new zealand coffee review (archive)

These guys also have a stall at Featherston railway station- coffee and roast are fab

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This cafe is a roastery just outside Cambridge, ideal stopping point since it is on SH1 heading for Hamilton (its five minutes out of Cambridge on the main road. I have been there a number of times, even driven out of my way for it. The coffee is superb, they roast around three types, one of which is called Black Cherry. I tried their espresso beans at home and it is very good. The food is great Breakfast/brunch hot and cold food and cakes, great outdoor eating area and artwork for sale, child-friendly too. Staff are really friendly and this place is popular, esp on a sunday morning. I think they took out the bronze prize at last year's coffeefest. Highly recommended!

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I like the Hereford Street one. I frequented Vivace in Featherston St Wellington (which is still good) but I heard that Andy, Wellington Barista of the year or something in 2006, had gone back to working at Tuam Street. If so, his coffees are awesome.

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I have pronounced this the best coffee in Wellington, and I am usually a coffee loyalty card tart. This man doesn't need a loyalty card. It is run by a Cuban so nothing faux Cuba about this, with Havana roastery coffee at present, friendly staff, Havana street frescoes, and dancing on Sunday evenings (which I haven't been to). The joint is small, just round the corner from Courtenay Place (its actually on Taranaki St) no kitchen but a reasonable array of fresh all-day pastries, calzones and cakes. But this man Arkan knows how to make good coffee, and is passionate about it. I have started walking right across town just for this, and have tried about three or four of his coffee types, though being 'Shortie, I like it strong and black. But the flat white was just right too.

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