10 Best Specialty Coffee Roasteries in New Zealand: North & South Island Picks
New Zealand's coffee culture is legendary – this is the country that perfected the flat white, after all. Kiwis take their coffee seriously, and Wellington's specialty coffee scene is particularly renowned. But you'll find amazing roasteries from Auckland to Christchurch (and beyond) fueling the nation's caffeine obsession. If you're searching for the best specialty coffee in New Zealand, look no further – we've compiled 10 of the top New Zealand coffee roasteries across both the North and South Islands. Each offers something unique, be it innovative roasting techniques, ethically sourced beans, a cool café atmosphere, or award-winning blends. Grab your keep cup and join us on a caffeinated tour of NZ's finest specialty coffee roasteries!
1. Coffee Supreme – Wellington (North Island)
Located in the heart of Wellington, Coffee Supreme is a coffee icon and one of the pioneers of NZ's third-wave coffee movement. Established in 1993, this roastery built its reputation on roasting beans in small batches for ultimate freshness. You've probably spotted their iconic red branding in cafes nationwide.
Their flagship Supreme Blend is widely served and loved for its lingering cocoa and dark chocolate finish – a flavor that shines especially in a filter coffee. The vibe at their Wellington café is unpretentious and welcoming, reflecting the brand's philosophy: great coffee, no fuss. Whether you order a classic long black or a flat white, you can count on a smooth, rich cup that represents some of the best specialty coffee in New Zealand.
2. Flight Coffee – Wellington (North Island)
Hailing from the capital city, Flight Coffee represents Wellington's specialty coffee spirit of innovation and community. This roastery was started by a group of coffee-obsessed friends and has quickly become a household name in the NZ coffee scene. You can find Flight Coffee served in cafés all across the country – a testament to their quality.
Their flagship café (The Hangar in Wellington) is a hip, friendly spot that perfectly embodies their engaging, no-pretenses approach to coffee. Their most popular roast is the Bomber blend, recognizable by its pastel yellow packaging. This blend is beloved for its chocolate and orange flavor notes that make each sip a delight. It's a versatile coffee that tastes great as a flat white or as a smooth long black.
3. Havana Coffee Works – Wellington (North Island)
Havana Coffee Works brings a splash of Cuban flair to New Zealand's coffee scene. Founded in 1989 in Wellington, Havana is one of NZ's longest-running specialty roasteries and has a cult following. Their main roastery and café in Wellington is funky and eclectic, adorned with colorful murals and vintage coffee paraphernalia.
Havana champions a philosophy of community, fun, and celebrating coffee origins. They roast with a focus on bold, robust flavors, often highlighting Latin American beans. Their signature Five Star blend delivers a rich, full-bodied espresso with a sweet finish – perfect for a flat white or espresso purists. Havana now supplies beans to over 250 cafés around New Zealand, so you know they're doing something right.
4. Allpress Espresso – Auckland (North Island)
Allpress Espresso is one of the most iconic coffee roasters in New Zealand, and its influence has gone global. Founded in Auckland over 30 years ago by Michael Allpress, this roastery has grown from a single Auckland coffee cart in 1986 to supplying over 1,000 cafés worldwide with its beans.
Allpress is known for its innovative roasting technique – they exclusively use custom-built hot air roasters (their Air Roasting Technology) instead of traditional drum roasters. This method elevates the beans' natural sweetness and yields an exceptionally smooth taste with no bitter aftertaste. Their signature Espresso Blend is celebrated for being chocolatey and smooth, easily enjoyed black or with milk.
5. Kōkako Coffee Roasters – Auckland (North Island)
If sustainability is your thing, Kōkako is the coffee roastery for you. Kōkako Coffee Roasters (named after a native NZ bird) has been a pioneer in organic and Fairtrade coffee for over two decades. Started in Auckland in 2001, this locally owned roastery built its brand on doing things right – for the farmers, the environment, and the drinker.
They were one of the first in New Zealand to offer 100% certified organic coffee and have since achieved climate-neutral certification as well. Their roasters are experts at bringing out nuanced flavors from high-quality beans. A standout is their Aotea Blend, known for its smooth body and notes of caramel and stonefruit – great as espresso or filter.
6. Atomic Coffee Roasters – Auckland (North Island)
Atomic Coffee Roasters is an Auckland institution, credited with helping kick-start the city's love affair with specialty coffee. They opened their doors on Ponsonby Road in 1992, back when having a cool espresso bar was still a novelty. In those early days, Atomic was the scruffy rebel on the block – they hosted live music and served top-notch coffee between fine-dining restaurants.
They roast in small batches and are sticklers for quality control – often roasting late into the night, tinkering with profiles to get the best out of each bean. Their Veloce espresso blend is iconic: a smooth, chocolatey brew with a hint of cinnamon spice in the finish. It's fantastic as a flat white or a double-shot latte.
7. Ozone Coffee Roasters – New Plymouth (North Island)
Ozone Coffee Roasters proves that you don't have to be in a big city to roast big-time coffee. Originating in the coastal town of New Plymouth in Taranaki, Ozone has grown from a local favorite to a renowned specialty roaster with international reach (they've even set up shop in London).
Their New Plymouth HQ is set in a cool converted space that's part café, part roastery – if you visit, you can often see and smell the coffee roasting in action while you enjoy your brew. Ozone is all about showcasing the character of coffee from farm to cup. Their Empire Blend is a standout, featuring chocolate and caramel notes with a touch of fruity tartness – a versatile blend that tastes great as espresso or filter.
8. C4 Coffee Co. – Christchurch (South Island)
In the South Island coffee scene, C4 Coffee Co. is legendary. This Christchurch-based roastery has been roasting for over 25 years, making it the OG of Christchurch specialty coffee. Tucked away on Fitzgerald Ave in a converted warehouse, C4 offers a quintessential "urban garage" coffee experience – think concrete floors, the hum of roasters, and the aroma of freshly roasted beans hitting you as soon as you walk in.
They offer an array of blends and single-origin coffees to suit all palates, from light and fruity filter roasts to deep, chocolatey espresso roasts. Their signature "Krank" blend deserves a shout-out – it's a secret alchemy of six different origins, each roasted separately then blended in just the right proportions to create pure magic in a cup.
9. Addington Coffee Co-op – Christchurch (South Island)
Part coffee roastery, part community hub, Addington Coffee Co-op is a café with a conscience. Opened in 2008 in an old mechanic's workshop in Christchurch's Addington suburb, this place was built with a strong social mission. The founders wanted to create a space that nurtured community and practiced fair, ethical business – and they succeeded.
Addington feels like the living room of the neighborhood: a spacious, wooden interior with couches, long communal tables, and locals greeting each other like old friends. They take pride in sourcing Fairtrade and organic beans where possible and pay farmers fairly. For years, Addington famously returned 70% of its profits back to local and global community projects – supporting everything from a local school to coffee replanting programs in Nicaragua.
10. Common Ground Espresso – Dunedin (South Island)
Down in Dunedin, Common Ground Espresso is a small-batch roastery with a big reputation among locals. It's the kind of hidden gem you almost have to be told about: situated in an unassuming business park area (amid auto shops and warehouses), Common Ground is a "diamond in the rough" for coffee lovers.
The space itself is unapologetically all about coffee – basically a functional garage/warehouse setup with a roaster, some espresso gear, and the rich smell of coffee permeating the air. They roast in small batches, and the menu is often just a handful of offerings – perhaps a couple of espresso options and a filter of the day. But whatever they hand you, you can trust it's going to be excellent.
New Zealand may be a small country, but its specialty coffee scene is huge in passion and flavor. From the North Island's big-name roasters in Wellington and Auckland to the South Island's community-focused cafés and hidden gems, there's a wealth of coffee experiences to enjoy. These 10 roasteries are among the very best, each contributing to the rich tapestry of New Zealand coffee culture in their own unique way. And whether you're a local or a visitor, our Coffeeee AI directory can help you discover these and other amazing coffee spots across New Zealand!