Wellington is blessed with an abundance of superb coffee shops. Many of them use local roasters, or even roast their own coffee (look out for L'Affare, Havana, Emporio, Flight, all good local roasters). There’s also a Starbucks if you’re not really interested in coffee but like to look as if you are. Any Fuel or Mojo outlet will be reliably good. Some others:
The Flight Coffee Hanger
On Dixon St, just down from Willis St. These people take their coffee seriously even by Wellington standards. And the food's good too. (Diana)
Clark’s Café
It’s in the public library and has terrific coffee. (Jeff)
The coffee here is really good (and generously poured), and there is an OK selection of cabinet food. I can recommend the chocolate brownies. It can be quite noisy, but it’s a good place to make use of the free wi-fi and/or newspapers. Note: there are lifts from the ground floor of the library and from the underground carpark. (Simon)
Enigma Cafe
Coffee. Lunch. Breakfast. Ice Cream. Noisy cafe in which you can hide. I go AWOL here when I need to. (Mark)
http://www.enigmacafe.co.nz/
Olive Café
Fidel’s
both on upper Cuba Street (a decent 25-min walk from Rydges)
Where all the cool kids go. Indoor/outdoor eating areas, outstanding coffee, and all the hipsters one could ever wish for – some of the best that Wellington’s café scene has to offer. (Simon)
Recommended! (Jeff)
Café Eis
The best ice cream in Wellington. Very nice coffee, too. At a number of locations in town.
(Babette)
Drexells
Cheap & cheerful with breakfast going pretty much all day and able to process both large parties & small (Judy)
Woodward Street
This tiny street packs in a decent range of Asian street food: Sushi Bi, Chef’s Palate, Satay Me, Siem Reap Express. I have a soft spot for Chef’s Palate ($6 for a noodle, vegetable, and meat salad is undeniably appealing), but the consistently long queues outside Sushi B, especially after 5pm when it’s 50% off, speak for themselves. There’s also Pandoro Panetteria, for a change. (Simon)
Pandoro (http://www.pandoro.co.nz): there are several versions, but the one on Willis Street is the best one. (Jeff)
No it’s not, they’re all good – although the Willis St one does have more seating. (Diana)
Excellent rolls and pies along with specialty breads and cakes. A good place to grab a coffee. (Art)
Sushi B
A great place for takeaway sushi for lunch (the queue forms outside on the street). If the weather is good, you can eat in the park opposite. Others recommend Yoshi Sushi and Bento (126 Featherston St). (Art)
Rata Café
This cafe is right outside Zealandia wildlife sanctuary about 20 min walk from Vic. Nice spacious cafe with a lovely view (if you like the bush). Good coffee and a good selection of teas. The food is o.k. (Babette)
http://www.visitzealandia.com/what-is-zealandia/the-experience/rata-cafe/
La Cloche
Very yummy French food and coffee. Try the onion soup! It’s in Kaiwharawhara, so unfortunately a bit out of the way, unless you have a car. (Babette)