Many people are unaware of the vibrant cafe culture that exists in New Zealand. And although coffee is very popular, there are a number of reasons Kiwis go to cafes. Here is a little breakdown.
1. Good coffee- Well, of course this has to be number one. Since the 1980s, New Zealanders have slowly started losing their taste for instant coffee and started demanding the good stuff. We still have to import the beans, of course, but much of New Zealand coffee is roasted locally by small roasters who take pride in their craft. Our baristas also win awards in world competitions.
2. Cake- Need I say more? If you choose the right cafe, you will be in cake heaven. We have traditional gateaus and also what is known as a “slice” in Kiwi English. These little rectangles, that are somewhat akin to what North Americans call a bar cookie, come as ginger crunch, chocolate peppermint, muesli, and a whole host of other delicious varieties. Also check out that 1970s staple, the carrot cake. Just about every cafe does it and it’s always moist and delicious.
3. Brunch- It would not be the weekend without having at least one brunch out in a local cafe. You order your coffee and read the provided newspaper or magazines while waiting for your eggs bene (eggs benedict), Kiwi big breakfast (eggs, sausages, bacon, tomatoes, hash browns…maybe even mushrooms), or mushrooms on toast to be served. It’s very social, too, as many people will meet up with friends or family for the occasion.
4. Cool interiors- New Zealand cafes tend to each have their own theme. Some are eclectically decorated with vintage furniture from thrift shops, styled for the surfies (surfers) down near the beach, or revamped from an old church, for example. The fun is in finding new ones and checking out the decor.
5. People watching- Families, city slickers, tourists, students, they are all there for your own anthropological study.
Read more:
Cafe culture in Buenos Aires
When to drink cappuccino in Italy
The New Zealand Dairy
I thought you preferred tea or juices, I don’t know why! I would love going to a kiwi cafe, thanks for this tip and the photos!
I love this kind of cafe. If I visit New Zealand lounging will definitely be on the agenda.
Carrot cakes and good coffee – yum, sounds ‘delicious’!
I love cafes! I can’t wait to check the Kiwi ones out!
Thanks for all the comments, guys. I can’t wait to see you all down here:-)
Marta- I love any kind of hot drink, but you are right that I am a tea fanatic!
I love the Yellow Rocket on Cathedral Square, excellent bagels and just a cool location. I even wrote a poem about it 🙂 A great place to sit and watch the world go by.
Nice post, that brought back some memories.
http://www.yellowrocket.co.nz/index.php