Where To Find The Best Coffee In Auckland, NZ (Updated For 2024)

Like most parts of New Zealand, Auckland loves coffee. And there are plenty of cafes to choose from that will appease your inner joe aficionado. My favourite spots are: 

1. Caffe Greco
2. The Hideout Espresso Bar
3. Rumours Cafe
4. Le Petit Cafe
5. Red Rabbit Cafe
6. Black And Gold Coffee/ Eatery
7. Bow And Tie Coffee Micro Roastery
8. Atomic Coffee Roasters
9. Ground Coffee on Queen Street
10. Millers Coffee
11. The New Zealand Coffee Co.

Why should these cafes be on your radar? Let’s find out!

1. Caffe Greco

Caffe Greco is a cosy and inviting spot located in the CBD. It’s spacious with wooden tables and chairs, and plenty of leather couches to cater to a comfortable coffee break experience. Their brews are great–made with Allpress coffee–and provide a rich and decadent taste; I personally enjoy their ristretto and latte.

Though they have a wide selection of cabinet food, I always reach for their pies–which are always warm and fluffy with generous fillings. If you’re looking to sit in and enjoy a meal, you won’t regret the chicken melt with crunchy chips. 

2. The Hideout Espresso Bar 

The Hideout, nestled in Eden Terrace, is an awesome spot to enjoy a lovely cup of coffee away from the bustle of the city. The interior is minimalist with white walls, wooden furniture, and scattered plants. You’ll also be presented with a cabinet full of tasty food, while their hot food menu comprises freshly prepared light meals. Their brews are made using Kokako coffee and they pair well with most of the meals.

I like to order the piccolo to enjoy with my beef brisket sandwich. If you’re feeling adventurous, I suggest peanut butter, bananas, and bacon on sourdough. It’s an excellent balance of sweet and savoury. It does get noisy during rush hour, so it’s best to visit in the morning to experience the tranquillity of the cafe.

3. Le Petit Cafe

This is a cosy and charming cafe with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The interior is simple and clean, with wooden furniture, wall art, and a beautiful display of creeping plants. It’s a small place but the service is fast always and efficient.  They have a limited menu of freshly prepared food, but whenever I’m looking for a quick treat, their croissant never disappoints– always fresh and flaky. The coffee is equally impressive, with a wide selection of espresso-based drinks made with Allpress beans. And the barista makes a mean caramel latte.

4. Red Rabbit Cafe

Red Rabbit is a trendy and hip spot that serves speciality coffee and freshly baked goods. The cafe has a stylish garage-like set-up, with concrete walls, black and gold-brown accents, and industrial lighting. One of the few reasons I enjoy visiting the place is because they use single-origin beans from various regions and roast them daily on-site.

They use various brewing methods, and I find their pour over to be just right. Red Rabbit Cafe also serves mouthwatering pastries, and I relish the prosciutto croissant. The cafe has an outdoor seating area with a bench or two and a table so you can enjoy sunny days. 

5. Black and Gold Coffee Eatery

Black and Gold is a stylish place with a theme that reflects its name. It’s almost like walking into an antique shop, with wooden furniture, black accents, amber lighting, plenty of plants to freshen up the air, and  a modern vintage bookshelf filled with magazines

Visiting the place is more about the experience than it is about grabbing a bite; some food items do come at a premium compared to neighbouring cafes. But I love that they serve tasty espresso-based drinks using Allpress coffee and their meals are prepared using locally sourced ingredients.

My personal favourite is the chicken katsu burger that comes with tangy slaw and spicy mayo. I usually follow this with a latte with macadamia milk, which I find creamier and moderately sweet than the rest of their milk alternatives. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you’ll never go wrong with their avocado toast and regular cappuccino.

6. Bow And Tie Coffee Micro Roastery

Bow and Tie is a cosy little bar made from reclaimed wood and features a large black coffee roaster. There are also a few tables and chairs where you can sit and enjoy your coffee. The shop roasts their own beans in small batches, so you’re sure you’re getting the freshest possible coffee. They offer various hot brews– espresso, pour over, and hands down the best drip coffee!

Even though they have a small curated food menu, with a focus on pastries and bread, the meals are prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients and they provide a rotating selection of specials. I enjoy their croissant; it’s always tasty and a great way to start the day.

7. Atomic Coffee Roasters

Atomic coffee is a great place to work or study, or just to relax and chat with friends. It’s an industrial chic cafe, with a long communal table, and smaller tables and chairs, all the while providing a relaxing vibe. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and they are happy to help you choose the perfect brew. They offer a small but well-curated menu of food and I really like their avocado toast sprinkled with feta cheese. They also have a variety of pastries, sandwiches, and salads. 

The coffee is, of course, the star of the show. Atomic Coffee roasts their own beans in-house, and they offer a wide variety of single-origin and blended coffees. I often order the long black, but other brews are just as pleasant.

8. Ground Coffee Queen Street

Ground coffee is a simple and modern spot with a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. When I’m in the mood for a cup of coffee that hits just right I know I can rely on the staff’s expertise to deliver a satisfying brew. They use BeSpecialty coffee beans, and I’ve become a big fan of the Golden Point Blend–a medium roast with a smooth and balanced flavour. There’s also an assortment of sweet and savoury pastries to choose from, and freshly prepared sandwiches and salads. When you do visit the place, I suggest you try the chocolate banana bread–super moist and delicious.

9. Millers Coffee

Another cosy place to enjoy decent joe and a bite to eat is Millers Coffee. This charming cafe has a relaxed and warm feel amidst a rustic interior filled with wooden tables and chairs. You can also watch the coffee beans being roasted in-house as you sip your fresh and flavorful coffee. 

Millers’ food is amazing and satisfying, and the portions are generous. You can also choose from a range of coffee drinks, my personal favourite is the smooth and rich flat white, which makes a perfect complement to the avocado toast with balsamic glaze. Oh, and the decadent chocolate on the side! 

The staff is friendly and attentive, and the music is always playing at a low volume for a more calm experience. If you prefer to sit outside, they have a small outdoor seating area, which is perfect for people-watching. 

10. The New Zealand Coffee Co.

The New Zealand Coffee Co. (NZCC) flagship cafe is a bright and airy spot located in a light industrial area. It has a simple and modern feel with white walls, wooden beams, and a few plants. You can always enjoy your joe in a relaxed and casual atmosphere with friendly and welcoming staff. 

They roast their own coffee beans, and you can tell they know their stuff by the quality brews they serve. I particularly enjoy their Americano to go with a pillowy and buttery Brioche French toast. Their food items are reasonably priced too. With coffee starting at $4 and a decent meal at $15, there’s really no reason why you can’t have a satisfying start to your day. 

11. Rumours Cafe

If you’re looking for a chic and minimalist spot to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee, you might want to check out Rumours Coffee. The cafe has a sleek and sophisticated interior, with a neutral palette of concrete, light timber, and white. They specialise in single-origin coffee, sourced from various roasters and also offer a small selection of fresh cabinet food. As a pastry lover, I have to say they prepare the most decadent Danish pastry, which goes well with the smooth long black. 

Takeaway

Where coffee spots are concerned, Auckland has something for everyone. With cosy hideouts and bustling cafes, each place brings its touch to the region’s coffee culture, making it easy to find your perfect cup and tasty bites to go with it.