5 Cafés In Wellington To Try This Winter

On wet and windy winter days, we love to hunker down at The Offering; the spacious interior makes this an ideal spot for bigger groups and families. The menu features all our favourite brunch options and there are freshly baked goods and cabinet food available. 

Indulge in the Belgium waffles, eggs benedict or the bubble and squeak. The latter is The Offering’s twist on a big brekky, with a two-cabbage slaw, leeks, cooked potatoes, kumara and bacon on toast with a gooey poached egg. If you prefer a light bite alongside your coffee, get your hands on a warm cheese and rocket scone or an Afghan biscuit. 

At Karaka Café, the hāngi style cuisine inspires the wholesome sensation of warmth and offers a balm against the bite of winter. Whether you are popping by for a quick coffee before work or have your heart set on authentically smoked hāngi morsels, Karaka Café is the place for you. 

A crowd favourite dish is the hāngi-style pulled pork with sage and onion, stuffing crumble and horopito. Another top contender and winter classic is a steaming bowl of hearty soup; changing daily, you can expect new and traditional flavours to make an appearance. We love going to Karaka Café for family outings on the weekend; there is something delicious on the menu for every palette at the table. 

Wellington has a café around every corner, but there is none quite like Counter Culture Board Game Café and Bar. The quirky little oasis has over 900 board games for patrons to play; ask a friendly game guru to help find the perfect game for you. With so many options, you could visit every day of winter and still not complete every game Counter Culture has available. 

After you have worked up an appetite, dig into something delicious. Grab a few sharing plates for the table, like the cheesy garlic bread and cauliflower bites. Or, get the mouth-watering boom boom loom burger with a halloumi and vege patty, onion rings, onion jam on a ciabatta bun with lettuce, red onions, pickles, beetroot and tomato jam. Counter Culture also has pizza, power bowls and sweet treats on the menu.

The Cross has one of the most beautiful spaces in Wellington, made to thrive during every season; the interior and exterior dining areas are cosy and welcoming. Wrap up with a blanket, hot water bottle and mulled wine in the garden, curl up in an armchair in the great indoors, or sip coffee in the dining room while you watch the world go by. 

The Cross cooks everything from scratch with fresh, locally sourced ingredients; it also has a range of home baking that goes great with a cup of tea. The menu showcases beauties like the pumpkin on toast, the Korean fried chicken burger and the infamous cheese fondue. The latter is incredibly tasty with spicy chilli cheese fondue and two giant salted pretzels.

One of Wellington’s most iconic cafés is the infamous Midnight Espresso. The chill vibes, an endless supply of coffee, and tasty bites make for an unforgettable experience. The wholesome café takes in the worn and weary, offering a peaceful alternative to Wellington’s nightlife scene; this is the perfect spot for cold days and late nights. 

The menu ranges from breakfast classics like coco pops, pancakes and porridge to lunch and dinner options like creamy penne pasta, nachos and toasted sandwiches. Pair your meal with a warm glass of lemon, honey and ginger, or keep the oil burning with a large latte.