You might assume New Zealand, with its British roots, would be a tea country. Wellington begs to differ: it's a genuine city of coffee. Chain cafes are surprisingly rare in the city centre — instead, small independent cafes are dotted through every neighbourhood, and the standard is so consistently high that locals will tell you it's hard to find a bad cup.
How Wellington does coffee
What sets Wellington apart is that independents, not big chains, are the stars. You can count the Starbucks-style outlets in the CBD on one hand. Every cafe has its own take on beans and brewing, which turns cafe-hopping into a legitimate sightseeing activity.
Know your menu
A few local terms are worth learning before you order.
- Flat White — the New Zealand (or, depending who you ask, Australian) classic: espresso with finely textured steamed milk. Less milky than a latte, so the coffee flavour comes through. Every cafe has it.
- Long Black — the local black coffee: espresso over hot water, stronger than an Americano.
- Short Black — simply a straight espresso.
You won't usually find "drip coffee" or an Americano on the menu — if you like yours lighter, a long black is the closest match.
Make cafe-hopping part of the trip
Ducking into a cafe between sights is one of the best ways to feel the rhythm of this town. Start with the classic flat white and work your way toward a favourite.