The Best Coffee + Cafés in Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is more than just adrenaline rushes and stunning mountain views. This buzzing southern town is brimming with cafés and coffee shops to keep you energized for all your excursions. Let this post be your guide to the best cafés in Queenstown!
As an avid coffee drinker who lived in New Zealand for years, it seems inevitable that I would eventually write about the best coffee and cafés in Queenstown. This beautiful mountain town, known for its lakeside landscapes and adrenaline activities, is home to a vibrant café culture. Whether you're a local or a tourist, finding the perfect café to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee is essential. In this post, I’ve created a comprehensive list of the 11 best cafés in Queenstown, where you can indulge in expertly-roasted brews, mouthwatering food, and memorable café experiences.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown is a picturesque destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. Beyond its natural beauty, Queenstown is renowned for its hospitality and culinary scene. Cafés play a significant role in the city's culture, offering a haven for locals and travelers alike.
coffee culture in Queenstown ↴
WiFi at cafés
Queenstown is frequented by tourists and campervan travelers, making cafés in the city workspaces and WiFi zones for those in need of a stable internet connection. Unfortunately, this means some of Queenstown’s cafés have started restricting WiFi and setting table time limits. Make sure, if you are hopping into a Queenstown café with the hopes of using the internet, that you are a paying customer.
tipping in New Zealand
Tipping in New Zealand is not customary or expected. However, the tipping culture in Queenstown has grown in recent years due to tourism and hospitality making up such a large part of the economy. It’s likely you will see tip jars on café countertops throughout Queenstown. In my opinion, good service deserves tipping, however, I know that New Zealand can be an expensive destination. My advice? Add a little extra gratuity when and where you can!
getting around Queenstown
Many travelers come to Queenstown and have already booked a rental car. This is my recommendation since the South Island is best explored by road trip. However, on the off-chance, you find yourself in Queenstown without a vehicle, fear not! There are options that include public transportation and venturing out on foot. If you plan to visit as many cafés as possible, you will need to use the public transportation system. Use this website to navigate your way around utilizing the city’s network of buses.
the 11 best coffee + cafés in Queenstown ↴
Boat Shed Café + Bistro
A visit to the Boat Shed Café + Bistro guarantees freshly brewed coffee and seasonal menu offerings. During my visit, I indulged in the perfect morning pairing: a flat white and blueberry french toast. The rustic café’s waterside setting is idyllic on sunny days when the lake is piercing blue and views of the Remarkables are unimpeded. If you can’t make it to Boat Shed for breakfast, consider popping in to sip some local wines and beers.
📍847 Frankton Road, Frankton Marina
Provisions of Arrowtown
Provisions of Arrowtown isn’t actually in Queenstown. It’s located in a historic mining town about 20 minutes east of Queenstown. Still, it’s in such close proximity to Queenstown, in such a beautiful location, that it is an absolutely worthy addition to this list. Provisions offers rest and respite among the trees of Arrowtown, most impressive during the Autumn when the fall foliage's orange and yellow hues really pop. The café is housed in a restored historic Roman cottage from the gold rush era. Its top-notch coffee and scrumptious seasonal menu make it a must-visit on every trip I make to Queenstown. Their cabinet food is fantastic, but make it happen if you have time for a proper sit-down brunch here! The owners are a baker and chef couple; their experience shines through!
📍65 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown
Café Society
Café Society isn’t the most aesthetic café, and there isn’t much that stands out about its interiors. But, the café’s food is done well enough that it doesn’t require a funky venue. Café Society offers all-day breakfast with quirky takes on classic brunch options like brunch bruschetta and chipotle pork belly hash. I love the vegan menu at Café Society, and I highly rate “the Vegan Society Breakfast” (falafel sausages are 👌) and the smashed avocado.
📍6/32 Grant Road, Frankton
Bespoke Kitchen
Lines here might put some travelers off, but there is a reason Bespoke Kitchen is one of the most popular cafés in Queenstown. Built in a beautiful, industrial-meets-rustic space, Bespoke doesn’t just serve some of my favorite food in Queenstown, it is genuinely one of my favorite spaces. If you time your visit during off-peak hours or don’t mind waiting, Bespoke Kitchen is well worth adding to your foodie itinerary. The café’s menu is brimming with seasonal treats, smoothie bowls, and vegan-friendly cabinet food that reflects its focus on eating simple food that healthfully fuels the body for adventure. Bespoke overlooks the Remarkables and is a few minutes walk from Queenstown’s main street, so you have no excuse not to go!
📍9 Isle Street
Vudu Café + Larder
Vudu Café’s tiny albeit charming interior and outdoor terrace overlooking the lake make it an idyllic spot for a coffee in Queenstown. Their cabinet food and coffee make it the perfect place to stop in for a quick, casual bite. The food menu is filled with seasonal, health-conscious offerings and vegan options. My favorite dishes are the tofu scramble and winter porridge.
📍16 Rees Street
Hustl.
Hustl tends to be my go-to when working remotely in Queenstown, though during my recent visit, it was clear they are getting tired of digital nomads using the café as a working space. Hustl has an extensive menu of brunch favorites paired with quality coffee. The cafè is narrow, with relatively limited seating and charging outlets, but if you manage to nab a seat near the window, you’ll be treated to people watching as you sip your smooth flat white. The cabinet food has always been a hit to me, so I recommend grabbing a slice of cake and taking it on a picnic to one of Queenstown’s more scenic spots.
📍Unit B06/19 Grant Road, Frankton
Yonder
Located in the heart of the city lies Yonder, my favorite café in Queenstown. For me, whether I’m stopping by for brunch or a quick cabinet food lunch, Yonder never misses. As a vegetarian, Yonder is always a safe bet for a delicious and satiating meal. My favorite dishes include the avocado on toast (classic, I know, but so yum), and “the Vegan Butty” made with mushrooms, crispy pumpkin slices, kumara (sweet potato) chips, and onion jam. Yonder also offers patrons patio seating and free WiFi making it an exceptional choice for a sunny day spent working.
📍14 Church Street
Odelay
Frankton has some real winners when it comes to coffee and Odelay is a shining example. The menu includes scrumptious vegan and vegetarian options, including the Vegan Brunch Plate (wilted greens, toast, vegan kale pesto, napoli sauce, and potato croquettes) and Avocado on Superseed Toast (topped with vegan lake pesto).
📍5 Hawthorne Drive, Unit 10 The Landing, Remarkable Park, Frankton
Joe’s Garage
The breakfast food options here are a bit standard, but if you’re seeking comfort food then Joe’s does it right. The coffee and location of Joe’s make it a great place for a hearty start to the day before you head out to explore the wonders of Queenstown.
📍Searle Lane
The Trading Post
The Trading Post café is one of those spots you might drive past and not know you’ve missed. Located near Glenorchy’s picturesque wharf, the Trading Post is a homey venue with rustic touches. There are limited tables inside and, on a sunny day, alfresco seating in the café’s courtyard. Inside, you’ll find a selection of cakes and cabinet food, as well as a classic coffee menu served by incredibly friendly staff. The Trading Post pours flat whites to perfection. It’s the perfect, cozy spot to warm up after an autumn drive through Glenorchy.
📍13 Mull Street, Glenorchy
Wolf Coffee
Wolf Coffee is another Arrowtown gem! Wolf Coffee is a local Arrowtown coffee roaster. You’ll likely smell the aroma of espresso wafting onto the street before you the store. Wolf Toast Club is Wolf Coffee’s sister store which serves toastie sandwiches for those needing something a little more filling than a flat white.
📍44 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown
map ↴
Find the best coffee and cafes in Queenstown, New Zealand on the map below.
