There are many benefits of travelling the world, seeing beautiful sights, and experiencing different cultures. For all the many benefits, of travelling, there are certain home benefits that even the most experienced of travellers will miss.
For those coffee lovers amongst us, finding the perfect coffee shop, to engage in our java addiction can be challenging, to say the least. Everyone has their particular tastes, whether it is a brand of coffee or a certain coffee syrup.
While part of the fun of travelling might be discovering top quality coffee shops, it is always beneficial to have a backup list of recommended and preferred vendors, that you can visit if desperation or addiction strikes.
Having travelled around New Zealand many times, this list is intended to give you some ideas, but with so many different coffee shops across the country, it is physically impossible to visit and test all of them, although we wouldn’t mind trying.
TIP: For many New Zealanders a mid morning coffee is compulsory, and is the preferred time of day to stop and enjoy the coffee, read a paper, or catch up with friends
1. Millers Coffee Auckland – In our opinion, a small independent coffee shop is always preferential to a mass brand conglomerate. Millers coffee in Auckland, may not be the largest coffee shop on the planet, butthey make a fantastic expresso.
This is not the shop to visit if you are not a fan of expresso coffee, and this is their sole focus and expertise. But if expresso is your style of coffee, then Millers should certainly be at the top of your list. The coffee is delicious, the service friendly and engaging, and the shop itself has a certain charm to it.
2. Black Betty Café Christchurch – Perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Christchurch this amazing little venue serves a wide variety of beautiful tasting coffees. If you get there early enough, they also serve a pretty mean breakfast. Black Betty café is directly opposite the Ara Institute of Canterbury.
3. Fidel’s Café Wellington – For many coffee connoisseurs, Cuban coffee is the ultimate hit. When travelling in New Zealand, this café offers the finest Cuban coffee, paired with a friendly New Zealand welcome. Some people might say it is the perfect combination. It can be experienced at 234, Cuba Street, Wellington.
4. Number 5 Church Lane Queenstown- Many people the world over make the mistake of disregarding restaurants when it comes to finding the best coffee. While that may be a god policy, there is always a restaurant that breaks the rule and Number 5 Church Lane, comes into that category in New Zealand. This is the venue to visit for a mid-morning coffee, before the busy lunch time rush, the coffee Is smooth rich and delicious, and the views are simply stunning.
Coffee can be a divisive subject, but that also makes discovering a great coffee in a foreign country such an enjoyable experience. The four suggestions above, are certainly worthy of your consideration, but don’t let that put you off exploring other hidden treasures as you travel around our magnificent country.
More tips
- Look for places that roast their own blends of coffee
- Look at where all the locals are lining up
- Stay away from ‘chains’ such as Starbucks – NZers love boutique coffee shops.
- Try NZ’s unique Flat White Coffee
We may be biased but New Zealand and great coffee provide the perfect combination.
