Eat & Drink
The patio at Beach Babylon Cafe in Oriental Bay, Wellington. There are five small circular tables with two people sitting at each of them.

Brunch by the beach

A person stands with their elbows on the fence of Spruce Goose's patio looking at a mural of a Goode wearing a fedora, holding a surfboard in one hand and a burger in the other.
3 people sitting on an outside table at Scorch-O-Rama, next to the water.
The interior of Seashor Cabaret, a diner located on The Esplanade and Sidney Street in Petone, with four vintage arcade games, two taxidermy deer heads on the wall, two large tables with eight chairs each and three wood booths with eight customers seated.
The interior of the iconic Maranui Cafe in Lyall Bay, Wellington. The bay, overcast sky and flying gulls are seen through the three-pane bay window. There are four tables with two patrons sitting at each.
2 people enjoying food and drinks at an outside table at Beach Babylon, across the road from Oriental bay.
2 people enjoying cocktails in the sun outside Long Beach.
An avocado toast with quartered cherry tomato and shredded basil on a small white place and a white frothy drink in a glass mason jar on a wooden bench at Gt Fixed Bicycle Cafe in Porirua.
A person stands with their elbows on the fence of Spruce Goose's patio looking at a mural of a Goode wearing a fedora, holding a surfboard in one hand and a burger in the other.

Spruce Goose

30 Cochrane Street, Lyall Bay, Wellington

Spruce Goose began life as an airport terminal building. After more than 50 years as the home of the Wellington Aero Club, it’s now a popular seaside café, bar, and restaurant. It boasts sweeping views of Lyall Bay and Wellington Airport. Being at the ‘surfing’ end of Lyall Bay beach you can spend many hours over your coffee watching surfers tackle waves. This laidback and colourful eatery has a well-stocked food cabinet and the menu provides hearty brunches. The waffles with maple bacon are perfect for a sweet hit, and Kiwi classic mince on toast will give you the energy for a beach walk afterwards.

Spruce Goose
3 people sitting on an outside table at Scorch-O-Rama, next to the water.

Scorch-O-Rama

497 Karaka Bay Road, Karaka Bays, Wellington

Scorch-O-Rama is a prime example of a spot where you’ll sit back and say to yourself, “You really can’t beat Wellington on a good day.” It’s a bright and bustling café on the shoreline of Scorching Bay, a popular sandy beach on the Miramar Peninsula.

Scorch-O-Rama has a fantastic brunch and kids’ menu, and its coffee is from a classic Wellington roastery, Havana. Sit inside the café or opt to be seated across the road with the sea lapping the shore beside you. There’s a specially placed pedestrian crossing to keep the staff safe as they deliver your coffee across the road. A true ‘only in Wellington’ experience.

Scorch-O-Rama — Instagram
The interior of Seashor Cabaret, a diner located on The Esplanade and Sidney Street in Petone, with four vintage arcade games, two taxidermy deer heads on the wall, two large tables with eight chairs each and three wood booths with eight customers seated.

Seashore Cabaret

160 The Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt

Housed in a historic rowing club with commanding views of the Petone foreshore, Seashore Cabaret is a prime spot for a café. The café’s name is a nod to the site’s previous use as a dance hall. The fitout combines retired merry-go-round horses, carnival kitsch, pinball machines, and colourful custom-made furniture. It’s a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

The menu gives a new twist on the café classics with plenty of vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes. The coffee is the roasted in-house brand Good Fortune. There’s plenty of dining space indoors, plus some tables on the deck overlooking Wellington Harbour and the city for sunny brunching.

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The interior of the iconic Maranui Cafe in Lyall Bay, Wellington. The bay, overcast sky and flying gulls are seen through the three-pane bay window. There are four tables with two patrons sitting at each.

Maranui Café

Level 1, 7A Lyall Parade, Lyall Bay, Wellington

On the top floor of Maranui Surf Life Saving Club, Maranui Café is a quintessential Wellington experience. On most weekends, you’ll find an array of surfers, families, students and couples winding their way down the sandy stairs in waiting for a table.

The friendly team serve up a mix of unforgettable fare. Enjoy tasty and wholesome salads, fresh baking, hot food from the kitchen, and the longest, thickest milkshakes in town. There’s an outdoor deck area while inside, it’s all about the seaside. The stair handrail is an oar, as are wall partitions, and decorative fish hang from the walls. The vibe is retro vintage, which is fitting, as the club building has been there since 1911. 

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2 people enjoying food and drinks at an outside table at Beach Babylon, across the road from Oriental bay.

Beach Babylon

232 Oriental Parade, Oriental Bay, Wellington

A slice of retro beach paradise by Wellington’s golden sand beach, Oriental Bay. Specialising in casual food, Beach Babylon is a relaxed eatery perfect for a lazy brunch. Brunch is served from 8am to 4pm so there’s time to sit back in the sun and enjoy a locally roasted Peoples Coffee and peruse the menu. There’s a four-cheese fondue that is popular with locals and a delectable selection of cheesecakes. With Oriental Parade out front and the beach just over the road, there is a constant stream of Wellington life passing by. As the afternoon progresses, there are plenty of Wellington craft beers and wine on the drinks menu, too.

Beach Babylon
2 people enjoying cocktails in the sun outside Long Beach.

Long Beach Café and Tavern

40 Tutere St, Waikanae Beach, Kāpiti Coast

Sunny Waikanae on Kāpiti Coast is home to a welcoming eatery that acts as a mini community hub. Long Beach Tavern was established by locals who are as passionate about the area as they are about food. There’s an onsite garden that’s entirely organic. The staff manage the garden and use it as inspiration for new additions to the menu depending on what’s growing. There’s an outside area with a fire, a sunny atrium, and plenty of nooks to settle down with a drink. The food offers classics along with delicious surprises — the chocolate custard porridge should be on any brunch wish list. Sample something from the excellent wine list, and if you turn up on Sunday afternoons you’ll find a live music programme.

Long Beach Tavern
An avocado toast with quartered cherry tomato and shredded basil on a small white place and a white frothy drink in a glass mason jar on a wooden bench at Gt Fixed Bicycle Cafe in Porirua.

Get Fixed — Porirua

10 Wi Neera Drive, Porirua

Eight converted shipping containers on the edge of Porirua Harbour create a great café destination. Not only can you get a great brunch and coffee fix, but you can get your bike fixed, too. Get Fixed Bicycle Café has a focus on community and sustainability. Pull up a beanbag and sit with a view of Porirua’s sparkling harbour, grab a menu and order some food. The coffee is from a locally owned Ripe roastery and is fair trade and organic. The menu has all the usual dietary options catered to, plus kombucha on tap. It’s also fully licenced. There are also community workshops, bike repairs and servicing.

Get Fixed — Porirua