Olive, 170 Cuba St, second block up through the Mall on the right

Good things about Olive
The food and coffee are consistently delicious, with a good range of counter food...panini, cakes etc, for those wanting a snack. Also lots of newspapers and mags for reading.
Not so Good things about Olive
What's happened to Olive? This used to be one of our favourite places for breakfast. Now the staff are smarmy and disinterested (except in each other) and seem completely ignorant of the entire concept of service. On our latest visit we waited 30 mins for our meals and while we were waiting saw three tables who'd arrived after us get their meals delivered. Not at the same time as the others at the table of course, as that seems to be something the staff at Olive are incapable of. At the table next to us, one woman had her toast delivered within 10 mins, 15 mins later someone else at the table had muesli delivered...and by the time we left, 20 mins later, another three were still waiting for their food. When we enquired about the delay on our breakfasts our waitress said the delay was due to the order of a 'meaty works' big breakfast. Come on! It doesn't take 30 mins to fry a piece of bacon....and if your sausages are that labour intensive....pre cook them for god's sake!
The Meals
Usually yummy, except for the time they left the cinammon out of my cinammon french toast with stewed fruit. The stewed fruit however is always delicious and seasonal...yum!
The home made hash browns in the big breakfasts are extra extra good....but why have they stopped putting the sauce in a separate little bowl? Not an issue for us, but may be for those who aren't keen on spicy sauce.
Rating
Ask about the delivery time. Because the food is good, we keep revisiting every few months. Sadly, no improvements have been noticed.

Matterhorn, 106 Cuba Street

Look out for the sandwich board sign on the right hand side going up Cuba Mall. The long corridor might have you wondering if you are on the right track....you are....persevere through the heavy old door and find yourself in the dark seclusion of this uniquely Wgtn spot.
Good things about Matterhorn
By night this is an award winning hang-out of the beautiful and aspiring to be beautiful folk of Wellington. For breakfast, it is a bit secluded and special, the chef's abilities still show, plus the trendy set haven't yet surfaced after the night before. The coffee is good, the food has extra yummy touches and the staff are gorgeous, friendly and obliging. There is also a variety of games - chess, backgammon, cards - if you're in the mood. The prices are comparable with other cafes so no need to worry about that!
Not so Good things about Matterhorn
Take your own newspaper.
The meals
No big brekkie tho' you can build your own, which is a bit more expensive than a big brek would usually be, but with special touches like pesto coated tomatoes.

The pancakes are divine, and everything else is great too.

Rating
Try it - very delicious!

Clarke's (the Library Cafe, Library Victoria St or enter from Civic Square)

Good things about Clarke's
You can have brekkie and go to the library in one easy hit.
The portions are big, the prices are very reasonable, the coffee is great, the staff are friendly and cute and there is a huge range of counter food (pies, salads, muffins, cakes etc) if you are not so hungry.
Not so Good things about Clarke's (depending on your mood)
Lots of noise, lots of kids, you have to wait at the counter for your coffee.....it can feel a bit like a railway station.
Rating
Great for those days when you need to go to the library for books, cds, dvds etc....close to the info centre for travellers. Info on local courses, bus time tables and lots of other good stuff in the foyer for locals.

Roxy Cafe, 203 Cuba St (second block up past the mall on left hand side)

Good things about Roxy
Lovely friendly staff, (go a second time and you'll be remembered) consistently excellent coffee and food. Artwork on the walls is occasionally stunning and always interesting.
Not so Good things about Roxy
We've never experienced any....oh, except for the fruit with the muesli and fruit during winter...apples and pears are just not exciting enough.
Meals
The big brekkie is great, but be warned that the sausages contain fennel, so best avoided if you're not a fan. However Roxy is happy to mix and match for you and tailor to your requirements....add a poached egg to the corn fritters, request crispy bacon, hard poached eggs, different spreads for your toast etc. They are happy to oblige with anything you want.
Rating
Fantastic!!

Epic Cafe, cnr of Willis and Ghuznee St

Good things about Epic
Great menu, everything from pikelets to full cooked breakfast, at excellent prices. Good choice of papers and magazines and sweet staff.
Not so good things about Epic (for us anyway)
Full of students and very NOISY. The wait time was ridiculous, with my coffee (trim flat white) arriving about 20 mins before Stephen's long black.
Meals
He had the big brekkie - it was ok overall, but some bits of bacon were crispy and others seemed uncooked.

I had.....something unmemorable and average....corn fritters and salad I think. I'm pretty sure the salad dressing was out of a bottle.

We had to request salt and pepper.

Rating
Maybe during Uni holidays.....I'd be keen to try the pikelets with jam and cream!

About Us

We are a double income no kids couple who like to wander into town every Saturday morning for breakfast.

We have tried lots of cafes in and around Wellington and thought we would share our impressions with you.

If you're a visitor to our beautiful city, this means you can go somewhere you know will be good. If you're a local, maybe this will assist you when you want to try somewhere new.

Whoever you are we invite you to share your comments via the 'post a comment' function, although we do, of course, reserve the right to edit.

Cafe owners who would like to be included can request a visit and we will drop in (anonymously of course!!) and do a write up for this site.