof and Stock Coffee Roasters have been roasting and brewing coffee in New Plymouth for over three years now. Located in their stunningly converted garage deep in the heart of New Plymouth this is a place you need to visit.
We recently interviewed Proof and Stock to chat about the composting facility they created to help close the loop on their decent packaging cups, food waste and other organics onsite. You can read this interview here: Dirty talk with Proof and Stock Coffee Roasters
Location:
40 Cutfield Road, New Plymouth 4310
Karanema | Havelock North
Started in 2018, Pixie is a smoothie bowl, smoothie, toast & espresso bar located in Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay. Their mission is to provide a fresh, fruity, fun & friendly product and experience, with a focus on plant-based, nutrient-dense foods for everyone to enjoy.
Pixie believes ‘you are what you eat’, so our menu packs in about as much natural goodness as possible to fuel healthy minds, bodies and souls. Their relationships with local growers, producers and suppliers ensure that they get the freshest goods from people who care about quality as much as Pixie does.
Their team of Pixies are dedicated to providing you with the nourishment you’re needing, whether that’s caffeine & carbs or smoothie bowls & smiles -open 7 days a week, rain or shine.
Location:
10 Napier Road, Havelock North
Te Matau-a-Māui | Hawkes Bay
Elevate Coffee started off with a dream to combine passion, coffee and a perfect customer experience. The special part for me about Elevate, is getting to know so many people and their stories, while enjoying a great cup of coffee - and a little treat to go along with it!
Every coffee is crafted with both precision and care, where convenience and speed don't forfeit quality and consumer satisfaction. We believe supporting local is imperative, so all products we use are locally sourced and made - from the specialty coffee from Firsthand roasted in Havelock North, to the goodies hand-crafted by the amazing team at Little Black Bird.
Looking after the environment is just as important, and to do our bit, all of our packaging is compostable (and beautiful), created by decent packaging, therefore reducing waste.
Alongside other local business during these trying times, we strive to contribute positively and create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Location:
64 Kereru road, Maraekakaho, Hastings - Hawkes Bay
Kirikiriroa | Hamilton
Can you please tell us about your business?
Sentinel provides a cafe, catering and meeting rooms for CBD operators. The aim is to take the thinking out of eating well and creating a culture that feels like your second home in a clean cut executive environment.
What is your current favourite menu item that you would recommend to new customers?
Our menu only has items we would recommend! They're all made fresh by incredible and experienced chefs onsite.
Menu items are specifically designed to suit busy people who enjoy quality.
This summer, what will you be doing around Hamilton to enjoy your days off?
The reason for starting Sentinel was to run a business with my daughter, when not working on the business I'll be enjoying family.
What three words would best describe your local area?
Productive, developing and capable.
What does sustainability mean to your business?
It means we generate enough value to continue offering excellence as good stewards of the resources we have in our care.
Mount Maunganui
Situated in Fit Nation, Mount Maunganui Sol & Mar provide a bright and beautiful spot to enjoy a morning coffee. Whether you're craving a nutritious salad, the perfect sandwich or a sweet doughnut there is something for everyone to enjoy. On a beautiful sunny day, we would recommend grabbing one of their iced coffees and walking down to the beach!
Location:
150 Newton Street, Mount Maunganui
Kapanga | Coromandel
At Coffee LaLa it begins with careful attention to the complete understanding of our coffee origins. Coffee plantations world wide produce green beans of a character individual to their specific location, soil and climate. They roast a selection of beans originating from a number of countries to create our hand-crafted award winning blends. Coffee LaLa’s 100% Arabica beans are sourced from the World’s best plantations and roasted with individual care. They roast each coffee origin individually to help it reach its full potential of flavour and character. This requires a specific roasting sequence for each unique origin. After each unique roast we blend the different origins to create a full bodied coffee with a complex and rich taste.
Location:
462 Kuaotunu Wharekaho Road RD 2, Whitianga
Matakana
Can you please tell us about your business?
At The Farmers Daughter we believe in honest, quality food, made with love. Using the freshest seasonal produce and natural ingredients sourced from our very own gardens, local growers and suppliers. Our creative cooks and seasonal menus will keep your tastebuds up to date.
What is your current favourite menu item that you would recommend to new customers?
Our beautifully delicious new Farm to Fork menu is about to launch this summer, after the long lockdown Auckland has had we cannot wait to reopen and share this with our customers.
This summer, what will you be doing around Matakana to enjoy your days off?
Lapping up the sun and swimming at our beautiful beaches around the area.
What three words would best describe your local area?
Peaceful, picturesque & home-grown
What does sustainability mean to your business?
We are incredibly conscious about the materials & ingredients we use, that is something that will always be important to us. Our dream is that one day when we are no more, our waste and materials we have used here can return into the earth without harm.
