Drinks
26 January 2026
The best coffee in Christchurch's CBD
Explore Ōtautahi Christchurch’s vibrant coffee scene — home to passionate local roasters crafting fresh, flavourful beans in the heart of the city.
Where to find the best coffee spots in Christchurch city?
Christchurch’s coffee culture is thriving, with more independent coffee roasters and local cafés popping up regularly.
From well-known names to hidden espresso bars, the Christchurch CBD is buzzing with quality caffeine.
Whether you’re exploring Cashel Street or venturing to the city’s outskirts, you’re never far from a perfectly brewed cup — making Christchurch one of New Zealand’s top coffee destinations.
What's the name of the new cafe in Christchurch with the Melbourne vibe? Rook Cafe
Our city’s new spot for specialty and experimental coffee. From creamy Mont Blancs (please yum!) to classics & inventive brews, this café is built for both coffee and conversation.
It’s super modern, thoughtfully designed and all about people and community. With the bar right in the heart, inviting you to grab a seat, chill, and connect.
It’s a bit of Melbourne in Ōtautahi and perfect for cafe lovers, seeking Christchurch’s best coffee experience.
The best place for a strong coffee in the Christchurch CBD? Espresso Studio
Tucked inside the laneway outside Riverside Market, Espresso Studio by Fushoken is a minimalist espresso bar with a big reputation. Triple shots are standard here, giving each cup a rich, bold intensity loved by Christchurch coffee enthusiasts. Open early for commuters, it’s perfect for anyone chasing a serious caffeine kick in the CBD.
Where's the best cafe for good food & coffee? Akin
Akin is a minimalist dream on High Street. It’s chic, calm, and refined, with a thoughtful menu and quality coffee that underpins it all.
They are highly regarded for serving excellent, expertly crafted Allpress espresso and filter coffee.
Alongside this, they serve up some of the most beautiful Southeast Asian-inspired brunch dishes in the city.
Where can I find great vegan coffee options in Christchurch? Empire Coffee & Fika Coffee
Empire Coffee is the specialty roastery located right in the heart of Riverside Market on Cashel Street.
This spot is where they roast their signature brand, Heron Coffee Roasters.
Owned by the local Cantwell brothers, they focus on high-quality, ethically and sustainably sourced beans.
You can grab a cup there or at their other nearby cafe, Fika, tucked down a laneway off Cashel Street; both spots offer numerous vegan coffee options and seriously delicious vegan food.
Is Coffee Embassy now open on Cashel Street?
While Coffee Embassy already operates its excellent roastery and espresso bar on Fitzgerald Avenue, it has now opened a second cafe on Cashel Street.
Their official opening day is February 2nd, but you can still pop in while they add the finishing touches to the space.
With a focus on freshness, Coffee Embassy sources its beans in alignment with the harvest calendars of each origin.
Roasting three days a week on-site at their Fitzgerald cellar door using a 15kg Joper roaster, they ensure that every batch is as fresh as possible.
Where's a specialty coffee roaster and cafe in Christchurch city? C4 Coffee Co.
C4 Coffee Co are the quiet achiever of the country’s coffee roasting industry, sourcing and supplying coffee for over 20 years.
The company operates out of a spacious warehouse on Fitzgerald Ave, which hosts their entire operation.
Here you can watch it all happen from the comfort of your armchair while sipping on one of their brews!
Best coffee spot with a relaxing setting in Christchurch? Unknown Chapter
It may be called Unknown Chapter, but this lively cafe is in fact very popular with those who love a good brew. Unknown Chapter on St Asaph Street roasts its beans on site to bring patrons first-class coffee, with offerings changing throughout the year depending on harvest times. The roasters experiment with each new coffee to try, highlighting its special characteristics! The entire variety of brews can be enjoyed within the industrial space, softened with a sea of hanging indoor plants.
Do the Underground Coffee Roasters actually roast underground?
Raw and natural, Underground Coffee Roasters understand coffee.
Using an unconventional air-roasting method, Underground Coffee on Durham Street South produces bold, punchy beans that will wake you up with every sip.
Connected to the roastery is a stylish brew bar, perfect for sampling their full range of freshly roasted coffees straight from the source.
And yes, they did get their start roasting coffee beans in an underground basement in Cashmere!
Where can you get the best coffee near Margaret Mahy playground? Child Sister
A sleek space famous for its Korean-influenced menu offering something a little bit different, Child Sister is perfect for parents after a caffeine hit while they watch the kids have a run around at the Margaret Mahy playground across the road.
While the food is outrageously good here, the coffee more than matches it.
Using Lyttelton Coffee Company beans, the baristas here know how to make a seriously good coffee.
Where can you find ethically roasted coffee in Christchurch? Prima Roastery
Prima Roastery is a family-run specialty coffee roaster in Sydenham, Christchurch, serving up fresh, ethically sourced beans since 1995.
Their air of sustainability doesn’t stop at the beans – think compostable packaging and zero-waste vibes.
Pop into their cosy cafe to sip expertly roasted coffee and see the magic happen straight from the roastery.
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