Best Breakfast Places in New Zealand

You love a tasty breakfast & good coffee? Perfect, so do we! 

We show you where to find the best spots for coffee & yummy breakfast around the North and South Island of New Zealand.

The Artisan Café, Hastings

Summer in New Zealand is really hot! You can feel the sun rays from the thin ozone layer permeating everything and slowly trying to broil you alive. This was the boat we were in as we jumped inside Artisan Cafe for some relief from the heat. A cozy little space with a bunch of tasty treats on display and freshly baked bread. They also have amazing iced coffee, which we thoroughly enjoyed on the hot day while we were planning a wine tasting tour around the Hawkes Bay.

Cupple, Hastings

Before getting into Hastings, we spent almost a week along camping at Kairakau Beach.  It was amazing, but something was missing, ah ya we only had instant coffee, we know, the indecency! Fortunately for us, Hastings being in one of the best food areas in the North Island, we wouldn't have to endure much longer!
Literally the first thing we looked up while driving into Hastings was a good cafe. As usual, Nora delivered with her research skills and found Cupple. Cupple is the real deal. They are in a big building which is basically half seating area and half massive baking area which you can look into and see the masters at work!

The real draws were the delicious baked goods: croissants, eclairs and tarts that would get the thumbs up even from a French pastry chef. Nora, missing her German bread, ordered a beautiful loaf of bread and a croissant for good measure! We of course got some coffee and cappuccino which was the fix we were really looking for! If you're a European missing the baked delights from home just pay a visit to Cupple, you won't be disappointed.

​Wharf Road, Coromandel Town

While summer in the North Island can be hot, it can also be quite rainy! It was pouring rain the couple days that we were in Coromandel town (around Christmas) and what better to do when the weather is terrible? Well, two choices, go grab a drink or hangout at a cafe. We chose the cafe as it was only 10 in the morning.
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Wharf Road is a wonderful little cafe located on the main street which serves standard breakfast fare with a twist and of course good coffee. There is comfy seating (which gets packed quickly) and a chill atmosphere outside there is even a nice little patio with sun umbrellas. If it's raining cats and dogs, or if its not, pay Wharf Road a visit, it'll hit the spot.

​Biggie Bagels, Whangarei  

Bagels seem to have come into vogue here in New Zealand and we're not complaining. This gangster rapper themed bagel shop (they have some sweet artist portraits of Biggie and Tupac on the wall) has some seriously dank bagels. The bagels also have thuggish names like Mother Dukkah, Grandmaster Smash and Notorious B.L.A.T. We shared the Mother Dukkah with roast pumpkin, hummus, sprouts and yes Dukkah (which is an Egyptian mixture of spices, nuts and herbs that is formed into a patty and cooked, super tasty). As an added bonus, they have good coffee. Don't forget to drive by Biggie and snag some bagels!

​Beam Me Up Bagels, Dunedin 

Again the bagel shops with funky themes. Beam Me Up Bagels, instead of earth gangsters, is space gangster themed. All bagels call back to Star Wars, Star Trek and other space pop culture fixtures. Some of our favorite bagel names: Mung the Merciless, Killer Tomatoes and Darth Bacon.

​Personally, we had the Ham Solo (ham, sliced colby cheese, Dijonnaise, sprouts & pickles) and the 2000 and Juan (Mexican themed with black bean burger patty). The bagel scene in New Zealand is something we didn't think we needed but are thoroughly pleased that we discovered. The world needs more pop culture themed bagel shops!

Fidel's Café, Wellington 

As both a staging point for many a traveler's journey to the South Island and the capital of New Zealand, Wellington is a mishmash of all different kinds of people. There are the rushed backpackers eager to get the ferry to the south, the university students, government officials, business people and expats that now call the city home. One thing is for sure, Wellington is a vibrant city that should not be missed. We spent three nights near Cuba Street and got to know the city a little bit better. What an awesome place!
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Named after a ship called Cuba that carried early settlers to Wellington, Cuba Street has always been a center of activity in the port city. Fidel's Cafe has become an intriguing fixture of the Cuba Street Area with its quirky vibe, Cuban dishes and great coffee. It was only a 3 minute walk from where we were staying so we popped in and were delighted by the atmosphere and enjoyed some coffee. Even if you're not into coffee (then why are you reading this post :D) Fidel's Cafe is a great place to chill and plan your further adventures.

​Customs Café, Wellington  

The hard part about exploring Wellington is deciding what places to go with limited time. There are awesome cafes, bars, restaurants, attractions etc. around every corner. The best way to approach it is to just walk around the city and see what strikes your fancy. While exploring we walked past Customs Cafe and decided to drop in. We didn't spend much time, just got coffees and sat and chatted for a little. While a seemingly mundane experience, it was exactly what we needed after experiencing Wellington for the day. The city can be overwhelming and Customs is a cozy cafe that is perfect for a short break. Go find your personal Customs in Wellington, it's likely just around the corner!

The List Goes On!! Here are a few other really tasty breakfast Places:

​Bespoke Kitchen, Queenstown

Best Coffee Roasters in New Zealand 

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