Brunch by the beach

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.

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.

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. 

In picturesque Oriental Bay, you’ll find a retro beach café‚ and restaurant with a perfect blend of nostalgic ambience and contemporary cuisine. 

Beach Babylon has been a seaside favourite since it opened in 2004. With the central city around the corner and Oriental Bay beach across the road, it's got the best of both worlds. Wipe the sand from your feet and drop in for a coffee and brunch. The retro décor and extensive menu inspired by Kiwi classics will have you relaxed in no time. Morning fare covers all the classics like eggs, granola, pancakes, and more. The rösti is world famous in Wellington, and well worth trying.

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.

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.

The ocean is across the road and Courtenay Place is a few hundred metres away. Lola Stays is a café with the perfect beachy casual and city chic combination. Inside, its fabulous flamingo wallpapered walls are hung with contemporary art. Outside there's a large dining area open to the street. On sunny days you can watch beach life pass by on Oriental Parade. The family-owned and operated café serves plenty of breakfast and brunch classics but there are some great surprises. Look out for huevos rancheros (toasted tortillas with chilli beans and jalapeños) and the bruschetta with grilled halloumi.